American Idioms

Idiom of the day :- Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A mistake made in something you are trying to achieve.

Idiom of the day :- Whistle in the dark

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To whistle in the dark means (1) to guess wildly about something or (2) to keep up your courage. ‘I don’t know when the last bus leaves the terminal,’ Douglas said, ‘ so I’d be whistling in the dark if I said it was at midnight. During the terrible storm, we sat inside the house whistling in the dark hoping it would quickly pass.’

Idiom of the day :- Pay Through the Nose

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

At last Mr. Smith came upon the rare stamp he had been seeking at an auction. Since many other stamp collectors would also be bidding for it, he realized that he would have to pay through the nose in order to have it. After considering the increasing value of the stamp, he decided that he would not mindpaying such a high price for something so rare.

Idiom of the day :- put up a good fight / (To) put up a good fight

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To try very hard. ex. “Well, although my team lost, they put up a good fight, so I’m not upset.” 

Idiom of the day :- Rise with the lark

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A lark is a bird, and birds always wake up and begin the day at dawn. ‘I like getting up with the lark’ Alan yawned, ‘but I know one bird that doesn’t always rise with the lark.’ To get up/rise with the lark is to get up/rise early in the morning.

Idiom of the day :- enter one’s mind / (To) enter one’s mind

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To cross one’s mind; to start thinking about something. ex. “You want me to become a doctor? The thought never even entered my mind.” 

Idiom of the day :- The Early Bird Catches the Worm

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Marc, the lines for the rock festival are going to be miles long! If you expect to get tickets for you and Mary, remember that old saying. ‘ The early bird catches the worm ‘ I guess you’re right. Mary is looking forward to the concert, and I’d hate to disappoint her. I’ll get up real early to get a place at the head of the line. That way I’ll get the tickets I want, for sure !

Idiom of the day :- come up short / (To) come up short

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To not quite achieve one’s goal. ex. “The students tried to raise $1,000 for the school play, but they came up short.” 

Idiom of the day :- Corner the market in something

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

In this expression the word ‘corner’ means to have control of enough of something — it could be anything that is bought and sold — to be able to manipulate ( control ) its price. It’s the same as having a monopoly. ‘Now, if I could just corner the market in sand, I’d get rich !’ Winston laughed.

Idiom of the day :- serve someone right / (To) serve someone right

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To serve as appropriate punishment for someone. ex. “They put him in jail for 5 years? Serves him right!”