Idioms
Lighten up
My mom needs to lighten up when it comes to mopping the dirt from the floor every hour!
to relax
Knock your socks off
"You won't believe the news I heard, it'll knock your socks off!"
DOUBLE JEOPARDY!!
To amaze or impress someone
Keep a Straight Face
"It's so hard to keep a straight face when my friend tells me a hilarious joke during class.
DOUBLE JEOPARDY!!
to try not to smile or laugh, especially in a serious situation
hit the hay or hit the sack
"I'm so tired, I'd better hit the hay."
go to sleep
Lose your marbles
"The old man has been saying strange things. I think he's lost his marbles."
To act or become crazy
Bite off more than you can chew
He thought he could climb the mountain but after a mile of rough terrain, he realized he bit off more than he can chew.
Take on a task that is too big
Pulling my leg
When my friend said she was moving to the moon after a rough day at school, she was just pulling my leg.
Playing a joke
Cutting corners
I can see the construction workers cut corners when building our house because everything is falling apart!
This idioms means to do something poorly in order to save time and/or money
Let the cat out of the bag
Ashley let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party tonight.
To tell a secret
Got cold feet
After watching her friend go, Sally got cold feet and wouldn't go sky diving.
DOUBLE JEAOPARDY!!
Decide not to at the last minute
Music to my ears
"Hearing it was a snow day and that there would be no school was music to my ears!"
DOUBLE JEOPARDY!!
something you love to hear
Rule of thumb
The rule of thumb to getting an A in Science is to study the review sheet really well.
a basic rule you have to follow
to see red
When Billy hit the baseball through the neighbor's window, his mom was seeing red!
to get really angry.
Call it a day
We have been out in the sun gardening for hours, it's time to call it a day.
to decide to stop doing something
I get to see my cousin who lives in California only once in a blue moon when she comes to visit for the holidays.
Rarely.
wrap your head around something
"The teacher had to explain the math problem three times before I could finally wrap my head around it."
to fully understand something
Get a grip
Please get a grip and stop screaming at me.
To get control over your emotions.
at the drop of a hat
We're all packed and ready to go the night before the trip, so that we can leave at the drop of a hat in the morning.
immediately, without delay or hesitation
Missed the boat
We missed the boat on attending the concert as they sold out of tickets.
too late
Blow off steam or let off steam
After a stressful day, I like to ride my bike around the neighborhood to blow off steam.
to do or say something to get rid of strong emotions
In the same boat
Don't worry, all your friends will be new to middle school so you'll all be in the same boat.
To be in the same situation experience
a dime a dozen
The heart necklace my friend got me for my birthday wasn't very unique, it was a dime a dozen.
something very common
Barking up the wrong tree
If you think I can help you with your algebra homework, you are barking up the wrong tree.
Go back to the drawing board
"This invention isn't working. I guess we'll have to go back to the drawing board."
DOUBLE JEOPARDY!!
to start over or revise the plan
Wear your heart on your sleeve
How can Troy not see that Sarah likes him? She wears her heart on her sleeve!
to show your feelings, especially your love for someone