idioms : Definition and some examples

An idiom : is a rendition of a combination of words that have a figurative meaning. The figurative meaning is comprehended in regard to a common use of the expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made. Idioms are numerous and they occur frequently in all languages. There are estimated to be at least 25,000 idiomatic expressions in the English language.


   a bit of fluff,

(Also a bit of skirt.) A sexually attractive woman.

I saw him yesterday with a bit of fluff.

a breath of fresh air,

said about a new, fresh, and imaginative approach, a change that feels good.

The president says that the country needs a breath of fresh air.

a clean bill of health,

said when you examine someone or something and state that they are healthy, in good condition, or legal.

1. The president was given a clean bill of health by his doctors. 2. The company received a clean bill of health because it fulfilled all the safety requirements.

a dime's worth,

an insignificant amount

At best, he'll make a dime's worth of difference with his interference in the affair.

a fool and his money are soon parted,

this means that stupid people spend money without thinking about it enough.

John likes his extravagant lifestyle - but then a fool and his money are soon parted.

get in someone's hair,

Annoy someone.

I know that the children get in your hair, but you should try not to let it upset you so much.

get into deep water,

to be in trouble.

He got into deep water when he joined that gang.

get off the track,

To start talking about a different topic, instead of talking about the real one.

Instead of discussing the real reasons for their conflicts, they are getting of the track.

old wives' tale,

a wrong traditional theory or belief, often about health.

The idea of drinking alcohol to relieve you from flu is an old wives' tale.

on the face of it,

on the surface.

On the face of it, she seems innocent. But when the police investigated her case, they discovered that she was guilty.

on the same wavelength,

thinking in the same pattern or in agreement.

They've done a good job because they were on the same wavelength.

out of the blue,

something which is totally unexpected.

She sent him a letter, out of the blue, telling him that she was in love with another guy.

over my dead body,

If you say something will happen over your dead body, you mean that you will not allow it to happen.

He says he will become our boss. Over my dead body!

over my dead body,

Under no circumstances; absolutely not.

He wants to get all the money for himself. Well, it will be over my dead body!

yellow journalism,

Journalism which is sensationalistic and of questionable accuracy and taste.

This paper is practising yellow journalism with its reports on sex scandals.

yoke around someone's neck,

a burden.

They decided to buy the car on credit. This became a yoke around their neck.

you can't please everyone,

making everyone happy is impossible no matter what you do.

When the boss chose Mary as the chief executive of the project, everybody complained. But you can't please everyone!

you got me there,

I can't answer your question.

I don't kow what to say. You got me there!

in a dead heat,

said when two or more competitors finish a race or a competition at exactly the same time or with exactly the same result.

The two horses finished the race in a dead heat.

in a split second,

in just very short time.

Every thing was calm. But just in a split second a storm hit the whole region causing a lot of victims.

in bad shape,

In bad physical condition.

Bill is in bad shape. He needs to exercise regularly and go on a diet.

in God's name,

(also in the name of God, in the name of heaven,in God's name, in heaven's name) used to add emphasis.

What in God's name did you do to that poor girl?

in the air,

said about something that is happening or about to happen.

Everybody in the company know that change is in the air.

in the bag,

Certain or extremely likely to occur; assured about the success of somoething.

Don't worry about the final exam. It's in the bag.

in the best of health,

very healthy.

He's in the best health because he exercises regularly and doesn't eat junk food.

in the blink of an eye,

very quickly.

He disappeared in the blink of an eye.

in the family way,

(also in a family way) pregnant.

I've heard that Leila is in the family way. Is that true?

in the money,

very rich

He's in the money. He's extremely rich.

in the pink ,

healthy.

He has been in the pink since he decided to go on a diet and exercise regularly.

in the wake of,

following, as a result of.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigns his position as head of the International Monetary Fund in the wake of sexual assault charges.

in the zone,

focused

He's doing a good job. He's in the zone!

in tune (with somebody/something),

said when you have a good understanding of someone or something.

He was in tune with new technologies.

in two shakes of a lamb's tail,

In a very short time.

He did the job in two shakes of a lamb's tail.

into a jam,

(also in a jam) in a difficult situation.

He found himself in a jam when he was caught cheating.

it beats me,

used to suggest that you don't understand something.

It beats me how she passed the exam.

It has someone's name on it,

said about somthing that belongs to someone or meant for someone.

This piece of cake has my name on it.

It's about time,

Used to express impatience at the eventual occurrence of something that shoul have occured a log time ago.

It's about time that women should be considered equal to men in this country.