American Idioms

Idiom of the day :- Go Out On A Limb

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Put yourself in a tough position in order to support someone/something.

Idiom of the day :- Get Off Someone’s Back

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Hey, John. I’m bored. Come on, let’s go out and do something. Sorry, I’m right in the middle of studying for a physics exam. I won’t be able to make it tonight. You’ve been studying for a long time. Why don’t you take a break ? Come on! Let’s go ! Forget studying for a while ! Look! Get off my back! I can’t go anywhere! OK. I’ll stop bothering you only if you promise to let me know the minute you’re finished.

Idiom of the day :- Topsy-turvy

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Chaotic / upside down; reversed / having changed places A : When we returned home from holiday last night we found everything was topsy-turvy. Books and furniture had been thrown around, plates and glasses had been smashed — the flat was a complete mess. B : Oh my goodness, you must ell the police immediately that you’ve been burgled. A : But it wasn’t a burglary. Our daughter had thrown a party for her friends while we were away ! This expression comes from two words, top and the Old English verb terve which meant turn or turn over.

Idiom of the day :- Like water off a duck’s back

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Be unaffected by an unpleasant experience A : Anita, the ageing ballerina, is starring in a new production of ‘San Lake’. All the newspaper critics said she was too old and should retire. B : Oh dear, I’m sure Miss Anita was very upset when she read the reviews. A : No, the comments were like water off a duck’s back to Anita. She invited all the critics to her house and told them she was still the best dancer in the world ! It’s very common to shorten the saying by omitting like. E.g. : It was water off a duck’s back to Anita.

Idiom of the day :- Look / feel bushed

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

‘Oh, you poor, poor man ! You look absolutely bushed !’ Mrs. Bond said when her husband returned from work. ‘I’ve had a bad day,’ he answered, ‘and you’re right ! I feel bushed.’ ‘What you need is a nice cool glass of lemonade,’ Mrs. Bond smiled. I’ll get one for you.’ That should help to make Mr. Bond feel better because to look / feel bushed is to be completely exhausted.

Idiom of the day :- poker face / (A) poker face

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A face with no expression. Also common is “to be poker-faced.” 

Idiom of the day :- The Ball Is In Your Court

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

It is your decision this time.

Idiom of the day :- Chained to the oars

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Once upon a time slaves on ships were chained to the oars and forced to row for their masters. In today’s world this idiom means to be forced to work hard and long. ‘I’m just a little kid and I feel I’ve been chained to the oars all my life,’ Angela sighed. ‘Maybe we’re slaves,’ Jimmy said.

Idiom of the day :- Neither here nor there

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Not relevant. ex. “All of a sudden he started talking about his car, a topic which was neither here nor there.” 

Idiom of the day :- keep a straight face / (To) keep a straight face

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To force oneself not to laugh, even though one wants to. ex. “He was saying the stupidest things, and I was finding it hard to keep a straight face.”