American Idioms

Idiom of the day :- serve someone right / (To) serve someone right

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To serve as appropriate punishment for someone. ex. “They put him in jail for 5 years? Serves him right!” 

Idiom of the day :- Dog Latin / English / Chinese, etc

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

‘Dogs are friends of the whole human race,’ Fido barked in rather bad Latin. ‘A role in which I played a significant part,’ Scotty added. Fido and Scotty are conversing in dog Latin. To speak or write dog Latin / English / Chinese, etc. is to speak or write bad Latin, English, Chinese, etc. In other words, not like a native would speak or write it.

Idiom of the day :- eat one’s heart out / (To) eat one’s heart out

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To be envious or jealous (used mostly as a command). ex. “Eat your heart out Frank, I’m going to Paris!”

Idiom of the day :- rain cats and dogs / (To) rain cats and dogs

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

*somewhat archaic* To rain very hard. ex. “It was raining cats and dogs last night.” NB: Because of the antiquated nature of this idiom, it’s best to say “It was raining very heavily” instead. 

Idiom of the day :- First and foremost

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

First and most importantly. ex. “First and foremost, you have to treat every customer with respect.” 

Idiom of the day :- scratch the surface / (To) scratch the surface

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To begin finding out about something. ex. “We’ve only begun to scratch the surface in this field.” 

Idiom of the day :- Elbow room

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Enough space (room) to feel comfortable. 

Idiom of the day :- Last resort

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

When Hubert got off the train at Microville all the hotels were full. As a last resort he stayed in an old inn on the edge of town. ‘It was my last resort,’ Hubert sighed. ( As a ) last resort is a course of action taken when all other methods or attempts have failed.

Idiom of the day :- Bring down the house

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

This term originated in the theater. It refers to an act, a play, or a performance that is so enjoyable it produces loud cheers, applause or laughter. ‘The audiencebrought the house down at the end of our school play.’ ‘Lydia is so funny ! The moment she steps on stage she brings down the house.’

Idiom of the day :- Pull up one’s socks

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

When it is suggested that you pull up your socks it’s because you’re acting or performing badly. Therefore, to pull up one’s socks means to attempt to do better, either in one’s behavior or at a task one is doing. ‘I’ll have to pull up my socks if I want to make sure that I don’t get fired by the boss.’