English Idioms Course: Lesson 1 – Free Sample

My best friend dated my brother for five years. They just split up two weeks ago - it was a bad breakup, and now I'm walking on eggshells around both of them.

"Walking on eggshells" means:

My cousin gave me a free plane ticket to Hawaii, and my boss gave me two weeks off to travel. I just found out my favorite band is doing a show in Hawaii at the same time I'll be there - that's just the icing on the cake!

If something is "the icing on the cake," it is...

The Yankees are the best baseball team of all time. The proof is in the pudding - they've won more championships than any sports franchise in history.

"The proof is in the pudding" means...

I'm currently taking 6 college courses in addition to working full-time. That means I'm busy every day from 6 AM to 11 PM, and I'm getting behind on my schoolwork. I think I bit off more than I could chew this semester.

"I bit off more than I could chew" means...

Changing a country's trajectory takes time - the economic policies enacted three years ago are just now beginning to bear fruit. To "bear fruit" means...

When the salesman starts talking about how buying an expensive new car will make your life really great, you should take it with a grain of salt.

"Take it with a grain of salt" means...

I don't trust that newspaper. Their reporting isn't very balanced; they tend to cherry-pick the information in favor of one particular political party.

To "cherry-pick" means...

My friends went to the art museum, but I decided to come to the beach instead. Contemplating paintings for hours is not really my cup of tea.

If something is "not your cup of tea,"...

I was sick and couldn't go to the party. Don't rub salt in the wound by telling me how great it was.

To "rub salt in the wound" means...

My 3-year-old daughter already knows how to use the computer. She's one sharp cookie!

Describing someone as a "sharp cookie" means the person is...

Did you hear about the grandmother who chased a robber out of her house with a kitchen knife? What a tough cookie!

Describing someone as a "tough cookie" means the person is...

That math test was a piece of cake. I didn't even study and I bet I got every question right.

If something is "a piece of cake," it means...

Diana kept pressuring Bill to tell her how much he paid for the engagement ring, but he refused to spill the beans.

To "spill the beans" means...

Our company needs to pay back a loan from the bank, but business has been slow. If we don't get more customers by the end of the year, we'll really be in a pickle.

Being "in a pickle" means...

That book was written 50 years ago, but it's still very applicable today. You should read it - it definitely provides some food for thought.

"Food for thought" is...

I bought my mother-in-law an expensive box of chocolates for her birthday, but I just found out she's on a diet. All the stores are closed and her birthday is tomorrow. I'm really ____________.

The first time I met my boyfriend's parents, I _____________ because I knew their political views were very different from mine.

Don't worry - you'll learn how to use this computer program in no time. It's _____________.

I started college studying psychology, but then I discovered it ___________  - so I switched to biology.

My project was extremely successful - and getting interviewed on TV about it was ______________.

How did the media find out about our company's secret new product?! One of our employees must have ____________.

I didn't think I would enjoy the poetry reading, but I'm glad I went. It gave me a lot of ____________.

You can't just ___________ the statistics that are in line with your viewpoint. There are a lot of studies that support the opposite view.

My efforts to eat healthier food are finally ___________ - I lost eight pounds this month.

I shouldn't have volunteered to help organize the company's Christmas party on top of all my other work. It's a big ordeal and I feel like ________________.