Idioms
are words and phrases in a language that have come into existence for a variety
of reasons, some obvious enough, some inexplicable, but most of them
appropriately and delightfully characteristic of the race that created them.
Hit the
nail on the head: do
exactly the right thing
e.g.
Your remark hit the nail on
the head; that was precisely the solution to the problem.
Flash
in the pan: only temporary
e.g.
His initial success was only a flash
in the pan.
Keep a straight face: refrain from laughing
e.g. It’s difficult to keep a
straight face when someone acts so funny.
Add
insult to injury: make things worse
e.g.
Enough is enough! Don’t add
insult to injury.
Have it
coming: deserve what one gets
e.g.
Failure was unavoidable. What you did had
it coming.
After hours: after normal working hours
e.g. We are so busy that many of
us have to stay after hour.
Just as
well: good that an unexpected problem has come up
e.g. It
was just as well the customer didn’t show up; we didn’t
have anything ready for him.
Pitch in: help
and get busy
e.g. We
need help for this project; would you like to pitch
in?
Play
both ends against the middle: gain an
advantage by pitting people on opposite sides of an issue against each other
e.g. In
American politics, it is not common for politicians to play both ends against the middle to win their elections.
Quick
on the uptake: quick
to understand; smart
e.g. He
is quick on the uptake;
you don’t need to give him unnecessary details.
All thumbs: awkward and clumsy with one’s fingers
e.g. She will not learn to play
the piano because she knows her fingers are all thumbs.
Make
headway: make progress or advancement
e.g.
Despite our effort, we have made
little headway with our
business.
Actions
speak louder than words: do something about it, not just talking
about it
e.g.
Show me what you have done! Actions
speak louder than words.
Have
one’s fingers in the pie: become
involved in something
e.g. As
long as you have your fingers
in the pie, things will not run smoothly.
Abide by: accept and follow
e.g. If
you wish to become a citizen of the United States ,
you must abide by U.S.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
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