Idioms

1. WHEN IN ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS DO
2. DON'T GIVE UP THE DAY JOB
   Explanation
   YOU ARE NOT VERY GOOD AT THAT. YOU COULD DEFINITELY NOT DO IT PROFESSIONALLY.
   Example
    "I REALLY LIKE THE WAY YOU SING BUT DON'T GIVE UP YOUR DAY JOB."
3. A CASH COW
   Explanation
   AN EASY WAY TO EARN MONEY REGULARLY.
   Example
    "INCOME TAX IS A REAL CASH COW FOR THE GOVERNMENT."
4. BITE OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN CHEW
   Explanation
   TRYING TO DO SOMETHING THAT IS TOO DIFFICULT OR TIME CONSUMING TO FINISH.
   Example
    "I'M GLAD YOU WANT TO PREPARE THE REPORT BY YOURSELF. JUST BE SURE THAT YOU DON'T BITE OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN CHEW."
5. CLEAR THE AIR
   Explanation
   DISCUSS SOMETHING THAT WAS CAUSING PEOPLE TO FEEL UPSET.
   Example
    "THERE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A MISUNDERSTANDING. I'D LIKE TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED, JUST TO CLEAR THE AIR."
6. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS 
   Explanation of English Idiom #12
    "PEOPLE'S INTENTIONS CAN BE JUDGED BETTER BY WHAT THEY DO THAN WHAT THEY SAY."
7. IN THE AIR 
    Explanation
   BEING DISCUSSED. GENERALLY OBVIOUS.
   Example
    "THE DAYS ARE GETTING LONGER AND THE FLOWERS ARE BLOOMING. SPRING IS IN THE AIR."
8. GO APE 
   Explanation
   GO CRAZY.
   Example
    "JACK WAS REALLY ANGRY. I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO GO APE."
9. A GREY AREA 
   Explanation
   SOMETHING THAT IS DIFFICULT TO DEFINE.
   Example
    I RESEARCHED YOUR CASE BUT THERE ARE NOT ANY BLACK AND WHITE ANSWERS. YOUR SITUATION SEEMS TO FALL INTO A GREY AREA."
10. GIVE HIM CREDIT
    Explanation
    ACKNOWLEDGE AN ACHIEVEMENT OR CONTRIBUTION OF A PERSON."
    Example
     "ALTHOUGH HE IS NOT EASY TO WORK FOR, YOU HAVE TO GIVE HIM CREDIT FOR MANAGING THE COMPANY WELL."
11. GO BEHIND SOMEONE'S BACK
    Explanation
    DO SOMETHING WITHOUT TELLING SOMEONE.
    Example
     "DON'T TRUST JANE. SHE ACTS FRIENDLY BUT SHE IS ALWAYS GOING BEHIND SOMEONE'S BACK."
12. EARLY BIRD
    Explanation
    A PERSON WHO IS EARLY FOR AN APPOINTMENT.
    Example
     "SATOKO WAS IN CLASS 30 MINUTES BEFORE ANYONE ELSE. WHAT AN EARLY BIRD."
13. GET THE BALL ROLLING 
    Explanation
    START SOMETHING.
    Example
     "ALL RIGHT EVERYONE, WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME PLANNING THIS PROJECT. NOW, IT'S TIME TO GET THE BALL ROLLING."
14. FIT THE BILL
    Explanation
    SEEMS CORRECT.
    Example
     "THAT SEEMS TO FIT THE BILL. I'LL TAKE IT."
15. IN COLD BLOOD 
    Explanation
    WITH COMPASSION OR MERCY. USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH RUTHLESS MURDER.
    Example of English Idiom #37
     "THE ASSASSIN WAS EVIL. HE KILLED HIM IN COLD BLOOD."
16. OUT OF THE BLUE
    Explanation
    UNEXPECTED.
    Example
     "A GREAT IDEA JUST CAME TO ME OUT OF THE BLUE."
17. GIVE ME A BREAK 
    Explanation
    DON'T EXPECT ME TO BELIEVE OR AGREE WITH THAT.
    Example
     "YOU THINK THE TEACHER IS JOKING? GIVE ME A BREAK."
18. CROSS THAT BRIDGE WHEN YOU COME TO IT 
    Explanation
    DEAL WITH A PROBLEM IF AND WHEN IT BECOMES NECESSARY.
    Example
     "I'M NOT TOO WORRIED ABOUT A POSSIBLE DOWNTURN IN THE ECONOMY. ANYWAY, LET'S CROSS THAT BRIDGE WHEN WE COME TO IT."
19. BURN YOUR BRIDGES 
    Explanation
    MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO RETURN.
    Example
     "BE POLITE WHEN YOU HAND IN YOUR RESIGNATION. AFTER ALL, YOU DON'T WANT TO BURN YOUR BRIDGES."
20. MY EARS ARE BURNING
    Explanation
    I THINK SOMEONE IS SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT ME.
    Example
     "PIERRE IS TALKING AGAIN. MY EARS ARE BURNING."
21. SOMEONE MEANS BUSINESS 
    Explanation
    SOMEONE IS SERIOUS
    Example
    "WATCH OUT FOR HARRY. HE IS SOMEONE WHO MEANS BUSINESS."
22. KEEP YOUR COOL
    Explanation
    DO NOT BECOME UPSET.
    Example
    "RELAX. KEEP YOUR COOL."
23. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN
    Explanation
    ANOTHER VERSION OF A STORY OR EVENT.
    Example
    "THE GLOBAL SUMMIT WILL ENCOURAGE MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN, IT MIGHT RESULT IN VIOLENT PROTESTS."
24. IN A TIGHT CORNER
    Explanation
    WITHOUT ANY GOOD OPTIONS.
    Example
    "MILO HAS RUN OUT OF OPTIONS. IF HE TAKES ANY MORE CHANCE, HE MIGHT FIND HIMSELF IN A TIGHT CORNER."
25. HANG OUT
    Explanation
    BE TOGETHER. SPEND TIME WITH EACH OTHER.
    Example
    "HEY LAUREN, LET'S GET TOGETHER AT THE STARBUCKS ON ROBSON. WE CAN JUST HANG OUT AND PRACTICE OUR ENGLISH."
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