Idiomatic Expressions in British and American Contexts of
Speech
Abstract
This article is a
comparative approach to the way American and British denizens use language writtenly and spokenly, especially referring
to cultural contexts, idioms and phrasal verbs. While “to rain cats and dogs
(British: ”to come down cats and dogs”) is avoided, replaced by “to run
heavily”, it is the article’s major concern to see which expressions are kept
and which are “a burden” in the formal everyday written expression. While the
rules for the written form of the English language, in its both forms of
appearance, are quite strict, the freedom is preserved to the speaker to prefer
certain words and to obtain a sort of mixture, so to speak, which probably will
not irritate American speakers and vice versa as some opt out for the other
handier alternative. Thus, the imperative is for the good maintenance of such
linguistic treasures and the non-literal translation of them into other
languages as a sign of cultural and linguistic richness.
Keywords:
revolutionary, mind-sparkling, culture, development, intriguing
British and American English developed separately so to speak
during centuries. Hence, one can say that British English sounds better or vice
versa American English. What is made easier by American English is the spelling
and that is somehow revolutionary, because “to keep it simple” is an old
British saying. (?) This is not valid only for nouns, verbs or adjectives but
also for nouns that have different denominations in English:
1.
American English
|
British English
|
(noun) endeavor
|
endeavour
|
(verb) recognize
|
recognise
|
(adjective) colorful
|
colourful
|
The list here is very long in what concerns the variety of
alternatives for different situations and nominal expressions.
2.
American English
|
British English
|
Alternations from the Rules
|
fall
|
autumn
|
|
check
|
bill
|
bill
|
cookie
|
biscuit
|
|
trunk
|
boot (of a car)
|
boot
|
trailer
|
caravan
|
|
janitor
|
caretaker
|
|
parking lot
|
car park
|
car park
|
(French) fries
|
chips
|
|
chips
|
crisps
|
|
drapes
|
curtains
|
|
résumé
|
CV
|
CV
|
driving license
|
driving licence
|
|
busy
|
engaged ( tel.line)
|
|
Santa Claus
|
Father Christmas
|
|
movie
|
film
|
film
|
apartment
|
flat
|
flat
|
two weeks
|
fortnight
|
|
period
|
full stop
|
|
first floor
|
ground floor
|
|
guy
|
bloke
|
|
purse
|
handbag
|
|
vacation
|
holiday
|
|
elevator
|
lift
|
lift
|
ride
|
lift ( in a car)
|
|
truck
|
lorry
|
|
Math
|
maths
|
|
Cell
|
mobile
|
|
Mom
|
Mum
|
Thus, there are seven nouns out of twenty eight that are
slightly shorter than the remaining American idioms, so the exception to the rule
only strengthens (proves) the rule.
The issue of the idiomatic expressions became more and more
of interest to linguists lately. It is hard to establish, which are really of
American origin, but all in all it can be said that they are more frequently spread
and far more numerous in American English. The question is only which one we
prefer and if American English becomes handier or so to speak trendier. American
English sounds more libertine and open as British English rather more
conservative and strictly rule bidden.
1.
The richness of American idioms as a sparkle
of human intelligence and ingenuity
The
alphabetically listed collection of idioms should provide an outline of the
cultural richness of American English and to provoke some thinking into how
they could be translated (if possible) into
Roman or other Germanic languages.
(1.)About time: nearly time, high time; (2) Achilles' heel: A weakness that can make
someone vulnerable, despite being strong, smart, etc. (not necessarily a idiom,
only to illustrate cultural richness)
(3) (To) act high and
mighty: To act proudly and arrogantly. (4) Across the board: Something that applies to all (cases), to
everyone, etc.
(5) (To) act one's age:
To behave in a more mature way. (Frequently said to a child or teen.)
(6)(To) add fuel
to the fire: To make a bad problem
even worse. (7) (To) add insult to
injury:
To make a bad situation even worse. (8) Against the clock: To attempt to do something "against the
clock" is to attempt to do something as fast as possible, usually in order
to make a deadline. (9) All kidding aside;
all joking aside: You say this when you want to tell someone that you're now
speaking seriously. (10) All out
(adj./adv.): Full-scale; complete. (11) All set: Ready (to go). (12) All thumbs: awkward. clumsy. (13) A little bird told me: When someone says
"a little bird told me", it means they don't want you to know who
told them. (14)All in a day's work: Typical;
normal; (15) (From) all walks of life:
(From) all social, economic, and ethnic groups. (To be/go/come) along for the
ride: To participate in something as an observer or simply out of pleasure. (16)
Apple of someone's eye: Someone's
favorite person (and sometimes thing). (17) Armed
to the teeth: Heavily armed. (18) At
all hours (of the night): very late at night, throughout the night. (19) At each other's throats: Fighting or
arguing hard. (20) At this stage: At
this point. (21) Back to square one:
(Also: Back to the drawing board;) Said when you fail to make something work,
and have to start over again from the beginning. (22) Backhanded compliment (n.): Something that is supposed to sound
like a compliment, but is really an insult. (21) Back-seat driver (n.) A somewhat derogatory term for a passenger
who (excessively) comments on what the driver is doing wrong. (22) Bad blood (n.) Also see: ill feeling,
grudges, etc., between two people, usually due to something that happened in
the past.
