idiom

Bored to death

Meaning/Usage: Very bored

"I have nothing to do. I'm bored to death."

"I hate it when I'm bored to death."

"Would you rather be super busy or bored to death?"

You've got to be kidding

Meaning/Usage: This is used when a true statement is ridiculous.

You've got to be kidding

Meaning/Usage: This is used when a true statement is ridiculous.

You've got to be kidding me. I'm 30 years old."

Sick and Tired

Meaning/Usage: Used when you no longer enjoy something because you have done it too many times.

I'm sick and tired of eating the same thing for lunch everyday."

"I'm getting sick and tired of this song. They play it way too often at this club."

"I'm sick and tired of listening to him nag all the time.

Call it a day

Meaning/Usage: Used to express that the work day is over.

Let's call it a day. I'm too tired to continue working."

"We can't continue working without Mike, so let's call it a day."

"It's already nine o'clock. Let's call it a day."

Get on one's nerves

Meaning/Usage: Used when someone or something is bothering you.

"You're beginning to get on my nerves."

"Will you please stop doing that? It's getting on my nerves."

"His whining is getting on my nerves."

Couch potato

Meaning/Usage: Used when someone watches too much television.

"My husband is a couch potato. He sits in front of the TV all day long."

"You have a huge belly because you're a couch potato."

"I should be more active and less of a couch potato."

Read one's mind

Meaning/Usage: When someone says something that you were also thinking about.

Explanation: This is a stronger way of saying, "I was thinking of that too."

"You read my mind."

"I was going to suggest that. You must have read my mind."

Feel blue

Meaning/Usage: Feel sad

Explanation: Long time ago, blue was related to the rain. Whenever the fictional god Zeus was sad, he would make it rain (crying).

"What a gloomy day. It makes me feel blue."

"Whenever I feel blue, I like to listen to upbeat music."

"Matt's feeling a little blue right now. Let's go cheer him up."

Fender bender

Meaning/Usage: A small car accident

Explanation: "Fender" is the car body part that is right above the tire. "Bender" is derived from bend. Since the fender is a small part compared to the hood and door, and bend is not as bad as break or crack, combining these two indicates that the accident is very small. Like a small dent or scratch.

"I got into a small accident. It was just a fender-bender."

"I got into a fender bender in the parking lot."

"I can’t believe the damage is going to cost me 800 bucks. It was just a fender bender."

Get foot in the door

Meaning/Usage: Taking or passing the first step of a longer process; Generally used when referring to an entry level position that will eventually lead to better opportunities.

Explanation: There is no use trying to get to the 10th floor if you can't even get through the door. So getting through the door is extremely important. This statement expresses optimism.

"It's not a great position, but at least my foot is in the door."

"I need to find a way to get my foot in the door."

"I'm doing an internship for SK Telecom. It's an opportunity to get my foot in the door."

Chicken

Meaning/Usage: Being afraid or scared

Explanation: Chickens are very timid, afraid or scared of many things. It is common to use animals to express traits such as "sly as a fox" or "strong as a bear."

"There's nothing to be scared of. Don't be a chicken."

"Everyone thinks I'm a chicken because I didn't go bungee jumping with them."

"Stop being a chicken and just go."

Give somebody a hard time

Meaning/Usage: Make someone feel bad for making a mistake.

Explanation: This can be done by complaining to the person a lot, ignoring the person, giving them a punishment, or anything that will make the person go through a hard or difficult time.

"Suzie gave him a hard time for not showing up to her recital."

"Stop giving me a hard time. There was nothing I could do about it."

"If you don't finish your project, the manager is going to give you a hard time."

Make up one's mind

Meaning/Usage: Make a decision

Explanation: This is usually used when someone can't make a decision. Not only does it mean to make a decision, it also implies to do it quickly.

"We don't got all day, make up your mind."

"Make up your mind, we don't have much time."

"I can't make up my mind. Can you help me decide?"

"If you don't make up your mind, I'll choose for you."

"Both of them look really good. I can't make up my mind."

Go Dutch

Meaning/Usage: Each person paying for themselves. For example, going Dutch on a date is indicating both guy and girl will pay for themselves instead of one buying for the other.

