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Penny
wise, dollar foolish
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In the money sense, this describes
someone who is cautious about spending small amounts of money but is reckless
when spending large amounts. In a non-money sense, this describes someone who
is careful in small matters but incautious
when tending to larger matters. "Paul is penny wise and dollar foolish in both
senses of this expression !"
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Play
a waiting game
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In a situation or an activity in
which a person plays a waiting game,
hewithholds action -- or actions -- until his
chances for success improve or seem certain. "Tony would like
to be team captain. Meanwhile, he's playing a waiting game hoping the coach
will recognize his great talent."
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Play
possum
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The possum ( or oppossum ) is a
small animal that pretends to be dead when it is threatened. People play possum when they hide from unpleasant things or avoid responsibilities by
pretending they know nothing about them, " We can't play possum and hope
our problems will disappear," the sales manager warned.
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Play
up
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Play up can mean (1) something
that causes trouble or annoyance, or (2) to give special attention to something.
"I'm worried that all this exercise will cause my sore leg to play
up." ( Cause annoyance ) "The newspapers played up the story about
a little boy being carried away by a kite." ( Gave it special attention
)
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A
pretty penny
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This is one of the prettiest
idioms in the English language. Some people might even think it's beautiful.
Why ? Because a pretty penny means lots and lots of money !" Max has a
new car. He must be earning a pretty penny." "I'm saving my money.
It's going to cost me a pretty penny to fly to Europe this summer,"
Jenny said.
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A
price on someone's head
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When a person has a price on his head it's because he is
wanted by someone -- and the reason he's wanted is because he is considered a criminal. In this expression,
"price" means a reward. "The police are looking for a guy with
a patch over one eye. They've placed a large price on his head.
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Promise
the moon
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Here's a riddle : what does a
politician campaigning for office have in common with a young man in love ?
Answer : they are both likely to promise the
moon. That is, they make generous promises
that aren't likely to be fulfilled. "Don't promise the moon,
Henry. Just tell me you'll love me forever," Cathy sighed.
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Put
someone on a pedestal
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People we respect or think of as
heroes often end up as statues in parks and museums. The base of a statue is
called a pedestal. Metaphorically, to admire
a person to an extreme degree is to put him on a pedestal. "I think Alvin and
Susan have put their teacher on a pedestal."
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Read
oneself to sleep
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Mrs. Maple is reading herself to sleep. She's doing what many
people do torelax their minds and put themselves
in a calm state before turning out the lights and going to sleep.
"I'm reading my autobiography," Mrs. Maple yawned. "I find
it's an ideal book to read oneself to sleep."
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Rogue's
gallery
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Officer Snupp has been a policeman
for many years and in that time he has met a lot of dishonest citizens.
That's the reason he ahs such an extensive rogue's gallery in his office. A
rogue is a wicked person and a rogue's
gallery is a police file of
photographs of dangerous or undesirable people.
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Sing
for one's supper
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In this expression,
"supper" can mean money, food, or a home to live in.
"Sing" means about the same as "to work". Therefore, the
expression says that one mustwork to have what
one desires. "Long ago I learned that I would have to sing for my supper if I wanted to
succeed," Benny said.
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A
skeleton in the closet
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A closely kept secret that, if revealed, would be a source of shame to a
person, a family, a group -- or even to a country or government. Except for
Emma, no one knows that her husband had once been in prison. The secret
remains a skeleton in the closet and
Emma, of course never talks about it.
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Speak
with a forked tongue
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Things that are forked are divided
into two or more branches. A person speaking
with a forked tongue, however, is saying
one thing while thinking something else. In other words, he is
lying. "Long ago I learned not to believe any of Rod's promises. He speaks
with a forked tongue."
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Square
deal
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Robert has just sold a very
original work of art to Mr. Kane. Mr. Kane is convinced he's made a square deal. Robert is happy because he's sure
he has received a square deal for his masterpiece. A square deal is a fair and honest agreement or business transaction.
