American English Idioms Reference List

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Questions and Answers

What does it mean to 'burn the midnight oil'?

To stay up very late working or studying (correct)

To take a short nap during the day

To work only during the day

To waste time on unimportant tasks

What is the meaning of the phrase 'caught red-handed'?

To be caught in a lie or deception

To be caught while doing something wrong (correct)

To be caught by surprise in a game

To be caught in a moment of joy

What does 'cold turkey' refer to in terms of habits?

Returning to a bad habit after a break

Gradually reducing something harmful

Taking a break from a bad habit

Completely giving up a bad habit immediately (correct)

What does the phrase 'down in the dumps' signify?

Feeling sad or depressed Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'cost an arm and a leg'?

To be very expensive Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase means a 'fresh start'?

Clean slate Signup and view all the answers

What does 'catch some Z's' mean?

To go to sleep Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'days are numbered' imply?

Time is limited and about to run out Signup and view all the answers

What does the idiom 'A big shot' refer to?

An important person Signup and view all the answers

What does the idiom 'Actions speak louder than words' suggest?

What you do has more significance than what you say Signup and view all the answers

When someone says they are 'All ears', what does it imply?

They are eager to listen Signup and view all the answers

What does the idiom 'A bone to pick' mean?

A disagreement that needs discussion Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Back to the drawing board' typically signify?

Revisiting previous ideas after failure Signup and view all the answers

What does the idiom 'Across the board' imply?

Relating to a wide range of individuals or situations Signup and view all the answers

What does the expression 'As easy as pie' suggest?

An uncomplicated task or situation Signup and view all the answers

If someone refers to another person as 'A pain in the neck', what does it mean?

They see them as a minor annoyance Signup and view all the answers

What does 'fall for it' mean?

To be tricked Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'fly off the handle' indicate?

To get upset or angry Signup and view all the answers

What does 'from scratch' imply when making food?

Starting at the beginning Signup and view all the answers

What does 'go against the grain' mean?

To be different from what is normal Signup and view all the answers

What feeling does 'green with envy' describe?

Extreme jealousy Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'get with the program'?

To be aware of important tasks Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'grab a bite to eat'?

To get something to eat quickly Signup and view all the answers

What does 'have one's hands full' indicate about a person's schedule?

They are managing multiple responsibilities Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'hit the books'?

To study hard Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'in over one’s head' imply?

To take on too many responsibilities Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'hold your horses'?

To have patience Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the phrase 'in the nick of time'?

Barely on time or nearly late Signup and view all the answers

What does 'jump the gun' mean?

To do something too soon and too quickly Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'know by heart'?

To memorize perfectly Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'make ends meet'?

To ensure survival with limited money Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean for something to 'hit the spot'?

To satisfy a craving or intense hunger Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'sick as a dog' mean?

To be seriously ill Signup and view all the answers

What does 'skeleton in the closet' refer to?

A family secret that is hidden Signup and view all the answers

If someone is said to be 'sleeping like a baby', what does that imply?

They are sleeping peacefully and soundly Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'smell a rat'?

To suspect something is not trustworthy Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'stab in the back' mean?

Deceiving or hurting someone who trusts you Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if a theory 'does not hold water'?

It lacks sufficient evidence or logic Signup and view all the answers

If someone has a 'sweet tooth', what do they desire?

Sweet treats and desserts Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'talk in circles'?

To speak in an unclear, repetitive way Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Understanding Idioms

Idioms are phrases where the meaning differs from the literal interpretation.
Learning idiomatic expressions enriches communication, providing depth and nuance.
Familiarity with idioms helps in understanding colloquial language in daily conversations, literature, and media.
Mastering idioms improves fluency and comprehension, enabling smoother interactions and cultural appreciation.

Common Idioms A-B

A big shot: an important person; e.g., having lunch with an executive.
A bone to pick: a complaint to address; e.g., dispute over plant care.
A pain in the neck/rear: an annoying individual or situation; e.g., constant bother.
A snap: very easy; e.g., making cookies from a mix.
Across the board: affecting everyone or every situation; e.g., uniform attendance policy.
Actions speak louder than words: behavior shows intentions more than verbal claims; e.g., volunteering highlights commitment.
All ears: eager to listen; e.g., attentive during a conversation.
All in the same boat: sharing similar circumstances; e.g., students facing the same deadline.
As easy as pie: very simple; e.g., class expected to be straightforward.
Back to the drawing board: return to the planning stage; e.g., reevaluating unsuccessful plans.
Burn the midnight oil: stay up late working; e.g., preparing for deadlines.

