BREAK THE ICE Breaking the ice is a form of discourse that seeks to initiate social contact. The intent behind this process is to begin a conversation by removing barriers between strangers. The participant that initiates the interaction faces many challenges, including their lack of knowledge about the other person or people in the group…
GO HAYWIRE The idiom “go haywire” translates to “to go wrong” or “to malfunction”. The term is most commonly used in the sense of one’s emotions, like when they are said to be “going haywire.” It is also used for objects that fail. For instance, if the electricity goes out, then it has gone haywire….
DOWN TO THE WIRE Down to the wire is a term that describes the last few seconds before the deadline. This phrase became popular in the late 1800s when people would use telegraphy to send messages across long distances. The phrase “down to the wire” is a colloquialism used in reference to when time left…
American English idioms are common expressions that don’t exist in most other languages, so knowing them will help you sound more fluent when you speak English. The best part is that these idioms can be used in so many different ways that they can help you sound more creative and natural when talking about anything…
Idioms are unique phrases used to express a situation in a different way. This post will provide you with a list of common idioms and their meanings. I’ll also teach you how to use them in everyday conversations and writing. STEP 1: Start by learning the basic meanings Idioms are usually easy to figure out….
The more you learn about any language, the better you will become at speaking and writing in that language. But the best way to learn a new language is by actually using it. I’ve learned tons of useful skills while traveling, and I’m going to share some of them with you. Here are 7 ways…
Idioms are a powerful tool in any language, but I find myself stumbling over them all the time. You can learn English idioms in a variety of ways, but there are five of the most effective ways to do so. Here are five ways to learn idioms in English: 1. Listen to and read more…
CATCH (SOMEONE) RED-HANDED [GET CAUGHT-RED HANDED] Catching someone red handed is when you are caught in the act of committing a crime or doing something wrong. The term “red-handed” comes from the Ancient Rome custom that criminals are presumed guilty if they are caught with blood on their hands. If someone is not found guilty…
GET OFF THE DEEP END The phrase “get off the deep end” is an idiom that typically means to become unstable, agitated, or worrisome relative to a given situation. For example, when one misinterprets a harmless comment and becomes upset because they believe that they’ve been unfairly criticized, then it could be said that they…
GET/GIVE (SOMEONE) THE GO-AHEAD To give someone the go-ahead is to show approval for an idea or proposal, or to provide authorisation for something to happen. When you give someone the go-ahead, you are giving permission for them to proceed with their plan of action. It can also mean approving of something that has already…