March Idioms

Although St. Patrick was the Patron Saint of Ireland, on the 17th of March, people from all over the United States have lots of parties and parades to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. On this day, those of Irish descent,  or simply those with Irish pride, celebrate Ireland’s heritage on t-shirts that might say: “Kiss me, I’m Irish” or “Luck of the Irish,” bars sell green beer, and lots of people wear green and luck charms, such as shamrocks.

 

Here are some common expressions having to do with LUCK:

beginner’s luck – when a new or inexperienced person has a great success; meaning it was luck rather than skill.
Example: -“Wow, he made that shot on his first professional game ever!”
– “It was just beginner’s luck.”

you’re in luck – used to describe a good situation for another person.
Example: “You’re in luck, this was the last pair in your size and in this color!”

better luck next time –  used after minor failures when someone attempts something but can’t
succeed.
Example: “Dude, she beat me at that new video game!”
“Oh, well. Better luck next time!”

just my luck – used sarcastically to say something was very unlucky.
Example: “I skipped school to go to the beach, and just my luck: it rained all day!”

pushing your luck – to try to extend the good luck or a good situation you’ve had and risk having a negative result or losing what you have so far.
Example: “ I was chosen out of the twenty who applied for the position so I accepted with the
starting salary they offered me because I thought asking for a higher starting salary would be
pushing my luck.”

the luck of the draw – the result of chance and you have no control over
Example: “Sometimes you have to wait for hours to see a doctor in the emergency room, other times you can see a doctor in 20 minutes. It’s just the luck of the draw.” 

try your luck – try to accomplish something even though you know you may not succeed
Example: “He is going to try his luck at Las Vegas casino.” 

 

 

 

Emotive Or Apathetic

As humans our emotions have surely evolved. From the time that we were lawless barbarians to the fair, just and humane civilians we call ourselves today. In general, we humans are conditioned from childhood to care for one another and also for other species as well. Parents and educators teach kids to respect wildlife, to not pick flowers, to love animals and always help peers and friends. As we grow into adulthood, so does our interest in others. We express empathy and kindness and do our best to reach out and help. Caring and morality has come to denote our civility.

But the sense of empathy and emotion are not widespread across the globe. when I look at the world, I feel emotions and kindness are analogous to a sense of comfort and wealth. In countries in which the majority of the population have a moderate net worth and have a greater level of education, tend to have greater emotional interest in the welfare of others. It’s evident that those struggling wouldn’t have the means or the interest in others. Families with meager income or those in developing countries are burdened with their own daily responsibilities and survival and unable to express the same level of empathy and care. However, the level of wealth doesn’t necessarily commensurate with emotion. There’s a point at which higher wealth leads to a sense of indifference and disconnect. The affluent become contemptuous and isolated from everyone else. They live, work, shop, dine and spend their time in manicured places where everyone’s desires are taken care of and there’s no exposure to anyone in need.  Anecdotally the wealthy, just as much as the impoverished, have the least sense of empathy and interest in others. In that sense, the affluent are quite like the insolvent in looking the other way in the face of need.

In the past few decades, the world has seen a decline in the number of middle class population. The rich, have certainly become much richer and the poor have equally become poorer and the middle class is being squeezed thin. Where then, does that leave us in our quest for emotion? If the rich and the poor alike are so engaged in their own lives to care about anyone else, our sense of empathy is being compromised. I wonder if it will survive and if not, will we become the inhumane, barbarians that we once were?

Susan Massoudnia

Love and Relationships Idioms

In February, there are several special dates observed or celebrated in the United States:
Groundhog Day, Lincoln’s Birthday, Rosa Parks Day, Presidents’ Day, Chinese New Year, and
the Super Bowl among others, but none is more popular than Valentine’s Day, which is celebrated by
approximately 54% of Americans. Considering that the population of the U.S. is 325.7
million… that’s a lot of people!

 

Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14. It is a day in which many people celebrate their
love for their partner. This includes giving cards, flowers, chocolate, jewelry, fancy gifts,
romantic dinners, and many other demonstrations of love. Here are some idioms connected with
love and relationships.

 

fix somebody up with somebody – to find a romantic partner for somebody
Example: I tried to fix him up with my friend, and he said he wasn’t looking for a relationship,
but the next time I saw him, he was engaged!

 

be an item – to have a romantic relationship
Example: I was surprised when I found out that they were an item.

 

love at first sight – to have strong feelings for somebody from the first moment you see them
Example: They met at a party and it was love at first sight. They started to go out and got
married six months later.

 

be head over heels – to be very much in love with somebody
Example: I never saw him so head over heels for any other girl.

 

lovey-dovey – to express love in public by constantly kissing and hugging
Example: They were all lovey-dovey at the movie theater.

 

pop the question – to ask somebody to marry you
Example: So, how did he pop the question?

 

tie the knot – to get married
Example: When did they tie the knot?

 

a match made in heaven – a couple that is great because they complement each other so well
Example: I think that their marriage will last; they’re really a match made in heaven.

Idioms – Knowledge

American English Idioms

An idiom is a phrase (group of words) that usually has a figurative meaning. The use of idioms is wide spread in the English language; native English speakers use idioms almost every day.  Therefore, studying idioms is critical for effective communication, whether in listening, speaking, reading, or writing.  Studying idioms not only improves your understanding of the English language but also gives you a deeper insight into American culture.  The idiomatic expressions (idioms) introduced are based on a theme chosen.

 

Idioms related to Knowledge

know for a fact – to know with a certainty

You often use the expression to emphasize your statement or point.

Example:

I know for a fact that Jane does not like Paul. Jane told me who she likes.

 

know (something) by heart – to have memorized something completely.

If you know something by heart, that means you have memorized it.

Example:

Mary does not need the lyrics for the song. She knows it by heart because she has heard it so many times.

Peter knows all the states in America by heart.

 

Know (something) backwards and forwards – to be very familiar with or knowledgeable of a subject

If you know something backwards and forwards, you really know about the subject well.

Example:

Jane knows about the operations of her company backwards and forwards.  She has worked there for many years.

 

learn the ropes/know the ropes –  learn or understand the basic skills to perform a task

The ropes here probably came from the complicated roping required for sailing ships. If you know the ropes of a task, you know the basic skills required to accomplish the task.

Example:

First learn the ropes by watching Jim who has many years of experience.  Then you will know the ropes.

 

Under one’s belt – 1) consumed (food or drink) 2) acquired (knowledge or experience)

Whatever you consume (eat) will be in your tummy (stomach); the food you eat eventually goes below your belt-line. The expression is often used for knowledge or experience you have acquired. It makes sense in that whatever you have eaten, it’s safely yours.

Example:

Please buy Paul something to eat so that he has some food under his belt. He’s very annoying when he’s hungry.

Once he figured out a few techniques under his belt, he out performed all his friends.

 

Do you have similar idioms in your own country related to the English idioms here?

Do you have good sample sentences for the idioms introduced here?

Please share to reinforce the idioms you’ve studied here. Study English by learning idioms regularly.