An Idiom is a phrase that does not mean what it literally implies. Although we, as Americans, may clearly

Transcription

1 An Idiom is a phrase that does not mean what it literally implies. Although we, as Americans, may clearly understand what the writer using an idiom is trying to convey, a reader from another culture most likely would have no idea what is being said. The following is a list of commonly used idioms in American culture, and the meaning behind each phrase. A penny for your thoughts - This phrase is just a way of someone asking you what you are thinking about. A penny saved is a penny earned - This is one idiom that actually makes sense! It means, if you don't spend your money, you'll have more money in your pocket. A watched pot never boils - When you constantly check on something, it seems it just takes longer. Thus, this phrase means to be patient, and keep yourself occupied while you wait for something. "Suzie kept checking her s for her job acceptance, but you know a watched pot never boils." Break A Leg - If someone tells you to break a leg, they aren't wishing injury on you. They are simply wishing you good luck. "Break a leg at your job interview today." Bite your tongue - This phrase can be used in two different ways. It can mean to stop yourself before you say something you regret. For instance, "I wanted to tell my boss she was wrong, but I had to bite my tongue." OR, it can be said to someone that has made a statement that is displeasing. For example, if someone said, "I hope the airplane doesn't explode", you may respond, "BITE YOUR TONGUE!" Chew the fat - When you are chatting with someone about nothing in particular, you could say you are "chewing the fat." Or, if you plan on visiting a friend, you could say you are going over to "chew the fat." Cold Turkey - When someone says they are going cold turkey, it means that they are stopping something abruptly. This phrase is often used when a person is trying to quit smoking. "I'm giving up cigarettes cold turkey." Don't bite the hand that feeds you - This phrase means to not take advantage of, or hurt, someone that has helped you. You wouldn't want to steal from your boss, because you would be "biting the hand that feeds you." Don't burn your bridges - If you "burn a bridge", you would be ruining a relationship or opportunity. Thus, if you were quitting a job, one may say, "Just don't burn your bridges." Which would mean, do it in a way that doesn't ruin the relationship.

2 Don't count your chickens before their hatched - This phrase has nothing to do with chickens. It simply means, don't be confident in anything until it happens. "You may think you have that job, but don't count your chickens before their hatched." The early bird gets the worm - The person that acts first usually has the best chance for success, thus, "the early bird gets the worm." As in, "Roger always gets the best deals at yard sales. The early bird gets the worm!" Fish out of water - When someone says that they feel like a "fish out of water", it means that they feel uncomfortable. It probably means that they are in a situation that they are very unfamiliar with, or one that is very new. Full of piss and vinegar - This phrase is used often when referring to children. For instance, on a day that my son is acting wildly, I may say that he is "full of piss and vinegar." It means to act crazily or out of sorts. Got off on the wrong foot - If you've have just begun something, and it went badly, you have "got off on the wrong foot." This can apply to a project, meeting someone new, or anything that you have just started. High on the hog - What this phrase means is that a person is living extravagantly. If someone just bought a large home, or is making a lot of money, you may say that person is living "high on the hog". Hit the nail on the head - When someone says you've "hit the nail on the head", it means that you are exactly right. Hop, skip, and a jump - If something is only a "hop, skip, and a jump" away, it means that it is very close by. How do you like those apples? - Okay, this is one of those idioms that always makes me giggle. It is used sarcastically to say, "how do you like that?" It can be used in a boastful manner, or to express shock or surprise. For example, If I asked someone to jump, and instead they did a flip in the air followed by a jump, I may say, "How do you like those apples?" When you use this expression boastfully, you could say, "I told you my football team would win! How do you like those apples?" Leave no stone unturned - Let's say you are looking for your lost dog. If you've looked everywhere, and exhausted all your efforts in finding it, you have "left no stone unturned." It means you've done everything you can. Light on your feet - If someone tells you that you are "light on your feet", it's a compliment! It means that you are quick and agile; you move around easily. Like two peas in a pod - If two things are "like two peas in a pod", it means that they are very similar.