(a) ball-park figure:
A rough estimate. (23) (To get/jump on
the) bandwagon: To begin to like something/start doing something because
it's popular, "hip", or everyone else is doing it. (24) (To) bank on something: To count or rely
on something. (25) (To) bark up the wrong
tree: To ask the wrong person; to make the wrong choice. (26) (A) basket-case: A very nervous person;
someone at the verge of being neurotic. (27) (To) be a fan of someone/ something: To like, idolize, admire
someone/ or something. (28) (To) be in one's element: To be
completely comfortable doing something; to do something that comes very
naturally to someone. (29) (To) be up to
no good: To be planning something bad, mischievous. (30)(To) beat around the bush: To avoid
getting to the point. (31) (To) beat
(someone) to the punch: To do something before someone else has a chance
to. (32) (To) beg to differ: A polite
way of saying "to disagree"; (33) Behind
(someone): In the past. (34) Believe
it or not: Used at the beginning sentence to state that something is true
whether one chooses to believe it or not. (35 )(To be) below the belt; (to hit someone) below the belt: To say or
do something to someone that is not fair and/or hurtful. (36) (To be) beside oneself: To be really
upset, emotional. (37) (To be) beside the
point: Irrelevant (to the issue at hand). (38) Big fish in a little sea: A person who's famous/ well-known but
only in an unimportant place (city or area). (39) (To have a) big mouth: To not be able to keep a secret. (40) Big-shot (noun/adjective): An important
person. (41) (A) Bimbo: A
foolish/empty girl. The term "male bimbo" is also used. (42) (A) bird's eye view: A panoramic view. (43)
(The) birds and the bees: Sex; human
reproduction. [1] (44) (To)
bite off more than (you) can chew: To try to do something that is too hard
to do for you to do, finish, etc. (45) (A) bite to eat: A snack, some food. (46)
(To) bite the hand that feeds you: To
do harm to someone who helps you. (47) (To)
bite one's tongue: To struggle not to say something that you want to say (48)
(To) bite the bullet: To accept a
difficult situation, or the consequences thereof. (49) Black sheep (of the family): The worst, least accepted member of a
family. (50)To bite the dust: to die (A) blast: A great time; a fun time. (51)
(To) blow someone's cover: To reveal
someone's secret, or true identity. (52) To
bleed like a stuck pig-to bleed heavily. (53) To blow off some steam: to do some exercise to relax. (54) (To) blow your own horn: To speak very
highly of oneself, one's accomplishments, etc. (55) blowing smoke: to boast. (56) Bouched
up-messed up. (57) Brand spanking new-new
and unused. (58) A burnt child dreads the
fire: to be very careful. (59) Bust
your balls-to harass with the intent to break one’s spirit. (60) Busting your chops-to say things
intended to harass (61) (To not be) born
yesterday: To not be naive or gullible. (62) (To scrape the) bottom of the barrel: To get stuck with the worst
thing (in a series of things). (63) (To)
break even: To neither win nor lose. (64) (To) break new ground: To do something that hasn't been done
before; to innovate. (65) (To) break
someone's heart: To cause someone (strong) emotional pain. (66) (To) break the news to someone/ to break
"it" to someone: To tell someone some important news, usually bad
news. (To) bring down the house: To have a very successful performance. (67) (To) burst into tears: To start crying
suddenly. (68) (To do something) by the
book: To do something legally, without breaking any laws. (69) (To) call it a day: To end work and go
home. (70) (To) call (someone's) bluff:
To demand proof that someone is not lying (71) (To)
call the shots: To be in charge. (72) (A)
can of worms; To open a can of worms: To get into a complicated (often
embarrassing or awkward) situation (73) (To)
carry a tune: To be able to sing on key (accurately). (74) Can’t hold a candle to-perform clumsily. (75)A cat bird seat: a seat, position that favors oneself. (76)To chew the fat: to talk trifles (77) (To)
cash in on something: To profit from something. (78) Cat got your tongue:
to be speechless; (79) (A) catch: When
talking about wives, husbands, girlfriends, etc., people sometimes say
"He's quite a catch" or "She's quite a catch", which means
that the person in question is a great partner, or that it's good to be in a
relationship with him/her (usually because of his/her personality, money, or
looks). (80) (To) catch someone's eye: To
get someone's attention through eye contact. (To have a) change of heart: To
change your opinion, position about something. (81) (A) cheap drunk: Also knows as "a cheap date". A person
who becomes drunk after only one or two drinks. (82) Chicken (adj); to be chicken: To be scared, frightened. (83) (To have a) chip on (one's) shoulder: An
aggressive or mean attitude. (84) Cooking
with gas: to be working fast, proceeding rapidly, (85) in the crapper-in the toilet, soiled. (86) Crocodile tears-false tears to impress. (87) Crossing the rubicon ( when a decisive step has been taken) (88) Cut
from the same cloth: to be similar. (89) (A)
clean bill of health: A report from the doctor that one's health is good;
good results from a doctor's medical examination. (90) (To
start with/start off with/start over with a) clean slate; To start again,
ignoring what had happened in the past. (91) (To) clear the air: To discuss things honestly in order to get rid
of resentment, doubts. Clear as a bell-clearly understood. (92) Close, but no cigar-nearly, quite
achieving success but not. (93) (To) come
to an end (94) (To) clear the table:
To remove all dishes, cutlery, etc. from a table after a meal. (95) (A) close call: Something that is close
to danger or an accident. Coast-to-coast (adj/adv): From the Atlantic to the
Pacific coast in the United States. (96) (To)
come away empty handed: To return without anything. To expect to receive
something but to end up receiving nothing. (97) (To) come to an end: To finish; to stop. (98) (To) come out of the closet: To reveal that one is gay. (99) Come to think of it: I just remembered. (100)
(To) come up short: To not quite
achieve one's goal. (101) Come what may.