Explanation: Why "Dutch" is used in this way is not completely confirmed. One reason is because of Dutch doors that contained two equal parts. Another reason was due to the rivalry between the English and Dutch in the 17th century.

"You don't have to pay for me. Let's go dutch today."

"I can't believe John didn't pay for me. We ended up going dutch on the whole date."

"I actually prefer going dutch because I don't want to feel indebt to anyone."

Throw in the towel

Meaning/Usage: Give up; quit; surrender

Explanation: When a boxer was getting beaten so badly, the coach or manager would throw a towel in to stop the fight. This phrase can be used outside of boxing to simply express quitting.

"I was ready to throw in the towel, but I stayed with it."

"He's not a quitter, so he's not going to throw in the towel."

"I saw a fight last almost two hours before one guy threw in the towel."

Goose bumps

Meaning/Usage: The literal tiny bumps you get all over your body when you are experiencing intense emotions.

Explanation: In some countries, they call it chicken skin because the tiny bumps on the arm looks like chicken skin. But in the US, they use "goose bumps."

"I was so touched by the movie that I started getting goose bumps all over my arms."

"When she told me that she loved me, I got goose bumps."

"I get goose bumps anytime I'm scared."

"John told us a story and everyone got goose bumps."

Stay in touch

Meaning/Usage: To stay connected

Explanation: When you can touch someone, you are literally close to that person. "Stay in touch" is indicating that the person wants to keep communicating so they will be "close" as friends.

"Call me more often man. We got to stay in touch."

"I hope you stay in touch with me. I'll give you my contact information."

"Let's stay in touch. I'll email you whenever I can."

"Are you staying in touch with her, or are you guys not talking any more?"

Have the guts

Meaning/Usage: Brave; courage

Explanation: "Guts" is the stomach area. Having "guts" is representing you have a strong stomach. When you have "guts" you are saying you are brave or have a lot of courage.

"I don't have the guts to go bungee jumping."

"He doesn't have the guts to ask her on a date."

"He has a lot of guts to be hunting by himself."

Rain or Shine

Meaning/Usage: Not allowing the weather to prevent you from doing something.

Explanation: For outdoor activities, rain can stop someone from doing something. This phrase is used to express determination of doing something no matter what external forces try to stop them.

"We're going camping this weekend rain or shine."

"Rain or shine, the protesters are out there every day."

"I don't care about the weather. I'm going golfing rain or shine."

I'm beat

Meaning/Usage: Very tired

Explanation: "Beat" can mean to lose. It can also mean to be hit over and over again. When someone loses or they are hit over and over again, they are either mentally tired or physically tired. This phrase is saying you are very tired for whatever reason.

"I had a tough day today. I'm totally beat."

"I don't want to go out tonight. I'm beat."

"I'm beat so I'm going to sleep early today."

Easier said than done

Meaning/Usage: This is used when something is easy to say but very hard to do.

Explanation: This phrase is very literal. Often times people tell you to do something that sounds easy, but it is actually hard. So in response, you can say this phrase.

"That's easier said than done."

"It's a lot tougher than that. It's one of those things that are easier said than done."

"Michael thinks everything is so easy. He doesn't realize it's easier said than done."

It's about time

Meaning/Usage: When you want to express that you waited a long time. A synonym of this would be, "finally."

Explanation: When you wait for something, the time on a clock is the biggest factor.

"It's about time."

"It's about time. I waited two hours for you."

"It's about time I got a chance to play."

Jump to conclusions

Meaning/Usage: Making a conclusion without having all the details

Explanation: If you need five pieces of information to come to a conclusion, jumping (or skipping) over 3 of them will cause you to make an incorrect conclusion. This term is often used when an incorrect conclusion is made by someone who didn't have all the information.

"I incorrectly blamed Jeff for breaking my phone. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions."

"I thought you took my book. I shouldn't have accused you. I jumped to conclusions."

"Will you stop jumping to conclusions. You should get all the facts before you make any decisions."

