Exploring Common English Idioms

Jun 4, 2025

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Lecture Notes: English Idioms

Importance of Learning Idioms

  • Idioms are commonly used in casual conversation, movies, and TV shows.
  • Understanding idioms improves listening comprehension and vocabulary.
  • Useful for enhancing fluency and natural speaking.

Interactive English Channel

  • Presenter: Wes
  • Offers a speaking course to improve speaking skills: confidence, clarity, and naturalness.
  • Includes weekly speaking topics, vocabulary, idioms, language nuances, and pronunciation lessons.
  • Special discount available via link in the description.

Idioms Discussed

1. Turn Over a New Leaf

  • Meaning: To start fresh or new, change attitude or circumstances.
  • Example: "After losing his job, he decided to turn over a new leaf and start anew."

2. Autumn Years

  • Meaning: Refers to the later stage of life.
  • Example: "He is enjoying the autumn years of his life."

3. Drive Someone Nuts

  • Meaning: To make someone crazy or irritated.
  • Example: "The constant noise is driving me nuts."

4. Under the Weather

  • Meaning: Feeling slightly sick or unwell.
  • Example: "I'm feeling a bit under the weather today."

5. Neck of the Woods

  • Meaning: A particular area or neighborhood.
  • Example: "It's nice to see you in my neck of the woods."

6. Not Out of the Woods

  • Meaning: Not yet free from difficulties or danger.
  • Example: "We’re not out of the woods yet with this project."

7. Shaking Like a Leaf

  • Meaning: Trembling with fear or anxiety.
  • Example: "He was shaking like a leaf before his presentation."

8. Get Wind of Something

  • Meaning: To hear a rumor about something.
  • Example: "I got wind of the layoff rumors."

9. Apple of Someone's Eye

  • Meaning: A person who is greatly loved or cherished.
  • Example: "His daughter is the apple of his eye."

10. Cold Turkey

  • Meaning: To quit a habit suddenly.
  • Example: "He quit smoking cold turkey last week."

Sports Idioms

1. The Ball is in Your Court

  • Meaning: It is your responsibility to make a decision.
  • Example: "I've made my offer; the ball is in your court."

2. Get Off the Hook

  • Meaning: To escape from responsibility or a difficult situation.
  • Example: "She got off the hook when they dropped the charges."

3. Go to Bat for Someone

  • Meaning: To defend or support someone.
  • Example: "He went to bat for his colleague in the meeting."

4. Give it Your Best Shot

  • Meaning: To try your hardest.
  • Example: "Don't worry about the result, just give it your best shot."

5. The Home Stretch

  • Meaning: The final part of an activity or project.
  • Example: "We are in the home stretch of this renovation."

6. Not Up to Par

  • Meaning: Not meeting the required standards.
  • Example: "His work is not up to par this month."

7. Throw in the Towel

  • Meaning: To give up.
  • Example: "After three attempts, he finally threw in the towel."

8. Blindsided

  • Meaning: Caught off guard by something unexpected.
  • Example: "She was blindsided by the sudden news of her transfer."

9. Slam Dunk

  • Meaning: A sure thing, something easily done.
  • Example: "This deal is a slam dunk for the company."

10. Call the Shots

  • Meaning: To be in charge or make decisions.
  • Example: "In this project, she's calling the shots."

Miscellaneous Idioms

1. Beat Around the Bush

  • Meaning: Avoiding the main topic, speaking indirectly.
  • Example: "Stop beating around the bush and get to the point."

2. Bark Up the Wrong Tree

  • Meaning: To pursue a misguided course of action.
  • Example: "If you think I’m responsible, you’re barking up the wrong tree."

3. Go with the Flow

  • Meaning: To accept a situation without trying to change it.
  • Example: "I decided to go with the flow on this vacation."

4. Nip in the Bud

  • Meaning: To stop something at an early stage.
  • Example: "We need to nip this problem in the bud before it worsens."

5. Knock on Wood

  • Meaning: Hoping for good luck or avoiding bad luck.
  • Example: "I’ve never had an accident, knock on wood."

6. Living Under a Rock

  • Meaning: Unaware of significant events or news.
  • Example: "Have you been living under a rock? Everyone knows about this."

7. Grassroots

  • Meaning: The most basic level of an activity or organization.
  • Example: "Their campaign started as a grassroots movement."

Note: This lecture covers idioms related to various themes including seasons, sports, and common expressions, emphasizing their usage and examples for better understanding.

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