Whatever happens. No matter what happens. (102) Copycat (noun or adjective) Someone
who imitates/mimics another person.[2]
(103) (To) corner: To trap, make sure that there is no way out for
someone. (104) Couch potato. A person
who spends most of his/her time on the couch, watching TV. (105) (To)
cover a lot of ground: To go through a lot of information. (106) (To) cover for someone: To make excuses
for someone or to conceal someone's errors. (107) (At the) crack of dawn: Right at dawn (when the sun comes up). (108)
(To) crash: To sleep. To go to bed. (109)
(To) cramp someone's style: To limit
someone in some way. To limit someone from expressing themselves fully. (110) (To) cry one's eyes out: To cry hard. (111)
(To) cut class: To not go to class. (112)
(To) cut corners: To save money by
doing things poorly or wrong. (113) (To)
cut loose: To act or speak freely, without holding back. (114) (A) cut
above (something): Superior/ better (than something). (115) Dead as a door nail[3]
(116) (to) drive someone crazy-(117) (To) die of boredom: To be very bored. (118)
(A) dead ringer (noun): A look-alike.
-(119) Dirt cheap: Very cheap (inexpensive). (120) (A) dog's age: A very long time.
Don't hold your breath: Don't wait for it to happen because it probably
won't. (121)Don't let it get you down:
Don't let it upset you; don't allow it to make you feel bad. (122) (To) do the dishes: To wash the dishes.
(123) (A) downer: An event that
causes one to be sad. (124) Down the
drain: Wasted. Lost forever. (125) (A)
drag: Boring; a disappointment. (126) Do
not count your chickens before they are hatched: don’t make plans
beforehand.[4] (127)
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth:
do not criticize a gift. (128) Down the hatch:
eat or drink. (129) Down to the short
strokes: approaching the end of a long process. (130) Down to the wire: (undecided until the end) (131) Dressed to a tea (well dressed with
attention to detail). (132) Dressed to
the nines: dressed flamboyantly. (133) Drop
a dime-make a phone call. (134) At
the eleventh hour-at the very last moment. (To) drive a hard bargain: To be firm when bargaining about
something. (135) (To) drive someone
crazy: To make someone very agitated, upset, or emotional (either in a good
or bad way). (136) (To) drop it: To stop talking about something. (137) (To) drown one's sorrows: To get/
become drunk. (138) (To) drop the ball:
To make a mistake. (139) (A) dream come
true: A great thing; a dream or wish that has become reality. (140) Down in the dumps: Sad. Depressed. (141)
(To) dump someone: (very informal) To
end a relationship with someone; to break up with someone. To stop seeing
someone (romantically). (142) (To give someone
an) earful: a strong verbal scolding. (143) Easy! (command): Not so fast! Calm down! (144) (As) easy as pie: Very easy. Easy-going: Tolerant; laid-back;
relaxed. (145) (To) eat one's heart out:
To be envious or jealous (used mostly as a command). (146) (To) eat out of someone's hands: To do whatever someone else wants.[5]
(147) (To) eat one's words: To admit
that what one said was wrong. (148) Elbow
room: enough space (room) to feel comfortable. (149) Enough is enough: That is enough and there should be no more;
usually said when one has had enough of a certain situation. (150) (To) enter one's mind: To cross one's
mind; to start thinking about something. (151) Everything but the kitchen sink: Almost everything one can think
of. (152) Every so often: Once in a while;
occasionally. (153) Every other: Every
second. Alternate. (154) Expecting: Pregnant. (155)Fair and square (adv.): Honestly,
without cheating, etc. (156) Eyes are
bigger than your stomach: to eat more than one can digest or actually needs.
(157) (To) face the music: To accept
the (unpleasant) consequences of what you have done. (158) Fair-weather friend: A person who is only your friend when things
are going well for you. (159) (To) feel
like a new person: To feel refreshed, rejuvenated. (160) (To) fall flat (on one's face):To fail.
