American Idioms and Phrases Just for Fun 1

1— About

		You probably already know the preposition about, which has a meaning similar to concerning or of.

		This is a story about a family of lions.

		It can also mean approximately.

		His daughter is about eighteen years old.

		The word about also has a very special usage. It tells that someone or something is ready to begin an action. Note that in this usage it is followed by an infinitive.

		John's father was about to leave for work when the phone rang. The film is about to start.

		2— Abroad/To Go Abroad

		This phrase says that someone is traveling to another country.

		Maria and John love to go abroad. Their favorite city is Paris.

		When abroad is used with other verbs, it shows that someone is located in a foreign country.

		Her brother is still abroad. My parents have been living abroad for five years.

		3— To Be Afraid

		You already know that to be afraid means that someone feels fear. But it is also often used to show regret.

		I'm afraid I can't help you today.

		4— All of a Sudden

		This phrase is similar to the more common adverb suddenly, and can almost always be used in place of it.

		All of a sudden there was a loud knocking at the door.

5— All Over

		This phrase is used in place of over when it is standing alone, and has the meaning of ended or completed.

Unfortunately, their relationship is all over. (ended) It's all over. We can go home now. (completed)

		6— Not All There

		This phrase says that someone is weak-minded or somewhat unable to think clearly. In a crueler sense it means crazy.

		He spoke strangely. He did not seem to be quite all there.

		7— To Answer

		This word is usually used as the opposite of ask or question. As an idiom it is used mostly in three ways:

		1. Someone hears a knock at the door, goes to it, and opens it.

		It was John who answered the door.

		2. The telephone rings, and someone picks up the receiver.

		After the third ring, Grandmother answered the phone.

		3. The doorbell is rung, and someone opens the door.

		I'm in the shower. Someone else will have to answer the bell.

		8— To Be Aware (Of)

		This phrase says that the speaker already knows about something. Use the preposition of when the phrase is followed by a noun or pronoun.

		Why must you remind me that it's raining? I'm aware of the storm. Jim wasn't aware that his shoes were untied.

		9— To Get on the Ball

		This amusing little phrase says that someone needs to improve something.

		Your work is so sloppy. Get on the ball! Tom has been too lazy. He needs to get on the ball.

10— To Make a Beeline For

		Use this idiom to mean that someone is headed directly toward some place. It also often suggests that speed or haste is involved.

		Jack was hungry. He made a beeline for the cafeteria.

		A PHRASE JUST FOR FUN

		ALL THAT

		This is a very youthful expression to say that someone is very good-looking. And it can be used with either men or women.

		Anna is so pretty! She's really all that!

		Stop bragging. You're not all that.

		11— On Behalf Of/On Someone's Behalf

		This phrase says that someone is doing something for someone else or in the place of someone else.

		Mr. Brown cannot be here tonight, so I''ll be speaking on his behalf. On behalf of all the graduates, allow me to thank you.

		12— To Bet One's Bottom Dollar

		Use this expression to say that you are absolutely certain about something, so certain that you would bet your last dollar.

		I'd bet my bottom dollar that the Bulls will win.

		13— Better

		You know this word to be the comparative of good but it also has a special usage that says that someone should do something or ought to do something. It also carries with it the idea of a slight warning. Use it with a verb or verb phrase.

		You'd better be careful. My brother better come home on time tonight or Dad will be furious.

14— To Have the Blues/To Be Blue

		To many the color blue suggests coolness or calm, but in this idiom it means that someone is sad or depressed.

		Since Jane stopped dating Bob she's been very blue. Don't be blue. Think about all the happiness you've had.

		15— To Have a Bone to Pick with Someone

		This strange-sounding phrase means that someone is upset or angry with someone else and wants to discuss the problem.

		Don't leave just yet. I still have a bone to pick with you. Mom went back to the store. She has a bone to pick with the clerk.

		16— To Break Down

		Usually this expression is used to say that a machine has stopped working.

		The dishwasher has broken down again.

		But when it is used with people, it says that someone has become very sad or upset and has begun to cry.

		Grandmother broke down upon hearing the news of the fire. The poor man couldn't control his tears and suddenly broke down.

		17— To Break the Ice

		This idiom really has nothing to do with ice; instead, it says that someone was the first to approach another person.

		The silence was long, but Maria broke the ice with a simple "hello."

		18— A Breath of Fresh Air

		Use this idiom to say that a welcome change has taken place. The change can be a person or a situation.

		No one spoke at first, then John's little joke came as a breath of fresh air. The room was filled with napping old men. Mary's sudden appearance was a breath of fresh air.

19— Under One's Breath

		This simply means in a whisper or very quietly.

		"This film is so boring," he said under his breath.

		20— To Brush up On

		This expression is used to say that someone should study something again or finally learn it correctly.

		The test is tomorrow. I'd better brush up on the last chapter. You had problems at the last soccer game. You need to brush up on your basic skills.

		A PHRASE JUST FOR FUN

		TO HANG OUT WITH

		Don't let this unusual phrase puzzle you. It simply means to spend time with someone or to go somewhere with someone. It often means that a friendship is involved.

		I like hanging out with Anna. She's a nice girl.

		It was too hot to play ball, so Tom and I just hung out with one another.

		21— To Butt In

		This phrase is often used in place of to interfere.

		It's none of your business. Don't butt in. We were having a quiet talk. Then Bill arrived and tried to butt in.

		22— By the Way

		These three words probably don't give you a clue as to their combined meaning. This phrase is used when someone doesn't want to forget to mention something.

		By the way, I saw Mrs. Brown yesterday. She looked very sick. I'm glad that you'll be at the party tonight. And, by the way, I'll be there, too.

23— A Card

		This word describes a man (more rarely, a woman) who is very funny or witty.

		I like Jack. He's such a card. You always make me laugh. You're a real card.

		24— To Catch (A Vehicle)

		Normally, you use this verb to say that you captured someone or that a ball was involved.

		They caught the robber in the basement. That boy never could catch a ball. He's just no athlete.

		But it is also used to show that someone has arrived in time to take transportation.

		I have to go. I have to catch the next bus. Can you tell me where I can catch a cab? If you don't hurry, you won't be able to catch the morning train.

		25— To Catch On

		When used with the preposition on, this phrase means the same thing as understand.

		This is a hard job, but she caught on fast. I heard the joke twice, but I just didn't catch on.

		26— A Chip off the Old Block

		This strange combination of words means only that the son (rarely the daughter) is very much like the father.

		Look at Jim's eyes and nose. He's really a chip off the old block.

		27— A Cock-and-Bull Story

		Use this expression to say that what someone has said is quite unbelievable and perhaps even a lie.

		He said he swam across the lake, but I think it's just a cock-and-bull story.

28— To Come across As

		These words mean to seem like.

		She came across as rather stupid, but she was one of the best readers in the class.

		29— To Come To

		This phrase means that someone has awakened, usually from an unconscious state or after a serious illness.

		Mr. Jones was in a coma for a week. He finally came to this evening. After the accident the fireman couldn't get the injured woman to come to.

		30— To Come to Know (Someone)

		This expression is used to say that you became acquainted with someone and had a special understanding of what that person was.

		I came to know him him well after a long camping trip. She was so quiet at first but when he came to know her, he discovered a very talkative girl.

		A PHRASE JUST FOR FUN

		HOT

		You already know that this word is the opposite of cold. It can also suggest that someone is sexually aroused. However, here it means that some man or woman is extremely good-looking.

		Look at that boy over there! He's really hot!

		John continued to stare at the new girl in class. She was the hottest girl he had ever seen.

		31— To Cope With

		This phrase means that someone is handling a problem with difficulty. The problem can be with a person, a thing, or a situation.

		His family had to learn to cope with his alcoholism. I just can't cope with John anymore. He's hopeless.

32— Cut-and-Dried

		Use this expression when you want to say that something is absolutely clear to you or that there is no questioning it.

		There is a cut-and-dried solution to the problem. We have to build the dam.

		33— To Cut a Class

		Many languages have a special verb that says that a student intentionally misses a class. In English the verb is to cut.

		John hates history. He cut three classes this week.

		34— To Date (Someone)

		This verb says that someone is seeing another person regularly. They are becoming a couple, and their relationship is becoming romantic.

		Maria has been dating Thomas for two months already. I'm too busy. I don't have time to date.

		35— To Be up to Date/Out of Date

		These two phrases express the ideas that someone or something is modern or old-fashioned.

		She always has the latest clothes. She's really up to date. Don't you think disco is a little out of date?

		36— To Die Away

		Use this idiom to mean to become quieter or to become weaker. The word also suggests that this happens gradually.

		The sound of her voice died away as she disappeared into the fog.

		37— To Do Without

		This verb says that someone cannot bear being without a certain person or thing.

		I'm so depressed. I can't do without her. During the war we learned to do without many luxuries.