Keep an eye on

Meaning/Usage: To watch after; to supervise; to take care of

Explanation: When you have your eye on something or you are watching something, then you are paying attention to something or someone.

"Can you keep an eye on my daughter while I go get the car?"

"Don't worry about your luggage. I'll keep an eye on it."

"My mom will keep an eye on our equipment while we go get the truck."

Out of the blue

Meaning/Usage: Out of nowhere; spontaneously

Explanation: Although "blue" represents being sad, it is also commonly used to represent the ocean or the sky. Both are extremely big. If someone says to look for something that is in the sky or the ocean, there is no way to know where. Therefore, this phrase was created to represent coming out of nowhere.

"He's pretty funny because he will crack a funny joke out of the blue."

"Grace started crying for no reason. It was totally out of the blue."

"I don't know why he started getting mad. It was out of the blue."

Know something inside out

Meaning/Usage: Have knowledge of every detail of something.

Explanation: There are two sides of a flat object like a coin. There is also an inside or outside to many objects. This phrase is saying you know both sides, which indicates knowing everything about it.

"Ask Mary to help you with your homework. She knows calculus inside out."

"If you got the answer from Matt, I would trust it. He knows that stuff inside out."

Give someone a hand

Meaning/Usage: To help someone

Explanation: A physical task is usually done with the hands. Giving someone a hand is letting them borrow your hands, or in other words, helping them out.

"Give a hand" also represent applauding, but this section is about helping someone.

"Can you give me a hand setting up the dining table?"

"I'm going to need a hand changing the tire on the car."

"Are you going to have time to give me a hand tomorrow?"

"Let me know if you need help. I'll have time all day today to give you a hand."

Now and then

Meaning/Usage: Once in a while

Explanation: "Then" is an unspecific time in the future. When a person does not do something regularly, they can use this phrase to imply once in a while.

"I go on a hike every now and then."

"My mother calls me every now and then to see if I'm doing well."

"It's not something I can do all the time, but I do it every now and then."

Nuke - Microwave

Meaning/Usage: To cook something in the microwave oven.

Explanation: "Nuke" is a shortened terminology of nuclear. Because the microwave is powerful, this idiom was created.

"Don't nuke an egg. It will explode in the microwave."

"If I can't finish my dinner at a restaurant, I just take it home and nuke it when I want to eat it."

"The best way to heat up food is to nuke it."

On the dot

Meaning/Usage: The exact time

Explanation: A dot is seen as a very small target. It is like hitting the very center of a dart board or the bulls-eye. When it refers to time, it means exactly that time not a minute after or before.

"I don't want to be waiting for you, so you'd better be there at three o'clock on the dot."

"He's supposed to show up at four on the dot. If he is late even a minute, I'm taking off."

"You'd better be here by 1:30, because we're leaving at two o'clock on the dot."

Keeping my fingers crossed

Meaning/Usage: Hoping for good luck

Explanation: In recent days, children would cross their fingers when they lie to avoid punishment for telling a lie. Another way this is used is to cross the fingers while making a promise to invalidate the promise. Christians used the gesture of crossing fingers to recognize one another in times of persecution. Therefore, people cross their fingers wishing for good luck from God.

"Their team is not favored to win. But I hope they do. I'm keeping my fingers crossed."

"I have a one in ten chance of winning the television. I better keep my fingers crossed."

"I hope it works. Let's cross our fingers."

Out of this world

Meaning/Usage: Amazing

Explanation: When something is of this world, it is not normal. This phrase is used to indicate that it is not normal in a positive way. It is so different and amazing that it is not a part of this world.

"That's the coolest thing I've ever seen. It's really out of this world."

"It's totally out of this world. You're going to be impressed."

"The concert was out of this world. It was an awesome experience."

Over one's head

Meaning/Usage: When something is mentally too difficult to understand.

Explanation: To understand something, information needs to go inside the brain. This is used to say that the information failed to go inside.

"I don't know the answer to that problem. The subject is over my head."

"Don't bother explaining it to him. It's way over his head."

Pain in the ass

Meaning/Usage: A source of trouble or annoyance; used to indicate that something bothers you very much. "Ass" can be seen as profanity, so another way of saying this would be "Pain in the butt" or "Pain in the neck."