3 Luck of the draw - If you are selected randomly as a winner of a competition, you were selected by the "luck of the draw." It means that it has happened by chance, and not by skill. Mind your p's and q's - If someone tells you to "mind your p's and q's", they are telling you to behave properly. For example, if you were just hired on to a new job, you may want to "mind your p's and q's" until your probationary period is over. Monkey see, monkey do - This phrase is usually used when referring to children. It means, that children (or people) have a tendency to mimic bad behavior. If you are a smoker, and your son started walking around with your old cigarette butt, one may say, "monkey see, monkey do." More than one way to skin a cat - No one in America actually skins cats, so I'm not sure why this phrase is used in our country. However, what it means is that there is more than one way to get something accomplished. Neck of the woods - If someone talks about their "neck of the woods", they are talking about where they are from. If someone said, "I met a man the other day that was from my neck of the woods." It means they met someone that was from the same place that they are from. No hair off my chest - There are several variations to this saying. You may hear it as "no skin of my neck", or possibly, "no skin off my nose." They all mean the same thing. If someone says any of those phrases, it just means that a situation doesn't bother them at all. For example, "Donnie said he couldn't meet me for lunch, but it's no hair off my chest." Old wive's tale - There are certain pieces of advice that usually don't bring any real luck or results, these are called "old wive's tales." For example, there are MANY old wive's tales about pregnancy and childbirth. "If you place a knife under your pillow during childbirth, it will help cut down the contractions." This is a piece of advice that doesn't work, but is rumored that it will. One man's trash is another man's treasure - What may be worthless to one person, may be valuable to another. For example, you may not need that old fan in the attic, but to someone without one, it would be something desirable. Opening up a can of worms - If you open up a can of worms, you are probably starting trouble that should be avoided. For instance, "When Jeff's ex-girlfriend called the house, it was like opening up a can of worms." The pot calling the kettle black - If someone uses the phrase "the pot calling the kettle black", it means you are accusing them of hypocrisy. For example, if a person is holding a beer in their hand, but speaks badly of someone else that is drinking, you could say, "Well, talk about the pot calling the kettle black."

4 Raining cats and dogs - When it is raining very hard, a person may say that "it's raining cats and dogs" outside. Rings a bell - This phrase means that something sounds familiar. If someone asks you if you heard the latest news, and it sounds familiar, you may say that it "rings a bell." Roll with the punches - When someone tells you to "roll with the punches", it simply means to take things as they come. It can also mean when times are tough, try not to make trouble out of it. "When things get rough, you just have to roll with the punches." See eye to eye - When two people agree on something, it is said that they "see eye to eye." Sick as a dog - If someone is "sick as a dog", it means that they are violently ill; most likely it means they are vomiting profusely. Six feet under - This is a very crude way of saying that someone is dead. You would never use this term directly to a family member of someone that has died. It could be used as a warning, "Unless you want to be six feet under, you better slow down your speed." Sow your wild oats - I didn't understand this idiom until I was older. It is usually directed to a young man, and it refers to a time in his life when he was active sexually, did a lot of drinking, and other things that a married man couldn't do. "Sow your wild oats while you can, because you wont be able to do it when you get married." Strike while the iron is hot - When you hear this phrase, it means to act while the opportunity is there. If you hear of a job opening, you will want to "strike while the iron is hot". Which means, get to it before someone else does. Three sheets to the wind - If you've heard this phrase, most likely you are around someone that is drinking. That is because it means that someone is very drunk. "John has been drinking all night, and now he's three sheets to the wind." Tied the knot - When a couple gets married, people say that they have "tied the knot." Till your blue in the face - If you've done something "till your blue in the face", it means you've done it repeatedly and have gotten no results. For instance, when you tell your teenager to stop talking on the phone "till your blue in the face", it means you've said it over and over, but your teen does it anyway. Under the table - You will hear this phrase most often when someone is talking about work. To be paid "under the table" means that you are being paid illegally, without giving notice to the IRS of your wages. It can be used anytime that money is being exchanging illegally.

5 Under the weather - When you aren't feeling well, you are "under the weather." Under your breath - If you say something "under your breath" it means that you say it in a way that no one will hear. "That guy is such a jerk," she said "under her breath". Walking on eggshells - If you are trying to not upset someone, you are "walking on eggshells." This can imply to both action and words. "My wife has been in such a bad mood lately, I feel like I'm walking on eggshells." Walking on thin ice - When you are "walking on thin ice", you are putting yourself in a delicate situation. It is sometimes said as, "skating on thin ice." Both have the same meaning. "When I sent a threatening letter to my landlord, I knew I was walking (skating) on this ice." Woke up on the wrong side of the bed - If a person is in a bad mood, you may say that they "woke up on the wrong side of the bed