American Idioms

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

 Our feeling for those we love increases when we are apart from them.
"Cheer up Dude, everybody knows that absence makes the heart grow fonder."

Back handed compliment

 A compliment that also insults or puts down at the same time.
They gave me a backhanded compliment when they said I was smart for a girl.

Blow off some steam

 To enjoy oneself by relaxing normal formalities.
He is a true workaholic who has misguided priorities, when he wants to blow off some steam he
comes to work on Saturday wearing blue jeans.

Botched up
 Substandard; messed up; make a shamble of
Man, you really botched up that project. Now the company will have to start all over costing double
and missing all of our deadlines.

Brand Spanking New

 New and unused.
What you really need is a brand spanking new Porsche turbo.

Break a leg
 A wish of good luck, do well.
Break a leg in your game today.

Busting your chops

 To say things intended to harass.
Don't get mad, I am just busting your chops.

Clear as a bell
 Clearly understood.
You don't have to repeat yourself. Your message is clear as a bell.

Close, but no cigar

 Nearly achieving success, but not quite.
That free throw was close, but no cigar.

Cold turkey
 To quit something abruptly.
You will not lose weight until you give up chocolate, and I suggest you go cold turkey.

Don't Count Your Chickens Before They're Hatched

 Don't be overconfident and assume success before you know the outcome of a venture.
In the midst of this daydream, she did toss her curls, sending the pail of milk spilling. The moral of
the fable is: Such are the disappointments of those who count their chickens before they are
hatched.

Face the music

 To accept the truth.
It's time to face the music on your donut addiction.

Jump on the bandwagon

 Do what everybody else is doing, whatever is popular.
When the Chicago Bears are winning, I will jump on the bandwagon and be a fan.

Keep your pants on

 Calm down, be patient.
I will be off the telephone in a minute, so keep your pants on.

Knock on wood
 Tap on a wooden surface for good luck or to keep from putting a jinx on yourself for having
mentioned some hope or dream aloud.
If good luck is willing. I am sure that your tax returns will not be audited, knock on wood.

Once in a blue moon

 To happen only on rare occasions.
The Post Office regularly fails to deliver checks sent in payment to me, but bills sent to me fail to be
delivered only once in a blue moon.

Passed with flying colors

 To exceed expectations, to do better than expected.
The California smog test is tough, but my car passed with flying colors.

Put English on it
 To impart a spin to something in an effort to make it hard to control, usually a ball in sports
like tennis.
Your serve is dangerous when you put English on it.

Rings a Bell
 To sound familiar, to spark a memory.
I don't remember meeting him, but the name John Smith rings a bell.

Roll with the punches

 Weather through tough times, try to minimize the trouble.
Sometimes in life you just have to roll with the punches, even when the punches feel like they are
coming from Mike Tyson.

Rule of thumb
 A basic rule that is usually but not always correct.
As a rule of thumb, plant tomato seeds three inches deep.

Show your true colors

 To reveal your true intentions, personality, or behaviors.
Everyone is on best behavior on the first date, but soon enough you will show your true colors.

Sleep tight
 Sleep well.
Good night, sleep tight.

Strike while the iron is hot

 Act quickly while the opportunity is still available.
If you want the job, you need to strike while the iron is hot.

Tie the knot

 To get married.
I understand you want a baby, but don't you think you should tie the knot first. In fact, maybe you
should get a girlfriend first.

Under the weather

 To be ill.
I'd love to help you move all your furniture next weekend, but I expect to be feeling a bit under the
weather.

Upper Hand
 Control of a situation.
If you are wondering who has the upper hand in your relationship, the next time you get up to fetch
drinks, take a look on the sofa. There you will find that person.

Look for the following meaning and write a sentence of each in the website:

"Wear your heart on your sleeves"

"John Hancock"
"give the cold shoulder..."
"right off the bat..."
"Cat got your tongue?"
"Rain check..."
"Bite one's head off..."
"hot potato"
"cold feet"
"out in the cold"