“IDIOM” - an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either grammatically (as no, it wasn’t me) or in having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements. In other words, it’s American Slang which you may not always get. In fact, idioms can make you totally lost in conversations! We Americans seem to roll them off our tongues very easily and we are so busy gabbing that we really are clueless when we even use them! Yet idioms are nothing to sneeze at. If you wish to make a killing in America, you must keep your nose to the grindstone and not have your head always in the clouds. You’ll find that if you hang in, and knock yourself out with hard work, before you know it, you will have mastered these hip expressions and come through with flying colors. I bent over backwards putting this list together for you. I figured if I gave you a hand in helping you understand how American English is used on a daily basis, soon you’ll see that you no longer are just scratching the surface in learning the language. You’ll realize that you have pulled this off ever so successfully. Before you know it, not only will your pronunciation be reeling, but soon you’ll be sounding like a native, understanding the lingo, and realizing that you finally have it made! (Translation) In other words, it’s American Slang which you may not always understand. In fact, idioms may make you totally confused in conversations! We Americans seem to say them very easily and we are so busy talking that we really are unaware when we even use them! Yet idioms are not easy. If you wish to be successful in America, you must work hard and not be day dreaming. You’ll find that if you don’t give up, and are diligent, before you know it, you will have mastered these popular expressions and finish with tremendous success. I did everything I could putting this list together for you. I figured if I assisted in helping you understand how American English is used on a daily basis, soon you’ll see that you no longer are just merely beginning to understand the language. You’ll realize that you have accomplished something remarkable. Soon, not only will your pronunciation be great, but soon you’ll be sounding like a native, understanding our expressions, and realizing that you are enjoying tremendous success! This manual accompanies the video training program in American English Pronunciation available only at www.PronunciationWorkshop.com. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this manual may be publicly distributed, presented, duplicated or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the expressed written consent of the publisher. You should further understand that text, images, sounds, video clips, and other multimedia items included in the PronunciationWorkshop.com website, represent valuable intellectual property and redistribution of such material is a violation of federal and international law. You agree to be wholly liable for any dissemination of such materials and realize that your computer and other possessions may be seized by law enforcement officials. © 2005 - 2007 PronunciationWorkshop.com, LLC – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The 800 Most Commonly Used Idioms in America Pronunciation Workshop Manual - Session 1 The 800 MOsT COMMOnly UseD IDIOMs In AMerICA ( i n a l p h a b e t i c a l o r d e r ) 1. above board – legitimate, legal. She knows it shouldn’t be kept a secret. She wants to keep everything above board. 2. across the board – including everyone or everything. The company had a successful year. All salaries were increased by 10% across the board. 3. air one’s dirty laundry in public – discuss personal problems openly. He is a very private person. If he has a problem in his family he doesn’t want to air his dirty laundry in public. 4. all along – all the time. She was accepted into the university, but she knew all along that she’d get in. 5. all ears – eager to listen. I was excited to hear about her vacation. When she told me about it, I was all ears. 6. all thumbs – clumsy, unable to fix things. Don’t ask me to put that clock back together. I’m all thumbs. 7. an arm and a leg – a large amount of money. It cost an arm and a leg to fix the stove. 8. ants in one’s pants – nervous, anxious. He wasn’t sure if he would be chosen to win the award. He had ants in his pants. 9. apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, the – being similar to a parent or family member. He acts just like his father. You know, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. 10. apple of one’s eye – someone special, usually a son or daughter. Although he loves his son, his daughter is the apple of his eye. 11. at fault – responsible for making errors. He is at fault for all the errors on the computer. 