To be unsuccessful. (161) (To) fall into
place: To become organized; to fit together. (162) (To) fall on deaf ears: To be ignored. (121) (163) (To) fall short: To lack something. (164)
(A) falling out: A disagreement/break
in a friendship. (165) (A) far cry: Very
different (often in a worse way). (166) (To)
feel like a new person: To feel refreshed, rejuvenated. (167) (A) feather in (someone's) cap: A great
personal achievement. (168) (To) feel the
pinch: To experience having less money than what one is used to. (169) (To) feel out of place: To feel like you
don't belong. (170) (To have a) field
day: To be able to exploit something to become successful. etc. (171) (A) fifth wheel: Useless, out of place,
unnecessary. (172) (To) fill someone's
shoes: To replace someone. To do something someone else used to do. (173) (A) fine line: Not much difference. (174)
To go through something with a fine tooth
comb: To review something very carefully. (175) First and foremost: First and most importantly. First thing: Before
anything else. (176) (To) fish for a
compliment: To try very hard to get a compliment from someone. (177) (To) fit the bill: To be
adequate/suitable for something. (178) (To)
fix someone (some food - like cocoa, oatmeal, etc.): To prepare (some food)
for someone. (179) Flat broke: Very
poor. (180) Fly off the handle: To
become very angry and emotional. (181) (To)
follow one's heart: To act according to your feelings/ emotions. (182) (To) follow in (someone's) footsteps: To follow someone's example
and do what that person did/does. (183) Food for thought: Something to think
about. (184) Forbidden fruit: Something
you are not allowed to have. (185) For
crying out loud! Something that is said when you are frustrated about how
unfair or ridiculous something is. (186) (A)
fork in the road: A point when a road splits in two directions. (187) Free and easy: Casual. Not very serious. (188) For the love of Pete-frustrated (189) (A) fresh pair of eyes: A new reader, someone who hasn't seen
something before. (190) From day one: From the very beginning. (191)
From stem to stern. Thourough
complete. (192) (A) full plate: A
busy schedule. (193) Fun and games: Playing
around. Time spent doing worthless things. (194) (To) get a move on: To go or do something quickly, to get going,
etc. (195) (To) get carried away: To
exaggerate/ go too far/ to become emotional. (196) (To) get caught up: To become involved, especially emotionally. Get
a leg up-to get a boost or advantage. (197) (To)
get cold feet: To become timid or frightened. (198) (To) get down to business (199) (To)
get that all the time: To hear something constantly. (200) (To) get
one's foot in the door: To get started in a process; to attain a favorable
position which will help one work toward a goal. (201) (To) get one's fill of something: To have enough of something. To
have a lot of something. (202) (To) get
on someone's nerves: To annoy someone; to bother or irritate someone. (203) (To) get
rid of (something/someone): To eliminate. To throw away. To hide. (204) (To) get
something off one's chest: To say something that has been on your mind; to
say something that has been bothering you. (205) (To) get the blues: To become sad or
depressed. (206) (To) get something straight: To clarify something. To understand
something clearly. (207) (To) give someone a call: To call
someone (on the telephone). (208) (To) give someone the benefit of the doubt:
To believe in someone despite information that makes them seem guilty of
something. (209) (To) give someone a piece of one's mind: To bawl someone out. To
let someone know how one really feels. (210) (A)
go-getter: An aggressive employee; a hard worker. (211) (To) go Dutch:
To pay for oneself when going out in a group. (212) (To) go
overboard: To do too much; to exaggerate. (213) (To) go
up in flames: To burn; to be consumed in flames. (214) (To) go
over something with a fine toothed comb: To go over something very
carefully, esp. checking for errors. (215) (To) go
to someone's head: To make someone overly conceited or proud. (216) To go
cold turkey: to quit something abruptly. (217) (To)go a
golden opportunity: A good chance to succeed, a good investment. (218) Half-baked (adj.): Foolish. (219) Hand-me-down
(adj.): Usually said of clothing that has been passed on from one person to
another. (220) Hands down: Easily; by far. (221) Hang on:
To wait (for a short time); (222) to hold on.
(To) hang on someone's every word: To
listen very carefully to someone. (223) Hat trick-the accomplishment of three
successes and wins. (224) (To) hate someone's guts: To hate
someone very much. (225) (To) have a big mouth: To be a gossiper.
To be a person who can't keep a secret. (226) (To)
have a lot going for (someone): To have a lot of good things in one's life;
to have many things working to one's benefit. (227) (To)
have a sweet tooth: To love to eat candy or other sweets. (228) (To)
have an edge: To have an advantage. (To)
have mixed feelings (about something): To be unsure or uncertain about
something. (229) (To)
have one's hands full: To be busy, occupied with some kind of activity,
work, etc. (230)(To) have one's heart set on something: To really want (and/or
expect) something to happen. (231) Hell’s half acre-a long and frustrated
trip. (232) High on the hog: extravagantly hit: A popular song or film. (233) (To) hit
the ceiling. (To) hit the spot: To satisfy a need exactly. To be exactly
right (often said about food or drinks). (234) (To) hit
bottom: To reach the lowest point. (235) (To) hit
the road: To leave, start on a trip, etc. (236) (To) hit
a snag: To run into a problem. (237) Hold
your feet to the fire: keep your promise. Hold on! Wait. (238) (To be)
homesick- To miss one's home, country, city, etc. (239) Horse of
a different color: unlike the subject at hand. (240) Horse sense: common sense. (241) How on earth...? How in the world...? - emphasize the fact that
something incredible or very hard to believe happened. (242) If worst
comes to worst: If things get really bad. (243) Ill-at-ease (adj.): Uncomfortable. (244) In
a bad way: Not well; in bad shape (245) In bad
taste: Rude. Vulgar. Obscene. (246) In broad daylight: Publicly visible in
the daytime. (247) In good shape/
condition: Physically and functionally sound and sturdy. "Shape"
is generally used more for people. (248) In
mint condition: In perfect condition (not used for people). (249) In no mood to do something: To not feel
like doing something; to not want to do something. (250) In season: Currently available for selling (often said of fresh
fruit and vegetables). (251) In stock: Available
for purchase, as in goods in a store. (252) In the air: Everywhere. All around. In the
country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. (253) In the black: making money. (254) In the doldrums: to be depressed, unmotivated. (255) In the long run: Over a long period of
