American English, British

English and Australian English

Idioms/unique expressions.
Activity #3
(10) American English Idioms/unique expressions and their corresponding
meaning(s).

1. Break a leg
good luck, often heard in the theater world.

2.Call it a day
Declare the end of working on a task.

3. Pull yourself together

Calm down.

4. No pain, no gain
You have to work for what you want.

5. Better late than never

Better to arrive late than not to come at all.
(10) American English Idioms/unique expressions and their corresponding
meaning(s).
6.Easy does it
Slow down

7. Hang in there
Don’t give up.

8. Get your act together

Work better or leave

9. So far so good
Things are going well so far.

10. Make a long story short

Tell something briefly
 (10) British English Idioms/unique expressions and their corresponding
meaning(s).
1. Hello, mate!
This is one of the ways for english people say hello to each other. Mate means "friend"

2. An arm and a leg

A phrase used to massively over exaggerate when something might be overly priced. For example: "This pint
cost me an arm and a leg!!" When in reality they're just paying an extorniate amount than what they're used to.

3. Back to the drawing board

Used to indicate that an idea, scheme or proposal has been unsuccesful and that a new one should be devised.

4. Barking up the wrong tree

You’re looking in the wrong place. For example, accusing the wrong person or pursuing a mistaken or
misguided line of thought.

5. Beat around the bush

A typical British saying meaning you're purposely avoiding the topic in subject, not speaking directly about the
issue.
 (10) British English Idioms/unique expressions and their corresponding
meaning(s).
6. Biting more than you can chew
A classic idiom meaning you're trying to accomplish something that is too difficult for you.

7. It takes two to tango

Meaning certain actions need more than one person to work successfully. A tango with one person is
not as successful as one with two people involved so therefore, it takes two to tango.

8. Alright?
To say "how are you?" In english

9. I'll give you a ring

This means that the person will give you a call on the telephone.

10. Ta-ta!
Good-bye!
 (5) Australian English Idioms/unique expressions and their corresponding
meaning(s).
1. Missed the boat
If you have “missed the boat” you have missed your chance/opportunity or it is too late to do something.

2 . Hit the nail on the head

To be right about something or do something efficiently is to “hit the nail on the head”.

3. On the ball
When you’re energetic, organized, attentive and knowledgeable you’re “on the ball”.

4. Piece of cake
When something is easy it was a “piece of cake”.

5. Barking up the wrong tree

This means that you have come to the wrong place for information, or you are asking the wrong person.
Reference:
https://internationalblog.acu.edu.au/15-idioms-commonly-
used-in-australia
https://www.interexchange.org/articles/career-training- Group 2 BSN 1B
usa/2013/09/30/american-english-idioms/
https://www.mondly.com/blog/2020/02/06/50-common-
british-phrases-to-impress-your-british-mates/
Fatima Ivan Ceniza
https://www.chapter-living.com/blog/28-classic-british-
idioms#page Ricoyan Emoy
Threena Escobar
Prince Jedd Louis Fajardo
Marjorie Galangke
Richard Kent Geocadin