CORNERED A situation in which one is backed into a corner with no possible retreat is called ‘cornered’. This can be an idiom for when an individual has gone past the point of no return, or feels that they are in a position where they have nowhere to go. The phrase ‘cornered’ is an idiom…
DEAD TO THE WORLD If someone is “dead to the world” they are asleep or unconscious. However, this can also be used as an idiom to mean that someone is unaware of something that is happening around them.One example of this is when a salesman comes up to you on the street and tries selling…
GO OVERBOARD The idiom to go overboard typically means to take an action that’s excessive. For example, if someone says they’re going to be too busy with work and can’t do any more chores around the house, their partner might say “you’ve gone overboard.” A person can also go overboard by doing something they didn’t…
Chapter 3: Enhancing Listening Skills with American English Idioms Recognizing American English Idioms in Spoken Language As an English learner, one of the biggest challenges you may face is understanding idiomatic expressions in American English. These colorful phrases are a vital part of everyday conversation, and without a solid grasp of them, you may find…
DRESSED TO KILL One might say that a person is dressed to kill when they are wearing clothes that are appropriate for the occasion, especially if the outfit is something fancy. The idiom originates from the phrase “to dress (someone) up to kill” meaning to prepare someone for an event or task that will take…
Welcome to American English Idioms: Lesson 8. 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…
GIVE (SOMEONE) THE SHIRT OFF (ONE’S) BACK The idiom “give someone the shirt off one’s back” means to give someone something of great value, even if it means impoverishing oneself. The person giving does not expect anything in return. The phrase “give someone the shirt off one’s back” is an idiom meaning to give all…
FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE For heaven’s sake is an idiom that refers to the intensity of one’s emotions. The speaker is imploring his audience to understand the gravity of the situation and how seriously he takes it. For heaven’s sake idiom is a phrase that literally means “for God’s sake.” It can be used to express…