Language is very interesting, I especially love how we can use a sentences to represent something that doesn't have anything to do with the word itself, like an idiom.
What is idiom? Wiki says that:
An idiom (Latin: idioma, "special property", f. Greek: ἰδίωμα – idiōma, "special feature, special phrasing", f. Greek: ἴδιος – idios, "one’s own") is a combination of words that have a figurative meaning owing to its common usage. An idiom's figurative meaning is separate from the literal meaning. There are thousands of idioms and they occur frequently in all languages. There are estimated to be at least twenty-five thousand idiomatic expressions in the English language.
Just like how I love chéngyǔ 成语 in Mandarin language, I also love idiom in English language.
Let's see some English idioms, their definition, and how to use it in our daily life..
Definition:
Having something that is certain is much better than taking risk for more, because there's a chance that you might lose everything.
Example:
I haven't got any response from A company, but I already got an acceptance letter from B company, I'll just go for the B company, after all a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
2. A blessing in disguise
Definition:
Something good that isn't recognized at first.
Example:
Don't lose heart, who knows, this incident may be a blessing in disguise.
3. A chip on your shoulder
Definition:
Being upset over something that happened in the past.
Example:
Hey, chill man! Do you have a chip on your shoulder or something?
4. A dime a dozen
Definition:
Anything that is common and easy to get.
Example:
Just forget that man, that kind of man is a dime a dozen, you'll find a better man I'm sure!
5. A piece of cake
Definition:
A task that can be accomplished very easily.
Example:
This kind of thing is a piece of cake for him.
6. A taste of your own medicine
Definition:
To be taught a lesson by having someone do to you what you did to others.
Example:
You can't just treat other as you like, just you see, you'll get a taste of your own medicine!
You can't just treat other as you like, just you see, you'll get a taste of your own medicine!
7. Actions speak louder than words
Definition:
It's better to actually do something than just talk about it.
Example:
Let's see if he'll really do what he says he'll do, actions speak louder than words after all.
Let's see if he'll really do what he says he'll do, actions speak louder than words after all.
8. Add fuel to the fire
Definition:
Something is done to make a bad situation even worse than it is.
Example:
He'll explode if you talk to him, don't add fuel to the fire!
He'll explode if you talk to him, don't add fuel to the fire!
9. All bark and no bite
Definition:
When someone is threatening or aggressive, but not willing to do what he/she says.
Example:
Don't listen to him, he's all bark and no bite.
Don't listen to him, he's all bark and no bite.
10. All in the same boat
Definition:
Everyone is facing the same challenges.
Example:
Calm down everyone! We're all in the same boat, let's find the best solution for this problem.
11. An arm and a leg
Definition:
Very expensive, cost a lot of money.
Example:
That car cost me an arm and a leg!
12. Apple of my eye
Definition:
Someone that is cherished above all else.
Example:
She's the apple of my eye, I'd do everything for her.
13. At a drop of a hat
Definition:
Willing to do anything immediately
Example:
He'll do everything for her at a drop of a hat.
14. A slap on the wrist
Definition:
A very mild punishment
Example:
What?! She's just get a slap on the wrist, and I got grounded?! Not fair!!
15. A penny saved is a penny earned
Definition:
By not spending money, you're saving money little by little.
Example:
It's not that I'm stingy, it's just that my principle is a penny saved is a penny earned.
Interesting how an idiom can represent something you need to say isn't it??
See you next time~~
See you next time~~
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