Tag: American Idioms

Here is a short story about a man who had spent his whole life planting trees in his garden. You’ll find idiom definitions, example sentences, conversations, and a short quiz after reading the story.

Once upon a time, there was a poor man who never had the chance to go to school. He tried to convince his parents to let him study but still rejected. After a year, his parents have decided to let him enroll in the nearest school, but he needed to take it with a grain of salt due to multiple rejections received.

With what happened, he ended up rejecting the idea of studying as he thought that there were other fish in the sea. With this, he spent his whole life planting trees in his garden. He had an apple tree that bore a lot of fruit. 

The apple tree made the man very rich. He tried to save for a rainy day, too. The man and his wife were very blissful for a long time although both of them did not experience to study in a school. As a man without a college degree, he believed that every cloud has a silver lining. But one day, the man came up with an idea and thought, “Why we need to wait for this tree to bear fruit? I am also paying more taxes now than before. Let us sell the whole land and make a tremendous amount of money.”

The man was very upset to wait for the apple tree to bear fruit each season. The foolish man’s wife also agreed, so they decided to sell the land at a high price. Though the price was costly, the land was sold quickly because of the apple tree. The man and his wife moved to the city and lived happily. They did not apply for any job as they thought their money was enough to support their lives. After a few years, the man realized his mistake. He ended up poor again.

Every cloud has a silver lining

Meaning

• to get some benefits in a bad situation

Example Sentences

Do not be upset of not winning the class presidency as I am sure that every cloud has a silver lining.

For every trial or difficulties that you encounter in life, you need to remember that every cloud has a silver lining.

A: Things are not easy for me these past few days.

B: I knew that your company’s sales are not doing well, but you don’t need to worry because every cloud has a silver lining. 

Save for a rainy day

Meaning

• to save money to be used in times of unforeseen trouble, or need

Example Sentences

Benny has been aiming to buy a new smartphone, but his brother advised him to save for a rainy day.  

Delia has been saving a portion of her monthly salary because she believes that she needs to save for a rainy day.

A: Daniel, what is your top priority now?

B: I plan to save for a rainy day and pay off all my debts.

Take (something) with a grain of salt

Meaning

• to evaluate something to check its authenticity and never believe immediately

Example Sentences

Every time that the new employee talks about an information that is not formally announced yet by the board, I need to take it with a grain of salt.

A lot of politicians nowadays are making a lot of promises before the election, but make sure to take these promises with a grain of salt.

A: I can’t believe that I am reading a lot of articles with full of exaggerations.

B: Yes, these articles online should always be taken with a grain of salt.

There are other fish in the sea

Meaning

• mostly being said when someone has been unsuccessful or has broken up with his/her partner
• can also be applicable to excellent opportunities, possibilities that one can find

Example Sentences

My boyfriend suddenly broke up with me so my sister has advised me that I don’t need to be hopeless as there are other fish in the sea.

Martha is very disappointed because she fails to ace the annual promotion, but she still strives to do her best as there are other fish in the sea.

A: Leslie, my son has been so depressed because his girlfriend left him.

B: There are other fish in the sea, so your son should cheer up. 

You can’t have your cake and eat it too

Meaning

• someone cannot do or have two options at the same time when these options conflict with each other

Example Sentences

It’s true that I can’t have my cake and eat it too because I have been working very hard to pay for my big house, but I rarely go home.

Lenny wants to be promoted to get a higher salary, but she is afraid that she might have less time for her daughter, so she accepts the fact that she can’t have her cake and eat it too.

A: Why is it that I am paying more taxes in the past few months.

B. Your company has boomed. So, you can’t have your cake and eat it too. If you want more sales and company growth, never expect to pay less tax.

Quiz

1. Always think that ____________________ in this world because there are many opportunities that are coming in your way.

2. John has been told to ________________ because he keeps on spending all his salary.

3. You did not fulfill your promises to me so everything that you will say, I need to ________________.

4. Don’t be frustrated as ____________ so keep moving, and do your best always.

5. I ___________ because I wanted to be fit, but I cannot promise not to pig out when the foods are grilled pork and fried chicken.

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

1. I don’t want _______________ because it is very risky.
2. Linda’s boyfriend is reliable because he _______________any time.
3. Investigators are frequently _______________ .
4. My mother has to _______________ as she never wanted to be a loser.
5. Most of the time, wise people always _______________ before making a decision.

Here is a short story about Dave’s interest to make more friends. You’ll find idiom definitions, example sentences, conversations, and a short quiz after reading the story.

There was a young boy named Dave. He had one friend, and he wanted to make more friends. He thought that he was on the ball to make more friends in the neighborhood. 

Dave was never happy without a lot of friends around him, so he decided to go out alone without his mother. He spent his whole day walking around in the neighborhood but did not meet any new friends. He thought that he might be barking up the wrong tree, so he moved to another block. A few days later, he did not make any new friends.

Dave decided to travel to meet new friends in the next town. He thought that this would not cost an arm and a leg, but he has spent his extra allowance while travelling. After spending a month, he realized that he had thrown caution to the wind when he decided to move in this town to make new friends. He went back home, and his mom accepted him and let him off the hook.