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Status
symbol
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Some people believe that possessing certain material objects are signs of prestige
or success or wealth. Things that fall into this category -- like
expensive watches or fancy cars -- are called status symbols. "A new car might be a status symbol to a
bank manager, while a pair of designer jeans may be a status symbol to his
secretary," Philip explained.
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Steal
the show
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A person stealing the show takes attention away from an important actor ( in a play ) or
gets more notice than a prominent personality ( at an event such as a party,
meeting, etc ) "Lucy gave a wonderful performance but an unknown
comedian stole the show with his funny jokes."
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Sweets
for the sweet
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If we reworded this expression to
read, "I am giving something sweet to
someone who is very sweet," perhaps you would understand why
it is used when giving sweets or candy to a person -- especially to a child
or a young girl -- considered sweet and wonderful. "The rest of this is
for you, Jessie. Sweets for the sweet,"
Jerard said.
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Take
pains
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To take pains is to give
careful attention -- or make a special effort -- to do something thoroughly
and correctly. At his circus performances, for instance, Ranjit
takes pains to see that his act is genuine and worth watching. "I also
take pains to see that I don't injure myself," Ranjit muttered.
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Talk
a mile a minute
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Sybil is a continuous talker. When
Winston bought a new motorbike he thought he might be able to silence her.
But no. Fast a she goes, she still talks a
mile a minute. To talk a mile a minute is to talk on and on rapidly.
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Crack
of dawn
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"I know Sean likes to get up
early but this is ridiculous !" he cat cried. "Look, he's getting
up at the crack of dawn !" What the cat is complaining about is that
Sean is getting up just as the sky is
showing the first light of day that is called the crack of dawn.
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The
old guard
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The people who have been
associated with a group for a long time and support its ideals and policies
are referred to as the old guard.
Usually they are old, powerful, and their
ideas may be out of date. "There won't be any changes in
company policy as long as the old guard still works here." Frank
complained.
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The
world is someone's oyster
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Shakespeare used this remark in
one of his plays. If he were alive today there's no doubt the world would be
his oyster for it means to be able to do
whatever or go wherever one wants in life. Having luck and some
money would be an advantage, of course. "I've just sold a play ! The world's my oyster," William cried.
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Time
and time again
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Time and again Oliver's parents
warned him about playing in the sand near the clock factory. Oliver didn't
heed their warnings .. and that's why time
and time again he finds himself riding back and forth inside
an hourglass. Time and ( time ) again means often or on many occasions.
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A
tongue twister
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If you can say "Certain
savory soaring insects sailing skyward at the seaside certainly cause Cecil
confusion" without making a mistake, you have just done something Cecil
can't do. That is, you have said a tongue twister. A tongue twister is a sentence, phrase or word that is difficult to say
without making an error.
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Tourist
trap
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A shop, a restaurant, a
bar, or any place that uses tourists greedily to profit from them is called a tourist
trap. "Wilcox returned from Miami saying it was a terrible
tourist trap." "Kitty and Floyd visited a tourist trap in Paris
where they were charged $250 for just two drinks !"
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Turn
over a new leaf
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Walter was greedy. He ate so much
he couldn't move. Then a bird swooped down and ate him. Walter's last words
were, "If I could live my life again, I'd turn over a new leaf and learn
to control my appetite !" "To turn
over a new leafis to change one's
way of acting or thinking in order to improve oneself.
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Turn
the tables
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In this illustration we see that
the cook and the waitress have grown tired of working. Today they have turned
the tables on their customers and are insisting that they wait on them. To turn the tables is to change a situation completely around so that you gain an
advantage over those who once had an advantage over you. ( In
this idiom, it's always tables -- never table )
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Under
someone's spell
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There's something so enchanting,
so compelling, so overwhelming about her that Marvin has come under Lizzie's
spell. If you should ever be near Lizzie, be careful ! To be under someone' spell is to be unable to resist his or her influence. "I
can't explain it but Lizzie has me under her spell," Marvin sighed.
