An Idiom a Day » podcast on idioms

An Idiom a Day . Above Average

Dave Jackson — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:54:28 +0000

When you are above average you are not the best but not the worst. Ha… interesting. Listen how.

An Idiom a Day . A Shot in the Arm

Dave Jackson — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:06:11 +0000

This idiom refers to getting encouragement. When someone or a football team gets a shot in the arm it might be a goal or something that gave them renewed hope. That is a wonderful thing.

An Idiom a Day . A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss

Dave Jackson — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:20:39 +0000

Someone who is always moving and always into something new is like a stone that moves. There is an old saying that stones that are moved do not get moss on them. So like the stone a person who is always moving is not considered set in their ways.

An Idiom a Day . A Bitter Pill to Swallow

Dave Jackson — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:28:01 +0000

This idiom comes from having to take pills as medicine. Many times pills are pretty awful tasting, no? So when you have to do something difficult in order to get better in life, we say that the difficult thing was a bitter pill to swallow. See how that works? It is an unpleasant fact that has to be accepted. It does not involve pills or swallowing. Here is an example, it was a bitter pill for her brother to swallow when she married his enemy. Or, we found his deception a bitter pill to swallow.

An Idiom a Day . You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

Dave Jackson — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:19:21 +0000

People do not want to change their way of doing things unless they make it their decision. And older people seem harder to learn new things. That is what is meant by the idiomatic expression today.

An Idiom a Day . You Can Lead a Horse to Water But You Can’t Make it Drink

Dave Jackson — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:15:37 +0000

This means you can show someone something you think is good for them, but it is up to them to do it. A horse will not drink water if it does not want to, and you cannot do anything about it.

An Idiom a Day . Why Put Off Tomorrow What You Can Do Today?

Dave Jackson — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:12:47 +0000

This means someone is suggesting you do your work now instead of waiting. If you do it now, you will have more time tomorrow.

An Idiom a Day . Toot Your Own Horn

Dave Jackson — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:02:51 +0000

This is a funny idiomatic expression but it means someone is proud of themselves and they tell you about it. Like, I did that! Yes, I did! It great! And sometimes they do this just to make you feel bad.

An Idiom a Day . A Breath of Fresh Air

Dave Jackson — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:24:17 +0000

Join Dave Jackson everyday for a new idiomatic expression.

Today, when something new and exciting happens in your life, you might see it as wonderful and pleasant. In English we say – it is like a breath of fresh air. Listen in.

An Idiom a Day . The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Oil

Dave Jackson — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:47:20 +0000

Who gets the most attention? Normally it’s the person who makes the most noise. A squeaky wheel gets grease or oil quickly, and so does the person who is vocal about an issue.

Join me each day for a new idiom, right here.