Let someone off the hook

Meaning

• to release someone from blame or responsibility

Example Sentences

Dale was suspected of cheating in their monthly exam, but he was left off the hook when he got a failing score.

Jenny was scheduled to clean their house, but her mom let her off the hook because Jenny has received an excellent score in her Math exam. 

A: Danny did not attend the orientation. Are you sure that he can follow all the rules?

B: He is a fast learner, so let him off the hook. I am sure that he will do good.

On the ball

Meaning

• knowledgeable and competent

Example Sentences

The new company director is really on the ball as the sales target went beyond what’s expected. 

Rhea completed her report so quickly as she is on the ball with this kind of task.

A: Why is it that you can get that formula quickly? Is there any secret?

B: My mother said that I need to study well so that I will always be on the ball on any subject.

Barking up the wrong tree

Meaning

• to make a wrong assumption or choice in something 

Example Sentences

Rexy is barking up the wrong tree because he always focuses on his problem rather than its solution. 

The cops were barking up the wrong tree as they point a man that was nowhere in the crime scene. 

A: Sara told me that I became so addicted to mobile games because I have my smartphone with me always.

B: She is barking up the wrong tree because I don’t see any mobile games app on your phone.

Cost an arm and a leg

Meaning

• expensive

Example Sentences

I would love to invite all my friends and relatives for my birthday celebration, but this will cost an arm and a leg when I do that. 

To look pleasant and charming, most movie actors and actresses undergo cosmetic surgery that costs an arm and a leg for them. 

A: What’s your birthday wish gift this year from your parents?

B: I know this wish will cost an arm and a leg for my parents, but I hope I can have a new pair of Nike shoes.

Throw caution to the wind

Meaning

• to decide without thinking of the risk or its adverse effects

Example Sentences

Tourists are warned not to throw caution to the wind when they visited an area for the first time. 

Samantha throws caution to the wind when she goes shopping as she always buys expensive dresses and shoes. 

A: I want to swim in the deep area now! Do you want to go with me?

B: I can’t! I never throw caution to the wind when I go swimming, as I am not sure about the sea current.

Quiz

1. Letty is always _____________ because she was the youngest in the group.

2. My mother is absolutely _____________ when it comes to cooking my favorite recipe.

3. My sister is _____________ because she always insists that our youngest brother eats all her food in the refrigerator.

4. Celia is very thrifty because she never tried to buy an item which ______________.

5. Teenagers usually ________________ and end up regretting it.

Here is a short story about the love of a mother to her child. You’ll find idiom definitions, example sentences, conversations, and a short quiz after reading the story.

Sarah was sitting in her bed, thinking of her child Emma. Suddenly, Emma came in and asked, “Hi, mom. I am looking for you because I like to hug you first before I hit the sack tonight.” 

Sarah smiled, hugged her daughter and replied, “Thank you for being such a lovely and obedient child.”

“It’s not rocket science to be an obedient child,” Sarah insisted. “I think I should be the one thankful as you never had the last straw no matter a perfect storm comes in anytime. I admire you for that, mom.”

Sarah smiled and said, “Emma, I am your mother, and I should be there for you no matter what happens. I make sure that you grow with a sense of responsibility and never miss the boat.”

Sarah and Emma went to bed with a smile.

Hit the sack

Meaning

• go to bed

Example Sentences

George always plans to hit the sack at nine o’clock in the evening.

Samuel thinks that he should better hit the sack as soon as his mother arrived.

A: You look so tired. You need to rest now.

B: Yes, I will. I am going to hit the sack after I finish my homework.

It’s not rocket science

Meaning

• something that is not difficult to do

Example Sentences

Going to the meeting on time is not rocket science.

Cleaning your house regularly is not rocket science.

A: I can’t think of other words anymore. I guess you win again.

B: It’s only a simple crossword, my friend. It is not rocket science.

The last straw

Meaning

• someone’s patience has run out

Example Sentences

People always wait for the last straw before they take action for their country.

Jerry is not going to wait for the last straw as he immediately reported his sister’s dishonesty to their mom.

A: I am sorry. I was not able to arrive on time.

B: You are always late, and this will be the last straw.

A perfect storm

Meaning

• a combination of challenging situations or events

Example Sentences

It’s almost a perfect storm if you studied all night for the whole semester, and yet you still get a failing score in your exam.

The governor is under a perfect storm of allegations about his performance and tax evasion issues.

A: How are you today? I heard about your company’s plan filing for bankruptcy.

B: Yes, that is correct. This will be a perfect storm for us as we are not sure about our job’s stability.

Miss the boat

Meaning

• to miss something or lose an opportunity due to being too slow

Example Sentences

Be sure that you will not miss the boat when you always pay attention to other things instead of studying for your exams.

Eden and her friends are always searching for better opportunities so that they will not miss the boat.

A: You are still jobless right now? What are your plans?

B: I am planning to enroll in some workshops to upgrade my knowledge and skills. I still believe I have not missed the boat.

Quiz

1. ______________ as early as you can so that you can wake up early tomorrow.

2. Learning how to cook rice is not _______________.

3. The neighborhood is noisy all night, so I need to report them as I am not going to wait for ________________.

4. My sister has always experienced ________________ in her work due to her poor time management skills.

5. Glenda always ________________ as she never prepares well in her job interview.