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English By Day

Everything you need to know about learning english

Idiom Of The Day


Date: October 7, 2022

To Have The Time Of One’s Life

To have the time of one’s life simply means to have a really good time. A very enjoyable experience.

Example Sentence:

“I had the time of my life backpacking Europe. I would recommend that experience to everyone.”


Date: October 6, 2022

To Paint The Town Red

To paint the town red means to go downtown and have a good time. It usually refers to going to bars or restaurants. Usually, drinking alcohol and dancing are involved.

Example Sentence:

“Hey Tom, do you have any fun plans for the weekend? Well, we had such a successful work week that we plan to go out and paint the town red this weekend!”


Date: October 5, 2022

Jet Black

The expression jet black is used to describe the darkest shade of black. Something that is very, very black.

Example Sentence:

“I love this car, do you think they have it in jet black?”


Date: October 4, 2022

To Be Bull-Headed

When a person is stubborn and unwilling to change, we say that they are being bull-headed. It means that they are unflexible.

Example Sentence:

“Have fun trying to convince Paul, I am afraid you will not have much success. He can be so bull-headed. Once he has made up his mind about something, no one is going to be able to change it.“


Date: October 3, 2022

To Pull The Rug Out From Under Someone’s Feet

To pull the rug out from under someone means that someone has suddenly stopped offering support or help to that person. Usually, it conveys the idea of doing so without warning.

Example Sentence:

“I feel like someone has just pulled the rug from under my feet. I have no support and the deadline is coming up quickly.


Date: October 2, 2022

To Pig Out

When a person eats too much we say that they are pigging out. By saying that we are saying that they are making a pig out of themselves.

Example Sentence:

“I don’t want to pig out on all of this food, but everything looks amazing. Plus, barbeque ribs are my favorite.”


Date: October 1, 2022

To Scratch One’s Head About Something

To scratch, one’s head about something means that a person is puzzled or confused about something to the point that they are scratching their head trying to think of a solution. A situation can also be called a head-scratcher meaning that it is a confusing situation or that it is a difficult problem to solve.

Example Sentence:

“Here I am scratching my head about what Tom did. Why did he do that? What was he thinking? I am so confused.”


Date: September 30, 2022

To Be In A Flutter

When a person is very nervous or confused, we say that they are in a flutter.

Example Sentence:

“That meeting wasn’t very productive. Everyone talking at the same time got me in a flutter. I am so confused. Are we going to start this project this quarter or are we going to wait? What was the final decision?”


Date: September 29, 2022

To Have A Ray Of Hope

We can say that one has a ray of hope when we see a sign that things are going to get better in a difficult situation.

Example Sentence:

“I am not sure how we are going to win, our only ray of hope is our starting quarterback. However, he can bring us back for the win!”


Date: September 28, 2022

To Pay Someone Under The Table

To pay someone under the table means to give them money in a way that the employer avoids paying taxes.

Example Sentence:

“I can’t legally work in this country, so I will need to find someone who can pay me under the table.”


Date: September 27, 2022

To Force Someone’s Hand

To force someone’s hand means to push them or to encourage them to do something that normally, they wouldn’t be inclined to do.

Example Sentence:

“I don’t think dad will want to go to the theme part, but I think if we force his hand a little, we can get him to come with us.”


Date: September 26, 2022

A Whole Different Ball Of Wax

A whole different ball of wax is used to describe something that is completely different from something else, perhaps what a person is used to.

Example Sentence:

“Perhaps you know a thing or two about computer programming, but this type of work is a whole different ball of wax.”


Date: September 25, 2022

To Drape (Someone or Something) With Something

To drape someone with something means to completely cover them with something.

Example Sentence:

“Before we painted the living room, they draped the couch with a sheet.”


Date: September 24, 2022

To Be A Two-Way Street

A situation in which both sides need to put forth an equal amount of work to achieve the desired results.

Example Sentence:

“Well, marriage is a two-way street. Both the husband and the wife need to work hard to make it work.”


Date: September 23, 2022

To Be As Clean As A Whistle

To be as clean as a whistle means to be extremely clean.

Example Sentence:

“I don’t think he was playing in the mud. His pants are as clean as a whistle.”


Date: September 22, 2022

To Be A Guinea Pig

A guinea pig is a person that is used in an experiment.

Example Sentence:

“Mary used her children as guinea pigs to try out her new cookie recipe. It was a success!”


Date: September 21, 2022

The Elephant In The Room

A serious problem that everyone is aware of, but no one wants to talk about is the elephant in the room.

Example Sentence:

“Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Why is dad’s car not in the driveway? What happened to his car?”


Date: September 20, 2022

To Be In The Same Boat

When two people are in the same situation, we say that they are in the same boat.

Example Sentence:

“If you don’t do your homework, you will be in the same boat as Andrew. He is struggling to pass his tests.”