time; ultimately. (256) In the same boat:
In the same situation (usually negative). (257) In and
out: Coming in and going out often. (258) In the red: losing money. (259) Irons in
the fire: chasing good opportunities. (260) (To be) in with (someone): (To be) friends or friendly with
(someone). (261) In advance: Ahead of time. (262) Jam-packed: Very crowded. (263) (To)
jam on the brakes: To hit/ step on the brakes suddenly to stop the car. (264)
Jack-of-all-trades: A person who
knows how to do a lot of different things. (265) (to) jump on the bandwagon: to do whatever somebody else wants (266)
(To) jump all over someone/ jump down
someone's throat: To criticize or blame someone. (267) (To)
jump the gun: To get something started too soon; to start too soon. (267) (To) jump at: To quickly accept. (268) Just about: Almost. Just now: Just a
minute ago. (269) Just
what the doctor ordered: Exactly what is needed. (270) (To) keep a low profile: To lay low; to not attract attention to
oneself by talking loudly, dressing in flashy clothes, causing trouble, etc. (271)
(To) keep an eye on (someone/something):
To watch/pay attention to (someone/something). (272) (To)
keep a straight face: To force oneself not to laugh, even though one wants
to. (273) (To) keep one's cool: To
remain calm. (274) (To) keep one's word:
To uphold one's promise. (275) (To) keep
someone posted: To keep someone informed. (276) (to) keep your pants on: to be patient. (277) Kiss of death (something that precedes failure), (278) living hand to mouth (poor), (279) long in the tooth (old), (280) (To) keep someone up: To not allow
someone to sleep. (281) (To) keep
something to oneself: To not let others know about something; to not reveal
something. (282) (To) keep track of
(something): To maintain a record of (something). (282) (A)
kept man/woman: Someone who is in a relationship where the other person
pays for everything. (283) (To) kick back: To relax. (phrasal verb)
(284) (to) kick in: to become pregnant. (phrasal verb) (285) (To) kick oneself: To regret. (286) (To)
kick the bucket: to die. (287) (To) kill time: To waste time. (288) Knock it off!: Stop it! (289) Knock
on wood: A phrase said to cancel out (imaginary) bad luck. (290) (To)
know something inside-out: To know something completely and thoroughly. (291)
(To)
know the score: To know the facts; to know how things go. (292) Know-it-all
(noun): A person who acts like they know everything. (293) (A) lady-killer: A handsome man; a man
who charms women. Last but not least:
Last in order but not last in importance. (294) Last
ditch (adj.): Final (a slight connotation of "desperate"). (295) (To)
lay a finger on someone: To touch someone even very slightly. (296) (To) lay low: to go unnoticed (297) (To) leave a bad taste in someone's mouth: To
leave a negative impression on someone. (298) (To)
leave someone high and dry: To leave someone helpless. (299) (To)
leave someone alone: To stop bothering someone. (300) (To)
let off steam: To release energy or anger. (301) (To)
let someone off the hook: To release someone from responsibility. (302) (To)
let something slide: To neglect something. To ignore something. (303) (to)
let the cat out of the bag –to tell the truth (304) (A)
lift: A ride. (305) Little by little: Slowly, gradually. (306) (A)
little off: Not quite even, normal. (307) (To)
lock horns: To argue; to have a dispute; to disagree. (308) (To)
look the other way: To ignore something on purpose. (309) (A)
long shot: Something that has a slim (small) chance of happening. (310) (To) lose (someone): This is often used
when someone is chasing someone or being chased by someone. If you're being
chased by someone and you manage to get away you can say - The person chasing you can say the same thing
-. (311) (To) lose one's temper: To become angry. (312) (To)
lose one's train of thought: To forget what one was thinking/ talking
about. (313) Lost in thought: Busy thinking. (314) (To) lower one's voice: To talk more softly. (315) (A)
lucky break: Good luck, good fortune. (316) (To) make a beeline for (somewhere): To head directly to
(somewhere). (317) (To) make a bundle:
To make a lot of money (one time). (318) (To)
make a long story short: To bring a story to an end; To sum things up. (319)
(To)
make a pass (at someone): To make romantic advances; to hit on (someone). (320)
(To) make believe: To pretend. (321) (To) make ends meet: To have enough
money to pay one's basic expenses; to barely get by. (322) (To) make good money: To make a lot of money (regularly). (323) (To) make light of something: To treat
something as if it were trivial or unimportant. (324) (To) make life miserable for someone: To cause someone lots of
problems. (325) (To) make up one's mind:
To make a decision. (326) (To) make
oneself at home: To feel as comfortable as one would being at home. (327) (To) make someone's head spin: To make
someone dizzy or disoriented. (328) (To) make something from scratch: To
make something by starting with the basic ingredients. Many a true word is spoken in jest (hide a
serious criticism). (329) Mind your P’s & Q’s. (330) Cut the mustard- to achieve a required
standard. (331) (To) meet someone
halfway: To compromise with someone. (332) (To) mention something in passing: To mention something casually. (333) (The) middle of nowhere: A very
isolated place. (334) (To) mind one's own
business: Not to interfere/ get involved in the business of others. (335)Money talks: Having money helps one get things done. (336) (There's) more than meets the eye: (Something
is) more complicated/more interesting than it seems. (337) (To) move up in the world: To increase one's standing socially,
etc.; to become successful. (338) (A)
must: A necessity. (339) Neck and
neck: Very close (almost even), as in a race. (340) Neck of the woods: (somewhat antiquated) Area. Part of a country. (341)
(To) need a hand: To need help. (342)
Neither here nor there: Not relevant.
(343) Nest egg: Saved money. (344) Never
mind: Don't worry about it. (345) (To) nip something in the bud: To end
something at an early stage. (346) No
laughing matter: A very serious matter.
(347) No picnic: Not easy. Very
difficult and problematic. (348) No rush:
You don't have to hurry. (349) No skin
off my nose: I don't care because it doesn't affect me. (350) No sweat: No problem. (351) No wonder: It's not surprising. (352) (To) not be born yesterday: To be
experienced, knowledgeable. (353) Not in
the least: Not at all. (354)Not
likely: Probably will not happen. (355) Not
much of: Pretty bad. (356) Now and then:
Occasionally. (357) Odd man out: An unusual or atypical
person (or thing). (358) Off-color: Rude;
vulgar. (359) Off-duty: Not working
at one's job. (360) Off the air: No
longer on TV (or the radio). (361) Off
the hook: No longer having to do something, no longer blamed or under
suspicion. (362) Off the record: unofficially.
