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…
GOOD SAMARITAN The phrase, “Good Samaritan” is often used as a metaphor to describe someone who is helpful and does good actions for others. The Good Samaritan was kind unto the man that had fallen among thieves and even helped him financially. It can also be used as a noun that means a person who…
GOLDEN AGE The Golden Age is the age in which people are most actively productive. This phrase derives from the idea that there was a literal Golden Age, or that each generation imagines it has reached its own. It also refers to the period in Greek mythology when people were said to live for 100…
GO TO POT/SEED The phrase “GO TO POT” is used in the sense of the phrase “going to ruin”. It is mostly used when one perceives something as being “already bad, but it can’t get any worse.” It is most often used in the vernacular when someone attempts something and they fail miserably at their…
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…
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…
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….
GO BANANAS [DRIVE (SOMEONE) BANANAS] The idiom “go bananas” is a colloquial way of saying to go crazy, often in the context of going crazy over something humorous. The idiomatic phrase “to go bananas” is used when someone has a sudden outburst of anger, or when something is incredibly exciting. The phrase might be used…
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…
GIVE (SOMEONE) A TASTE OF (HIS/HER) OWN MEDICINE Giving someone a taste of their own medicine is short for the phrase “to serve someone as they deserve.” This expression may refer to revenge, justice, or karma. For example, if someone bullies you and you make them feel the same way they made you feel, then…