Category: American Idioms

American Idiom: draw the line

To draw the line means to define a limit on something. It’s often used to set the limit on what one will tolerate or refuse to do.

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, draw the line.

Video Transcript

I need to draw the line somewhere. You cannot expect me to do all the household chores.

What’s the meaning of ‘to draw the line’ here? 

It means that the person needs to divide the household chores.The person is refusing to do all the work. To draw the line means to define a limit on something. It’s often used to set the limit on what one will tolerate or refuse to do.

Here are example sentences :

You frequently play music loudly at night. I need to draw the line here. Please, no loud music after 9:00 pm!

My son frequently uses inappropriate and rough language. I had drawn the line at saying certain words.

Let’s do an exercise so that you can 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:

Elizabeth calls me too frequently for help with her homework. I set the limit of calling me, no more than twice a day.

Elizabeth calls me too frequently for help with her homework. I drew the line at calling me, no more than twice a day.

Question 2:

Lawrence wanted to borrow money from Brian. Brian sets the limit on lending him, no more than $100.

Lawrence wanted to borrow money from Brian. Brian draws the line at lending him, no more than $100.

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 don’t mind doing some gardening but I can’t at digging.

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Question 2:

Mr Park stopped at around $ 52 billion.

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American Idiom: land on one’s feet

To land on one’s feet means to overcome a bad or difficult situation and to be in a good position. You can also say to ‘fall on one’s feet’ in place of ‘to land on one’s feet.

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, land on one’s feet.

Video Transcript

After going through some difficult times, Charles just landed on his feet.

What’s the meaning of ‘landed on his feet’ here? 

It means that Charles has just overcome whatever difficulties he had.‘To land on one’s feet’ means to overcome a bad or difficult situation and to be in a good position. You can also say ‘to fall on one’s feet’ in place of ‘to land on one’s feet.

Here are example sentences :

I will land on my feet no matter what happens. Or, you can say, I will fall on my feet no matter what happens.

Don’t worry about Sharon. She will manage to land on her feet.  Or, you can say, she will manage to fall on her feet.

Let’s do an exercise so that you can 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:

Charles couldn’t overcome his depression for many months after his mom passed away.

Charles couldn’t land on his feet (or fall on his feet) for many months after his mom passed away.

Question 2:

The company is successful while other companies are struggling.

The company lands on its feet (or falls on its feet) while other companies are struggling.

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.

Land on one’s feet.

More questions here!

Question 1:

This is a company that tends to overcome it’s difficulties.

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Question 2:

After some ups and downs, Ella has overcome it.

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American Idiom: cost an arm and a leg

Cost an arm and a leg – means very expensive or too expensive.

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, cost an arm and a leg.

Video Transcript

A week at any hotel in Beverly Hills can cost an arm and a leg. Everything is very expensive in Beverly Hills.

Cost an arm and a leg – means very expensive or too expensive. Here, an arm and a leg refers to a lot of money.

Here are example sentences :

I want to buy a house by the beach, but it may cost me an arm and a leg.

Sarah really wants to go to the concert. She’s willing to pay an arm and a leg for it.

Let’s do an exercise so that you can 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:

Joseph bought a sports car. He paid a lot of money for it.

Joseph bought a sports car. He paid an arm and leg for it.

Question 2:

I’d really like to buy a new luxury car, but it may be too expensive.

I’d really like to buy a new luxury car, but it may cost an arm and a leg. You can also say, it may cost me an arm and a leg.

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.

Cost an arm and a leg

More questions here!

Question 1:

He bought a new pair of Gucci shoes. It is very expensive.

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Question 2:

I’d love to buy a new car but I know it’s very expensive.

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American Idiom: Play it by ear

To play it by ear –  means to act without planning in advance. In other words, you deal with situations or figure things out as they happen.

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 play it by ear.

Video Transcript

Susan, let’s not plan for our trip tomorrow. Let’s just play it by ear.

‘To play it by ear’ –  means to act without planning in advance. In other words, you deal with situations or figure things out as they happen.

Here are example sentences :

1. I am too tired to talk about what we should do tomorrow. Let’s just play it by ear.

2. I don’t know what to prepare for tomorrow’s job interview. I am going to play it by ear.

Let’s do an exercise so that you can 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:

I don’t know how long I’ll stay at my mom’s house. I’ll figure it out then.

I don’t know how long I’ll stay at my mom’s house. I’ll play it by ear.

Question 2:

I don’t know what to tell her when she finds out that I wrecked her car. I’m going to deal with it then.

I don’t know what to tell her when she finds out that I wrecked her car. I’m going to play it by ear.

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.

Play it by ear.

More questions here!

Question 3:

I don’t know how they’ll react to our proposal, so we’ll just have to figure it out and hope for the best.

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Question 4:

I’m not sure whether my plan will work but let’s try and we’ll see what will happen.

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