Date: September 19, 2022

To Be As Strong As A Lion

We say that a person is as strong as a lion to express that they are either really strong or that they are in really good physical condition.

Example Sentence:

“Harry is as strong as a lion, no one can beat him at arm wrestling.”


Date: September 18, 2022

To Be A Class Clown

A person that is said to be a class clown is a student who acts silly in class in order to receive laughs from his fellow students.

Example Sentence:

“Tony’s teacher called me today. She said that lately, he has been acting like a class clown. He won’t listen to anything his teacher says. “


Date: September 17, 2022

To See Eye To Eye

To see eye to eye with someone means to agree with them or to share the same opinion about something.

Example Sentence:

“I tried to talk to Tony, but it seems like we can’t see eye to eye on anything. He likes to do things his way I guess”


Date: September 16, 2022

Run Like The Wind

To run like the wind refers to someone that runs really quickly.

Example Sentence:

“Run like the wind, Jerry! You can win this race!”


Date: September 15, 2022

To Be On Cloud Nine

When someone says that a person is on cloud nine, they are saying that that person is extremely happy.

Example Sentence:

“Wow, Anne is in a really good mood today.”

“Yes, she is on cloud nine today, because tomorrow she goes on vacation for two weeks.”


Date: September 14, 2022

It Takes Two To Tango

When a wrong is committed it is very rare that only one person is at fault, but rather it takes two to tango, in other words, usually, both people involved are responsible.

Example Sentence:

“Josh has been getting into a lot of fights at school. The teacher talked to me about it, but I told her it takes two to tango. He can’t be the only one at fault.”


Date: September 13, 2022

To Be Off One’s Rocker

When someone says that a person is off their rocker, they are saying that that person is crazy or mentally unsound.

Example Sentence:

“I think Jack’s grandma is a little off her rocker. Yesterday, she called me and asked me if I delivered her mail. I am not even a mailman.


Date: September 12, 2022

Live and Learn

We say live and learn when referring to learning from past mistakes or experiences.

Example Sentence:

“I knew I shouldn’t have invested in his company. I had a feeling it was going to go under. Oh well. Live and learn I guess. The next time, I will try to follow my gut instincts.”


Date: September 11, 2022

To Take A Raincheck

When someone says they want to take a rain check, it means they want to postpone an offer or an invitation for a later date.

Example Sentence:

“I‘m sorry, but I am busy this weekend. Can I take a rain check? Can we have dinner together next weekend?


Date: September 10, 2022

Live and Learn

We say live and learn when referring to learning from past mistakes or experiences.

Example Sentence:

“I knew I shouldn’t have invested in his company. I had a feeling it was going to go under. Oh well. Live and learn I guess. The next time, I will try to follow my gut instincts.”


Date: September 9, 2022

To Give Someone The Cold Shoulder

To give someone the cold shoulder means to ignore them for something they did to you that upset you. To snub them.

Example Sentence:

“Did I do something to upset you? I feel like you have been giving me the cold shoulder all day today.”


Date: September 8, 2022

“Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk”

Meaning: Don’t be upset about something that happened and you can’t do anything to change it now.

Example Sentence:

“I know you are pretty upset about losing the football game, but don’t cry over spilled milk. The best thing you can do now is prepare well the next game.”


Date: September 7, 2022

“Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk”

Meaning: Don’t be upset about something that happened and you can’t do anything to change it now.

Example Sentence:

“I know you are pretty upset about losing the football game, but don’t cry over spilled milk. The best thing you can do now is prepare well for the upcoming game.”


Date: September 6, 2022

To Bite Off More Than One Can Chew

Meaning: To take on more responsibility than one can handle. It can also be used to refer to someone who is overconfident.

Example Sentence:

“By taking on this new project, I think I bit off more than I can chew. I am swamped! I need to see if someone else can give me a hand.”


Date: September 5, 2022

To Be As Blind As A Bat

Meaning: Used to refer to someone that is not able to see very well.

Example Sentence:

“Steve is as blind as a bat. He didn’t even see the ball coming his way. We need someone else to play first base.”


Date: September 4, 2022

To End On A Sour Note

Meaning: To conclude something with bad news.

Example Sentence:

“The meeting ended on a sour note when the CEO announced that over the next 6 months, they will be letting go of 100 employees.”


Date: September 3, 2022

A Race Against Time

Meaning: To try to do something in a very short amount of time.

Example Sentence:

“It was a race against time, but I finished my homework 2 hours before it was due.


Date: September 2, 2022

To Be Under The Weather

Meaning: a nice way to say that someone isn’t feeling good.

Example Sentence:

“We missed seeing Judy? Is she okay?

“She is feeling a bit under the weather, so she decided to stay home tonight, but she will be here next week. Thank you for asking.


Date: September 1, 2022

It’s a piece of cake

Meaning: Saying that something is a piece of cake means that it is extremely easy to do.

Example Sentence:

“How do you like your new job?”

“I love it! It is a piece of cake”

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