American Idioms

Idiom of the day :- Steal someone’s thunder

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Spoil the effect of someone’s actions or words by doing the same or better first A : In December I decided to wear a big hat with the words HAPPY CHRISTMAS on it. I thought that it would surprise everyone when I walked into the local bank. B : And did it ? A : Not at all ! I found that they’d stolen my thunder. The cashiers were in special fancy dress costumes — even the bank manager was dressed as Charlie Chaplin ! so no one even noticed me ! This expression was first used by an English playwright called John Dennis who lived at the beginning of the 18th century. For one of his plays h invented a way to create the noise of thunder. Although the play itself was a disaster and soon closed, everyone loved the thunder sound effect ! It was used by others so much that Dennis said, ‘Damn them ! They will not let my play run, but they steal my thunder’.

Idiom of the day :- Play the giddy goat

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

In ancient times it was thought that goats were associated with the devil. Perhaps that’s why we have this idiom which refers to acting or behaving foolishly. Giddy means to be dizzy or silly. ‘When Raymond began acting the giddy goat I insisted that we leave the party,’ his wife sighed.

Idiom of the day :- On the rocks (1)

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A business that is on the rocks is in serious financial difficulty. It does not have enough money to pay its bills. ‘I understand that the JP Mongoose Company is on the rocks. If sales don’t improve, Mr. Mongoose may have to cease doing business.’

Idiom of the day :- Riff-raff

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Undesirable and untrustworthy people who are of a low social class A : Would you like to go to the Queen’s Head pub ? B : I don’t think so. It seems to attract all kinds of riff-raff. Why on earth do you want to go ? A : I’m meeting my friends there ! This word is normally used to refer to a group of people. Its origin is the Old French expression rif et raf which meant everyone / one and all.

Idiom of the day :- eat out of someone’s hands / (To) eat out of someone’s hands

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To do whatever someone else wants. ex. “James would do anything for Vicky. She had him eating out of her hands.” 

Idiom of the day :- Long arm of the law

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Police forces have remarkable ways of finding and capturing criminals. Regardless of where they hide, the police are able to use their powers to locate them. This power is called the long arm of the law. ‘Years after the criminal had committed his crime, the long arm of the law caught him and sent him to prison.’

Idiom of the day :- Chow hound

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

My dictionary says that the word chow comes from the Chinese word for meat dumpling. In English it now means food of any kind … and that’s exactly what pleases a chow hound. ‘Even the thought of food makes me happy,’ Wilbur said. ‘I’m a chow hound and I never get enough chow.’

Idiom of the day :- Go to the Dogs

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Have you seen their house lately? It’s really gone to the dogs. It’s true that it has become run-down and in serious need of repair, but I’m sure that it can be fixed up to look like new. I guess with a little carpentry work and some paint it could look pretty decent.

Idiom of the day :- Tongue-in-Cheek 

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Why were you teasing Sonia about her new hairdo? She really took offense at what you said. I didn’t mean to offend her. I was simply making a tongue-in-cheek remark when i said that it was too elaborate for a girl of her young, tender age. Well, she thought you were serious. She had no idea that you were just saying that as a joke. I’m really sorry. I suppose I owe her an apology.

Idiom of the day :- Rule Of Thumb

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A rough estimate.