American Idioms

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Smell a Rat


How come the front door is open? Didn't you close it before we went shopping?

I'm sure I did. I can't understand it. Frankly, I smell a rat.
Me, too. I'm convinced that something is definitely wrong here. We'd better call the police

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Go to the Dogs

Have you seen their house lately? It's really gone to the dogs.

It's true that it has become run-down and in serious need of repair, but I'm sure that it can be fixed up to look like new.

I guess with a little carpentry work and some paint it could look pretty decent

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Fishy


When the security guard saw a light in the store after closing hours, it seemed to him that there was something fishy going on.

He called the central office and explained to his superior that he thought something strange and suspicious was occurring.

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Take the Bull by the Horns


Julie had always felt that she was missing out on a lot of fun because of her clumsiness on the dance floor.

She had been putting off taking lessons, but she finally took the bull by the horns and went to a professional dance studio for help.
She was tired of feeling left out and acted decisively to correct the situation

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Let the cat out of the Bag


Bob was going to retire from teaching in June, and the foreign language department was planning on presenting him with some luggage at his retirement dinner.

He wasn't supposed to know about it, but someone let the cat out of the bag. At the dinner Bob acted surprised, even though someone had told him what he was getting before the official presentation

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For the Birds


They went to a poetry reading, but they got bored and restless. As far as they were concerned, it was for the birds!



They left during an intermission because they found the reading totally uninteresting and meaningless

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Straight From the Horse's Mouth


How did you find out that Jill was engaged?
I got the information from a very reliable source.

You mean Jill told you so herself?
That's right. I got it straight from the horse's mouth!

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Horse Around


Did you hear about Dave's back injury?
No. How did he get hurt?

Well, after the coach left the gym he decided to stay and horse around on the parallel bars. He somehow lost his grip and fell on his back.

That's too bad, but he shouldn't have been aimlessly playing aroundon the equipment without proper supervision.

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Cat Got Your Tongue?

Come on, Connie! Tell us what you think about our little ride down the rapids yesterday.
Well, uh...

Wasn't it exciting?
I, uh...

What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?
If you must know, I'm keeping quiet because I was scared out of my wits!

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Get in Someone's hair


Children! Would you please stop making so much noise!
And for heaven's sake, pick up your clothes and toys!

It's hard enough trying to keep this house clean without your throwing your things all over the place!
Clara, I know that the children get in your hair, but you should try not to let it upset you so much.

Listen, Jim. I can't help it . The children bother me and make me very angry when they're so noisy and messy

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Shoot Off One's Mouth


Jim doesn't play tennis very much, but he's always shooting off his mouth about how good he is. Yet he's fooling nobody.

Jim is somewhat of a braggart and everyone knows that he gives opinions without knowing all the facts and talks as if he knew everything about the game

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Jump Down Someone's Throat


That's it, Greg! You'd better not come in after midnight again tonight!
I know, dad. You don't have to jump down my throat! I told you that I'd make it home around 11:30. I don't intend to be late!

Well, you've said that before and in you come at 2: 30 in the morning. You can't blame me for getting angry and scolding you. I've got good reason

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Pay Through the Nose


At last Mr. Smith came upon the rare stamp he had been seeking at an auction. Since many other stamp collectors would also be bidding for it, he realized that he would have to pay through the nose in order to have it.

After considering the increasing value of the stamp, he decided that he would not mind paying such a high price for something so rare

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Tongue-in-Cheek


Why were you teasing Sonia about her new hairdo? She really took offense at what you said.
I didn't mean to offend her. I was simply making a tongue-in-cheek remark when i said that it was too elaborate for a girl of her young, tender age.


Well, she thought you were serious. She had no idea that you were just saying that as a joke.
I'm really sorry. I suppose I owe her an apology

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Pull Someone's Leg


Hey, Al. I was invited to be a judge for the Miss America Beauty Pageant!
Oh, really? Come on, you're pulling my leg!
No, honestly. Do you really think that I'm trying to fool you with a ridiculous story?


Well, you've told me foolish stories before
.I can assure you that this one is for real

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Play It by Ear


Let's go to the movies, agreed?
Sure. And what'll we do after that ?
Oh, I don't know. Let's play it by ear.


Well, I would like to have a more definite plan of action



Don't be like that. It's always more fun not knowing what to expect and deciding what to do as we go along

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Stick Out One's Neck


How come they're asking me to act as their guide through the jungle?
Evidently they think you're the only one who can lead them to the lost temple.
That jungle has danger lurking around every corner.
Why should I stick my neck out for them? They didn't pay me for my services.

They know that you would be taking a great risk and could possibly get hurt, but you're the only one with enough knowledge to take them to their destination. I'm sure you'll be amply rewarded

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All Thumbs


Hey Bea. Can you help me out ? I don't seem to be able to button up the back of my dress.
Sure. Let's see if I can do it for you.


I guess I'm all thumbs because I'm so nervous. I'm already late for my date


Well, I suppose that being so nervous would make you clumsy and awkward. But don't worry. I'm sure your date will wait.

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Not Have a Leg to Stand On


Tom maintains that the firm owes him some back wages for having worked overtime



However, he won't have a leg to stand on unless he can prove that he put in all those extra hours. He doesn't stand a chance of getting his money without a strong foundation of facts to support his position.

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Get Off Someone's Back


Hey, John. I'm bored. Come on, let's go out and do something.

Sorry, I'm right in the middle of studying for a physics exam. I won't be able to make it tonight.


You've been studying for a long time. Why don't you take a break ? Come on! Let's go ! Forget studying for a while !



Look! Get off my back! I can't go anywhere!


OK. I'll stop bothering you only if you promise to let me know the minute you're finished.

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Drive Someone Up a Wall


Wow ! What a great set of drums


Yeah, they're great, but I can't play on them when my folks are at home.



They say I drive them up a wall with all the loud banging.
I get the same thing at home. My folks tell me that I annoy them and get them really angry whenever I turn up the volume on my stereo.

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String Someone Along


Liz had high hopes of marrying Dean. When he ran off with another woman, she realized that he was just stringing her along.



She had felt very strongly about him and was really hurt to see that he was deceiving her and had no intentions of ever marrying her.

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Leave Someone High and Dry


Say, Jill. I thought that John was going to help you do the dishes tonight


So did I. But he left me high and dry.
Where did he go ?


Well, he got a call from some of his pals at work to go bowling, and he left me alone to do all this work without any help at all!

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Spill the Beans


Did you know that Harry was going to take Kathy on a Caribbean cruise
?
Yes, I did. He was planning on surprising her with the tickets fro their anniversary, but someone spilled the beans.
What a shame ! That was supposed to have been a surprise.


Yes, it's too bad that someone told her about the trip beforehand and ruined Harry's surprise.
That's OK. Her enthusiasm was not dampened in the least!

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Bite the Dust

Andy did exceptionally well in all of the track events, but he bit the dust in the high jump competition.

Much to the disappointment of his fans, he went down in defeat, losing to a competitor from the visiting team