American Idioms

Idiom of the day :- Suit yourself

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Have it your way; As you wish; ex. “I wouldn’t walk around that neighborhood at night, but if you really want to, suit yourself.”

Idiom of the day :- Up to scratch

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Be of an acceptable /desired standard A : I think you should go to the optician and find out if your eyesight is up to scratch. B : Why do you say that ? A : Well last week I saw you talking to a lamp-post and asking it round for dinner ! Boxing was a common sport during the 18th and 19th centuries, but the rules were very different from those of today. The fight was not divided into bouts of a few minutes but continued non-stop until one of the men was knocked to the floor. Both fighters then had to go to a mark which had been scratched in the middle of the ring. If a man had been so badly injured that he could not come up to scratch within thirty seconds, he lost the fight and his opponent won. The expression is often used in the negative — for example, She wanted to be a singer but her voice wasn’t up to scratch.

Idiom of the day :- Icing On The Cake

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

When you already have it good and get something on top of what you already have.

Idiom of the day :- Play It by Ear

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Let’s go to the movies, agreed? Sure. And what’ll we do after that ? Oh, I don’t know. Let’s play it by ear. Well, I would like to have a more definite plan of action. Don’t be like that. It’s always more fun not knowing what to expect and deciding what to do as we go along.

Idiom of the day :- A bird of a different feather

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

People who are different or unusual would never object to being called a bird of a different feather for this particular ‘bird’ is a person who is independent and free-thinking. ‘Kate refuses to wear the same fashions everyone else wears. She’s a bird of different feather who designs and makes her own clothes.’

Idiom of the day :- Jump Down Someone’s Throat

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

That’s it, Greg! You’d better not come in after midnight again tonight! I know, dad. You don’t have to jump down my throat! I told you that I’d make it home around 11:30. I don’t intend to be late! Well, you’ve said that before and in you come at 2: 30 in the morning. You can’t blame me for getting angry and scolding you. I’ve got good reason.

Idiom of the day :- take its toll / (To) take its toll

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To cause damage (or loss). ex. “The long hours he puts in at work have begun to take their toll on his health.” 

Idiom of the day :- Last but not least

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Last in order but not last in importance. ex. “Last but not least, I’d like to thank my parents.”  An introduction phrase to let the audience know that the last person mentioned is no less important than those introduced before him/her.

Idiom of the day :- Dry Run

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Rehearsal.

Idiom of the day :- Get up someone’s nose

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Hubert is unhappy. He’s annoyed, too. The cause of it all is Franklin who has got up his nose. That means that Franklin is making a nuisance of himself …. and that’sannoying ! ‘Go away,’ Hubert shouted. ‘You’re getting up my nose today,’ he growled. This is a British expression.