idioms plus proverbs

8/2/2019 Idioms Plus Proverbs

1/36

1. A bad apple

Meaning:

A (morally) bad person who makes a whole group bad.

A bad apple is someone who has a bad effect on a whole group or system.

People also say, "One bad/rotten apple spoils the (whole) bushel/barrel."

Example:

The corruption in the government started with a bad apple, a high official two years ago. Now the whole

system is corrupt.

2. Be a piece of cake

Meaning:

To be very easy

If something is a piece of cake, it is very easy to do.

Example:

A: How was the driving test yesterday? Did you pass?

B: Of course! It was a piece of cake.

3. Be all ears

Meaning:

Be very intersted in what someone is about to say.

If you are all ears, you are eager and ready to listen to what someone is going to say.

Example:

Now tell us all about your adventures in Afraica last summer. I'm all ears.

When the president started his speech, he found everyone listening, all ears.


2/36

4. Be the apple of someone's eye

Meaning:

Be loved very much by someone.

If someone is the apple of your eye, you think he/she is very important to you, and you love him/her

very much.

This idiom is used especially when someone is loved by an older member of his/her family.

Example:

Erika is Mark's only granddaughter, and she's the apple of his eye.

Sarah's only son was the apple of her eye.

5. Be as blind as a bat

Meaning:

Be unable to see well or unable to see at all.

If someone is as blind as a bat, he/she cannot see well or cannot see at all because of his/her very bad

eyesight.

Example:

A: Can you read the first paragraph on page 115 for me?B: Sorry, I forgot to bring my glasses. I'm as blind as a batwithout them.

6. Backfire

Meaning:

to produce an unexpected / undesired / opposite result.

If your plan or action backfires, you get the opposite result to the one you wanted.

Example:

The new stricter school policy may backfire and do more harm to the students than good.

Her plan to lose weight backfired. After losing 10 pounds, she started to eat a lot again and gained 20

pounds quickly.


3/36

7. Bark up the wrong tree

Meaning:

To misunderstand a situation and complain to a wrong person or blame a wrong thing.

If someone is barking up the wrong tree, he/she has an incorrect idea about a situation, and his/her

course of action is wrong.

Example:

Don't blame me. I have nothing to do with it. You are barking up the wrong tree.

The committee spent more than 5 month to try to solve the problem. They were just barking up the

wrong tree.

8. Beat around the bush

Meaning:

Avoid or delay talking about something unpleasant or embarrassing

If you beat around the bush, you don't say something directly to someone because you are worried

about his/her reaction and don't want to upset him/her.

Some people also say " beat about the bush. "

Example:

Don't beat around the bush! Tell me what exactly you want.

Let's not beat around the bush anymore. You'd better do this project over. It's not acceptable to us.

9. Bend over backwards (backward)

Meaning:

Do as much as you can to help or please someone.

If you bend over backwards, you do your best or try harder than you need in order to please someone

or do something he/she wants.


4/36

Example:

The manager bent overbackwards to help new employees.

I bent over backward, trying to defend her. I don't know what else I can do for her.

10. Bite off more than one can chew

Meaning:

To try to do something that is too difficult

If you bite off more than you can chew, you try to do more than you are able to.

Example:

She hasbitten off more than she can chew again. She has agreed to finish 3 very difficult projects by the

end of this year.

Do your best. Do whatever you can, but don't bite off more than you can chew.

11. Be broke

Meaning:

Without money

If you are broke, you don't have money.

Example:

"Do you want to go to the movies tonight?" "I can't go. I'mbroke. Tomorrow is payday."

12. (Have / Get) Butterflies in someone's stomach

Meaning:

Very nervous or excited before doing something important such as giving a speech and taking a test.

If you have butterflies in your stomach, you are very nervous and/or excited about something you are

going to do soon.


5/36

Example:

He always gets butterflies in his stomach before taking a test.

13. Can't make head nor tail (out) of something / someone

Meaning:

Not be able to understand

If you can't make head nor tail (out) of something or someone, you can't understand it/him/her at all.

Example:

Could you show me how to use this machine? I can't make head nor tail out ofthe instructions in the

manual.

Bob is a very strange guy. Everything he says and does is very strange. Icannot make head nor tail

ofhim.

