Idioms to Eat
The English language is rich in idioms. Students should learn more of them in order to not place themselves at a disadvantage in their reading and in discussions and debates. Here is a list of idioms to literally satisfy your “intellectual appetite”.
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The Bread Winner
The wage earner who supports the family.
Example: When his father died, he became an instant bread winner.
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To Take the Bread Out of Someone’s Mouth
To deprive someone of his or her living.
Example: If you fire him, you’ll take the bread out of his mouth.
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Bread and Butter Issues
Political questions concerning health, education, and employment.
Example: I think the candidate has to focus on the bread- and – butter issues.
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Use Your Loaf!
Use your brain; think.
Example: Minda, use your loaf! Benj fools around.
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A Sandwich Child
The middle child of three siblings.
Example: Jennette is a sandwich child.
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A Crumb of Comfort
A small consolation; a small mercy.
Example: One crumb of comfort after losing in the elections is that he is assured of a government post.
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To Be as Sweet as Honey
To be unnaturally sweet, perhaps from some ulterior motive.
Example: My colleague was as sweet as honey because she was asking for a favor.
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A Honeypot Town
A town which has a very good infrastructure, the very best hospitals and schools, well-kept buildings and parks, a good shopping center, and well-organized leisure activities.
Example: I’ve always wanted to live in a honeypot town.
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Money for Jam
Money that is made with no effort.
Example: All I did was smile at the customers. It was money for jam.
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Do You Want Jam On It?
Don’t be so greedy; be content with what you’ve got.
Example: Jane, you have everything. Do you want jam on it?
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A Piece of Cake
Something very easy to do, requiring little or no effort.
Example: The test was very easy. It was a piece of cake.
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A Slice of the Pie
A share of the profits.
Example: After such a wonderful year, your employees deserve a slice of the pie.
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As Nutty as a Fruit Cake
Mad, eccentric.
Example: Your friend was as nutty as a fruit cake when he did the striptease.
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To Quiver like Jelly
To tremble with fear, anxiety, or nervousness.
Example: The snake frightened Jen that made her to quiver like jelly.
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That’s the Way the Cookie Crumbles
That’s life.
Example: Sometimes, we get to realize that certain things are not for us. That’s the way the cookie crumbles.
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Pie in the Sky
Hopes and dreams that will never be realized.
Example: universal peace is a pie in the sky.
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To Eat Humble Pie
To submit or apologize humbly.
Example: After throwing sarcastic words, Sarah had to eat humble pie.
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The Proof of the Pudding is in the Eating
To test whether it works or not.
Example: He looks intelligent. Let’s see how he performs in the quiz bee. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
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Like Swimming Through Porridge
To find something extremely difficult.
Example: Doing calculus is like swimming in the porridge.
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Spaghetti Junction
The center of a whole network of roads near Birmingham,
Example: I stopped at the spaghetti junction.
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To Bring Home the Bacon
To succeed, to achieve one’s goal.
Example: We hope that the Philippine delegation will bring home the bacon.
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User Comments
Ju Ji
On July 20, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Awesome stuff man
ryan
On July 21, 2008 at 6:22 am
thanks bro
icee
On July 21, 2008 at 7:59 am
hey, can you post more idioms?
ryan
On July 22, 2008 at 6:39 am
follow the link
http://www.socyberty.com/Languages/Historical-and-Biblical-Idioms.135115
Carissa Allan
On July 22, 2008 at 9:43 am
Good Read. I’m sending the link to my friend, whom often asks me whatcatch phrases mean and such due to cultural differences.
Jared Stenzel
On July 24, 2008 at 11:57 am
Nice list, it should be pretty successful on bookmarking sites.
lynn high
On August 16, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Interesting. It’s always interesting to be reminded of idioms that we can use in the classroom. Thanks
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