Author: Paul Huber

American Idiom: have it in for someone

To have it in for someone means to hold a grudge on someone or have resentment towards someone.

A working knowledge of frequently used idioms is essential in order to naturally communicate with Americans. Learn to speak English fluently with Poly Languages.

Watch the full video below to learn about the idiom, to have it in for someone.

Video Transcript

to have it in for someone

My teacher has it in for me. He ignores me every time I raise my hand for a question.

The guy has it in for Grace. He’s always making fun of her in front of her friends.

What’s the meaning of ‘to have it in for someone’?  To ‘have it in for someone’ means to hold a grudge on someone or have resentment towards someone.

Here are example sentences :

I don’t know why Andrew has it in for me.  I didn’t do anything to him.

I don’t have it in for you. I have nothing against you.

Let’s do an exercise!

For each question, replace a word or words in a sentence with the idiom so that the meaning of the sentence is not changed. You have five seconds per question.

Question 1:

She seems to have a grudge against you since you broke up with her.

She seems to have it in for you since you broke up with her.

Question 2:

He does not resent you. He has an attitude with everybody.

He does not have it in for you. He has an attitude with everybody.

Practice makes perfect!

A working knowledge of frequently used idioms is essential in order to naturally communicate with Americans. Learn to speak English fluently with Poly Languages.

More questions here!

Question 1:

This is the third weekend in a row that my boss has asked me to work. I’m starting to think that he has hard feeling on me because he has never made anyone else do that.

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Question 2:

Mary has a grudge on me ever since I was given the promotion ahead of her.

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American Idiom: on the ball

On the ball  – means being attentive and competent.

A working knowledge of frequently used idioms is essential in order to naturally communicate with Americans. Learn to speak English fluently with Poly Languages.

Watch the full video below to learn about the idiom, on the ball

Video Transcript

on the ball

She was on the ball, catching all mistakes on the report. She did a great job!

On the ball  – means being attentive and competent.

Here are example sentences :

Alan was right on the ball, making sound decisions. He’s a reliable manager.

James did not sleep very well last night. That’s why he’s not on the ball today.

Let’s do an exercise!

For each question, replace a word or words in a sentence with the idiom so that the meaning of the sentence is not changed. You have five seconds per question.

Question 1:

It’s hard to be attentive when you’re tired.

It’s hard to be on the ball when you’re tired.

Question 2:

Please be very attentive to this customer’s special order. She is a big client of ours.

Please be on the ball to this customer’s special order. She is a big client of ours.

Practice makes perfect!

A working knowledge of frequently used idioms is essential in order to naturally communicate with Americans. Learn to speak English fluently with Poly Languages.

More questions here!

Question 1:

My assistant is amazing. He’s always alert in noticing mistakes and offering valuable suggestions.

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Question 2:

Thanks to Mary for being very attentive with the inventory

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American Idiom: bend over backwards

To bend over backwards – means to work extra hard to accommodate or help someone.

A working knowledge of frequently used idioms is essential in order to naturally communicate with Americans. Learn to speak English fluently with Poly Languages.

Watch the full video below to learn about the idiom, bend over backwards

Video Transcript

to bend over backwards

Amy has been bending over backwards to help her friend in need of help. 

To bend over backwards – means to work extra hard to accommodate or help someone.

Here are example sentences :

Gregory bends over backwards to please his boss. He often puts overtime to get things done.

Amy is tired of bending over backwards to help him. He’s never shown any gratitude.

Let’s do an exercise!

For each question, replace a word or words in a sentence with the idiom so that the meaning of the sentence is not changed. You have five seconds per question.

Question 1:

My parents worked extra hard to put me through medical school.

My parents bent over backwards to put me through medical school.

Question 2:

Carolyn always works extra hard to satisfy all her customers. 

Carolyn always bends over backwards to satisfy all her customers.

Practice makes perfect!

A working knowledge of frequently used idioms is essential in order to naturally communicate with Americans. Learn to speak English fluently with Poly Languages.

More questions here!

Question 1:

He will work extra hard just to help you.

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Question 2:

Our hosts were amazing people and they work very hard just to keep us comfortable.

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Learn more Idioms with American Teachers here in POLY! Apply now!

American Idiom: piece of cake

A piece of cake – means something easy or simple to do. It has nothing to do with cake.

A working knowledge of frequently used idioms is essential in order to naturally communicate with Americans. Learn to speak English fluently with Poly Languages.

Watch the full video below to learn about the idiom, piece of cake

Video Transcript

a piece of cake

I finished the math test in 20 minutes. It was a piece of cake.

A piece of cake – means something easy or simple to do. It has nothing to do with cake.

Here are example sentences :

I was told that the exam would be difficult, but it was a piece of cake. The exam was very easy.

Cooking spaghetti was a piece of cake. It’s one of the easiest dishes to cook.

Let’s do an exercise!

For each question, replace a word or words in a sentence with the idiom so that the meaning of the sentence is not changed. You have five seconds per question.

Question 1:

Homework was easy.

Homework was a piece of cake.

Question 2:

It’s doable, but it’s not easy for everyone.

It’s doable, but it’s not a piece of cake for everyone.

Practice makes perfect!

A working knowledge of frequently used idioms is essential in order to naturally communicate with Americans. Learn to speak English fluently with Poly Languages.

More questions here!

Question 1:

My Math exam is very easy!

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Question 2:

Cooking eggs is very easy!

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Please subscribe to our YouTube channel, and learn to speak English with Poly Languages.

Learn more Idioms with American Teachers here in POLY! Apply now!