14. Cast pearls before swine

Meaning:

Offer or show something valuable, good, or beautiful to someone who does not understand its value

If you are casting pearls before swine, you are wasting your time showing or offering something very

helpful or valuable to someone who does not understand or appreciate it.

Example:

Don't bother explaining Shakespeare to Bob. It would be like casting pearls before swine.

15. Catch someone's eye

Meaning:

Attract someone and make him/her look at something.

If someone or something catches your eye, you look because of interest.


6/36

Example:

While driving on the freeway, an interesting billboard caught my eye.

Suddenly something flying in the sky caught his eye. It was a big bird he had never seen before.

16. Get (have) cold feet

Meaning:

Suddenly become (be) very nervous about doing something that you were going to do.

If you get cold feet, you become afraid to do something that you planned to do or agreed to do.

Example:

It's normal for young people to get cold feet before their wedding.

17. Be chicken

Meaning:

Coward.

If you are chicken, you are not brave enough to do something.

Example:

"Why won't you dive in? Are you chicken? (Don't be chicken!)"

18. Quit cold turkey

Meaning:

Quit a bad habit such as smoking or drinking alcohol suddenly, without any gradual adjustment.

If you quit something (smoking, etc.) cold turkey, you stop it suddenly and completely.


7/36

Example:

Tom was a heavy drinker for more than 15 years; then he quit drinking cold turkey. He's never drunk

again since then.

19. Be (as) cool as a cucumber

Meaning:

very calm and relaxed even in a difficult situation

If someone is (as) cool as a cucumber, he/she is very relaxed and/or calm when you expect him/her to

be nervous or upset.

Example:

He had very bad news last night, but he came to the office as cool as a cucumber this morning as if

nothing had happened.

20. Dear John letter

Meaning:

A letter from a woman to her boyfriend or husband telling him that she doesn't love him anymore.

If a woman writes a Dear John letter to her boyfriend (or husband), she tells him that she wants endtheir relationship.

Example:

His girlfriend wrote him a Dear John letter and moved to Japan.

21. Be cut from the same cloth

Meaning:

Be very similar, act in a very similar way

If you say two or more people are cut from the same cloth, you mean they are very alike or act in a very

similar way.


8/36

Example:

When you teach children, remember that they are not cut from the same cloth. Each child has his/her

own personality.

22. Don't let the grass grow under your feet.

(Not let the grass grow under someone's feet)

Meaning:

Act now without any delay.

If you say "Don't let the grass grow under your feet" to someone, you tell him/her not to waste time

and to do something immediately.

If someone doesn't let the grass grow under his/her feet, he/she does something right now without

waiting.

Example:

Now that you know what to do, act right away.Don't let the grass grow under your feet.

23. Be down in the dumps

Meaning:

Be very sad and depressed.

If you are down in the dumps, you feel very sad and miserable. You don't have much interest in life.

Example:

Mary has been down in the dumps since her mother's death.

24. Eat one's words

Meaning:

Admit that what you said was wrong.

If you eat your words, you admit that the statements or predictions you made were wrong.


9/36

Example:

Tom said Nancy would never succeed in her business, but after seeing her business grow, he had toeat

his words.

25. Feel like a fish out of water

Be like a fish out of water

Meaning:

Feel uncomfortable because you are in an unfamiliar situation.

If you feel like a fish out of water, you feel awkward or uncomfortable because you are in an unusual or

unfamiliar situation.

Example:

I don't like going to the big parties they have. I always feel like a fish out of waterthere.

26. Food for thought

Meaning:

Ideas that make you think carefully.

If something gives you food for thought, it gives you insights or new information, and makes you think

about something carefully.

Example:

Today's reading assignment will give you enough food for thought to prepare for next week's class

discussion.

27. Get up (Wake up) on the wrong side of the bed

Meaning:

Feel a little angry and annoyed.

If you got up (woke up) on the wrong side of the bed, you feel a bit angry and irritated for no particular

reason right from the start of the day.


10/36

Example:

Don't talk to the boss today. It looks like she woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

28. Go nuts

Meaning:

1. Become very excited because a very good thing happened.

2. Become very angry

Ifyou go nuts, you behave in an excited, crazy, or angry way.

Example:

The spectators went nuts when she got 10.0 on her performance.

My dad would go nuts if he saw this mess.

29. Be glued to something

Meaning:

Cannot stop watching / looking at something.

