American Idioms

Idiom of the day :- break even / (To) break even

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To neither win nor lose. ex. “Michael thought he would lose $200, but he ended up breaking even.” 

Idiom of the day :- Laugh in one’s beard

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Long ago when most men wore beards, it was easy for a man to conceal a smile when he wanted to mock someone for being foolish, failing at something, or making a mistake. ‘Do you think people are laughing in their beards at me for having a mouse for a friend ?’ Cecil asked.

Idiom of the day :- Go The Extra Mile

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Going above and beyond whatever is required for the task at hand.

Idiom of the day :- Answer the call of nature

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Teddy was on a walk in the forest when suddenly — and without warning — he had toanswer the call of nature. ‘I really must obey the call of nature.’ he whispered. Fortunately for Teddy, there was a WC nearby for to answer/obey the call of nature is to go to the bathroom.

Idiom of the day :- wear out one’s welcome / (To) wear out one’s welcome

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To stay too long (at an event, at someone’s house, etc.) ex. “Let’s only stay with them for 2 days. I don’t want us to wear out our welcome.” 

Idiom of the day :- get that all the time / (To) get that all the time

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To hear something constantly. ex. “P1: Hey, you really look like Brad Pitt! P2: Yeah, I get that all the time.” 

Idiom of the day :- Give someone short shrift

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Give someone very little of one’s time due to impatience or annoyance A : When Mrs. Tomlin takes her cat to the vet he spends ages with her, but when I go he gives me short shrift. B : Perhaps he likes Mrs. Tomlin’s cat better than yours. A : But I haven’t got a cat, I’ve got a poisonous snake ! In the Middle Ages a prisoner who had been condemned to death was allowed a short time to confess to a priest before the execution. The Old English word for confession was shrift and so short shrift was the short confession that the prisoner made in order to receive forgiveness from God.

Idiom of the day :- carry a tune / (To) carry a tune

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To be able to sing on key (accurately). ex. “She has an awful voice! She can’t carry a tune.” 

Idiom of the day :- Come clean

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

‘We have ways to make you talk,’ Officer Mutt grinned. ‘If you don’t tell us the truth, I will find a way to make you come clean.’ Officer Mutt’s dog ground his teeth together and agreed. To come clean is to confess or reveal all the facts about something – expecially after telling lies or hiding the truth. ‘I’ll come clean if you keep your dog away from me,’ the criminal cried out.

Idiom of the day :- Fools’ Gold

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Iron pyrites, a worthless rock that resembles real gold.