(363) Off the top of one's head: Spontaneously;
without thinking too much. (364) On the
ball (to respond promptly). (365) Once
in a blue moon (to happen on rare occasion). (366) One red
cent; a single symbolic penny. (367) On
one's mind: Occupying someone's thoughts; being thought about. (368) (To do something) on one's own accord: Willingly,
without anyone forcing one to do something. (369) On second thought: Having given something more thought. (370) On the go: Busy. Moving around busily. (371) On the house: Something that is given away free by a merchant. (372)
On the loose: (Most often used
speaking about criminals) - free; not captured; (373) On the tip of one's
tongue: Something that is almost said/remembered. (374) On the wagon: Not drinking alcohol. (375)
Once in a while: Occasionally. (376) Other side of the tracks (somewhat
archaic) The poorer part of a town. (377) Out
cold: Unconscious. (378) Out of
sorts: Not quite oneself; In a bad/strange mood. (379) (A) pain in the butt: A problematic person/thing; a chronic
complainer. (380) ( to) paint the town
red: to have fun (381) (To) pass the
buck: To blame someone else. (382) (To)
pass the time: To do something to keep busy. (383) Passed with flying colors (to exceed expectations). (384) A
pot calling the Kettle Black: to not see one’s own faults. (385) A pot to piss in (to have money or
health). (386) Put English on it (to import a spin to something in an effort to
make it hard to be controlled, used in tennis). (387) (A) pat on the back: A sign of approval; (388) (To) pay an arm and a leg/ pay a fortune: To pay a lot of money. (389)
(A) peeping Tom: Someone who looks
through people's windows. (390) (A) piece
of cake: Very easy. (391) (To give
someone) a piece of one's mind: To scold, reprimand someone (for something
they did). (392) (To) pitch in: To
help with something (especially financially). (393) (To) pick up the tab: To pay a bill. (394) (To) play second fiddle to someone: To be second in importance to
someone. (395) (To) play something by
ear: To improvise. To see how things go and make a decision later. (396) (To)
play it safe: To act or be safe. To do something safely. (397) (To) play the field: (somewhat outdated)
To date many different people instead of going steady (398) (A) poker face: A face with no
expression. (399) Preachy (adj): An
adjective that describes someone (or something) that tries to preach how one
should live, etc. (400) Pressed for time:
In a hurry. (401) (To) promise someone
the moon: To promise someone lots of extravagant things (unrealistically). (402)
(To) puke: To vomit. To throw up. (403)
(To) pull someone's leg: To kid, play
a joke on someone. (404) (To) pull a fast
one: To cheat or to deceive. (405) Pure gold: ( somewhat outdated) If
something is "pure gold" it is "the best",
"fantastic", "amazing". (406) (To) push one's luck: To expect continued good fortune. (407) (To) put up a good fight: To try very
hard. (408) Quick study (noun): Someone
who is able to memorize or learn something quickly and easily. (409) Quite a few: Many. (410) Quite a bit: A lot. (411) (As) quiet as a mouse: Very quiet. (412)
Quick on the uptake: Quick to
understand. (413) Quick and dirty: Fast
and simple; not very sophisticated. (414) (To)
rack one's brain: To try very hard to think of something. (415) (To) rain cats and dogs: (somewhat
archaic) To rain very hard. Rain or shine: No matter what the weather is like. (416)
(To) raise (some) eyebrows: To shock.
(417) (A) redneck: Generally refers
to someone who has either bigoted or narrow-minded opinions. Often used in the
context of people who live in small towns or in the country. (418) (To) read between the lines: To try to
understand what is meant by something that is not written/said clearly. (419) Reading the riot act ( to complain or lecture loudly) (420) (A) regular guy: A normal, average man (said in a fairly positive
way). (421) (To) rest one's case: When
people say "I rest my case", it usually means that they feel that
they just proved that they are correct. (422) Right
off the bat: Right away; immediately. (423) (To) ring in the new year: To celebrate the beginning of the New
Year at midnight on December 31st. (424) (To)
ring a bell: To remind, vaguely recognize something. (425) (A) rip-off or (To) rip-off: A rip-off
is something that costs more than it should. To rip someone off means to steal
from someone, or to cheat someone. (426) (To)
risk one's neck (to do something): To risk (sometimes physical) harm to
accomplish something. (427) (To) rob the
cradle: To go out with (or marry) someone who is much younger than you are.
(428) (To) rock the boat: To disturb
an otherwise stable situation. Rotten (adj): Bad, nasty. (429) (To) roll with the punches: resist. Room
to swing a cat: a confined space (430) (To)
rub someone the wrong way: To irritate someone. (431) (To) rub elbows with someone: To associate with someone. (432) Rule
of thumb: a basic rule that is usually but not always valid. (433) (To)
run a fever: To have a fever. (434) (To)
run in the family: To happen/ occur often in the family (through
generations). (435) Safe and sound: Safe.
Unharmed. (436) (To) save money for a
rainy day: To reserve something for some future need. (437) (To) save the day: To produce good
results when bad results are expected. (438) (A) score to settle: To get even. To pay someone back for something
negative that they did. (439) (To)
scratch the surface: To begin finding out about something. Second nature
(to someone): Easy and natural. (440) (To)
see eye to eye on something: To have a similar opinion on something. (441) (To) see fit: To deem/believe to be
appropriate. (442) (To) see the writing on the wall: To see that something is going to
happen. . (443) (To) serve someone right: To serve as appropriate punishment for someone.