If you are glued to something, you cannot stop watching / looking at it because it is very attractive. You

look at it

with all your attention. TV is a typical thing you are glued to.

Example:

Soldiers were glued to the TV that was carrying them good news from their home country.

30. A hand-me-down

Meaning:

A shirt, dress, pants, etc. that an older person (especially your older brother or sister) in your family has

given to you because it is too small or he/she doesn't want to wear it anymore.


11/36

A hand-me-down is a piece of clothing that has been worn by someone (especially your older

brother/sister) and given to you.

Example:

When I was a child, I always had to wear my sister's hand-me-downs.

31. Hold One's Horses

Meaning:

Wait; Be patient and careful; Wait and listen to what someone's saying.

You say "Hold your horses" to someone when he/she is impatient

or wants to do something immediately without thinking about his/her action and consequences

carefully.

You tell him/her to be patient and wait.

Example:

Hold your horses. We are not ready to go yet.

Hold your horses. You might find a better one for the same price in another store.

32. Hit the sack/hay

Meaning:

Go to bed

If you hit the sack, you go to bed in order to get some sleep.

Example:

It's getting very late. It's time to hit the sack.

33. Holy cow

(Holy smoke, holy moly, etc.)


12/36

Meaning:

An expression of surprise.

You say "Holy Cow!" when you are surprised at something very much.

Example:

Holy cow!How did she get the full score on such a difficult exam!

Holy smoke!Nobody expected such a big mistake in such a big competition.

34. Be in a pickle

Meaning:

Be in a difficult situation.

If you are in a pickle, you are in a situation that is awkward and/or difficult to solve.

Example:

Last night Samwas in a pickle. After having a dinner at an expensive restaurant, he found he had neither

enough money nor a credit card.

35. Be in hot water

Meaning:

Be in trouble.

If you are in hot water, you are in a difficult situation because you have said or done something wrong.

Example:

He has been in hot water with his boss. He might be fired.


13/36

36. Keep one's bed

Meaning:

Stay in bed because of sickness or other cause.

If you keep your bed, you keep lying on bed because you are sick.

Example:

Is Nancy sick?

Yes, very. She keeps her bed all day.

37. Kill time

Meaning:

Do something that is not very useful to keeps yourself busy while you are waiting for something to

happen.

If you kill time, you do something that is not important or interesting you don't want to get bored while

waiting for something.

Example:

Ryan sometimes goes to the bookstore to kill time between classes.

We killed time talking and playing games until the bus arrived.

38. The last/final straw

Meaning:

The last in a series of unpleasant or undesirable events that makes you unable to accept a situation any

longer.

If an event that follows a series of bad events or experience makes you feel you cannot tolerate a

situation

any more and finally decide to leave it or do something to change it,

you call the event the last or final straw.

People also call it the last/final straw that broke the camel's back.


14/36

Example:

The low salary and the demanding boss were bad enough, but the rude co-worker was the last straw.

(Then I decided to quit the job.)

39. Be like taking candy from a baby

Meaning:

To be very easy to do.

If something is like taking candy from a baby, it is very easy to do.

Example:

A: It was a very impressive video presentation. I imagine it was very difficult to make such a complex

work.

B: No, it was very easy with this software -- like taking candy from a baby. It took me only an hour to

make it.

40. Make Ends Meet

Meaning:

Have or earn enough (often only enough) money to live.

If you make ends meet, you get enough money to pay for something you need, especially in order to

live

Example:

With five children at home and 2 living away to attend college, the parents struggled tomake ends

meet, but somehow they managed.

41. Be on the tip of someone's tongue

Meaning:

Cannot remember something such as a word or the name of a person although you think you know it

and you will remember it soon.

If you say something is on the tip of your tongue, you mean you can almost remember itbut not right

away.


15/36

Example:

What's the girl's name there?

Wait a second, it's on the tip of my tongue. ... Yes! Her name is Joanne.

41. Once in a blue moon

Meaning:

Rarely, almost never

If you say something happens once in a blue moon, you mean it happens very rarely.

A blue moon is the second of two full moons in the same month, which happens rarely.

Example:

He has a very nice car, but he drives once in a blue moon.

42. Out of the blue

Meaning:

Suddenly and unexpectedly

If someone does something or something happens out of the blue, it happens suddenly and surprises

you because you didn't expect it.

