American Idioms

Idiom of the day :- Ivy League

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Since 1954 the Ivy League has been the following universities: Columbia, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Yale, Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Harvard.

Idiom of the day :- Run up an account

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Instead of paying cash each time he shops, Mr. Long finds it more convenient to run up an account at the stores where he makes his purchases. To run up an account is to increase the money you owe. You can also run up a bill or a debt, which means the same as run up an account. Mr. Long does this ( very easily, I might add ! ) by using credit cards.

Idiom of the day :- On The Fence

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Undecided.

Idiom of the day :- Skid Row

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

The rundown area of a city where the homeless and drug users live.

Idiom of the day :- Bend Over Backwards

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Do whatever it takes to help. Willing to do anything.

Idiom of the day :- hit bottom / (To) hit bottom

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To reach the lowest point. ex. “Two years after he started to abuse alcohol, he hit bottom.” 

Idiom of the day :- Buy A Lemon

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To purchase a vehicle that constantly gives problems or stops running after you drive it away.

Idiom of the day :- Drown one’s sorrow

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

It’s obvious that Timothy has a broken heart : it’s beside him on the table ! Now he’s trying to drown his sorrows. When people drown their sorrows, they drink lots of alcohol in an attempt to forget their pain, problems or unhappiness. ‘You can’t drown your sorrows, Timothy. You must face them boldly like a man … er, I mean like a mouse.’

Idiom of the day :- Cut down to size

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

When we cut people down to size, we show them they aren’t as important as they think they are. ‘Mary thinks too highly of herself. Someone should cut her down to size.’ When an object or a project is cut down to size, it is reduced. ‘Let’s cut this job down to size so we can get it done as quickly as possible.’

Idiom of the day :- Cold comfort

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

There’s nothing very warm or comforting about cold comfort. The Smiths know that as well as anyone. They have just inherited Grandma Smith’s huge house — but they’ve discovered it has no heating ! ‘There’s cold comfort in having inherited this,’ they shivered. To get cold comfort means to get no pleasure or happiness at all out of something.