Idioms
Idioms are often referred to as slang expressions. Idioms are simply expressions that have a completely different meaning than the individual words that make up the expression. For example, the phrase add up is an idiom that has the meaning of not consistent, as shown in this example:
When I asked the teenagers where they had been, their stories did not add up.
The English language has many idioms. Be prepared to identify any errors with idioms for the multiple-choice writing portion of the PRAXIS I exam. To assist you, Table 3.4 lists some of the more commonly used idioms along with their meanings.
Table 3.4 Common Idioms
Idiom |
Meaning |
As easy as pie |
Simple |
|
The test questions were as easy as pie. |
Antsy |
Restless |
|
I was getting very antsy waiting for the bell to ring. |
Beat around the bush |
To avoid an issue or a question |
|
-He beat around the bush when I asked him where we were going. |
The bottom line |
The most important piece of information |
|
The bottom line was that we could not afford a new house. |
Far-fetched |
Untrue; not believable |
|
-The story he told us about his childhood sounded a little far-fetched. |
Go with the flow |
One step at a time; take things as they come |
|
-We didn’t make any definite plans for our vacation. We decided to just go with the flow. |
Jump the gun |
To act hastily |
|
Jim jumped the gun on buying a new television. |
Keep an eye on |
To watch out for |
|
The neighbor kept an eye on our house while we were away. |
Leave well enough alone |
Take no action |
|
-Even though her children were once again late for dinner, Mary decided to leave well enough alone. |
Live and let live |
To let others live as they choose |
|
-Even though I was against the move, I decided to live and let live. |
Make a mountain out |
To overreact of a molehill |
|
-My mother tends to make a mountain out of a molehill if we are late getting home. |
Not on your life |
Definitely not |
|
-When I asked my friend if she was going to move back home, she said, "Not on your life." |
Once in a while |
Occasionally |
|
Every once in a while, we go to the drive-in. |
Rain or shine |
No matter what |
|
We planned on going to the lake rain or shine. |
Sleep on it |
To decide later |
|
I wasn’t sure of my decision yet, so I decided to sleep on it. |
State of the art |
Up-to-date; latest technology |
|
The new school was state of the art. |
Under the weather |
Ill; not well |
|
-I was feeling under the weather, so I decided to take the day off work. |