COMMON ENGLISH EXPRESSIONS (IDIOMS)

1. 24/7: Twenty-four hours a day; seven days a week; all the time; constantly My little sister irritates me 24/7! 2. A short fuse: A quick temper Jamie is known for his short fuse; just a few days ago he screamed at his coach for not letting him play. 3. A taste of your own medicine: Bad treatment deservedly received for treating other people badly After constantly being prank-called, Julian decided to give Juan a taste of his own medicine and ordered twenty-seven pizzas to be delivered to Juans house. 4. Bend over backwards: to try very hard (maybe too much) He bent over backwards to please his new wife, but she never seemed satisfied. 5. Bite off more than you can chew: to take on more than you can handle Josh is so far behind in his studies. Besides classes, he plays sports and works at a parttime job. It seems he has bitten off more than he can chew. 6. Broke: to not have any money I have to borrow some money from my dad, because I am broke. 7. Butterflies in my stomach: To be nervous Liam had butterflies in his stomach before he went on stage to play the violin. 8. Change ones mind: to do something different than what had been decided earlier I was planning to work late tonight, but I changed my mind. Ill do extra work this weekend, instead. 9. Cut it out: stop doing something That noise is really annoying. Cut it out! 10. Down for the count: Tired; giving up; unable or unwilling to participate any longer. No, you cant take my dog for a walk shes down for the count after chasing cats all day. 11. Draw the line: To stop; to know the point where something goes from okay to not okay. Now I draw the line at speaking in front of 34,000 people.

12. Drop someone a line: send someone an email It was good to meet you and I hope we can see each other again. Drop me a line when you have time. 13. Easier said than done: Not as easy as it appears to be. You want me to come to work at 6:00 AM? Easier said than done! 14. Every cloud has a silver lining: You can find good in every bad situation Even though you just got fired, remember that every cloud has a silver lining at least you dont have to work for that grouchy boss anymore! 15. Fill in for someone: to do their work while they are away. While I was away from the store, my brother filled in for me. 16. Finding a needle in a haystack: Virtually impossible to find Trying to get a new job these days is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. 17. Fish out of water: To be out of place Tom felt like a fish out of water at the Star Trek convention his new girlfriend begged him to attend. 18. Get something off your chest: To talk about something that has been bothering you for a long time; to admit something you have done wrong I have to get this off my chest I copied your answers from the test. Thanks for the D by the way. 19. Get the ball rolling: To start something, especially something big We need to get this project started as soon as possible. Im hoping you will help me get the ball rolling. 20. Give someone a hand: to help I want to move this desk to the next room. Can you give me a hand? 21. Give it a whirl: To try something Ive never gone kite-boarding, but Im prepared to give it a whirl! 22. Hit the sack: to go to bed. Its after midnight. I think Im going to hit the sack. 23. In ages: for a very long time Have you seen Joe recently? I havent seen him in ages.

24. In the fast lane: A life filled with excitement When Curtis turned forty, he decided he needed to live life in the fast lane, so he quit his job as a dentist and decided to tour Europe by motorcycle. 25. In the nick of time: Almost too late You came to pick me up in the nick of time my teacher just saw me skipping class and was on his way to give me detention. 26. Keep your chin up: be brave and keep trying. I know things have been difficult for you recently, but keep your chin up. It will get better soon. 27. Like the back of my hand: know something very well If you get lost, just ask me for directions. I know this part of town like the back of my hand. 28. Let the cat out of the bag: Tell a secret Bradys surprise party is going to be great if you dont let the cat out of the bag. 29. Once in a blue moon: Rarely In Florida, the temperature drops below freezing only once in a blue moon. 30. Piece of cake: very easy He said it is a difficult problem, but I don't agree. It looks like a piece of cake. 31. Plain as day: Obvious; clear Its plain as day that youre in love with her, so just admit it. 32. Play second fiddle: To be less important I hate playing second fiddle to my sister; she always does things better than I do! 33. Put your foot in your mouth: Saying something you shouldnt have Jessica really put her foot in her mouth when she asked about Johns job right after he lost it. 34. Sharp: at a specific time. Ill meet you at 9 oclock sharp. If youre late well be in trouble. 35. Sick and tired: To be bothered or annoyed by She is sick and tired of her dog chewing up her shoes every day. 36. Sleep on it: To think about something for a while before making a decision Dont tell me whether youll move to Texas with me or not today. Sleep on it and get back to me tomorrow.

37. Stick your nose into something: To interfere Sharon always sticks her nose into everyone elses business. 38. Straight from the horses mouth: Directly from the person involved Listen to the news straight from the horses mouth; were all getting bonuses this week! 39. Take it easy: Relax I know youre not feeling well, so try to take it easy today. 40. Tip of the iceberg: The small easily visible part of a larger problem The fact that Carrie is dating a member of the mafia is just the tip of the iceberg; shes also smuggling contraband into the country. 41. To not see the wood for the trees: To be so involved with the details that you dont get the most important facts She always argues about the silliest things; its like she cant see the wood for the trees. 42. Up a creek without a paddle: In an unlucky/bad situation If you dont have any money to pay for the repairs we just made to your car, I guess youre up a creek without a paddle because you cant have your car back. 43. Up to the minute: the most recent information I wish I knew more about what is happening in the capital city. We need more up to the minute news.