Here are some images from the Internet using last week’s Idiom – click on any of them to get a larger view:
Rip Off Revisited
Tag: idioms
Idiom of the Week: Rip Someone Off
Meaning: To overcharge someone; to make an unfair deal. A “rip-off” is a noun, and means a bad deal.
Examples:
My phone company is ripping me off. I have to pay fifty cents for each text message.
I know we got ripped off, but we needed to sell our house as soon as possible.
The cab driver charged me $100 to go to the airport. What a rip-off!
Pop Quiz:
Which of the following is a good example of a rip-off?
A. $3 for a sandwich.
B. $3 for a can of soda.
C. $3 for a plane ticket.
To see the correct answer, click on “Continue reading”:
Idiom the Week: What’s the Damage?
Meaning: How much does it cost? What’s the price? (Usually said when you get the bill at a restaurant.)
Examples:
“What’s the damage?” asked my friend after the waitress dropped off the check. “Don’t worry, dude, ” I replied. “I’ve got it.”
I was about to say “What’s the damage?” but then I realized I’d forgotten my wallet at home.
She said “What’s the damage?” but he’d never heard that idiom before – so instead she said, “How much is it?”
Pop Quiz:
What’s a good response when someone says to you, “What’s the damage?“
A. “It’s on me.”
B. “Was there an accident?”
C. “The damage is wonderful.”
To see the correct answer, click on “Continue reading”:
Idiom of the Week: Have a Good Head on One’s Shoulders
Meaning: To be reasonable; to be mature; to have common sense.
Examples:
In order to be president you have to have a good head on your shoulders.
I don’t worry about my daughter because she has a good head on her shoulders.
He used to do crazy stuff but now he has a good head on his shoulders.
Pop Quiz:
A person with a good head on his or her shoulders…
A. is responsible.
B. thinks before acting.
C. does foolish things all the time.
To see the correct answer, click on “Continue reading”:
The Ropes Revisited
Here are some images from the web using last week’s idiom – just click on any of them for a larger view:
Idiom of the Week: Know/Show/Learn the Ropes
After a nice, refreshing summer vacation, our idioms are back!
Meaning: “The ropes” are things you need to do at work or in a special place. To know the ropes is to know how to do things, to show someone the ropes is to teach someone how to do things, and if you’re being taught how to do things, you’re learning the ropes.
Examples:
This job is easy once you know the ropes.
I’ve lived in New York for thirty years. If you want someone to show you the ropes of life in the Big Apple, just give me a call.
He makes a lot of mistakes, but that’s okay. He’s still learning the ropes.
Pop Quiz:
Who at your job do you think knows the ropes?
A. Someone who’s worked there for one week.
B. Someone who’s worked there for ten years.
C. Someone whose wife works there.
To see the correct answer, click on “Continue reading”:
Idiom Round-Up
This past year, we were introduced to a number of colorful idioms in common use in American English. Here they are all collected in one spot – just click on them to study.
Get Down to Brass Tacks
Set in Stone
Ancient History
Wandering Eyes
Bring Home the Bacon
Count Your Blessings
Walk on Eggshells
Jack Frost
Kick the Habit
Get Cold Feet
Excuse My French
Call It a Day
Health Nut
Luck Out
Once in a Blue Moon
Fed Up
Chicken
A Piece of Cake
Bug Someone
In the Heat of the Moment