Type:
idiom
(idiom) regular, boring, common, worthless
Example Sentences:
Rude people in New York City are a dime a dozen. Everywhere you go, there are rude people!
A: Do you like my new car? It’s a Honda Civic.
B: Um, it’s alright. It’s a dime a dozen, though. Everyone has one.
A: I hate you.
English teachers in Korea are a dime a dozen. There are so many English speakers here!
Media:
(idiom) something that you begin to like after trying it many times.
(idiom) usually said after pulling a prank on someone on April 1st
Example Sentences:
Teenager: Mom, dad, I’m pregnant!
Mom: What? I don’t believe it!
Teenager: April fool’s! I’m just kidding!
(idiom) at a point in one’s life where important decisions about the future must be made
Example Sentences:
Thomas was at a crossroads when he had to decide between going to law school, medical school, or barber college.
When my boyfriend asked me to marry him, I felt like I was at a crossroads, and I didn’t know what to do!
Media:
Click to hear a native speaker pronounce at Forvo.com
(idiom) to be confused, overwhelmed, and unsure what to do
Example Sentences:
The confused student was at her wits’ end because she didn’t know what to do after graduation.
A: Are you okay?
B: No, I’m at my wits’ end!
A: Why?
B: I think my boyfriend is seeing another girl secretly!
A: Oh no!
Shawn’s wife left him, his children are always misbehaving, and he just got fired. He is at his wits’ end, and he doesn’t know what to do!
(idiom) an idea has to go back to the beginning because it was unsuccessful
(idiom) nonsense
Example Sentences:
A: Did you hear the news?
B: What news?
A: I’ve got a date tonight. With Angelina Jolie!
B: That’s baloney.
The salesman was talking baloney when he told the woman that his new vacuum could clean her whole house in 5 minutes.
(idiom) to vomit a lot, to be very sick
Example Sentence:
On the weekend I got sick and barfed my guts up!
A: Where is Thomas?
B: He is barfing his guts up in the washroom because he drank too much tequila!
If I eat that fish I will barf my guts up! I am allergic to fish!
Media:
(idiom) to make the wrong choice when thinking about two or more options
Example Sentences:
The boss always barks up the wrong tree every time there is a problem. She always gets mad at the wrong department.
My mother barked up the wrong tree when she accused me of stealing. It was my sister!
If you think that I ate your food, you’re barking up the wrong tree. I wasn’t even home this weekend!
If he’s planning to go to Law school, he’s barking up the wrong tree by studying medicine.
Media:
Click to hear a native speaker pronounce at Forvo.com
(idiom) something is more easily talked about than actually done
(idiom) I have no idea
Example Sentence:
A: What is the capital of Canada?
B: Beats me.
A: Try and guess.
B: Toronto?
A: No, it’s Ottawa.
Boyfriend: What time does the movie start?
Girlfriend: Beats me.
Boyfriend: We’d better find out or we will be late.
(idiom) someone slowly starts to realize or understand something
(idiom) at a serious disadvantage
Example Sentences:
A: How are things at your new job?
B: Well, I’m behind the eight ball because everyone speaks Portuguese except me!
A: That’s unlucky!
The young baseball player was behind the eight ball because he was the smallest member of his team.
Media:
(slang) (idiom) I bet you
Example Sentences:
Betcha can’t lift 200 kilos like I can!
A: My new boyfriend is so handsome and successful.
B: Is he?
A: Yeah. He is a model and has his own business.
B: Betcha my boyfriend is better than yours! He’s an actor and lawyer!
Media:
(idiom) something that seems terrible, but actually produces positive results
(idiom) good luck!
Example Sentences:
A: I have a presentation to do today!
B: Break a leg! I hope it goes well!
The actor was told to break a leg as he prepared to go on stage.
From the News:
Break a leg, say gamblers, as Mills enters dance contest
Media:
(idiom) let’s see how good you are
Example Sentences:
The football team challenged their rivals to bring it on as they ran onto the field.
A: Your girlfriend is ugly.
B: What did you say?
A: I said, she’s ugly.
B: Do you want to fight?
A: Bring it on!!
Note:
bring it on is usually used before challenging someone to a competition or fight
Media:
(idiom) a brief moment where a person is famous
Example Sentences:
The happy young man had a brush with fame when he appeared on the news.
I had a brush with fame when I put that video up on You Tube! I got 2000 views!
(idiom) to be acting in a depressed way
Example Sentence:
I’m sorry I’ve been so bummed lately. I’m just upset because my girlfriend left me.
