Learning American Idioms

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. American idioms are no exception; they reflect American culture at every social level. They are used in everyday life, in speaking and in writing, in movies and on television, and by people from all walks of life. Some of them may be unfamiliar even to some Americans, especially ESL (English as a Second Language) learners.

The following are examples of common American idioms:

In the hole: in debt

e.g. You are always in the hole because you spend too much.

Let bygones be bygones: forget all past wrongdoings

e.g. After all these years, she will not let bygones be bygones: she still holds me responsible for the tragic car accident.

Late in the day: kind of late

e.g. Don’t you think it’s late in the day to change your tactics?

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.

Put in a good word for someone: say something in support of

e.g. I hope you will put in a good word for me when you see the manager.

After a fashion: somehow or somewhat

e.g. I play the piano after a fashion—well, not a concert pianist.

Drop the ball: make a mistake; fail in some way

e.g. I just can’t rely on you to do anything. You always drop the ball.

Keep someone posted: keep in touch; keep someone up to date

e.g. When you go to college, I expect you to keep us posted every now and then.

Live out of a suitcase: travel a lot

e.g. I am just tired of living out of a suitcase for so many years.

Play second fiddle: assume a less important position

e.g. I hate to play second fiddle to you, who get all the credit.

Everyday American Idioms: In this book, there are approximately 900 American idioms selected for ESL learners to provide them with a better understanding of American English. Learn them so that you may know what they mean when they are used by Americans, and use them in their right context in your speaking and writing in your daily contacts with Americans.

Each American idiom comes with a simple explanation followed by one or more examples, showing you how to use it. Make an effort to learn ten American idioms a day, and then review what you have learned over the weekend. Then proceed to learning another ten, and so on and so forth. You may not remember all the American idioms that you have learned, but, rest assured, they will come back to you when you hear them in your social contacts with Americans.

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau