CALL A SPADE A SPADE This idiom is used when one wants to be straightforward about someone or something, in opposition to being euphemistic or avoiding the subject. The phrase has origins in ancient Rome, when spades were used in games including trump cards. A “spade” is a shovel used for digging. A spade can…
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…
BURN THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS Burning the candle at both ends is a colloquial phrase that means to do two things in quick succession at both ends of the spectrum with no break in between. It is generally used when someone is working too hard or partying too much, which can cause burnout or…
GET/GIVE (SOMEONE) THE SHORT END OF THE STICK The idiom “give someone the short end of the stick” is to disadvantage someone. For example, you could refer to how your boss gave you the short end of the stick by not giving you a raise. The short end of the stick is a phrase that…
There are thousands of idioms in English, and we need to learn them. That’s why I created a website that will teach you some of the most common idioms in English. You’ll also learn how to use them when talking with American friends, and how they affect your ability to communicate with Americans. In this…
BURNING QUESTION A question that is often asked is about how to have a better understanding of public opinion. It can be helpful to use polls that are open-ended, where respondents are able to provide their own responses. This might help avoid unintentional biases, for example on the part of the pollster. A burning question…
Learn to speak American English idioms! This post contains seven of the most common American English idioms (or colloquialisms) used by Americans. Each one has its own unique meaning and you can use these idioms to express your thoughts in an interesting way. As you’ll see, these idioms can be very useful to native speakers…
Learn more idioms and expressions in American English. The language of American English is different from British English, and learning American English idioms will help you improve your communication skills. Idioms are expressions that can be used in many different situations. They are commonly used in colloquial language, and they can make your sentences more…
GET/LEND (SOMEONE) A HAND Many people have the idiom “to lend someone a hand” meaning to lend support or help. This idiom can be used to describe performing an act that benefits the actions of another person, doing something for someone, or helping out. The phrase “lend someone a hand” is an idiom. The meaning…
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…