Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.
piggyback: sitting or being carried on someone’s back and shoulders
Example:
The toddler became tired due to the long hike, and begged to ride piggyback.
piggy bank: a small bank (sometimes in the shape of a pig) for saving money
Example:
If you really want that bike, you should put at least half your allowance in your piggy bank.
Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.
make a mountain out of a molehill: make something that is unimportant seem important
Example:
Every time the baby gets the sniffles, Karen rushes off to the doctor with him. She needs to relax, rather than keep making a mountain out of a molehill.
monkey business: unethical or bad activity, mischief
Example:
I understand why Hank is so willing to ignore all the monkey business his nephew is involved in, but doesn’t he realize it will ruin his business?
Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.
look a gift horse in the mouth: complain if a gift is not perfect
Example:
So what if you had to ride in the back of the pickup truck? At least you didn’t have to walk – don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
look like the cat that swallowed the canary: look very self-satisfied, look as if one just had a great success
Example:
She looks like the cat that swallowed the canary – I heard she’s planning on divorcing her husband, and suing to get her hands on his wealth.
Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.
live high on the hog: have the best of everything
Example:
After barely getting by for years, Steve won the lottery and has been living high on the hog ever since.
lock the barn door after the horse has been stolen: be careful or try to make something certain after it is too late
Example:
After the scandal broke, the politician tried to minimize damage to his reputation by promising to make all his campaign finances public. That’s like locking the barn door after the horse has been stolen, as far as I’m concerned.
Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.
let sleeping dogs lie: don’t make trouble if you don’t have to
Example:
I know you’re tempted to step in and bail your son out, but it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie. He’ll have to learn the hard way.
let the cat out of the bag: tell something that is supposed to be a secret
Example:
Bob and Mary weren’t planning on telling anyone yet that they were going to have another child, but their son let the cat out of the bag.
Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.
kangaroo court: a self-appointed group that decides what to do to someone who is supposed to have done wrong.
Example:
Tom has no hope for true justice – that kangaroo court will take one look at the manufactured evidence and convict him on the spot, I fear.
lead a dog’s life: work hard and be treated unkindly
Example:
Cinderella led a dog’s life when her stepmother and stepsisters came on the scene.
Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.
in a pig’s eye: hardly, unlikely, not so
Example:
Bob pay for dinner? In a pig’s eye! If I were you, I’d take some money, because you’ll no doubt have to pay your own way.
in the doghouse: in disgrace or disfavor
Example:
Marty couldn’t make it to our weekly poker game. He’s in the doghouse because he didn’t take care of his “honey-do” list last weekend.
Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.
horse sense: wisdom in making decisions
Example:
It doesn’t take much horse sense to see that kids need to run and play outside more, instead of spending most of their time staring at a video game.
horse trade: hard and skillful bargaining
Example:
Jack is so good at horse trading that he was able to get the travel agent to give us three extra nights at the resort for free.
Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.
horse around: rough or noisy play
Example:
The lifeguard kicked out the boys who were horsing around on the diving board.
horse of a different color: something totally separate and different
Example:
You’re planning on going to State U. instead of Harvard? That’s really a horse of a different color.
Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.
hold one’s horses: wait, be patient
Example:
I know you’re hungry, but you’ll have to hold your horses – supper won’t be ready for another half hour.
holy cow: used to express strong feelings like astonishment, pleasure or anger
Example:
Holy cow, you guys are making so much noise I can’t think! Turn it down, ok?