12. at odds – in disagreement. He is at odds with his boss. 13. at one’s beck and call – always ready to do what is ordered. Whenever she calls him, he’s always helping her. He is at her beck and call. 11 ©© 22000055 -- 22000077 PPrroonnuunncciiaattiioonnWWoorrkksshhoopp..ccoomm,, LLLLCC –– AALLLL RRIIGGHHTTSS RREESSEERRVVEEDD The 800 Most Commonly Used Idioms in America Pronunciation Workshop Manual - Session 1 14. at one’s wit’s end – anxious, frantic. I need to speak with him to finish the report by tomorrow but he’s not available. I’m at my wit’s end! 15. at the end of one’s rope – desperate, with nowhere to turn. I’ve tried every which way to figure out this problem but I can’t. I’m at the end of my rope! 16. back on one’s feet – financially or physically healthy again. Since sales improved, he is doing better and he’s getting back on his feet. 17. back out of – withdraw, end an obligation or promise. I made a deal with my friend to help him at work. When I became too busy, I had to back out of it. 18. back to the drawing board – rethink an idea, need to start over. When my supervisor told me that our idea would not work, we had to go back to the drawing board to come up with something else. 19. backbone – courage. He has no backbone because he was afraid to reprimand her. 20. backseat driver – passenger who tells you how to drive. I’ll never drive Joe to the airport again. He kept on wanting me to take another road which I knew was wrong. He is such a backseat driver. 21. bail one out – help. Thanks for picking me up when my car broke down. You really bailed me out of a bad situation. 22. ballpark figure – approximate amount. When I asked the contractor how much it would be to remodel the kitchen, he gave me a ballpark figure. 23. bang for the buck – value for the money spent. Newspaper advertising works well for us because we get the best bang for the buck. 24. bank on it – be sure of, count on. I’ll be there to help you. You can bank on it. 25. banker’s hours – short work hours. He loves his job because on Friday, he gets to work banker’s hours. 26. bark up the wrong tree – make a wrong choice or a false assumption. If he thinks that I’m going to help him paint his house, well he’s barking up the wrong tree. 27. bat a thousand – have a perfect record. He is so happy that everyone he invited to the party is coming. He’s batting a thousand. 28. bat an eyelash – show emotion. He was filled with emotion during his speech, but she didn’t bat an eyelash. 22 ©© 22000055 -- 22000077 PPrroonnuunncciiaattiioonnWWoorrkksshhoopp..ccoomm,, LLLLCC –– AALLLL RRIIGGHHTTSS RREESSEERRVVEEDD The 800 Most Commonly Used Idioms in America Pronunciation Workshop Manual - Session 1 29. bawl out – reprimand. The team was bawled out after they lost the game. 30. be beside one’s self – be very upset. I was so mad when I heard that she was making up stories about me that I was beside myself. 31. beat around the bush – avoid giving a clear answer. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings and tell him that he wasn’t selected for the team. So when he asked me if I had any information, I basically beat around the bush. 32. beat someone to the punch – do something before someone else can. She was going to buy the last red dress that the store had, but I beat her to the punch and bought it first. 33. beat the rap – escape punishment. There was not enough evidence to convict him, so he beat the rap and was set free. 34. behind the 8-ball – in trouble. My department is late on its deadline. We are behind the 8-ball. 35. bend over backwards – try very hard. He’ll bend over backwards to help any of his friends. 36. bide one’s time – wait patiently for the right opportunity. I’m just going to bide my time. I know that eventually a position will open. 37. big shot – important person. Since he was given a promotion, he’s been acting like a big shot. 38. big stink – an angry and loud complaint. She made a big stink when her meal was served cold. 39. birds and bees - facts about sex and birth. The girl’s mother told her daughter about the birds and the bees during the summer holidays. 40. bit off more than one can chew – trying to do more than one can physically and mentally handle. I told her I would help her in her job, but it seems that’s all I’ve been doing lately. I think I bit off more than I could chew. 41. bite one’s tongue – keep oneself from speaking. I had to bite my tongue in order not to tell him that he won the raffle. 42. bite the dust – die, disappear. Our old TV didn’t work yesterday. I guess it finally bit the dust. 43. blab – talk too much. She is always blabbing about her supervisor’s personal life to her friends. 33 ©© 22000055 -- 22000077 PPrroonnuunncciiaattiioonnWWoorrkksshhoopp..ccoomm,, LLLLCC –– AALLLL RRIIGGHHTTSS RREESSEERRVVEEDD The 800 Most Commonly Used Idioms in America Pronunciation Workshop Manual - Session 1 44. blabbermouth – person who talks too much and tells secrets. He is such a blabbermouth that there is no way Bob will be surprised for his party. 45. black sheep – a family member with a bad reputation. John’s way of life is so different from all of ours. He is known as the black sheep of the family. 