American Idioms

Idiom of the day :- earful / (To give someone an) earful

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

a strong verbal scolding. ex. “Katie’s father really gave her an earful when she came home at 4 AM.” 

Idiom of the day :- Tongue in cheek

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Joking. ex. “Quentin made a tongue-in-cheek remark to his dad.” 

Idiom of the day :- Button one’s lip

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

‘There’s an important football game on television tonight,’ Mr. Bush said to his wife. ‘Could I ask you to button up while I watch it ?’ ‘Sure, I’ll be glad to button my lip — if you’ll agree to wash the dishes after supper,’ she replied. Both these slang expressions mean to keep quiet, to stop talking.

Idiom of the day :- In fine fettle

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

It’s not likely that you’ll find the word fettle ( it rhymes with kettle ) used anywhere else. It’s an old word meaning ‘condition’ or ‘state of mind’. For that reason, when a person is in fine fettle he is physically or mentally fit. ‘I’m looking and feeling in fine fettle this morning,’ Alex grinned.

Idiom of the day :- Haste Makes Waste

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Quickly doing things results in a poor ending. 

Idiom of the day :- Let The Cat Out Of The Bag

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To share a secret that wasn’t suppose to be shared.

Idiom of the day :- Give someone the green light

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

If someone in authority gives a green light to something, they give permission for it to happen or be done.

Idiom of the day :- The apple of one’s eye

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

If you say that someone is the apple of your eye, you mean that they are very important to you and you are extremely fond of them Penny’s only son was the apple of her eye.

Idiom of the day :- let off steam / (To) let off steam

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To release energy or anger. ex. “P1: Victor went drinking, and got into a fight. P2: That’s OK, he’s just letting off a little steam.” 

Idiom of the day :- Have a memory like a sieve

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A sieve is a utensil with many fine holes. A person accused of having a memory like a sieve is either unable to retain information or is very forgetful. ‘I’ll never learn French; I have a memory like a sieve.’ ‘I have a head like a sieve today. I’ve forgotten where I parked my car.’