American Idioms - List Five

Question 1

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

Answer 1

It’s better to have something certain than to risk losing it by trying to get something better

Question 2

All bark and no bite

Answer 2

Someone who talks tough but doesn’t act on it

Question 3

Beat around the bush

Answer 3

To avoid addressing a topic directly

Question 4

Better late than never

Answer 4

It’s better to do something late than to not do it at all

Question 5

Break a leg

Answer 5

Good luck (especially in a performance)

Question 6

Can’t judge a book by its cover

Answer 6

Can’t form an opinion based solely on appearance

Question 7

Caught red-handed

Answer 7

Caught in the act of doing something wrong

Question 8

Cost an arm and a leg

Answer 8

Very expensive

Question 9

Cry over spilled milk

Answer 9

To fret or be upset about something that cannot be changed

Question 10

Don’t cry wolf

Answer 10

Don’t raise a false alarm

Question 11

Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today

Answer 11

Complete tasks promptly

Question 12

Don’t throw stones in glass houses

Answer 12

Don’t criticize others for faults you also have

Question 13

Drop the ball

Answer 13

To fail to meet expectations or responsibilities

Question 14

Every Tom, Dick, and Harry

Answer 14

Every ordinary person

Question 15

Get a taste of one’s own medicine

Answer 15

Experience the same treatment one has given to others

Question 16

Get cold feet

Answer 16

To become nervous or hesitant

Question 17

Get out of hand

Answer 17

To become out of control

Question 18

Give someone the cold shoulder

Answer 18

To intentionally ignore or avoid someone

Question 19

Have a chip on one’s shoulder

Answer 19

To be easily offended or prone to resentment

Question 20

Hit the jackpot

Answer 20

To be extremely successful or fortunate

Question 21

In over one’s head

Answer 21

To be involved in something too difficult to manage

Question 22

It takes two to tango

Answer 22

Actions or communications require participation from both parties

Question 23

Jump the gun

Answer 23

To act prematurely or hastily

Question 24

Keep it real

Answer 24

To be genuine and honest

Question 25

Let the cat out of the bag

Answer 25

To reveal a secret

Question 26

Like a fish out of water

Answer 26

Uncomfortable or out of place

Question 27

Miss the boat

Answer 27

To miss an opportunity

Question 28

No pain, no gain

Answer 28

Rewards come from hard work and effort

Question 29

On cloud nine

Answer 29

Extremely happy or euphoric

Question 30

Out of the blue

Answer 30

Unexpectedly

Question 31

Play it by ear

Answer 31

To improvise or make decisions as events unfold

Question 32

Pull someone’s leg

Answer 32

To tease or joke with someone in a playful manner

Question 33

Put a sock in it

Answer 33

To ask someone to be quiet or stop talking

Question 34

Put one’s foot in one’s mouth

Answer 34

To say something embarrassing or socially inappropriate

Question 35

Red-handed

Answer 35

Caught in the act of doing something wrong

Question 36

Rub someone the wrong way

Answer 36

To irritate or annoy someone

Question 37

Take the bull by the horns

Answer 37

To face a difficult situation directly and courageously

Question 38

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree

Answer 38

Children often resemble their parents in behavior

Question 39

The early bird catches the worm

Answer 39

Acting early brings success

Question 40

Time flies when you’re having fun

Answer 40

Time seems to pass quickly when engaged in enjoyable activities

Question 41

Turn over a new leaf

Answer 41

To make a fresh start, often after behaving badly

Question 42

You can’t have your cake and eat it too

Answer 42

You can’t have everything you want

Question 43

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks

Answer 43

It’s difficult to change someone’s habits or behavior

Question 44

You reap what you sow

Answer 44

Consequences result from one’s actions