Tag: idiom

“Stick to your guns” – English idiom

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To stick to your guns

Idiom 1-09 example

Example sentences from the web:

  • You must admire the way she sticks to her guns. She is not easy to persuade.
  • I’ll stick to my guns on this matter. I’m sure I’m right.
  • The people of the community stuck to their guns and marched in protests.

ORIGIN OF THIS IDIOM …

This expression originated at a time when guns were becoming the weapon of choice in warfare.
“Stick to your guns” was a command given to sailors manning the guns, on military boats. They were to stay at their posts even when the boat was being attacked by enemies.

Stick to your guns – Bon Jovi

So you want to be a cowboy
Well you know it’s more that just a ride
Guess you got to know the real thing
If you want to know the other side
Ain’t nobody riding shotgun
In this world tonight

And when you spit, you better mean it
You got to make ’em all believe it
If you’re gonna be the one

Stick to your guns
Ain’t nobody gonna hurt you, baby
You can go for the trigger
But only if you have to
Aim from the heart
Some will love and some will curse you, baby,
And you can go to war
But only if you have to
It’s only if you have to

So you want to be the big time
Some people have to drag you down
There’s no living in the backseat
If you’re gonna drive through town
And when you pray for independence
Boy, you better stand your ground

You got to give it all you got now
Or you might get shot down
Fight hard until the battle is won

Stick to your guns
Ain’t nobody gonna hurt you, baby, 
You can go for the trigger
But only if you have to
Aim from the heart
Some will love and some will curse you, baby,
And you can go to war
But only if you have to
But only if you have to

Solo

Well, you know that I been through it
I got the scars to prove it
Fight hard and the Battle is yours

Stick to your guns
Ain’t nobody gonna hurt you, baby
You can go for the trigger
But only if you have to
Aim from the heart
Some will love and some will curse you, baby,
And you can go to war
But only if you have to
It’s only if you have to

But stick to your guns

“My lips are sealed” – English idiom

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My lips are sealed

Example sentences from the web:

  • I’m not allowed to tell you about the party as my lips are sealed.
  • Don’t worry, Hanna. I won’t tell anyone your secret. My lips are sealed.
  • I’ve been there myself, so no judgments, and my lips are sealed.

Our Lips Are Sealed – The Go-Go’s (80’s song):

Can you hear them
They talk about us
Telling lies
Well, that’s no surprise

Can you see them
See right through them
They have no shield
No secrets to reveal

It doesn’t matter what they say
In the jealous games people play
Our lips are sealed

There’s a weapon
That we must use
In our defense
Silence reveals

When you look at them
Look right through them
That’s when they’ll disappear
That’s when we’ll be feared

It doesn’t matter what they say
In the jealous games people play
Our lips are sealed

Give no mind to what they say
It doesn’t matter anyway
Our lips are sealed

Hush, my darling
Don’t you cry
Quiet, angel
Forget their lies

Can you hear them
They talk about us
Telling lies
Well, that’s no surprise

Can you see them
See right through them
They have no shield
No secrets to reveal

It doesn’t matter what they say
In the jealous games people play
Our lips are sealed

Pay no mind to what they say
It doesn’t matter anyway
Our lips are sealed
Our lips are sealed
Our lips are sealed

“A penny for your thoughts” – English idiom

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A penny for your thoughts

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Example sentences from the web:

  • A: What do you think of global warming?
    B: I don’t know.
    A: Penny for your thoughts?
    B: Well, if you want to know, I feel like people aren’t doing enough to stop it!
  • Noticing his friend was sad, Joe asked, “A penny for your thoughts?”
  • A: What do you think about Lisa? Penny for your thoughts?
    B: People don’t like Lisa very much because she is always giving her opinion, even if people aren’t asking for it.

A video on this idiom by Englishcafe:

‘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.