Explanation: When something gives you trouble and bothers you a lot, it gives you pain. To look for more colorful ways to express this, people started saying "pain in the neck." Another variation came out when people started to say "Pain in the rear end." This later became "Pain in the butt" or "Pain in the ass."

"What a pain in the ass."

"I had a customer who kept asking easy questions. It was a total pain in the ass."

"I have a meeting at 7:00 in the morning. It's a pain in the ass waking up that early."

"Having to deal with traffic every day is a pain in the ass."

Piece of cake

Meaning/Usage: Describes something that is easy to do.

Explanation: In the 1870's, cakes were given as prizes for winning competition. To the winner, it was an easy task. Therefore, "cake" started representing something easy. Another phrase that is similar is "cake walk," which also represents something that is easy.

"You won't have any problems with it. It's a piece of cake."

"It's not that difficult. Actually, it's a piece of cake."

"Learning to type is a piece of cake. It just takes persistence."

"Sociology 101 is a piece of cake. You should get an A in that class."

Sooner or later

Meaning/Usage: Eventually

Explanation: When something should happen, but you don't know when it will happen, you can use this term to express that it will eventually happen.

"Don't keep waiting for him to confess. He'll tell you sooner or later."

"He'll come to his senses sooner or later."

"She'll realize that she's doing something wrong sooner or later."

Pull someone's leg

Meaning/Usage: Making someone believe something that is not true.

Explanation: This came from London long time ago where criminals would trip someone to make them fall. After they fall, another criminal acting like they are helping the fallen person would take valuables out of their pocket. Although pulling a leg is not tripping, it can be seen as falling away from the truth.

"You expect me to believe that? Stop pulling my leg."

"I'm just kidding. I was just pulling your leg."

"I didn't know you believed me. I was just pulling your leg."

Put oneself in one's place

Meaning/Usage: To think from another point of view.

Explanation: To get a better understanding by thinking from the view of the other person. Another way of saying this is to "put yourself in one's shoe."

"What was I supposed to do? Try to put yourself in my place."

"It's easy to be understanding if you always put yourself in the other person's place."

"If you put yourself in my place, you would understand why I did that."

I can eat a horse

Meaning/Usage: To express the desire to eat a lot of food.

Explanation: One explanation is that there is a lot of meat on a horse. Also not many people eat horses, but they would if they are very hungry. Combining the willingness to eat a large quantity of meat, and the willingness to eat meat that is not normally eaten suggests that the person is extremely hungry.

"I'm so hungry that I can eat a horse."

"I feel like I can eat a horse right now."

"If I didn't eat anything for two days, I would feel like I can eat a horse too."

Read between the lines

Meaning/Usage: To understand the underlying meaning of something that is not completely clear.

Explanation: There are no words between the lines. However, there are many written text like poetry, proverbs, or riddles that require you to understand more than what is written to completely understand it. This phrase became popular so people started using it to refer to understanding hidden meaning.

"If you read between the lines, you would have understood what he was implying."

"Steve isn't very good at reading between the lines. You have to tell him exactly what you want."

"Martha can read between the lines very well. She picks up on everything."

Don't sweat it

Meaning/Usage: To tell someone not to worry

Explanation: When people worry a lot, they can sweat. This became a popular way to tell someone not to worry.

"You can't do anything about it, so don't sweat it."

"You tried your best, so stop sweating it."

Rings a bell

Meaning/Usage: To remember something

Explanation: A bell is used to alert us of many things such as a door bell, telephone bell, school bell, clothes dryer bell, etc. When we hear the bell, we know what the bell represents. To ring a bell became a way of saying that you remember something. Another explanation comes from Pavlov. He created an experiment where he rang a bell before he gave food to a dog. He did this repeatedly and the dog started to drool before he saw any food because the dog knew the food would come after the bell rang.

"I can't put my finger on it, but it definitely rings a bell."

"It rings a bell, but I'm not one hundred percent sure."

"Oh, oh, oh... that rings a bell. Where did I see that from?"