Category: idioms

‘In a pickle’ – English idiom

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In a pickle

Example sentences from the web:

  • Listen, I’m in a little bit of a pickle right now. Could you come to my place and pick me up?
  • He was in a bind, a bit of a pickle, sort of distressed.
  • I noticed that you were in a bit of a pickle yesterday. I’m sorry, but I was in a hurry and I couldn’t help you. Did you manage to finish your essay in time?

Words and expressions from the example sentences you may not know:

  • TO PICK UP SOMEONE =>
  • IN A BIND => Like ‘in a pickle’, it means ‘in a difficult situation’; ‘in trouble’.

This idiom is well explained here: In a Pickle: And Other Funny Idioms.

School idioms

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A great infographic by Kaplan International Colleges on School idioms:

Kaplan International

Example sentences with these idioms:

  • BOOKWORM
    Margaret rarely leaves the library. She has typical symptoms of a bookworm.
  • TO BRAINSTORM
    Over the next three days, we’ll hear stories of bravery and brainstorm solutions for change.
  • COPYCAT
    She called me a copycat for wearing the same prom dress.
  • HIT THE BOOKS
    I haven’t studied for today’s test yet. Time to hit the books!
  • PASS WITH FLYING COLORS
    As for the exam, I’m pleased to report you passed with flying colors.
  • SKIP CLASS
    Are you going to skip class and go to the beach?
  • DROPOUT
    “Why don’t we see Joanne Red at school anymore?”
    “Oh, she’s a dropout, she left high school last week.”
  • TEACHER’S PET
    Marcus is a teacher’s pet. He cannot shut up. He runs to the class after lunch and seems to always be raising his hand.

A funny video by English is Fun! on this topic:

  • A POP QUIZ => An unexpected exam.
  • TO READ OUT LOUD => To read loud enough that anyone can hear you and follow along.
  • TO PLAY HOOKY => To not go to school when you’re supposed to.
  • CLASS CLOWN => The person in the class who just likes to act silly and make everyone laugh during class.

Now that you know all these idioms, try to fill the gaps in this quiz to find out if you remember their meanings:

Activity for teachers: School idioms ex.
Answers: School idioms ex. answers

“Social butterfly” – English idiom

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Social butterfly

social butterfly

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Example sentences from the web:

  • Because he was not a social butterfly, he rarely went out in Washington.
  • Jessica is constantly out and about; she’s a real social butterfly.
  • Lulu is a social butterfly. She is always surrounded by people.

“To be/feel/look bushed” – English idiom

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To be bushed

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Be/feel/look bushed

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Example sentences from the web:

  • After all that exercise, I’m bushed.
  • The poor kid is bushed, I’ll take her home. She’s not in any shape to take more right now.
  • “We’re off to bed now”, said Alfonso. “We are bushed!” Isabella laughed.
    “Well, we are”, said Ronnie, indignantly.
    “We’ve done a lot today, you know. And walked miles.”
    “I know that. I’m not laughing at you being tired, Ron. It’s just when we say in Australia that we’re bushed, it can also mean that we’re lost. Or confused. Like we don’t know what’s going on. Not just tired […].”
    Taken from Whitely, M, 2014, Bushed!, Elm House Publishing, p. 84.

Words and expressions from the example sentences that you may not know:

  • TO BE IN SHAPE => to be in good condition physically and functionally
  • TO BE OFF TO BED => .to go to bed; to go to sleep.

“The sky is the limit” – English idiom

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The sky is the limit 1

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Example sentences from the web:

  • I have an anniversary coming up, and my husband said the sky is the limit. So I was thinking why not make it jewelry?
  • With two important film roles and a major award, it seems like the sky’s the limit for this talented young actress.
  • Order anything you like on the menu—the sky’s the limit tonight.

To play cat and mouse with (someone) – English idiom

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To play cat and mouse withExample sentences from the web:

  • The man is playing cat and mouse with his company about his plans to quit or not.
  • She loved to play cat and mouse with an admirer, acting by turns friendly, indifferent, and jealous.
  • The actor spent all the week playing cat and mouse with the press.

“To waffle” – British slang

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To waffleImage source

Probably you knew already the common meaning of “waffle” in British and American English. If you didn’t … this is a “waffle”:
waffle

A “waffle” is a type of pancake with a pattern of square dents in it, made in a waffle iron.

According to Random House Dictionary waffle with the British English meaning of talking idly, and foolishly without purpose is derived from waff (which means to bark or to yelp like a dog) and first appeared in print between 1695-1705.

Example sentences from the web:

  • She waffled when asked what she thought of her sister’s new boyfriend.
  • If you don’t know the answer, it’s no good just waffling (on) for pages and pages.

From a British newspaper clipping (1957):
newspaper - to waffle

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Remember that in American slang the meaning of “to waffle” is different.
Example sentences from the web:

  • American voters waffled in 2000.
  • He waffled on an important issue.
    [= to fail to make up one’s mind; to equivocate; to waver; to oscillate between options].

“To be a big fish in a small pond” – English idiom

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To be a big fish in a small pond

Example sentences from the web:

  • As long as you stay, you’re a big fish in a small pond… …and can blame everyone for holding you back.
  • Steve has both a Ph.D. and an M.D., yet he’s content with his practice at a rural hospital; he prefers to be a big fish in a little pond.
  • I’ve got to get out of this town. It’s just too small. I’m tired of being a big fish in a small pond. I want to move to a big city like New York or Los Angeles.

NOTICE that this idiom could be used with a different meaning, referring to someone who is important in a small group or organization, but who won’t be so important in a larger one.

  • “If he is such a great actor, why doesn’t he move to New York City?”
    Reply: “He likes being a big fish in a small pond.”

This idiom is explained very well here: http://painintheenglish.com/ 

“For example, a man started his own heating / air conditioning repair company. He had 4 locations and a fleet of 10 trucks. He was a prominent businessman in the community and his business netted $1 million per year. In a town of 25,000 people, he was in the top 1% of incomes and because he brought so much money into the community, he had a certain leverage with the city council. They would be very careful to allow building permits near his businesses without checking with him first.

However, if that man moved to a large city, for example: New York City, then 4 locations, 10 trucks, $1 million / year would not be special at all. For a small town (pond), he had a big business (he was a big fish), but in a large lake (New York City), he was a much smaller business (much smaller fish) by comparison”.

“To have/get butterflies in (one’s) stomach”. – English idiom

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Example sentences from the web:

  • Her mouth was dry, there were butterflies in her stomach, and her knees were shaking so much it was hard to walk on stage.
  • The first day in front of a class, new teachers always have butterflies in their stomachs.
  • Before I went on stage, I had butterflies in my stomach.

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