American Idioms

Idiom of the day :- tighten one’s belt / (To) tighten one’s belt

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To spend less money. ex. “After Becky lost her job, we really had to tighten our belts for a while.” 

Idiom of the day :- Answer one’s calling

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

The ‘calling’ in this expression is someone’s profession, particularly one he seems strongly motivated to do. This is usually due to his special ability or exceptional desire to do it. A person who does well or is successful in his job has answered his calling. ‘When John grows up he’ll probably answer his calling and become a leader of men.’

Idiom of the day :- To enter the lists

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

In days of old when knights were bold, the arenas in which they held tournaments were called lists. From that, to enter the lists means to begin a competition, a contest – or an argument ! ‘Unless you are prepared to enter the lists and play as well as you can, you have no business being on this team,’ the football coach said to his players.

Idiom of the day :- In The Bag

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To have something secured.

Idiom of the day :- Drink like a fish

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

I don’t know if people are aware of it but Tim drinks like a fish. When a person is described as drinking like a fish, he drinks great quantities of alcoholic beverages. Not water or cola or lemonade, mind you, but beer, whiskey, wine and other alcoholic drinks … such as Tim is doing now?

Idiom of the day :- Pure gold

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

* somewhat outdated* If something is “pure gold” it is “the best”, “fantastic”, “amazing”. 

Idiom of the day :- Sleep like a log

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Once a tree is cut and made into logs, the logs don’t do anything. They simply lie quietly on the ground. It’s from that idea that we get this idiom. When someonesleeps like a log he sleeps very well. ‘I feel great,’ Brian yawned. ‘I slept like a log last night.’

Idiom of the day :- Half a chance

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Either way you say this — a half chance or half a chance — it means an opportunity, a reasonable chance. ‘Give yourself a half chance and you’ll quickly get used to your new computer,’ Jim said. ‘Fear not, Mickey. With this magic sword you have at least half a chance of winning, ‘ Larry grinned.

Idiom of the day :- homesick / (To be) homesick

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To miss one’s home, country, city, etc. ex. “Francesca is really homesick. She really wants to go back to Italy.” 

Idiom of the day :- Once in a blue moon

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

On rare occasions if you look at the moon on a certain night and in a certain way, you will find that it seems light blue in color. Because that doesn’t happen often, once in a blue moon means ‘rarely’. ‘I miss my school friends. I only see them once in a blue moon.’