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Use
one's head
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It seems to me if I use my head I
should be able to think of a way to get out of this place," Albert
thought. Apparently Albert doesn't know that to use one's head is to use one's mind to think intelligently. "Give
me some help, "Albert said. I've used my head and have thought of a way
to get out of here."
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Walk
a tightrope
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This idiom originated with
acrobats who perform dangerous acts on tightropes. When someone walks a tightrope he's in an awkward or hazardous situation where he cannot afford
to make mistake. "I walk a tightrope trying to please my
boss, keep the audience happy, and not make any errors," Eric sighed.
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Walls
have ears
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If you have a secret or
information that you'd like to keep private, it's well to take care how you
reveal it to someone. Walls have ears.
It is said and too often our most intimate
conversations have a way of being overheard. "Pass this
on to Julia -- but be careful about it. Remember, the walls have ears,"
Agnes whispered.
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Never
take no for an answer
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Mandy is a very, very determined
girl. When she wants something she usually gets it for she will not take no for an answer. People like
Mandy refuse to pay attention when a person
says "No !" "Hurry along, Harry. You know I never
take no fro an answer," Mandy smiled.
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Work
hand in glove
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"We've got a new patient
today," the doctor said, "but working hand in glove we'll soon have
him well and on his feet, nurse." what the doctor is saying is that by
working together he and the nurse will accomplish the tasks, for to work hand in glove means to work in close partnership with someone.
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Worlds
apart
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I thought we all lived in one
world. This idiom, though, says that there is more than one. What's more, to
be worlds apart means to be completely different or in total disagreement. "The
twins look alike but their characters are worlds apart." "Jack and
Anna never agree on anything. They're worlds apart in their thinking."
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Worth
one's/its weight in gold
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Winnie is so proud ! She says her
new baby ( it's her first ! ) is such a wonderful little fellow that he's worth his weight in gold. What Winnie means is
that her child is exceedingly valuable.
"A little silence in the house world be worth its weight in gold to
me," her husband sighed.
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Worth
one's salt
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Long ago workers were paid wages
in salt. In fact, our word salary comes from the Latin word for salt. From
that, a person worth his salt is very worthy, either because he has a good
character or because he is a competent and valuable worker. "You're sure
worth your salt here," the boss said to Ryan.
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Chips
are down ( the )
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A point during an
important situation when you are forced to make a decision or take action.
A : I heard about a woman who
survived a plane crash in the jungle and had to live for three weeks on worms
and insects ! I could never do that -- I'd rather starve to death.
B : I disagree. I think that if the chips were down you'd eat anything.
A : Perhaps you're right. After
all I do eat your cooking !
This expression originates from
gambling. Bets are sometimes placed in the form of plastic counters called
chips. when the chips are down or placed on the table the game is at a
critical point because the players have committed heir money.
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Eat
humble pie
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Be very submissive
after regretting an action or words
A : Last week Charles accused his
new secretary, Fiona, of stealing his wallet. It disappeared from his
briefcase during lunchtime.
B : How awful ! I expect she lost
her job immediately.
A : No, Charles gave her a pay
rise. The next day he found his wallet at home. It hadn't been stolen after
all, so he had to eat humble pie all
week and offer Fiona more money before she agreed to stay !
In the Middle Ages umbles were the
unpleasant but edible parts of a deer which were cooked in a pie. The best
deer meat was eaten by the rich, whereas the umble pie was eaten by their
servants who were of a lower social class. Over time the word umble became
confused with the word humble which means meek or submissive to give the
current expression. It is often used in the following forms, have to eat
humble pie and make someone eat humble pie.
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Blow
hot and cold
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Continually change
one's mind about something/someone
A : I can't understand it. First
my wife says she wants to go to Paris with me and then she doesn't. Why do
you think she's blowing hot and cold ?
B : Well it's a lovely romantic
idea to take her there but perhaps she's worried that it will cost you a lot
of money -- hotels, air tickets, restaurants ... you know.
