Idioms

Idioms are fun. It can be fun to learn the idioms of other languages. Italian has a few idioms that contain the word cat.

The goal of this Spanish idioms tutorial is to introduce you to what an idiom is and get you started in the use of Spanish language idioms.

EFL/ESL Business English students often say they don't understand native English speakers because of the slang and idioms we use. Here's a free EFL lesson plan to give your students a bit more of a chance.

From "Tying the knot" to "break a leg!", the English language is loaded with a seemingly infinite amount of idioms. But where, exactly, did these odd sayings come from?

"Only the most well-heeled shop in that upscale boutique." Who are the most well-heeled individuals, and what makes them well-heeled? When we say a person is well-heeled, what are we really saying? What is the meaning of the popular phrase, "well-heeled?"

"The celebration was supposed to be a surprise, but Uncle Elmo let the cat out of the bag." What cat? What bag? Who is Uncle Elmo, and why was the cat in the bag, anyway? What is the meaning of the popular phrase, "let the cat out of the bag"?

"Are you in, Slim?" "Shore thing. I'll be the ranch on this one." Bet the ranch? What in tarnation is the meaning of this old-time saying? Does someone have to actually own a ranch to bet the ranch? Why would someone offer to bet the ranch, anyway?

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"Let's start by breaking the ice." What does it mean to break the ice? Usually, ice breaking has little to do with actual frozen water, or ice, at all. Breaking the ice most often refers idiomatically to an altogether different sort of coldness.

"I couldn't stand my last job. My old boss was always riding roughshod over his workers." What is riding roughshod? Do people really ride over others, and what do they ride upon? What is the intent and origin of this familiar wording, "riding roughshod?"

"Better stand back. Zeke is hell bent for leather." What in tarnation could be the meaning of this metaphorical statement, "hell bent for leather"? Let's see if we can whip out the truth about this idiomatic expression.

"Because he knew the city, he was able to get a leg up on the other tour guides." What is the intention of the idiomatic phrasing, "getting a leg up"? When we say we get a leg up, are we conversing of calisthenics, expressing aggression or what?

"Get off your high horse." Folks may talk themselves hoarse, telling others to get down off their high horses, but they are not talking about equines at all. Let's see if we can rein in the significance of this metaphorical and idiomatic figure of speech.

"The leading lady was a little long in the tooth for that role." Is this a dental description or metaphorical evaluation? What is "long in the tooth"? This phrase chews someone out, at least indirectly, but what is the definition of this biting criticism?

Several dog-related idioms and how to teach them to ESL students

"Hold your horses!" Whoa there! Folks often use the idiomatic expression, "hold your horses," but not usually in the context of equestrian activities. What does "hold your horses" really mean, and how did this metaphorical expression come to exist?

"Why doesn't Charlie ever seem to gain any weight? He eats like a horse." For generations, folks have described other people this way. When we say, "He eats like a horse," what is our intent? How do horses eat, anyway?

"Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail," said Ebenezer Scrooge. What does it mean, when we say someone (or something) is "dead as a doornail"? And what is a doornail, anyway? What is the meaning of the phrasing, "dead as a doornail"?

What does it mean, when we speak of "putting the cart before the horse"? This popular phrasing, with clear ties to equestrian driving, is used for a proverbial purpose. Let's look at this idiomatic saying and see what meanings may be pulled from it.

Spousal infidelity is centuries old and fodder for many idioms over the last century. Maybe the time has come to dust off a few dying American idioms and re-purpose their words in our everyday rhetoric?

Think about the words and phrases that we now use in American culture that will stand the test of time. Which ones will survive, and why? We don't know - because we don't choose. It's a though they choose us!

"It must be true. I heard it straight from the horse's mouth." What do we mean, when we say, "straight from the horse's mouth"? The idiomatic phrase, "straight from the horse's mouth," may come from any of several possible origins.

What does it mean, when we say someone is hot to trot? This expression has multiple shades of meaning. Let's look at this idiomatic saying and see what meanings may be inferred from it. What is the meaning of the phrasing, "hot to trot"?

"Now that's a horse of a different color." Have you heard this old expression before? Usually, when folks speak of "a horse of a different color," they are not speaking of horses at all. What is the meaning of "a horse of a different color"?

Everyone knows about jumping to conclusions. Or do they? Learn all about this type of distorted thinking to prevent adopting mind reading or fortune telling in the future!

Some warnings are more serious than others. Why do we pay careful attention when a yellow sign tells us about 'merging traffic' or a 'hidden driveway', but fail to consider the sober indicators of the one true 'Dead End'?