American Idioms

Idiom of the day :- beside oneself / (To be) beside oneself

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To be really upset, emotional. ex. “My mom was really beside herself when she found out I had failed my English test.” 

Idiom of the day :- Make oneself scarce

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

When something is scarce, it is hard to find; there’s not much of it around. When mother wants them to do some chores, there’s not much of Clara and Albert around either. They make themselves scarce. that is, they hide or disappear. ‘Oh ! Here comes mother. Let’s make ourselves scarce,’ Albert whispered.

Idiom of the day :- One’s face fell

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

For a dozen or more years Webster has worked for the ABC Company. Yesterday he was called into the boss’s office and told he would be replaced by a computer. Webster’s face fell. When someone’s face falls he looks terribly disappointed. If I were Webster, I’m sure my face would fall too.

Idiom of the day :- Wine and Dine

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

When somebody is treated to an expensive meal.

Idiom of the day :- bite to eat / (A) bite to eat

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A snack, some food. ex. “Let’s go grab a bite to eat before we go to the game.” 

Idiom of the day :- Put someone on a pedestal

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

People we respect or think of as heroes often end up as statues in parks and museums. The base of a statue is called a pedestal. Metaphorically, to admire a person to an extreme degree is to put him on a pedestal. ‘I think Alvin and Susan have put their teacher on a pedestal.’

Idiom of the day :- drive a hard bargain / (To) drive a hard bargain

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To be firm when bargaining about something. ex. “You drive a hard bargain, but alright, I’ll pay you $10 for the lamp.” 

Idiom of the day :- Kitty-corner

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Diagonally across. Sometimes called Catty-Corner as well.

Idiom of the day :- ( As ) Ripe as a cherry

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Rodney was taking a stroll when he came upon a nice big plate of fresh cherries. ‘I don’t know where those cherries came from,’ he burped, ‘but I could see that they were as ripe as a cherry, so I ate them.’ He burped again. ‘Besides, I wanted to see if it’s true that fruit said to be ( as ) ripe as a cherry is really fully mature and ready to eat.’ Having said that, Rodney slid away. To a hungry bird, he probably looked ripe as a cherry himself !

Idiom of the day :- born yesterday / (To not be) born yesterday

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To not be naive or gullible. ex. “You expect me to believe that? C’mon, I wasn’t born yesterday.”