(444) (To) set foot somewhere: To go or enter somewhere. (445) (To) set
one's sights on something: To select something as one's goal. (446) (A) shot in the arm: A boost. (447) Show
your true colours ( true intention) (448) (To) sit
on one's hands: To do nothing. (449) (To) sit
tight: To wait (patiently). (450)
Skeleton(s)
in the closet: A shocking/ disturbing secret. (451) (To)
sleep on something: To think about something overnight. (452) (To)
stand up for something: To fight for, support. (453) (To) Sleep tight: deeply. (454) The
smoking lamp is out (no smoking). (455) Square
meal: a nutritious meal. (456) (To) stir up trouble: To cause trouble. (457)
(To)
strike while the iron is hot: seize the day. (458) Sucker:
A gullible person or someone who is easily impressed by something (459) Suit
yourself: Have it your way; As you wish; (460) (To)
swallow something hook, line, and sinker: To believe something (usually a
lie) completely. (461) Take a dive (intentionally fail in a
competition (462) (To) take it: To endure trouble, criticism, or abuse. Take it easy!
Relax! (Also used in "to take it easy" = to relax, to spend a day
relaxing, etc.) (463) Take it or leave it: To accept it the
way it is or to forget it. (464) (To) take its toll: To cause damage (or
loss). (465) (To) take something/ someone for granted: To accept something/
someone (without gratitude) as a matter of course. (466) (To)
take something lying down: To endure something unpleasant without fighting
back. (467) (To) take something with a grain of salt: Not to take something
that someone says too seriously. (To)
take someone under one's wing: To protect (and teach) someone. (468) (To)
take the rap (for something): To accept responsibility, admit that one is
guilty of something. (469) (To) think straight: To think clearly. (470)
Three
sheets in the wind: very drunk. (471) (To) throw someone for a loop: To
confuse or shock someone. (472) (To) tie the knot: To get married. (473)
(To)
tighten one's belt: to spend less money. (474) Told you
so!: Basically when someone says "told you so!", it's like saying
"See, I was right!". (475) Tongue in cheek: Joking. (476) (To) touch on (something): To mention/talk
about. (477) True to one's word: Keeping one's promise. (478) (To) try
your luck: To attempt something; to try to see if you can do/win something.
(479) (To) try someone's patience. To do something annoying that may
cause someone to lose patience. (480) (To) turn a blind eye to something: To
ignore something and pretend you did not see it. (481) (To) turn one's back on (something/someone): To forget or ignore
(something/someone) (482) (To) two-time someone: To be in a
relationship and to have another boyfriend/girlfriend without telling your
first boyfriend/girlfriend. (483) Under construction: Being built or
repaired. Under fire: Being attacked. (484) Under
the table: Illegally. (485) Under the weather: Sick. Ill. (486) Up and
about: Recovered from an illness. (487) Up for
grabs Available for anyone to try to get. (488) Up in
the air: Uncertain. Uptight: Conservative,
nervous, nit-picky. (489) (To be/feel) up to (doing something): Capable
of, fit for. (490) Up to one's neck in something: Very much involved in something; to
have a lot of something. (491) Up to par: Meeting normal standards. (492)
Upper
hand: advantage (To) use every trick
in the book: To use every method possible. (495) (To) vanish into thin air: To disappear without leaving a trace. (496) Variety is the spice of life: Proverb
meaning life is made more interesting by doing new or different things. (497) Very
last: The last. (498) Very
well: OK. Agreed. (499) Vicious circle: Sequence of cause and
effect with bad results. (500) Wait-and-see attitude: A skeptical
attitude. An attitude where someone will just wait and see what happens. (501) (To) wait tables: To work as a waiter/
waitress in a restaurant. (502) (To)
wait on someone hand and foot: To serve someone very well; to do anything
someone asks you. (503) (To) wash one's hands of someone/something:
To end one's association with someone or something. (504) Washed-up:
No longer important/ in good form. (505) (To)
waste one's breath: To talk in vain. To waste one's time talking. (506) Way to
go!: Good job! Congratulations! ( sometimes used sarcastically) (507) Wear and
tear: Damage as a result of normal use. (508) (To)
wear out one's welcome: To stay too long (at an event, at someone's house,
etc.) (509) Well-off: Wealthy. Wet blanket: A person who discourages
others from having fun. (510) What makes someone tick: What motivates
someone. (511) What's with (someone): What's wrong with (someone). (512) (A)
whole lot: A lot, too many. (513) (To be) wide awake: To be completely
awake. (514) (A) wild goose chase: A futile/hopeless pursuit. (515) (At
one's) wits' end: If you're "at your wits' end" it means that
you've tried everything to fix or solve a problem, or to come up with a
solution, and you're almost going crazy from being unable to do this. With no
strings attached: Unconditionally. (516) (To)
work out for the best. To work out in the best possible way. (517) X
marks the spot: This is the exact spot. (608) (518) White
elephant: something that is of value but does not produce material growth. (519)
With
a grain of salt: with skepticism. (519) Worth its salt: capable. (520) The
writing is on the wall: something is clear to approach. (521) Year-round
(adj./adv.) Operating all year. (522) Yes-man:
A person who tries to be liked by agreeing with everything said, especially by
a boss. (523) You bet! Yes! Sure! I agree! No problem! (524) You can say that again: That is true (stress on "that"). (525)
You
can't teach an old dog new tricks: A proverb meaning that old people can't
learn anything new. (526) You don't say:
Used to show surprise at something that is being said. (527) Your
guess is as good as mine: I don't know any better/ more than you know. (528)
(To)
zero in on something: To aim or focus directly on something. (529) (To)
zonk out: To fall asleep.
