Idioms
are words and phrases in a language that have come into existence for a variety
of reasons, some obvious enough, some inexplicable, but most of them
appropriately and delightfully characteristic of the race that created them.
Hit the
nail on the head: do exactly the right thing
e.g.
Your remark hit the nail on the head; that was precisely the
solution to the problem.
Flash
in the pan: only temporary
e.g.
His initial success was only a flash in the pan.
Keep a straight face: refrain
from laughing
e.g. It’s difficult to keep
a straight face when someone
acts so funny.
Add
insult to injury: make things worse
e.g.
Enough is enough! Don’t add insult to injury.
Have it
coming: deserve what one gets
e.g.
Failure was unavoidable. What you did had it coming.
After hours:
after normal working hours
e.g. We are so busy that many of us have to stay after hour.
Just as
well: good that an unexpected problem has come up
e.g. It
was just as well the customer didn’t show up; we didn’t have
anything ready for him.
Pitch
in: help and get busy
e.g. We
need help for this project; would you like to pitch in?
Play
both ends against the middle: gain an advantage by pitting
people on opposite sides of an issue against each other
e.g. In
American politics, it is not common for politicians to play both ends
against the middle to win their elections.
Quick
on the uptake: quick to understand; smart
e.g. He
is quick on the uptake; you don’t need to give him unnecessary
details.
All thumbs: awkward
and clumsy with one’s fingers
e.g. She will not learn to play the piano because she
knows her fingers are all
thumbs.
Make
headway: make progress or advancement
e.g.
Despite our effort, we have made little headway with our
business.
Actions
speak louder than words: do something about it, not just talking
about it
e.g.
Show me what you have done! Actions speak louder than words.
Have
one’s fingers in the pie: become involved in something
e.g. As
long as you have your fingers in the pie, things will not run smoothly.
Abide
by: accept and follow
e.g. If
you wish to become a citizen of the United States , you must abide by U.S.
Stephen Lau
Copyright©
by Stephen Lau
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