Definition:
This means that one has put more food on their plate than they can eat.
Example:
Wife to husband at dinner – “I served myself way too much food. I think my eyes were bigger than my stomach.”
Definition:
This means that one has put more food on their plate than they can eat.
Example:
Wife to husband at dinner – “I served myself way too much food. I think my eyes were bigger than my stomach.”
Definition:
This means to work very hard to accomplish something or to please someone.
Example:
Singer to director – “You will not be disappointed in hiring me. You can depend on me at any time. I will bend over backwards to make this production a big, big success!
Definition:
This refers to a warning or mild punishment that is not severe.
Example:
Father – “I am grounding our son for a week because he went to a party again without our permission.”
Mother – “That punishment is just a slap on the wrist. He needs to be grounded for two weeks, no cell phone use and no allowance.”
Definition:
This idiom is used to describe a strong verbal disagreement between two people.
Example:
Father – “I can hear those two girls arguing from across the street.”
Mother – “Your daughters have been at each at each other’s throats all morning, arguing about whose turn it is to clean the bathroom.”
Definition:
Normally used with the verbs cost, pay, and charge. It means that something is much too expensive for your budget.
Example:
Friend (1) – “I love your handbag. The leather is so soft and the color is beautiful!”
Friend (2) – “Thank you. I love it too, but it cost me an arm and a leg. Now I can’t afford to pay my rent for the month!”
Definition:
This saying is used to describe someone who is upset about something that happened in the past and holds a grudge. This person usually is argumentative and seems to be angry most of the time.
Example:
College friend A – “What is Jack’s problem? All I said was that my father helped me buy a used car for my birthday and he got angry and said I was just spoiled and lazy.”
College friend B – “Jack has never had a good relationship with his father, and he resents us for still having good relationships with our fathers. He has a real big chip on his shoulder and is unpleasant most of the time which is why people don’t want to be around him.”
Definition:
This means that one is not well-coordinated physically especially with the hands.
Example:
Teenage boy (to guitarist) – “Wow, you can really play those chords! I’m just all thumbs when I play the guitar.”
Definition:
When someone is living a long distance from family and friends, they realize how much they miss these people in their lives.
Example:
Friend A – “I think Sam will forget all about me once he settles down with his new job in the city. He may not come back for me after all.”
Friend B – “I know he’ll be back for you sooner than you think…remember that absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
Definition:
When you start a new job at a low level, it is still an opportunity to work up to a higher level of responsibility.
Example:
Friend A – “I just got hired today at XYZ Company as a filing clerk .”
Friend B – “Congratulations! That’s a great way to get your foot in the door and work towards becoming a manager.”