Example:

Late last summer, out of the blue, Sue announced she was getting married and leaving her home

country soon. We were all shocked to hear that.

43. Out of the frying pan and into the fire

Meaning:

This idiom is used to say that someone gets out of a difficult or bad situation, but eventually goes into a

more difficult or worse one.

If you say "Out of the frying pan and into the fire", you mean someone has moved from a bad or

difficult situation to a worse one.


16/36

Example:

If the government accepts his new proposal, the nation will bejumping out of the frying pan into the

fire. ( = It will make the situation worse.)

44. Pull someone's leg

Meaning:

Tease someone by saying something shocking as a joke.

If you pull someone's leg, you tell him/her something that is not true as a joke.

Example:

She said she found $1 million in the park, but I think she was just pulling my leg.

45. Play it by ear

Meaning:

Decide what to do or say according to a situation as it develops.

If you play it by ear, you act by responding a situation as it happens, rather than following a plan you

made in advance.

Example:

We can't plan for today's interview. Let's just go andplay it by ear.

46. Put all your (my, their, etc.) eggs into one basket

Meaning:

Depend totally on one single person or course of action.

If you put all your eggs into one basket, you put all your energy and time to one thing or purpose. If itfails, you will have no other possibilities left.

Example:

I know you really want to go to BYU, but don't put all your eggs into one basket. Apply to a few other

colleges too.


17/36

47. Wear one's heart on one's sleeve

Meaning:

Show emotions or feelings openly.

If you wear your heart on your sleeve, you openly express your feelings or emotions to others.

Example:

A: How did the interview go? Did he tell you what problems he has?

B: No, it was very difficult to make him open his heart and tell me his true feelings.

He's not a kind of guy who wears his heart on his sleeve.

48. Be up in the air

Meaning:

Be not decided yet

If something is up in the air, it is uncertain because no decision has been made about it yet.

Example:

The company is going to build a new factory, but the location is still up in the air.

49. When it rains, it pours.

Meaning:

When one thing goes wrong, many other things also go wrong.

You say, "When it rains, it pours" when several similar, especially bad or annoying things happen at the

same time.

Example:

I can't believe what happened to me last week! My dog ate my homework, and my computer crashed.

Even worse, I got sick that night! When it rains, it pours!


18/36

50. When pigs fly

Meaning:

Never.

If you you say when pigs fly, you mean something will never happen.

People sometimes say, "And pigs might fly" to mean something a person just said will never happen or

is impossible.

Example:

A: Do you think she'll ever come back and work with us again?

B: When pigs fly she will. (She will never come back again.)


19/36

1. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that different people have different opinions about what is

good/beautiful/valuable.

Example:

Most people here hate this food, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. People in many

other countries love it and eat it every day.

2. The best advice is found on the pillow.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that if you have a difficult problem and cannot find the answer now,

just go to bed and have a good night's sleep. You may find it tomorrow morning.

Example:

Let's end this meeting now. I don't think we can come up with the answer tonight. We're all

tired. Let's sleep on it. The best advice is found on the pillow.

3. Better safe than sorry.

Meaning:

When you say, "Better safe than sorry," you mean that it is better to use some extra time,

energy, and effort to be careful than to take risks without doing anything.

Example:

We will take our firstaid kit to the hike tomorrow. Better safe than sorry.


20/36

4. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say it is better to accept something that you have or you can use now

than to try to get something better that you might not be able to obtain. Sometimes people justsay, "A bird in the hand."

Example:

If I were you, I'd accept the job. It might not be the best job for you, but a bird in the hand is

worth two in the bush.

5.Curiosity killed the cat.

Meaning:

If you are too interested in things you should not be interested in, you could be in danger. You

may be causing yourself problems by trying to find out things you don't need to know.

Example:

"You'd better not," warns Steve, "Curiosity killed the cat, you know. It might be very

dangerous. Let's just go home instead."

6.Don't cross your bridges before you come to them.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to tell someone not to worry about something until it actually happens.

People often say "I/We will cross that bridge when I/we come to it" to mean they will not

worry about the particular possible problem until it actually appears.

Example:

A: Our proposal is ready, but what if the committee doesn't accept it?

B: Don't cross your bridges before you come to them. We will see what happens then.


21/36

7. Don't count your chickens before they hatch.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to warn someone not to plan anything that depends on a good thing you

expect to happen in the future, and tell him/her to wait until it really happens.It is used to tell people not to be too sure that something good you hope for will really happen.