Idioms C-D

Call it a day: stop working for the day; e.g., completing tasks and going home.
Catch some Z’s: go to sleep; e.g., needing rest after a tiring day.
Caught red-handed: caught in the act of wrongdoing; e.g., cheating during an exam.
Clean as a whistle: very clean; e.g., mopping daily for cleanliness.
Clean slate: starting fresh; e.g., receiving a second chance after an apology.
Cold feet: nervousness before significant events; e.g., feeling anxious before a wedding.
Cold turkey: quitting a habit suddenly; e.g., stopping junk food abruptly.
Cost an arm and a leg: very expensive; e.g., high cost of a luxury car.
Crunch time: critical deadline approach; e.g., high-pressure periods before exams.
Curiosity killed the cat: excessive curiosity can lead to trouble; e.g., risky exploration leading to danger.
Days are numbered: limited time remaining for something; e.g., facing consequences in sports.

Idioms E-G

Fall for it: being tricked; e.g., falling for a practical joke.
Fly off the handle: losing temper unexpectedly; e.g., getting extremely angry in class.
Follow in the footsteps of: imitating someone admired; e.g., taking a job like a respected parent.
From scratch: starting from the beginning; e.g., making muffins without a mix.
Get a kick out of something: enjoying something; e.g., delighting in friends’ happiness.
Get with the program: becoming aware of what's important; e.g., needing to focus on tasks.
Give one’s right arm: willingness to sacrifice greatly; e.g., helping those in need.
Give someone a hand: to assist or applaud; e.g., helping with chores or celebrating achievements.
Go against the grain: acting contrary to expectations; e.g., social protests.
Go bananas: becoming extremely excited; e.g., celebrating a good exam result.

Idioms H-J

Have one's hands full: being very busy; e.g., juggling multiple responsibilities.
Hit the books: studying hard; e.g., reviewing materials before a test.
Hit the nail on the head: being precisely accurate; e.g., correctly identifying reasons for fatigue.
Hit the spot: satisfying a craving; e.g., enjoying a long-desired dessert.
Hold your horses: urge for patience; e.g., awaiting food completion.
In ages: after a long time; e.g., not seeing a movie in a long while.
In over one’s head: taking on too much; e.g., balancing excessive responsibilities.
In the nick of time: just in time; e.g., submitting an assignment right before the deadline.
It’s a piece of cake: very easy task; e.g., finding an exam straightforward.
John Hancock: signature; e.g., completing a contract with a signature.
Jump the gun: acting prematurely; e.g., starting a story without approval.

Idioms K-M

Know by heart: memorized information; e.g., familiarity with important contact numbers.
Know the ropes: understanding how things work; e.g., new students learning procedures.
Make ends meet: managing to survive financially; e.g., struggling with budget limitations.
Scare the living daylights out of: greatly frightening someone; e.g., surprising someone unexpectedly.
Sick as a dog: severe illness; e.g., experiencing discomfort from spoiled food.
Skeleton in the closet: a secret; e.g., hidden family issues.
Sleeping like a baby: sleeping soundly; e.g., enjoying deep sleep.
Sleeping like a log: very deep sleep; e.g., not awakening until morning.
Smell a rat: suspecting deceit; e.g., having doubts about a coworker’s intentions.
Spick and span: immaculately clean; e.g., thoroughly cleaning a room.
Stab in the back: betrayal; e.g., harming a friend’s trust.
Stick one’s neck out: taking risks for others; e.g., supporting a controversial proposal.
Sweet tooth: desire for sweets; e.g., craving for candies.

Idioms T-Z

Talking in circles: unclear communication; e.g., repeating points without clarity.
That does not hold water: unsupported reasoning; e.g., a flawed argument lacking evidence.
That is a bunch of baloney: referring to nonsense; e.g., dismissing unfounded rumors.

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Description

Explore the richness of American English through this comprehensive reference list of common idioms. Understanding these expressions is crucial for enhancing fluency and comprehension in everyday conversations, literature, and media. Mastery of idioms not only facilitates smoother communication but also deepens cultural understanding.