2.Idioms as the more colorful part and pregnant of language
versus phrasal verbs
The difference between
idioms (idiomatic expressions without verbs) and phrasal verbs lies in the fact
that the first contain a noun or an adjective (adverb) while the latter a verb
and a preposition only. Nonetheless, there are lots of differences between American
idioms and British English idioms not only concerning their date of appearance
in the language but also contextually and culturally.
Thus, there are also many
English idioms: A hot potato-Speak of
an issue (mostly current) which many people are talking about and which is
usually disputed. A penny for your
thoughts-A way of asking what someone is thinking. Actions speak louder than words-People's intentions can be judged
better by what they do than what they say. Add
insult to injury-To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an
unfavorable situation. The apple of one’s
eye: the center of attention. An arm
and a leg-Very expensive or costly. A large amount of money. At the drop of a hat-Meaning: without
any hesitation; instantly. Back to the
drawing board-When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over. Ball is in your court-It is up to you to
make the next decision or step. Barking
up the wrong tree-Looking in the wrong place. Accusing the wrong person.Be glad to see the back of-Be happy when
a person leaves. Beat around the bush.Avoiding
the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue. Best of both worlds. Meaning: All the advantages.Best thing since
sliced bread. A good invention or
innovation. A good idea or plan. Bite
off more than you can chew-To take on a task that is way to big. Blessing in disguise. Something good
that isn't recognized at first. Burn the
midnight oil. To work late into the night, alluding to the time before
electric lighting. Can't judge a book by
its cover. Cannot judge something primarily on appearance. Caught between
two stools. When someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives.
Costs an arm and a leg. Used when something is very expensive. Cool as a cucumber: very relaxed,
unstressed. Cross that bridge when you
come to it. Deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary, not before.
Cry over spilt milk.When you complain
about a loss from the past. Curiosity
killed the cat.Being Inquisitive can lead you into an unpleasant situation.
Cut corners-When something is done
badly to save money. Cut the mustard
[possibly derived from "cut the muster"]To succeed; to come up to expectations; adequate
enough to compete or participate. Devil's
Advocate.To present a counter argument. Don't
count your chickens before the eggs have hatched. Used to express
"Don't make plans for something that might not happen". Don't give up the day job.You are not very good at
something. You could definitely not do it professionally.Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Do not put all your
resources in one possibility. Drastic
times call for drastic measures When you are extremely desperate you need
to take drastic actions. Elvis has left
the building: The show has come to an end. It's all over. Every cloud has a silver lining: Be
optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days. Far cry from Very different from. Feel a bit under the weather: Feeling slightly ill. Give the benefit of the doubt. Believe
someone's statement, without proof. Go
bananas: to have fun. To have a green thumb: to be good at gardening. Hear it on the grapevine. This idiom
means 'to hear rumors' about something or someone. Hit the nail on the head. Do or say something exactly right. Hit the sack / sheets / hay. To go to
bed. In the heat of the moment. Overwhelmed
by what is happening in the moment. In a
pickle: at a loss.It takes two to
tango Actions or communications need more than one person. Jump on the bandwagon. Join a popular
trend or activity. Keep something at bay.
Keep something away. Kill two birds with
one stone. This idiom means, to accomplish two different things at the same
time. Last straw. The final problem
in a series of problems. Let sleeping
dogs lie: do not disturb a situation as it is - since it would result in
trouble or complications. Let the cat out
of the bag: To share information that was previously concealed. Make a long story short: Come to the
point - leave out details. Method to my
madness; An assertion that, despite one's approach seeming random, there
actually is structure to it. Miss the
boat: This idiom is used to say that someone missed his or her chance. Not a spark of decency: No manners. Not playing with a full deck: Someone
who lacks intelligence. Off one's rocker.
Crazy, demented, out of one's mind, in a confused or befuddled state of mind,
senile. On the ball. When someone
understands the situation well. Once in a
blue moon: Happens very rarely. Picture
paints a thousand words: A visual presentation is far more descriptive than
words. Piece of cake: A job, task or other activity that is easy or
simple. Put wool over other people's eyes
This means to deceive someone into thinking well of them. Rotten to the core: defect, bad. See eye to eye- used to say that two (or more people) agree on
something. Sit on the fence-used when
someone does not want to choose or make a decision. Speak of the devil! This expression is used when the person you
have just been talking about arrives. Steal
someone's thunder To take the credit for something someone else did. Take with a grain of salt-means not to
take what someone says too seriously. Taste
of your own medicine- something happens to you, or is done to you, that you
have done to someone else. To hear something
straight from the horse's mouth.To hear something from the authoritative
source. Whole nine yards: Everything.
All of it. Wouldn't be caught dead Would
never like to do something Your guess is
as good as mine To have no idea, do not know the answer to a question.
Conclusion
The current list is a valuable
treasure of lexical equipment that should be enriched and where possible,
translated into other Germanic or Roman (Latin) languages. Thus, each language
could be improved and kept alive.
References:
Mitsztal, Mariusz. Test your English Grammar. București: Editura
Teora. 1996.
Watcyn-Jones, Peter. Test your English Idioms. London: Penguin
Books. 1990.
http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com, accessed 18.02.2016.
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