American Idioms

Idiom of the day :- wild goose chase / (A) wild goose chase

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A futile/hopeless pursuit. ex. “We thought he had given us a good lead, but it ended up being a wild goose chase.” 

Idiom of the day :- In stitches

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Desmond is very ticklish. He laughs whenever he’s touched. That, I suppose, explains why he’s presently in stitches. When a person is in stitches he laughs and laughs. ‘Oh, Doctor Wong, you’ve got me in stitches,’ Desmond laughed. ‘You’ll have the entire hospital in stitches if you don’t be quiet,’ Doctor Wong replied.

Idiom of the day :- Hit The Hay

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Go to bed or go to sleep. 

Idiom of the day :- make a bundle / (To) make a bundle

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To make a lot of money (one time). ex. “I made a bundle when I sold my Microsoft stock last month.” 

Idiom of the day :- promise someone the moon / (To) promise someone the moon

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To promise someone lots of extravagant things (unrealistically). ex. “He promised her the moon, but couldn’t deliver on any of his promises.” 

Idiom of the day :- Send somebody packing

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Several weeks ago an old friend came to visit Wilson. Apparently he enjoyed his visit for he settled in and stayed and stayed. ‘Good heavens,’ Wilson exclaimed in despair. ‘I’ve got to think of a way to send him packing.’ To send somebody packing is todismiss or send a person away firmly and quickly.

Idiom of the day :- Hot air

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

‘Elect me and I promise I will reduce taxes, shorten the work week, and see to it that everyone gets paid a higher wage,’ Blah declared. ‘Blah is full of hot air,’ Someone said. ‘Yes, and everything he says is hot air,’ another replied. Promises and boasts that won’t or can’t be kept are called hot air.

Idiom of the day :- Count sheep

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

You won’t find him counting sheep. He sleeps very well, thank you. I if this sounds odd it’s because to count sheep is an old method of trying to get to sleep by counting imaginary lambs jumping over a fence in one’s mind. ‘Poor father. I know I’ve disappointed him. I hope he doesn’t lie in bed counting sheep thinking that I have failed him, ‘ Sal sighed.

Idiom of the day :- Tower of strength

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Those who know Hacken back home in Kansas say he’s a tower of strength. This metaphor ( from Shakespeare’s Richard III ) describes someone who is helpful, sympathetic, and can always be relied on in times of trouble. ‘ I don’t think your reputation as a tower of strength means you should try solving problems here,’ Hacken’s wife said.

Idiom of the day :- keep one’s cool / (To) keep one’s cool

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To remain calm. ex. “It’s not easy to keep one’s cool in stressful situations.”