New Idioms at UsingEnglish.com

Knee slapper

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:18:47 +0100

A knee slapper is something that is considered funny, though it is often used sarcastically.

Talk your arm off

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:06:12 +0100

Someone who talks so much that it is a strain to listen can talk your arm off.

Burst your bubble

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:06:09 +0100

If you correct someone's ignorant or delusional belief, you burst their bubble.

(Bust someone's bubble is also used.)

Ahead of the curve

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:44:24 +0100

Similar to ahead of the pack, ahead of the curve literally refers to your position on the statistical bell curve, where the top of the curve represents the median, average result. By being ahead of the curve you represent the top percentile of results that either has the advanced skills or understanding that sets you apart.

Like nailing jello to the wall

Fri, 29 May 2009 19:18:38 +0100

Describes a task that is very difficult because the parameters keep changing or because someone is being evasive.

Yeoman's service

Fri, 29 May 2009 19:17:10 +0100

To do yeoman's service is to serve in an exemplary manner.

Hit the Dirt

Thu, 07 May 2009 22:52:29 +0100

To duck out of the way or fall to the ground to avoid something dangerous.

Out of Whack

Wed, 06 May 2009 21:48:31 +0100

If something is out of whack, it is not working correctly or not in the correct order.

On the dole

Mon, 04 May 2009 23:49:40 +0100

Someone receiving financial assistance when unemployed is on the dole.

A month of Sundays

Mon, 04 May 2009 09:46:37 +0100

A month of Sundays is a long period of time: I haven't seen her in a month of Sundays.

800 pound gorilla

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:25:40 +0100

The 800-pound gorilla is the dominant force in an industry (the classic example is Microsoft in the computer industry.)

Bent as a nine bob note

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:26:54 +0100

A person who is as bent as a nine bob note is dishonest. The reference comes from pre-decimalisation in UK (1971), when a ten shilling (bob) note was valid currency but no such note as nine shillings existed.

On the money

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:13:43 +0100

If you are on the money, you are right about something.

Mad as a wet hen

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:38:18 +0100

If someone is as mad as a wet hen, they are extremely angry.

Crepe hanger

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 21:05:02 +0100

One who always looks at the bad side of things and is morbid or gloomy. In olden days crepe was hung on the door of a deceased person's home.

Foam at the mouth

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:32:24 +0100

If you foam at the mouth, you are very, very angry.

Play by ear

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 11:32:44 +0100

If you play by ear, you deal with something in an impromptu manner, without guidelines or rules. It refers to playing music without using written notation.

Blind-sided

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:46:21 +0100

If you are blind-sided, an event with a negative impact takes you completely by surprise.

Happy-go-lucky

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:11:30 +0100

If someone is happy-go-lucky, they don't worry or plan and accept things as they happen.

In that vein

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:17:17 +0100

If you do something in that (or this) vein, you do it in the same distinctive manner or style.