American Idioms

Idiom of the day :- Buttonhole someone

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Talk to someone who does not want to listen A : How was the party ? B : Not very good. A dreadful young man buttonholed me and told me his life story. It took two hours ! A : Never mind, it could have been worse. He could have been an old man and then it would have taken even longer ! This verb was originally to buttonhold and meant to hold on to the buttons of someone’ coat. The idea was to sell goods to a reluctant customer by stopping him from walking away ! Over the years the verb has become buttonhole and its meaning has grown to include talking to someone on any subject which the listener does not want to hear.

Idiom of the day :- drag / (A) drag

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Boring; a disappointment. ex. “The party was a real drag” or “My car broke down… What a drag!” 

Idiom of the day :- Cost an arm and a leg

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Whatever is said to cost an arm and a leg is very expensive. ‘It cost me an arm and a leg to get my car repaired.’ ‘George flew to Austria to go skiing. He said that the trip cost him an arm and a leg.’

Idiom of the day :- fix someone (some food – like cocoa, oatmeal, etc.) / (To) fix someone (some food – like cocoa, oatmeal, etc.)

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To prepare (some food) for someone. ex. “I’ll fix you a cup of cocoa.” 

Idiom of the day :- Break out of the mold

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Have you ever had a desire to break old habits and change your way of living ? If so, you would understand this expression because break out of the mold describesdoing something completely different or changing one’s way of doing things. ‘Why don’t we break out of the mold and go somewhere new on our holiday this year,’ Steven said.

Idiom of the day :- In Like Flynn

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To be easily successful, especially when sexual or romantic.

Idiom of the day :- Off the hook

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

No longer having to do something, no longer blamed or under suspicion. ex. “Ok, you’re off the hook. Your brother says he’ll clean the bathroom.”  No longer have to deal with a tough situation

Idiom of the day :- go over something with a fine toothed comb / (To) go over something with a fine toothed comb

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To go over something very carefully, esp. checking for errors. ex. “Here’s the report. Make sure to go over it with a fine toothed comb.” 

Idiom of the day :- Namby-pamby

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Weak sentimental A : My boyfriend says that he wants me to give up smoking. He says that I must choose between him and cigarettes. Do you think he’d be happy if I just smoked less ? B : No, I don’t think so. You need to be brave and make a clear decision. It’s no good being namby-pamby. A : Yes you’re right. I’ll tell my boyfriend that I can’t see him anymore ! Ambrose Phillips was an 18th century writer and politician who liked to write poetry. Unfortunately he was not very good ! Another writer, called Henry Carey, gave Ambrose the nickname Namby-Pamby after he wrote a very sentimental poem for Lord Carteret’s children. Over the years the nickname has become part of the English language and can be sued to describe a person or action which is feeble.

Idiom of the day :- Money talks

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Having money helps one get things done.