46. blind date – a date arranged for two people who don’t know each other. Many married couples have met on a blind date. 47. blow it – lose a chance, make a mistake. I knew I blew it when I forgot my lines in the play. 48. blow over – end, pass. She knew her coworkers will eventually forget how she messed up the filing system in the office. She couldn’t wait for the incident to blow over. 49. blow the whistle – expose, betray. I just found out that he’s been stealing from our company for the past year. I don’t want it to continue and I’ve decided to blow the whistle. 50. boil down – make shorter, condense. This whole complicated situation just boils down to something simple…it’s either a yes or a no. 51. bomb – fail, be unsuccessful. The whole cast was very sad that the show bombed on Broadway. 52. bone to pick with someone – complaint, argument. I heard that you have rejected my proposal. I’m upset and have a bone to pick with you. 53. boob tube – television set. What is on the boob tube tonight? 54. bookworm – person who reads a lot. The library is the perfect place for her to work because she is such a bookworm. 55. booze – liquor – They kept bottles of booze behind the bar. 56. botch up – make a mistake, ruin. I asked for her help with my watercolor painting. But when she decided to add some purple paint, I knew that she completely botched it up. 57. bottom line – end result, ultimate cause. He never practiced the piano, so the bottom line is, he can’t play very well. 58. bounce – not acceptable because of insufficient funds in the bank. If your check bounces, I will need to charge you extra money. 59. brain – intelligent person. She is such a brain, she will figure out how to solve the problem. 44 ©© 22000055 -- 22000077 PPrroonnuunncciiaattiioonnWWoorrkksshhoopp..ccoomm,, LLLLCC –– AALLLL RRIIGGHHTTSS RREESSEERRVVEEDD The 800 Most Commonly Used Idioms in America Pronunciation Workshop Manual - Session 1 60. brainstorm – very smart idea. I have got a brainstorm! Let’s start giving out free samples of our products. 61. bread and butter - basic needs of life (food, shelter, clothing). The voters are worried about bread and butter issues like jobs and taxes. 62. break one’s neck – try very hard. She broke her neck last night trying to finalize the proposal. 63. break the ice – overcome formality or shyness with others. He started the meeting by telling a joke. He was hoping the joke would break the ice. 64. break the news – tell a surprising fact. She broke the news and told him that she was going to move to another city. 65. break up – separate. They needed to break up their engagement because she fell in love with someone else. 66. break even – have expenses equal to profits. The company did not make a profit this year. We just broke even. 67. breathe a word – tell. Please don’t breathe a word of this to anyone. 68. breeze – easy. Last night’s homework was a breeze. 69. bring home the bacon – earn the family’s income. He stays home and raises the children and she brings home the bacon. 70. broke – having no money. I can’t go to the restaurant tonight because I’m broke. 71. brown bag – bring one’s lunch from home. For the meeting on Friday, we’ve all decided to brown bag it. 72. buck – dollar. I’m low this week on cash. Can I borrow a few bucks to get me through the week? 73. buckle down – study or work very hard. Last semester his grades were very low, so this year he decided to buckle down. 74. buddy-buddy – very friendly. She’s gotten to be very buddy-buddy with her boss. 75. bug – annoy, bother. It bugs me every time he asks to borrow a pencil. 76. bulldoze – intimidate, coerce. I did not want to work on the fundraising committee, but I feel I was bulldozed into it 77. bum – worthless person. As long as I have known him, he never 55 ©© 22000055 -- 22000077 PPrroonnuunncciiaattiioonnWWoorrkksshhoopp..ccoomm,, LLLLCC –– AALLLL RRIIGGHHTTSS RREESSEERRVVEEDD The 800 Most Commonly Used Idioms in America Pronunciation Workshop Manual - Session 1 worked and always borrowed from other people. He is such a bum! 78. burn a hole in one’s pocket – money to be spent quickly. The bonus he received must have burned a hole in his pocket. He ended up buying a car the next day. 79. bury the hatchet – make peace. Although we had gotten into a big fight last month, we decided to bury the hatchet and become friends again. 80. butt in – interfere. Please don’t butt in to our conversation, it’s personal. 81. butter up – flatter for selfish reasons. I buttered up my boss before I asked him off for the upcoming holiday. 82. by hook or by crook – by any means necessary. Even though we have to fly to get to your wedding, we will be there by hook or by crook. 83. by the skin of one’s teeth – by a very small margin. Our team won by the skin of our teeth. 84. call it quits – stop, finish. I have worked all day and am exhausted. I‘ve decided to call it quits. 85. call off – cancel. The game was called off because of rain. 86. call on the carpet – reprimand. He was called on the carpet for losing all the financial statements. 87. call someone’s bluff – have someone prove what he says. I don’t think Bob knows as much as he says. I think we should call his bluff. 