The English language is rich in catch phrases, which have caught on with the public. Learn some catch phrases to enrich your use of the language.
There’s blood for breakfast: someone’s temper is very bad this morning.
e.g. Your Mom got off on the wrong side of the bed. So behave yourself: there’s blood for breakfast!
Mum's the word
Not a word of the pudding: say nothing about it; Mum’s the word! (don’t say a word; keep it a secret!).
e.g. It’s just between us; Mom’s the word!
And that’s that: that’s the end of the matter.
e.g. I’m not going, and that’s that! (i.e. the matter is closed; no more discussion)
Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do: giving a piece of good advice.
e.g. Bye now! And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do! (i.e. be good)
Go up one: excellent; good for you.
e.g. Good job! Well done! Go up one!
Not if you don’t: a responder to “do you mind?”—i.e. I do mind!
e.g. “Do you mind if I use yours?” “Not if you don’t!”
He thinks he holds it: conceited and vain.
e.g. I don’t like his attitude: he thinks he holds it.
Don’t I know it: how well I know it.
e.g. You don’t have to tell me! Don’t I know it!
Back to the kennel: go way (in a contemptuous way); get back into your box!
e.g. You’re annoying me! Get back into your box!
Don’t pick me up before I fall: don’t criticize prematurely.
e.g. I don’t want to hear a word from you. Don’t pick me up before I fall!
That’s playing it on the heart-strings: that’s being sentimental instead of realistic.
e.g. Falling head over heals for that girl is more like playing it on the heart-strings.
A snake in your pocket: reluctant to buy his friends a round of drinks or to pay the bill
e.g. Now it's your turn to foot the bill! Have you got a snake in your pocket or something?
Spare a rub: let me have some.
e.g. Don’t take everything: spare me a rub!
Every barber knows that: that’s common gossip.
e.g. That is no longer a secret: every barber knows that.
Easy as you know how: it’s easy—if you know how.
e.g. There is nothing to this: it’s easy as you know how!
I see, said the blind man: a humorous way of saying “I understand!”
e.g. You’re telling me! I see, said the blind man.
I’ll take a rain check: I’ll accept, another time, if I may.
e.g. “Come over to my place for a drink.” “Some other time; I’ll take a rain check.”
Where’s the fire?: what’s all the rush?
e.g. What’s the matter with you? Where’s the fire?
Where’s the body?: why look so sad?
e.g. That’s not the end of the world! Where’s the body?
You must hate yourself!: don’t be so conceited!
e.g. The way you talked to her just now—you must hate yourself for doing that.
Head I win—tail you lose: I’m in a win-win situation.
e.g. It’s mine! Head I win—tail you lose!
Like a red rag to a bull: something that provokes annoyance or anger.
e.g. His very presence was like a red rag to a bull—immediately she looked sullen and sulky.
It’ll all come out in the wash: It’ll be OK; it doesn’t really matter.
e.g. Don’t worry about these minor details; they’ll all come out in the wash!
It’s boloney: it’s utter nonsense.
e.g. To do this is in the wrong order is like putting the cart before the horse—it’s boloney!
A fiasco: a complete failure of organization or performance.
e.g. The government’s bailout of the banks was a fiasco.
Hot from the mint: something “brand new” (mint is a place where money is coined).
e.g. The concept is innovative; it’s hot from the mint!
Straight from the horse’s mouth: first-hand news.
e.g. The story is v
ery reliable—it’s straight from the horse’s mouth.
ery reliable—it’s straight from the horse’s mouth.
No second prize: used for someone making an unoriginal suggestion
e.g. I must say there’s no second prize for your proposal!
Nothing to do with the case: it’s a lie
e.g. What you're telling me has nothing to do with the case!
