American Idioms

Idiom of the day :- Go Down Like A Lead Balloon

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To be received badly by an audience.

Idiom of the day :- Donkey’s years

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Donkeys have very long ears. The reason we have this funny expression ( it is assumed ) is because the word ‘years’ rhymes with ‘ears’. It means a long, long time. ‘I wonder how my old friend and stablemate Oliver is ?’ Alfonso wondered. ‘He hasn’t visited me in donkey’s years.’

Idiom of the day :- Hang on

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To wait (for a short time); to hold on. ex. “Hang on. Let me just finish this email and I’ll be right with you.” 

Idiom of the day :- White elephant

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Something which is expensive but useless / something which is costly to keep and has no apparent benefit A : I don’t like my brother so when my uncle died and left him his MG sports car in his will, I was really pleased. B : That’s funny ! Weren’t you jealous ? A : No, not at all. You see the car is a complete white elephant; it uses an enormous amount of petrol and breaks down all the time. It’s costing my brother a fortune. This expression comes from Thailand where a long time ago there was a custom which the king would follow. every time a white elephant was born in the country, the king would claim the rare animal immediately and keep it for himself. However if someone made the king angry or displeased him he would give the white elephant to that person. the reason was that the elephant was very expensive to look after and so would very quickly ruin the person who had annoyed the king.

Idiom of the day :- Hold Your Horses

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Be patient.

Idiom of the day :- A lone wolf

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Most people enjoy companionship and like doing things in groups. There are some people, however, who are very private and prefer being alone. A person like that is often called a lone wolf. ‘No wonder Wally is a lone wolf.’ Martin said. ‘Listen to the way he sings to the moon !’

Idiom of the day :- Under the weather

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Sick. Ill. ex. “I’m feeling a bit under the weather today.” Feeling ill or sick.

Idiom of the day :- The penny drops

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Oliver was sound asleep when a short but violent trembling action shook his room and rattled his bed. ‘That may be an earthquake,’ he thought, but then he remembered that he was an ant and the penny dropped. ‘Oh, that’s just someone around overhead,’ he said. This expression means to finally realize or understand something after spending a little time thinking about it.

Idiom of the day :- Top dog

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A top dog is a person of authority and importance. One’s boss, for instance, could be said to be the top dog in a company. Or it could be someone of importance politically. ‘I’m curious to know who the new top dog will be at the Office of trade,’ Winnie said.

Idiom of the day :- Miles away (2)

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

When applied to people who are thinking, if they are miles away they are not listening to or concentrating on the subject immediately before them. ‘Sorry, I didn’t hear you,’ the stranger said. ‘My mind was miles away. i was wondering what my mother would be serving us for dinner tonight.’