It might not happen after all.

It is often shortened to "Don't count your chickens."

The "before they hatch" part can be substituted by "before they are hatched" or "before

they've hatched."

Example:

A: Here's the list of the things I'm going to buy next month when I get money.

B: It looks great, but don't count your chickens before they hatch.

8. The early bird catches the worm.

Meaning:

This proverb is used to tell you to act early or right now to be successful.

Example:

The early bird catches the worm! Don't miss this year's best deal! The sale will start onThursday, and the store opens at 5:00 a.m.

9. Good things come in small packages.

Meaning:

The meaning of this proverb is opposite to that of "The bigger, the better." You use this

proverb to say that the size of things doesn't always indicate their quality, and small things

often have better quality than big ones.

If someone says, "Good things come in small packages," he/she means that something is small,but it has better quality than big ones.
http://oels.byu.edu/student/idioms/proverbs/bigger_better.htmlhttp://oels.byu.edu/student/idioms/proverbs/bigger_better.htmlhttp://oels.byu.edu/student/idioms/proverbs/bigger_better.html


22/36

Example:

Well, I know big stores offer wider selections, but, I found that store sells only the best

products. They never sell second-class products. Good things come in small packages, you

know.

10. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that the things other people have or their situations always look

better than your own,

even when they are not really so.

It is often shortened to "The grass is greener on the other side," or even 'The grass is greener."

Example:

Don't compare your talents with others. The grass is always greener on the other side of the

fence. Just do your best.

11. Home is where the heart is.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say if you are with the person or at the place you love most, it becomes

your true home.

Example:

Don't worry about where you're going to live next year. Home is where the heart is.

12. It's no use crying over spilled (spilt) milk.

There's no use crying over spilled (spilt) milk.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that you shouldn't worry about something that has alreadyhappened.

It is no use being angry over or upset about something that has already happened and/or you

cannot change.


23/36

Example:

I failed the exam, but it's no use crying over spilled milk. I'll try it again.

13. A kite rises against the wind.

Meaning:

A person grows when he/she faces opposition and conquers it.

People say this: Don't be afraid of opposition; remember a kite rises against, not with the

wind.

Example:

Don't worry about opposition from those groups. You are doing the right thing. A kite rises

against the wind.

14. Money doesn't grow on trees.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to tell someone that he/she shouldn't waste money or there is not enough

money to buy something expensive.

If someone says, "Money doesn't grow on trees," he/she means that it is not easy to earn

money, so it is valuable, and you have only a limited amount of money. You should be carefulhow much money you spend.

Example:

A: "Mom, can I buy a new dress?"

B: "We can't afford one now. Money doesn't grow on trees."

15. Necessity is the mother of invention.

Meaning:

The meaning of this proverb is that if someone really needs something or has a problem,

he/she will find a way of doing or solving it.


24/36

Example:

Throughout the history of science, a lot of evidence has proven that necessity is the mother of

invention.

If you want to invent something, think about what people need or what problems they

have. Necessity is the mother of invention.

16. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that it is much easier to do something to prevent a problem than to

deal with it after it has happened.

This proverb expresses a similar idea to that ofA stitch in time saves nine.

Example:

I strongly recommend backing up your data at least once a day. An ounce of prevention is

worth a pound of cure.

17. The pen is mightier than the sword.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that you can solve problems or achieve your purpose better and

more effectively through communication with words than by violence with weapons.

Example:

I want to stress that articles you write on newspapers can change the world. The pen is mighter

than the sword!

18. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that a picture can give you as much information as a written or

spoken text with a lot of words can.
http://oels.byu.edu/student/idioms/proverbs/stitch.htmlhttp://oels.byu.edu/student/idioms/proverbs/stitch.htmlhttp://oels.byu.edu/student/idioms/proverbs/stitch.htmlhttp://oels.byu.edu/student/idioms/proverbs/stitch.html


25/36

If someone says, "A picture is worth a thousand words," he/she means that you can describe

something by drawing just one picture as well as you can by writing or saying a lot of words.

People also say "A picture paints a thousand words."

Example:

Thank you for trying to give me directions, but it's too confusing to me. Would you mind

drawing a map for me?A picture is worth a thousand words.

