English Slang and Idioms

Popular American Idioms

A penny for your thoughts - asking you what you are thinking about. A penny saved is a penny earned - if you don't spend your money, you'll have more money in your pocket. A watched pot never boils - When you constantly check on something, it seems it just takes longer. Means to be patient, and keep yourself occupied while you wait for something Break A Leg - wishing you good luck Cold Turkey - stopping something abruptly Don't bite the hand that feeds you - to not take advantage of, or hurt, someone that has helped you. Don't burn your bridges you would be ruining a relationship or opportunity. Don't count your chickens before their hatched - don't be confident in anything until it happens.


Walking on thin ice - putting yourself in a delicate situation.
Woke up on the wrong side of the bed - If a person is in a bad mood
American Mom Shopping cart Trash French Fries Potato chips Cookies Vacation Mail
Call Fall
Hot The John Liquor store Diaper Nap Pal
Ring Autumn
Fit The Loo Off-license Nappy Kip Mate
Make a phone call One of the seasons
Good-looking Bathroom (WC) A store that sells alcohol What babies wear Short sleep Friend
What is an idiom?
an expression, word, or phrase that has a
figurative meaning
understood as a common use of that
expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made
Give the cold shoulder – ignore
Give a ring – to telephone
Hang out – to gather in a casual; and social manner Hang-over – the physical effects of heavy drinking (headache) Hold your horses – be calm! Once in a blue moon – infrequent Oops! – said after a small mistake Piece of cake – easy or effortless Rip-off – overcharge or steal Take for granted – to assume What’s up – How are you?
easily.
Like two peas in a pod - that they are very similar. Luck of the draw - that it has happened by chance, and not
by skill.

Neck of the woods - where they are from
Couch Potato – a lazy person, one who sits on and watches TV
Down to earth – practical; simple Drive up the wall – to irritate Dutch or go Dutch – each person pays for his/her own meal Get under one’s skin – bother
Popular American Slang Words and Phrases
Blow or Bomb – to fail or to be unsuccessful Buck – one dollar Cool – agreeable; okay Cop – a police officer



The early bird gets the worm - The person that acts first
usually has the best chance for success
Fish out of water - means that they feel uncomfortable. Got off on the wrong foot - If you've have just begun
something, and it went badly
Hit the nail on the head - that you are exactly right. Hop, skip, and a jump - that it is very close by. Leave no stone unturned - you've done everything you can. Light on your feet - are quick and agile; you move around
British Mum Buggy/ trolley Rubbish Chips Potato crisps Biscuit Holiday Post
Definition Mother Used at a supermarket Garbage Potato sticks Thin sliced potatoes Small sweet cakes trip or time away Letters and packages

Roll with the punches - to take things as they come. It can also mean when times are tough, try not to make trouble out of it. See eye to eye - When two people agree on something Strike while the iron is hot - to act while the opportunity is there. Tied the knot - When a couple gets married Under the table- are being paid illegally, without giving notice to the IRS of your wages. Under the weather - When you aren't feeling well Under your breath - say it in a way that no one will hear. Walking on eggshells – trying to not upset someone
American Slang and Idioms
What is Slang?
Use of informal words and
expressions
not considered standard in the
speakers’
language or dialect but are
considered more acceptable when used socially



Opening up a can of worms - starting trouble that should be avoided.
The pot calling the kettle black - you are accusing them of hypocrisy. Raining cats and dogs - when it is raining very hard. Rings a bell - something sounds familiar.

No hair off my chest - a situation doesn't bother them at all, also "no skin of my neck", or possibly, "no skin off my nose.” “No skin of my teeth”
Old wives' tale - this is a piece of advice that doesn't work, but is rumored that it will. One man's trash is another man's treasure - What may be worthless to oቤተ መጻሕፍቲ ባይዱe person, may be valuable to another.