A : No, it can't be that. She'll
be paying for everything !
This expression originates from
one of the famous fable written by the ancient Greek author, Aesop. The story
is about a man who meets a demon in a wood. The man blows on his hands to
warm them and so the demon invites him home and gives him a bowl of hot soup.
When the man starts blowing on his soup to cool it the demon is terrified and
throws him out of the house. The reason is that he is frightened of anything
which can blow hot and cold from the same mouth !
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Like
water off a duck's back
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Be unaffected by an
unpleasant experience
A : Anita, the ageing ballerina,
is starring in a new production of 'San Lake'. All the newspaper critics said
she was too old and should retire.
B : Oh dear, I'm sure Miss Anita
was very upset when she read the reviews.
A : No, the comments were like water off a duck's back to Anita. She
invited all the critics to her house and told them she was still the best
dancer in the world !
It's very common to shorten the
saying by omitting like. E.g. : It was water off a duck's back to
Anita.
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Run
the gauntlet of something/someone
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Suffer an
attack/pressure/criticism
A : Did you hear about Freda ?
Apparently she had to run the gauntlet ofdozens
of newspaper reporters when she arrived at a charity dinner in a real fur
coat.
B : But lots of people wear real
fur, why did they decide to pick on Freda.
A : Well, the dinner was in aid of
the local animal rights group !
Although gauntlet is an English
word meaning glove, this expression has nothing to do with either England or
gloves. It originates from the Swedish expression, gatlopp ( gata means gate
and lopp means course ) which was a military punishment in the 17th century.
Two lines of soldiers would stand facing each other and hit the punished man
as he ran between them. Now running the gauntlet can refer to any situation
which is unpleasant to bear because of the way you are treated.
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Grasp
the nettle
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Deal with a problem
quickly and directly even though it may require some courage
A : I borrowed Harry's best suit
for a job interview. Unfortunately, afterwards I spilt black ink on it and
now it's ruined.
B : My advice is to grasp the nettle and tell Harry what's
happened. The longer you don't tell him about it the more angry he'll be when
he finds out.
A : Yes, You're right -- I must do
it. But how do I tell him about the interview ? It was for his job !
A nettle is a plant which grows
wild and can sting if touched. The only way to avoid being hurt is to take
hold of it quickly and grasp it firmly. Obviously this takes some courage !
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Blue
stocking
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A woman who is very
intellectual or academic
A : My brother's fiancee is
definitely a blue stocking --
quite honestly I'm surprised she wants to marry him. Sam left school at
fourteen and has never read a book in his life !
B : That's true, but on the other
hand he does look like that tall, handsome actor, Tom Hank !
Lady Elizabeth Montagu lived in
London during the 18th century and held 'intellectual' parties at her home.
Instead of gambling and gossiping, the guests listened to lectures given by
learned people. A favourite speaker was the academic Benjamin Stillingfleet
who talked about natural history and always wore blue stockings. As
intellectual parties became popular, blue stocking clubs started all over
London and their members wore blue stockings in admiration of Stillingfleet.
The reason that the expression is
now only used to describe women may be because of the evolution of stockings.
In the 18th century these were garments for both men and women. today,
stockings are only worn by women.
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Up
to scratch
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Be of an acceptable
/desired standard
A : I think you should go to the
optician and find out if your eyesight is up
to scratch.
B : Why do you say that ?
A : Well last week I saw you
talking to a lamp-post and asking it round for dinner !
Boxing was a common sport during
the 18th and 19th centuries, but the rules were very different from those of
today. The fight was not divided into bouts of a few minutes but continued
non-stop until one of the men was knocked to the floor. Both fighters then
had to go to a mark which had been scratched in the middle of the ring. If a
man had been so badly injured that he could not come up to scratch within
thirty seconds, he lost the fight and his opponent won.
The expression is often used in
the negative -- for example, She wanted to be a singer but her voice wasn't
up to scratch.
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