19. Procrastination is the thief of time.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that you are wasting your time if you keep delaying something that

must be done instead of doing it today. Edward Young (16831765), a British poet, was the first

one who said this.

If someone says, "Procrastination is the thief of time," he/she advises you not to procrastinate

(put off doing something that you must do) and use your precious time wisely.

Example:

Don't put off the things you must do today. Procrastination is the thief of time.

20. Safety lies in the middle course.

Meaning:

This proverb teaches us that it is best to act in a way between two opposite (especially

extreme) ones to solve a problem or to deal with something.

If you say "Safety lies in the middle course," you mean it is safe to act or do something in a

moderate way.

Example:

I think those two parties need to take more time to negotiate. We cannot accept either of their

proposals. One is extremely conservative, and the other is extremely radical. Safety lies in the

middlecourse.


26/36

21. Silence is golden.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that saying/doing noting is better than saying/doing or trying to

say/do something when you face a difficult situation.

People say "Silence is golden" to tell you not to say/do anything when you cannot come up

with something to say/do easily to handle a difficult sitatuion.

People also say "Silence is golden, speech is silver."

Example:

A: How did you get through such a difficult situation?

B: I didn't say anything. Silence is golden.

22. A stitch in time saves nine.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that it is better to spend a little time to deal with problems or act

right now than wait. If you wait until late, things will get worse, and it will take much longer to

deal with them.

It is often shortened to "A stitch in time." This proverb expresses a similar idea to that ofAn

ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Example:

I advise fixing the leak now. If not, you might need to replace the whole engine later. Fixing the

leak costs $50, but you need to pay at least $1,000 to replace the engine. A stitch in time, you

know.

23. There's no place like home.

Meaning:

Your home is a special place. Nothing can replace your own home.
http://oels.byu.edu/student/idioms/proverbs/prevention_cure.htmlhttp://oels.byu.edu/student/idioms/proverbs/prevention_cure.htmlhttp://oels.byu.edu/student/idioms/proverbs/prevention_cure.htmlhttp://oels.byu.edu/student/idioms/proverbs/prevention_cure.htmlhttp://oels.byu.edu/student/idioms/proverbs/prevention_cure.htmlhttp://oels.byu.edu/student/idioms/proverbs/prevention_cure.html


27/36

Example:

How do you like your new apartment here?

It's nice and comfortable, but there's no place like home. I really miss Mom's homemade

bread.

24. Time flies.

Meaning:

You say "Time flies" when you are surprised to see minutes, hours, days, weeks, or years have

passed very quickly.

Example:

A: Haven't we met each other for such a long time?

B: Yes, it's been 10 years since we met last time.

Time flies!

25. Too many cooks spoil the broth.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that if too many people do the same thing (job, project,, etc.), it willnot be done well. Sometimes people just say, "Too many cooks. " Another proverb "There is

safety in numbers" expresses the opposite idea.

If someone says, "Too many cooks spoil the broth," he/she means that your work will be more

efficient if you use fewer people.

Example:

The director never asks more than 10 people to work with him in his projects, and he wants the

best 10. He always says, "Too many cooks spoil the broth."


28/36

26. Variety is the spice of life.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that if you do a lot of different things and meet different people,

etc., your life becomes more interesting.

Having and experiencing a lot of different things is what makes your life interesting.

Example:

Variety is the spice of life,and there's a lot of it at the English Language Center. You can meet

people from many different countries, and there are a lot of activities you can participate in.

27. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.

Meaning:

You can give someone the opportunity to learn or to do something, but you can never force

him to accept that opportunity.

This proverb is often shortened to you can lead a horse to water. . . .

Example:

"She'll understand someday. But right now, you have to remember that you can lead a horse to

water, but you can make it drink. When she wants to do better, she will ask for your help. You

can't force her to learn."

28. You can't judge a book by its cover.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that you can't tell what something/someone is really like just by

looking at it. It might be different from what it looks.

Example: I know you want to think he's honest and trust him, but be careful.You can't tell a

book by its cover.


29/36

29. burn the midnight oil

Meaning:

study/work all night until very,very late at night

Example:

"I'm not ready for the test tomorrow. I guess I'll have to burn the midnight oil

30.blow ones top

Meaning:

become extremely angry

Example:

He was more than upset. He blew his top.

