Here is a short story about a young man who lived in a village. You’ll find idiom definitions, example sentences, conversations, and a short quiz after reading the story.
There was a young man who lived in a village. He was one of the most responsible residents in that village. All the residents loved him. He was known to help anybody at the drop of a hat. Sometimes he bites off more than he can chew, but he never complained.
The longer he lived in that village, the more that he was on a wild goose chase due to some not genuine request, but he was still there to help. With this, people admired him. His attitude became contagious. He made himself available to those who were in need. On the other hand, it became natural that other people rain on his parade as they thought he was doing this with a purpose.
Some of his neighborhood created a feeling of unhappiness against him. But one day, when he turned nineteen years old, a fantastic thing happened. He received numerous birthday greetings. Most residents invited him to dinner, but he needed to take a rain check. Everyone thanked him for his effort to help others in times of need.
The residents gathered together. The young man was asked:
“What motivates you to help us?”
Moral of the story: Always do good and ready to help others.
Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning
- to promise something to do which is hardly achievable
Example Sentences
I like to suggest that you don’t be afraid to bite off more than you can chew when you are not that skilled enough to complete the task.
Mylene bites off more than she can chew because she takes significant risks for every venture she is engaged for her business.
A: Are you sure that you can handle all these teams?
B: I am not sure as I bite off more than I could chew when I agreed to manage these three teams.
At the drop of a hat
Meaning
- without any hesitation or immediately, without delay
Example Sentences
My father is my hero, and he is ready anytime for me at the drop of a hat.
Due to the traffic condition tonight, you can’t expect me to arrive in our meeting place at the drop of a hat.
A: What do you love most to do?
B: Travelling is one of my hobbies. I’m ready all the time at the drop of a hat.
On a wild goose chase
Meaning
- to chase or search for something impossible to find
Example Sentences
Jim has been on a wild goose chase trying to find for a blue rose in a nearby garden.
Sam was on a wild goose chase trying to search for free food in the canteen yesterday.
A: You look so tired. What happened?
B: My sister and I were on a wild goose chase after our dog vanished into woods.
Rain on someone’s parade
Meaning
- to ruin or spoil someone’s plan
Example Sentences
Daniel rained on his brother’s parade by giving him more tasks so that he cannot attend his classmate’s birthday party.
I don’t like to rain on your parade, but I think you are not capable of joining our group yet.
A: It seems that you wanted to say something. What is it?
B: It is never my intention to rain on your parade, but there is a piece of bad news.
Take a rain check
Meaning
- to refuse or decline an offer nicely but might be taken up later
Example Sentences
Sharon has to take a rain check for a lunch invitation this Monday.
Alma cannot decide to join the annual camp, but she said that she would like to take a rain check on it.
A: Are you coming with us tonight?
B: I will take a rain check as I have a lot of tasks to finish.
Quiz
- I don’t want _______________ because it is very risky.
- Linda’s boyfriend is reliable because he _______________any time.
- Investigators are frequently _______________ .
- My mother has to _______________ as she never wanted to be a loser.
- Most of the time, wise people always _______________ before making a decision.