There are students with whom I have parted ways and who made it so far with their studies yet it is the idioms and their expressions that seem to remain the most complex thing in English for them to learn. Idioms are phrases, expressions or combinations of words in English that have a meaning which is not easily understood by simply looking at the component parts of the phrase. These phrases come as a heritage, a gift that has been opened, once a key is found in the form of frequent conversations within the language. Learning these idioms will make you sound as if you have been residing in a foreign country for a long time, will help you in comprehending the native speakers and most importantly, will enrich and intensify the beauty of any language.
We will now turn our attention to the two or three idioms as well as the phrase itself, which differ quite distinctly in these two or three idiomatic expressions from what is presented in the English language. I would also like to discuss their role and usage, so that every one of you can use them.
1. Break the Ice
The expression "break the ice" means to do something to relieve the tension and make people feel more comfortable in a social setting, especially when people are meeting for the first time.
- Example: At the beginning of meeting John, he always recounts an amusing anecdote for the audiences first. And this has been working, disrupting the ice at this point.
This is an idiom that is often used when there are a great number of people who would rather say nothing out of shyness, or in instances where the atmosphere is tensed, then somebody does a task that is meant to warm up things a bit so as to make everyone else comfortably relaxed.
2. A Piece of Cake
Whenever someone describes something as "a piece of cake," they mean it is very simple. It is often used regarding work or some other activity that seems to take little effort on the part of the doer.
- Example: The maths test was a piece of cake for me. I had studied so much for it.
The functional language in this idiom evokes the picture of a cake which is pleasurable and simple to eat so as to mean that the task is basic and direct to the point.
3. Under the Weather
An individual who describes himself as "under the weather" is not feeling well usually in terms of minor illness or fatigue.
- Example: I will not be attending work today. I am a little under the weather.
This phrase does not imply that someone is feeling bad because of the prevailing weather condition. It suggests that a person has some ailment and is not feeling well.
4. Hit the Nail on the Head
To 'hit the nail on the head' is to say or do something which is precisely appropriate, usually when responding to a question or addressing a problem.
- Example: When Sarah pointed out that the company had to improve its service to customers, she really hit the nail on the head.
This idiom began with someone hammering a wood and the focus was on the best way to hit the nail. That is where this phrase 'hit the nail on the head' stems from.
5. Cost an Arm and a Leg
The idea that something "costs an arm and a leg" implies that it is extremely costly. This idiom is said more in jest when a very high price is quoted.
- Example: The latest model of iPhone costs an arm and a leg! Currently, I cannot afford it.
It illustrates the price in such a way that if a person wishes to purchase it, he will be prepared to part with something as valuable as his arm or leg.
6. Let the Cat Out of the Bag
If someone "lets the cat out of the bag" he or she has been careless enough to give away secrets that were to be kept hidden or something that was confidential.
- Example: For me to throw a surprise party for Jane was my intention, however Mike let the cat out of the bag and informed Jane.
This idiom brings to mind images of bazaars of old when animals were sold still tightly bagged and an overseer would always be at risk of letting a cat out of a bag which usually implied an unpleasant surprise.
7. Once in a Blue Moon
"Once in a blue moon" The phrase is pronounced as a Pin-level English phrase that describes something that occurs very infrequently. Blue moons are attained when there are two full moons in a single month.
He was ecstatic after his victory and later expressed his excitement in a powerful manner saying, there is the ball in your courtшеal. When someone says, "the ball is in your court," then it is the viewpoint holder that arises with the next action or the charge.
This term frequently appears in commercial and interpersonal communication when one person has performed his/her duties and remains expectant for the other to move ahead.
I have done everything possible, he said. This expression is frequent when somebody involuntarily lets something that needs not be publicly done. To expose confidential information about a planned operation that was the intent of the action, what would American Informers say. Here are more phrases.
10. Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
"Bite off more than you can chew" means to take on a task, responsibility, etc., that is too difficult for you or more than you can do.
- Example: For me, meeting tomorrow's deadline for both projects was a possibility till I thought that I had bitten off more than I could chew.
This phrase is from the idea of having too big a chunk of food in one's mouth which cannot be chewed because you have taken on more than you can manage.
11. Hit the Sack
"Hit the sack" is an informal term meaning "go to sleep" or "go to bed".
- Example: I am quite exhausted. So, I guess I will hit the sack early today.
The expression probably comes from the ancient custom of lying on straw-filled mattresses or bundles of hay, which is a polite way to say that one is going to sleep.
12. Burn the Midnight Oil
To burn the midnight oil means to go to bed very late in the night, which is of little comfort to those who, for a variety of reasons, must remain awake and work or study.
- Example: I had to burn the midnight oil last night as it was the only way to complete the work.
This phrase comes from times when oil lamps were in common use, allowing people to work late into the night, which has now come to mean staying up late in order to work on several things.
13. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
This expression is used in reference to a situation where the wise thing to do is avoid mentioning something or bringing it up because it will only create trouble.
- Example: I know we disagreed last week, but I think we should let sleeping dogs lie and not talk about it again.
The idiom is also useful in case of issues that need to be left alone since messing with them can result in disappointment.
14. A Blessing in Disguise
This term applies to any scenario that is apparently negative one time but has a positive outlook to it in the future.
- Example: Losing that job was a blessing in disguise because it gave me the opportunity to start my own business.
This idiom simply expresses that a negative occurrence could sometimes lead to positive consequences that would have been otherwise unexpected.
15. Pull Someone's Leg
"Pull someone's leg" means to playfully tease someone with the intention of simply having fun.
- Example: You didn't really win the lottery, did you? You're just pulling my leg!
This expression is frequently employed to communicate that a person is telling an untruth for the sake of entertainment, and to see how the other responds.
16. Until Pigs Fly
This idiom means that something is never going to take place.
- Example: You can be sure that I'll take your word when pigs fly!
Since Pigs flies, such an idiom is used to emphasize the improbability of the situation.
17. Raining Cats and Dogs
This idiom when it's said that "It's been raining cats and dogs," it is taken to mean that it is raining heavily.
- Example: The outing was called off due to the heavy rains; it was raining cats and dogs.
The unleashing of cats and dogs has been an idiom when people are not exactly aware of its origin but when heavy showers storm, it is expected.
18. Beat About the Bush
Beating about the bush means there are certain phrases people use in times when they want to imply without directly saying for some reason, they are unable to be direct.
- Example: Quit beating around the bush; what is it that took place?
Beating around the bush is a hunting term; it was used for driving areas of the bush with sticks to flush game, which means from there a point is driven home and nothing is beating around the bush.
