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Word for Wednesday: Idiom

Last week we looked at the origins of the word language and today we’re going to continue on that theme with the word idiom. Idioms are an expressive way of using language. They are combinations of word which have a figurative meaning that is separate for the actual definitions of the words used. Here are some examples of idioms and what they mean: 1) fly on the wall an unnoticed witness I’d love to be a fly on the wall when she finally tells them the truth. 2) storm in a teacup a small occurrence exaggerated out of proportion All this outrage seems like a storm in a teacu...

Let’s Take a Look at American English

Happy 4th of July to our American subscribers! Earlier in the week we shared a BBC article that explored whether English spelling should be made simpler. If you find yourself agreeing that English is more complicated than it needs to be, you’re not alone. Longtime readers of our blog might remember our article on the creation of Webster’s dictionary. In An Independent American Language, we wrote: 'With his dictionary and other spelling books, Noah Webster wanted to emphasise that now America was no longer under the rule of Great Britain, its language should also be independent. Many of the changes involved shortening words and changing odd-looking spellings to ...

Fifty Idioms to Describe People: Part 1

1) apple of your eye – the person someone most loves/cherishes/admires 2) armchair critic – someone who comments on or criticises something they don’t know very much about 3) bad egg – a bad influence/someone who brings trouble 4) behind the times – out of date, unaware of the latest ideas or technology 5) big cheese – an important person 6) big fish in a small pond – someone who is important within a small/limited field 7) born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth – born into wealth or importance ...

25 Idioms about Water

as dull as dishwater/ditch water – incredibly boring blood is thicker than water – loyalty to family is the most important come hell or high water – despite any difficulties that may occur dead in the water – unable to move, unable to function in its usual way doesn't hold water – isn’t valid, isn’t reasonable in deep water(s) – in trouble, in a difficult or dangerous situation in hot water – in trouble like a duck to water – able to pick something up very quickly and easily like a fish out of water – in an uncomfortable/awkward situation mouth-watering &...

Twenty Idioms about Friendship

a shoulder to cry on – someone who listens sympathetically birds of a feather flock together – people who have the same outlook/tastes/interests will be found in each other's company close-knit – very close like two peas in a pod – very similar through thick and thin – through all circumstances no matter how difficult to be as thick as thieves – to be very close or friendly to be joined at the hip – to be inseparable to be on the same page/wavelength – to be in agreement to build bridges – to promote friendly relations between people or groups to bury the hatchet – to end a conflict to clear the air &ndash...

Idioms about Cats

a cat may look at a king – someone of low status still has rights a fraidy/scaredy-cat – a timid/fearful person all cats are grey in the dark – if the qualities distinguishing people can’t be perceived, they don’t matter cat burglar – an agile, stealthy, and unnoticed burglar who climbs up walls and through windows to enter buildings cat call - a shrill shout or whistle expressing admiration but in a predatory and victimising manner cat got your tongue? – a question posed to someone who remains silent when expected to speak catnap – a short sleep during the day copycat – someone who copies another’s behaviour/clothe...

25 Idioms about Dancing

dancing in the streets – very happy footloose and fancy free – free from commitment it takes two to tango – both people/parties are responsible for the argument/problem to be all-singing, all-dancing – to have a large range of impressive features/skills to be light on one’s feet – to be nimble to step out of line – to behave inappropriately/to break the rules to dance on air – to be very happy to dance to someone’s tune – to comply with someone’s demands and whims to drag one’s feet/heels – to stall to land/fall on one’s feet – to have good luck to follow in someone’s footst...

Three Eggy Idioms for Easter

Happy Easter! If you need a break from all the chocolate, why not have a look at these eggy idioms and their origin stories? A bad egg A ‘bad egg’ is someone who is disappointing or a bad influence. Here is the idiom used in an example sentence: James fell in with a group of bad eggs who got him in trouble. The idiom certainly derives from the irritation felt when cracking an egg only to find it has gone off. One early use of the phrase is in this 1856 issue of the Milwaukee Daily American: "Mayor Wood is moving heaven and earth to procure his renomination. One of his dodges is, to get up letters in the newspaper, pretending to em...

You are the Apple of My Eye

Whether you love Valentine’s Day or think the day is a complete waste of time, there’s no denying that notions of love and heartbreak have inspired writers and artists for thousands of years. There are countless idioms associated with love: “…from the bottom of my heart”, “I have a crush on you”, “I’m head over heels in love”, and even “broken heart” – but today we’re going to look at the expression “apple of my eye”. In case you’ve forgotten, an idiom is a figure of speech which is used to describe something other than its literal meaning – so in this case, the expression isn’t...

American Idioms

One of the reasons English is so difficult to learn is because it is a language full of idioms. An idiom is a combination of words that has a figurative meaning separate from the actual definitions of the words used. There are an estimated 25,000 idioms in the English language. Here in Britain, the influence of the American film and television industry has led to many so-called ‘Americanisms’ being adopted into day-to-day language. It is not uncommon for a Brit to metaphorically talk about ‘touching base’ or ‘striking out’ without ever actually having seen a ball game. Today, to end our month dedicated to American language, we’re going to take a l...