Anna is bummed because her father just died.
Media:
Related:
(idiom) to be acting in a depressed way
Example Sentence:
I’m sorry I’ve been so bummed out lately. I’m just upset because my girlfriend left me.
Anna is bummed out because her father just died.
Media:
(idiom) to go to bed very late and wake up very early to do a lot of work
(idiom) to go to bed very late and wake up very early to do a lot of work
(idiom) with extremely quick progress
Example Sentence:
My English has improved by leaps and bounds since I started studying at PLI.
Sally’s health improved by leaps and bounds after she started exercising.
Media:
Click to hear a native speaker pronounce.
(idiom) to decide that something is equal and even
Example Sentence:
A: You owe me $50 for dinner.
B: Well, you owe me $55 for dessert.
A: I think we should call it a wash. Let’s go to our movie!
Media:
(idiom) to decide that something is equal and even
Example Sentence:
A: You owe me $50 for dinner.
B: Well, you owe me $55 for dessert.
A: I think we should call it even. Let’s go to our movie!
Media:
Related:
(idiom) something is too difficult or complicated for someone to understand
Example Sentences:
A: Do you ever wonder if God is real?
B: That stuff is so difficult I can’t make heads or tails of it.
Before the Olympics, Angelina tried to learn how to speak Chinese. Unfortunately, she couldn’t make heads or tails of it, and she quit after only 3 weeks.
A: What do you think of the new professor?
B: I can’t make heads or tails of his teaching style. I can’t understand what he’s talking about.
Michael can’t make heads or tails of Physics.
From the Blogs:
Can’t make heads or tails of this coin
Media:
(idiom) can’t figure out or understand something
Example Sentences:
A: Something is different about you, but I can’t put my finger on it.
B: I got a haircut.
A: That’s it! You look fabulous!
The rice tasted different, but I couldn’t put my finger on why. Then I realized that I forgot to add the salt!
Media:
(idiom) found in an embarrassing situation
Example Sentences:
I drank too much at our work party last week. I got caught with my pants down when the boss saw me! I was so embarrassed!
My roommate was caught with his pants down when my girlfriend accidentally saw him naked in the shower.
Mark caught me with my pants down when he came into the bathroom without knocking.
Media:
(idiom) a change from one type of activity to another,
Example Sentence:
A: I’m bored.
B: Well, how about a change of pace. Why don’t we go to a movie?
I decided I needed a change of pace, so I chose a new career.
Related:
(idiom) a way of expressing thanks
Example Sentences:
Cheers! Thanks for your question! We’ll email you back soon!
Media:
(idiom) a way to express good wishes, especially before drinking
Example Sentences:
Let’s all wish Sally a happy birthday. Cheers everyone!
Tom shouted “Cheers!!” and everyone had a drink of wine.
Media:
(idiom) completely remove yourself from a bad situation
Example Sentences:
The girl knew her boyfriend was a loser, so she ended their relationship to get a clean break.
Employee 1: I heard you’re quitting.
Employee 2: Yeah, I am.
Employee 1: Why?
Employee 2: I’m sick of being a lawyer.
Employee 1: Are you going to get a new job with another law firm?
Employee 2: No, I want a clean break. I’m going to go back to school to become an English teacher.
Employee 1: Fantastic!
Media:
(idiom) sudden nervousness about something you have to do
Example Sentences:
The groom got cold feet before the wedding, and his friends had to calm him down.
Mike wanted to give the speech at the conference, but he got cold feet at the last second, and was unable to speak.
Media:
(idiom) I don’t believe you
Example Sentence:
You’re going to Jamaica for your vacation? Come off it, are you serious?
Media:
(idiom) to support someone during a difficult situation
Example Sentence:
Son: Dad, I was driving on the highway and I got a flat tire. Can you pick me up?
Dad: Don’t worry, son. I’ll come through for you! I’ll be there soon!
I really came through for my friend when I helped her get out of trouble with the police.
Media:
(idiom) being forced to wait for something
Example Sentences:
Customer: I would like to buy an iPhone right now, please.
Employee: I’m sorry, but you have to cool your heels, sir. Lots of people have been waiting longer than you.
Sharon cooled her heels in a park while waiting for her boyfriend to pick her up.
A: Are you ready to go to the beach?
B: I can’t. I’m cooling my heels until my mom comes home so I can borrow her car.
A: Hurry up!
Media:
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