idioms

- "Back to square one"
meaning: to start all over again
Example: Well, that science experiment was a failure, back to square one to try to find another solution.

-"Whatever floats your boat"
meaning: whatever it is that makes you happy
Example: Charlie loves skiing, but I hate the snow. Oh well, whatever floats his boat is fine with me!

-"It's like finding a needle in a haystack"
meaning: it will be impossible to find
Example: I had to find my book in my brother's room but since it was so messy it was like finding a needle in a haystack.

1) "Needless to say" meaning: obvious
Example: It is needless to say that we can't buy a house if we can't even afford a car.

2) "Shape up or ship out" meaning: start behaving or leave
Example: Matt, I have told you eleven times to not throw things in class! Shape up or ship out!

3) "A lemon" meaning: a car or vehicle that has many problems.
Example: The last time I bought a car, I got a lemon. This time when I buy a car I will have a mechanic check it first.

4) "Set in stone" meaning: finalized, already decided
Example: The decision is set in stone, you can't change your mind now.

5) "Don't bite the hand that feeds you." meaning: don't hurt the people who help you
Example: Marsha always helps you clean the house, don't bite the hand that feeds you. You should help her tonight with her school project like she asked.

1) "bug someone" - to annoy someone.
Example: Would you stop screaming, you're bugging me!

2) "low man on the totem pole" - person in the lowest rank or position
Example: Since I just got hired at the company, I am the low man on the totem pole.

3) "the spur of the moment" - suddenly, impulsively, to do something without thinking first
Example: We went to Disneyland at the spur of the moment since we had just won five-hundred dollars.

4) "ring a bell" - something that comes to memory or sounds familiar
Example: Her name rings a bell but I just can't remember what she looks like.

5) "in the same boat" - experiencing the same bad situation
Example: I know you don't have money for food, but we are in the same boat since I lost my job last week.

Here are some idioms that are common in the United States, you should try to memorize them and include them in your spoken and written English.

1) "The apple of my eye"
meaning: a person who is valued or of more importance than the others
example: Charles is the apple of my eye since he is always smiling and working so hard.

2) "Hold your horses"
meaning: be patient, wait
example: Hold your horses, you can't leave until your mother arrives!

3) "On the fence"
meaning: undecided, can't make a decision
example: I am on the fence, I don't know if I should stay or if I should go.