English Idioms and Slang
(CLICK ON EACH OF THE HIGHLIGHTED AND UNDERLINED IDIOM TO HEAR ITS PRONUNCIATION)
A: Do you live by yourself or with your parents? B: I live ON MY TOD
Meaning: I live by myself
A: Are they paying you well at work? B: They’re paying me enough TO MAKE ENDS MEET
Meaning: They’re paying me enough to survive
A: How are you today? B: I HAVE A HITCH IN MY GIDDY-UP
Meaning: I’m not feeling very well
A: Who told you that I’m going to Sydney? B: A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME
Meaning: Someone told me
A: Is it easy to learn English? B: No, It’s A LONG ROW TO HOE
Meaning: It’s difficult and it takes a long time
A: How’s your friend Jack? B: I haven’t seen him for A MONTH OF SUNDAYS
Meaning: I haven’t seen him for a long time
A: How much money did you spend on learning English? B: it cost A PRETTY PENNY OR it cost AN ARM AND A LEG
Meaning: It cost a lot of money
A: Why are you always so quiet?
B: A STILL TONGUE KEEPS A WISE HEAD
Meaning: Wise people don’t talk too much
A: How you doin’? B: ALIVE AND KICKING
Meaning: I’m active and doing well
A: Do you want me to tell you what happened between me and my boyfriend? B: I'M ALL EARS
Meaning: I’m very interested in hearing about that
A: Why do you like him? B: HE'S ALL HEART
Meaning: He’s kind and generous
A: What did your father do when you knew you lied to him? B: He was ANGRY AS A BEAR OR ANGRY AS A BULL
Meaning: He was very angry
A: Are there any shops late at night? B: Yes convenience stores are open AROUND THE CLOCK
Meaning: Yes convenience stores are open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week
A: Why are you late? B: The train was moving AT A SNAIL'S PACE
Meaning: The train was moving very slow
A: Too bad our holiday’s finished B: Yes, tomorrow BACK TO THE SALT MINE
Meaning: Yes, tomorrow back to work!
A: How’ve you been? B: I’ve been IN A BAD SHAPE
Meaning: I’ve been unfit and unhealthy
A: Did you study well for the test? B: yes but I’m a BAG OF NERVES
Meaning: Yes, but I’m very nervous and worried
A: Did you ask her out on a date? B: I gave her my number! Now the BALL'S IN HER COURT
Meaning: I gave her my phone number and now it’s her decision, she has to make the next step
A: Do you like Joe? B: Yes I think he’s a BARREL OF LAUGHS
Meaning: Yes I think he’s very funny, he always tells jokes and makes me laugh
A: Did you learn English? B: Yes but unfortunately but my studies didn’t BEAR FRUIT
Meaning: Yes but unfortunately my studies didn’t produce positive results
A: It’s ok I paid for the drinks, you don’t have to do it B: I was going to do that but you BEAT ME TO THE DRAW
Meaning: Yes I was going to do that but you did it before me
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