88. call the shots – be in charge, give orders. We knew who the supervisor was because she called all the shots. 89. can – fire, dismiss. I was canned and no longer am working for the company. 90. can of worms - complex problem or complicated situation. It opened up a large can of worms when the company decided to talk about the union contract. 91. carried away – adversely influenced by strong emotion. He was carried away by his effective sales approach and bought the remainder of his products. 92. catch on – understand, figure out. I am beginning to catch on to this algebra. 93. catch someone red-handed – find one in the act of doing 66 ©© 22000055 -- 22000077 PPrroonnuunncciiaattiioonnWWoorrkksshhoopp..ccoomm,, LLLLCC –– AALLLL RRIIGGHHTTSS RREESSEERRVVEEDD The 800 Most Commonly Used Idioms in America Pronunciation Workshop Manual - Session 1 something wrong. The police came and the bank robber was caught red handed 94. caught short – I didn’t have enough money to pay the bill. I was caught short. 95. chalk up – record, score. Chalk up another one for the team. They won the championship. 96. change of heart - a change in the way one feels about something. I wasn’t planning to spend the holidays with my family, but after speaking with my mother, I had a change of heart. 97. chickenfeed – a small amount of money. Taking the whole family on that cruise is certainly not going to be chickenfeed. 98. chip in – contribute. We are all going to chip in and give the teacher a gift. 99. chip off the old block – child who looks or acts just like his or her parent. He reminds me so much of his father. He’s a chip off the old block. 100. chip on one’s shoulder – quarrelsome attitude, quick to anger. I was afraid to ask her for a favor. It looked like she had a chip on her shoulder. 101. cinch – easy. Adding and subtracting was always a cinch. 102. clamp down – become stricter. Because he came home from the party so late, his father said he will start to clamp down on his curfew. 103. clean up – make a big profit. Since he started his new business, he’s really cleaning up. 104. clear – go through. When will this check clear my bank? 105. clear the air – calm anger and remove misunderstanding. We were tired of fighting, so we decided to start talking and clear the air. 106. close shave – narrow escape. It was a close shave getting out of the burning building. 107. coast is clear – no enemy is in sight. Take the present out of the closet when the coast is clear. 108. come a long way – make great progress. He came a long way in his recovery from surgery. 109. come across – find or meet by chance. If you come across any pictures of my friends from high school, let me know. 77 ©© 22000055 -- 22000077 PPrroonnuunncciiaattiioonnWWoorrkksshhoopp..ccoomm,, LLLLCC –– AALLLL RRIIGGHHTTSS RREESSEERRVVEEDD The 800 Most Commonly Used Idioms in America Pronunciation Workshop Manual - Session 1 110. come apart at the seams – be upset and lose control. I almost came apart at the seams when I saw the taxicab hit my car. 111. come clean – tell the truth. I came clean when I knew I was caught in a lie. 112. come hell or high water – no matter what happens. Come hell or high water, I’ll for sure be at that meeting. 113. come off it – stop kidding, boasting or making believe. Herbert said he was the only one who could do the job. I told him to come off it. 114. come on strong - overwhelm with excessively strong language or personality. The car salesman came on too strong and angered my wife. 115. come through with flying colors – succeed, win, exceed. When he graduated with honors, it was evident that he came through with flying color. 116. comeback – to be successful again. The actress made an outstanding comeback on the stage, after her bout with pneumonia. 117. con – lie, swindle, trick. His boss conned him into working on the weekend for no pay. 118. cook someone’s goose – create big problems for someone. He knew that when he was caught in a lie his goose was cooked. 119. cough up – give money unwillingly, give up a secret. You said that you would help pay for their wedding. Well, it’s been three months – cough it up. 120. count on – rely on, trust. I could always count on my best friend. 121. cover for someone – protect someone. Please cover me, if I end up not knowing what to say at the meeting. 122. crack down – The police are beginning to crack down on teenagers who are out too late at night. 123. cream of the crop – the best of a group, top-choice. This university only accepts the cream of the crop. 124. creeps, the – fear, uneasiness. It gives me the creeps every time I pass the strange looking house. 125. crocodile tears - show of sorrow that is not really felt. He cried crocodile tears when he discovered that he couldn’t go to the meeting. 126. crop up – happen quickly without warning. I had to stay at work late yesterday. Some new work cropped up. 88 ©© 22000055 -- 22000077 PPrroonnuunncciiaattiioonnWWoorrkksshhoopp..ccoomm,, LLLLCC –– AALLLL RRIIGGHHTTSS RREESSEERRVVEEDD