Author: Paul Huber

American Idiom: to miss the boat

To miss the boat means to miss out on an opportunity to do something, often by being slow to act.

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 miss the boat

Video Transcript

to miss the boat

The store had a clearance sale until yesterday. I missed the boat thinking that the sale ends today.

To miss the boat means to miss out on an opportunity to do something, often by being slow to act.

Here are example sentences :

Submit your job application on time, and don’t miss the boat on a job opportunity at the company.

Tickets for the concert are already sold out. We missed the boat by procrastinating

Let’s do an exercise to better remember the Idiom.

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:

The stock market has been bullish for a long time, and I simply missed out on the opportunity.

The stock market has been bullish for a long time, and I simply missed the boat.

Question 2:

The concert is very popular. If you don’t buy the ticket now, you are going to miss out on the opportunity.

The concert is very popular. If you don’t buy the ticket now, you are going to miss the boat.

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.

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American Idiom: to get out of hand

To get out of hand – means to become chaotic, unmanageable, or uncontrollable.

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 get out of hand

Video Transcript

to get out of hand

We had a party over the weekend and the police showed up. We got too drunk and the party got out of hand.

Here, the party got out of hand means that the party became chaotic and it was no longer manageable.

To get out of hand – means to become chaotic, unmanageable, or uncontrollable.

Here are example sentences :

The gas price has gotten out of hand. The price per gallon has nearly doubled in a year.

The authorities should have warned the public about the viral outbreak before it has gotten out of hand.

Let’s do an exercise to better remember the Idiom.

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:

Susan wants to leave the meeting before the heated discussion becomes uncontrollable.

Susan wants to leave the meeting before the heated discussion gets out of hand.

Question 2:

We have a water leak. Let’s call a plumber before the leak becomes unmanageable.

We have a water leak. Let’s call a plumber before the leak gets out of hand.

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.

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!

American Idiom: give someone the cold shoulder

To give someone the cold shoulder means to treat someone in an unfriendly way, often by ignoring or showing contempt for the person.

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 give someone a cold shoulder.

Video Transcript

Jane was very upset at her husband for forgetting their anniversary. She gave him the cold shoulder for the whole day.

What’s the meaning of the cold shoulder here?

The cold shoulder here refers to an act of displaying contempt. Her husband should not have forgotten their anniversary.

to give someone the cold shoulder – means to treat someone in an unfriendly way, often by ignoring or showing contempt for the person

Here are example sentences :

When I walked into a luxury store wearing casual clothes with slippers, the sales clerks at the store gave me the cold shoulder.

I thought she was giving me the cold shoulder. I didn’t know she was having difficult times.

Let’s do an exercise to better remember the Idiom.

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:

Julia was an uninvited guest. No wonder everyone either ignored her or showed contempt for her at the party.

Julia was an uninvited guest. No wonder everyone gave her the cold shoulder at the party.

Question 2:

Treating your partner by ignoring or showing contempt, instead of trying to talk things out, can ruin the relationship.

Giving the cold shoulder to your partner , instead of trying to talk things out, can ruin the relationship.

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:

I thought she really liked me, but the next day she just ignored me.

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Question 2:

She thinks you started that rumor about her, that’s why she’s been ignoring you all day.

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