Chapter 5: Idiomatic Expressions: A Cultural Connection Roots of Expression: Historical Background Tracing the Threads of American Idioms The tapestry of American English is woven with countless idioms, each one a time capsule containing the stories and experiences of those who came before us. As we delve into the historical roots of these evocative expressions,…
Welcome to American English Idioms: Lesson 17. In this lesson you have 3 American English idioms to read, listen to, translate, and pronounce in English. Please focus and do your best so that you can learn and improve your knowledge of American English idioms. Don’t forget to use the comments section below to share your…
Learn how to use American English idioms with confidence. 7 Steps to Learn American English Idioms In order to become fluent in English, you need to be able to use common English expressions correctly in your everyday conversation. This means knowing how to use common phrases and words in a different way from their usual…
CHIP ON (ONE’S) SHOULDER A chip on one’s shoulder is an expression for perceived or imaginary insult, often seen as the result of a person’s own insecurity. The term comes from the military metaphor meaning to carry (and protect) one’s weapon (the shoulder) higher than usual because of the feeling that one needs to be…
FAIR-WEATHER FRIEND A fair weather friend is someone who only hangs around you when you are doing well. When things are going badly, they are nowhere to be found. A fair weather friend is someone who you can rely on to be there for you during good times, but won’t stand up for you during…
DIVIDE THE SPOILS The phrase divide the spoils is an idiom that has its roots in France. The phrase came into usage during the 1300s, when Edward III of England was trying to assert his dominance over France. He pressured Philippe VI of France to turn over control of French territories to him by using…
COLD TURKEY An idiom typically is a phrase that has a figurative meaning different from the literal meaning of the phrase. The term “cold turkey” is an idiomatic expression of someone abruptly quitting or cutting off something, such as drugs. The term “cold turkey” is often used to refer to a person going through cold…
When learning a new language, the first lesson is the hardest. Learning a new language is a daunting task. I’ve been trying to learn Japanese for a few years now, and it’s still not easy. The good news is that once you get past that initial learning curve, it’s actually very easy to learn a…
Idioms are phrases that can make your writing sound more natural. They can also help you sound smarter when you use them correctly. If you have any ideas for more idioms or if you find any errors in my posts, please let me know. 1. Make Sure You Know the Meaning The first step is…
GO UP IN SMOKE This idiom means to be lost, wasted, or destroyed. It usually refers to how money or energy is spent or used up. One example is when a person struggles with debt and eventually becomes insolvent even though they are trying to pay off their debts. Another example is when an organization…