American Idioms

Gang up on: join to attack

e.g. They all gang up on the new student with verbal attacks.

By leaps and bounds: increase rapidly

e.g. Ever since the company’s makeover, the profits have increased by leaps and bounds.

Take the rap: take the blame or punishment for something one is not responsible

e.g. I’m not going to take the rap for something I have not done!

Strike someone’s fancy: appeal to someone

e.g. If you go to an online dating service, you may find a girlfriend who strikes your fancy.

Talk a blue streak: talk a lot and very rapidly

e.g. I didn’t understand what he was saying: he was talking a blue streak.

Stick one’s neck out: take a risk

e.g. If I were you, I wouldn’t stick my neck out for that ungrateful friend of yours

Get an in with: have influence with someone in authority

e.g. If you can get an in with the officials, you can park your car here.

Talk until one is blue in the face: talk a great deal

e.g. I talked until I was blue in the face, but she would not change her mind.

Tail wagging the dog: a situation in which a less important part is in control

e.g. In this coming election, the tail will be wagging the dog; that is, the minority will decide the outcome of the election

Buy something: believe

e.g. I don’t think I buy what you told me just now.

Take the bitter with the sweet: accept both the pleasant and the unpleasant

e.g. In life, one must take the bitter with the sweet.

Step on someone’s toes: offend

e.g. A public officer should avoid stepping on anyone’s toes.

By the skin of one’s teeth: just barely

e.g. I did not miss my plane; I made to the airport by the skin of my teeth.

Call someone on the carpet: scold or reprimand

e.g. If you late for work one more time, the manager will call you on the carpet.

Full of crap: talking nonsense all the time

e.g. I don’t like your friend; he’s full of crap.

Stephen Lau     

Copyright© by Stephen Lau