American Idioms

Idiom of the day :- have one’s hands full / (To) have one’s hands full

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To be busy, occupied with some kind of activity, work, etc. ex. “I have my hands full with my three children.” 

Idiom of the day :- Bend Over Backwards

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

When Joan first started teaching she was afraid that she would have a lot of trouble getting used to the kids and to the faculty. Her fears turned out to be unfounded, since everybody bent over backwards to help her. Everyone tried very hard to help her feel comfortable and adjust to the school.

Idiom of the day :- To Make A Long Story Short

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Something someone would say during a long and boring story in order to keep his/her audience from losing attention. Usually the story isn’t shortened.

Idiom of the day :- act one’s age / (To) act one’s age

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To behave in a more mature way. Frequently said to a child or teen. ex. “Bill, stop throwing rocks! Act your age!” 

Idiom of the day :- fifth wheel / (A) fifth wheel

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Useless, out of place, unnecessary. ex. “There were only couples there. I felt like a fifth wheel.” 

Idiom of the day :- Go like a lamb to (the) slaughter

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Lambs are known for their meek and quiet dispositions. They seem to be always calm and they make no protest. Because of that, when a person allows himself to be punished or placed in danger without complaining, we say he goes like a lamb to slaughter. ‘I won’t give up my job without a fight,’ Muriel cried when she learned she was about to be transferred to another department. ‘I will not go like a lamb to the slaughter,’ she said.

Idiom of the day :- cramp someone’s style / (To) cramp someone’s style

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To limit someone in some way. To limit someone from expressing themselves fully. ex. “Get lost. You’re cramping my style!” 

Idiom of the day :- On second thought

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Having given something more thought. ex. “On second thought, maybe you should sell your house and move into an apartment.” 

Idiom of the day :- On the rocks (2)

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

People asking for an alcoholic drink ( but never beer ! ) on the rocks are asking for one poured into a glass containing nothing but ice cubes. ‘Rocks’ is a slang term for ice cubes, but this idiom is not slang. ‘Charles asked the hostess for a whiskey on the rocks.’

Idiom of the day :- Smoke like a chimney

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Alan’s doctor suggested that he should give up smoking. ‘You smoke like a chimney,’ he warned. ‘It’s a threat to your health.’ Alan’s wife is also concerned. ‘You smoke too much,’ she said. ‘You sit there smoking like a chimney.’ A person who smokes like a chimney smokes a great deal … and usually continuously !