31.at eleventh hour

Meaning:

being on last minute/almost late

Example:

I got the work done. I finished it at the eleventh hour, but I wasnt late

32. call it a day

Meaning:

stop work for the day

Example:

its late andyouve accomplished a lot. Why dont you call it a day.


30/36

33. Learn to walk before you run

Meaning:

dont rush into doing something until you know how to do it

Example:

make sure yourre very familiar with the technique before you start applying it. Remember

people, learn to walk before you run ,the instructor insisted.

34. Let not the sun go down on your wrath

Meaning:

do not stay angry for more than one day

Example:

Hey dude, let not the sun go down on your wrath, Nicholas said to Jim.

35. Make a silk purse out of a sows ear

Meaning:

manage to do something good out of poor material

Example:

Cole Harisson inspires the idea of turning the ill-function engine to a better one. He managed

to make a silk purse out of sows ear.

36. Beauty is only skin deep.

Meaning:

A persons character is more important than their appearance.

Example:

Eventhough Carrol is a mouse-looking lady, she catches the attention of Spencer since her

attitude is likable. As we all now, beauty is only skin deep.


31/36

37. Clothes dont make the man.

Meaning:

Appearances can be deceiving

Example:

Lauren, you have to becareful when dealing with wickedly handsome man, especially your

Ryan Gosling-looking boyfriend since clothes dont make the man, Mrs. Jankowski told her

daughter.

38. Dont dig your grave with your own knife and fork.

Meaning:

Dont do something to yourself which causes you downfall.

Example:

Jeff listen, dont dig your grave with your own knife and fork. The police will find out your

doing!!, August shouted.

39. Every why has a wherefore.

Meaning:

There is an explanation for everything.

Example:

Jenna, trust me, there must a good reason why alan refuse to date you. When you meet him

later at the office just ask him about the truth as every why has a wherefore, explained

Ms.Bridgerton.

40. honey catches more flies than vinegar.

Meaning:

You can obtain more coorperation from others by being nice.

Example:

Becky Fuller, the general manager of unified industries, practices good-manner when dealing

with her workers in order to improve their coorperation. As well informed, honey catches more

flies than vinegar.


32/36

41. However long the night, the dawn will break

Meaning:

Bad things dont last forever.

Example:

Chill up Marlena, however long the night, the dawn will break, Shilla tried to consult her

sister.

42. nothing ventured nothing gained

Meaning:

You cannot expect to achieve anything if you dont take risks

Example:

What ever decision theyre making, we got to accept it in order to seal the merger, nothing

ventured nothing gained people, the president told his board of directors in their current

meeting.

43. Save me from my friends.

Meaning:

Friends can be more dangerous than enemies

Example:

Save yourself from your friendsDiana, they can deceive you, her mother reminds her.

44. snug as a bug in a rug.

Meaning:

feeling very comfortable.

Example:

Im snugging as a bug in a rug in my bed. Get the hell out of here!, Tamara scolds her

annoying brother.


33/36

45. Stolen fruit is the sweetest

Meaning:

What forbidden is most tempting

Mom, Im sorry for my misbehavior. I shouldve listened when you forbid me to go swimmingin the adult pool, but adam insited and you know. stolen fruit is the most sweetest, Larry

apologized.

46. Tall oaks grows from little acorns.

Meaning:

Great things come from small beginning.

Example:

The large chain of supermarkets began with one small store but tall oaks grow from littleacorns and it is now the largest supermarket chain in the world.

47. He who lives by the sword dies by the sword

Meaning:

people who commit violent acts will encounter violence themselves

Example:

The young man was involved in selling illegal drugs and he was found murdered. Sadly, he wholives by the sword dies by the sword.

48. If the cap fits wear it

Meaning:

if you criticize another person and you also deserve criticism then you should accept the

criticism and try and change

Example:

The girl criticized her friend for borrowing money. However, she herself always borrowed

money so she should remember that if the cap fits wear it.


34/36

49. Let sleeping dogs lie

Meaning:

to not make trouble if you do not need to

Example:

"You should let sleeping dogs lie and not ask your friend for the money that he owes you."

50. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

Meaning:

someone has good intentions but their laziness or love of pleasure may prevent them fromdoing what they want

Example:

The man often goes to expensive restaurants and nightclubs and although he wants to do well

at his job he cannot. For him the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.


35/36


36/36

idioms plus proverbs

Documents