American Idioms

Idiom of the day :- bank on something / (To) bank on something

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To count or rely on something. 

Idiom of the day :- Whodunnit

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A detective novel or play A : My Aunt Nellie loves to read whodunnits so I send her an Agatha Christle each birthday. She’s read about so many murders over the years she must be an expert by now. B : Yes I’m sure. How is her husband, Uncle George ? Do you send him presents as well ? A : Now that’s strange. You know I haven’t heard from him for ages. This expression is an abbreviation of the question ‘Who has done it ?’ This of course means’ Who did the murder ?’ All crime novels and plays contain this puzzle which the reader attempts to solve.

Idiom of the day :- Play up

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Play up can mean (1) something that causes trouble or annoyance, or (2) to give special attention to something. ‘I’m worried that all this exercise will cause my sore leg to play up.’ ( Cause annoyance ) ‘The newspapers played up the story about a little boy being carried away by a kite.’ ( Gave it special attention )

Idiom of the day :- Dance attendance on someone

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

It used to be the custom for a bride at her wedding to dance with every guest – no matter how tired she was. That’s the origin of this expression, but it now means to be at the service of someone to carry out his or her every wish. ‘I suspect that Ray is interested in Fiona. Look how he is dancing attendance on her.

Idiom of the day :- String Someone Along

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Liz had high hopes of marrying Dean. When he ran off with another woman, she realized that he was just stringing her along. She had felt very strongly about him and was really hurt to see that he was deceiving her and had no intentions of ever marrying her.

Idiom of the day :- A Bird In The Hand Is Worth Two In The Bush

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Having something that is certain is much better than taking a risk for more, because chances are you might lose everything.

Idiom of the day :- Baker’s Dozen

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Thirteen.

Idiom of the day :- A grass widow

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A grass widow is a married woman who is either separated from her husbandor — and this is usually the way the idiom is used — whose husband is away from home much of the time. ‘Poor Beth, she’s a grass widow now that her husband has begun playing golf. It seems he spends most of his time at the golf club instead of at home.’

Idiom of the day :- make good money / (To) make good money

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To make a lot of money (regularly). ex. “Shawn doesn’t like his job, but he makes good money.” 

Idiom of the day :- Backhanded compliment (n.)

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Something that is supposed to sound like a compliment, but is really an insult. ex: “She has a nice smile for someone who’s so ugly.”