Common Idioms

Question 1

Actions speak louder than words

Answer 1

In other words, what a person actually does is more important than what they say they will do

Question 2

American dream

Answer 2

The “American dream” is the reason why so many immigrants come to North America. The United States especially prides itself as a democratic place where people have the right to good education, freedom, peace and a rich life — if they work for it.

Question 3

Eh

Answer 3

Canadians are known worldwide for tacking on the word “eh” to sentences, turning them into a bit of a question — for example, “That was a good hockey game last night, eh?”

Question 4

Fingers crossed

Answer 4

Keeping your “fingers crossed” means that you are hoping for good luck or a happy outcome in a situation

Question 5

Jack of all trades

Answer 5

A “Jack of all trades” is a person who can do many different kinds of work well

Question 6

Loonie/Toonie

Answer 6

Unlike many other countries, Canada has its own nicknames for its money. The “Loonie” is a $1 coin (which usually features the image of a loon), while a “Toonie” is the term used for the $2 coin (because it rhymes with “Loonie”)

Question 7

Needle in a haystack

Answer 7

To find a thin “needle in a haystack” is almost an impossible task. Thus, anything that seems impossible to find is lost like a needle in a haystack

Question 8

On cloud nine

Answer 8

When she got her citizenship, she was “on cloud nine.” That is, she was really happy and excited about it

Question 9

Raining cats and dogs

Answer 9

This phrase is used when you want to express that it is raining very heavily outside. For instance, “This summer was not good because it was ‘raining cats and dogs’ on many of the weekends.”

Question 10

Start from scratch

Answer 10

Many newcomers to Canada have to “start from scratch.” This phrase denotes that something needs to be started from the beginning, regardless of the previous work that has been done.

Question 11

Under the weather

Answer 11

If you’re feeling under the weather, it simply means you’re feeling a little sick, whether the weather is rain or shine.

Question 12

Wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve

Answer 12

To wear your heart on your sleeve is to show your emotions openly.

Question 13

what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger

Answer 13

Mine is, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” meaning all of the tougher experiences you go through, will help you grow and make you smarter & stronger for the next time

Question 14

Across the board

Answer 14

When something applies to everyone equally. For example, when there’s a pay raise that increase wages for everyone by 10 per cent it’s happening ” across the board.”

Question 15

Add insult to injury

Answer 15

When a bad situation is made even worse, it “adding insult to injury.” An example would be when someone loses their job and then his or her car runs out of gas when driving home, making a bad situation even worse.

Question 16

All hell breaks loose

Answer 16

When someone isn’t calling you back, your computer isn’t working and you need to file a story on deadline, it’s safe to say that all just hell broke loose

Question 17

All in a day’s work

Answer 17

Doing all the tasks associated with a job, even if they are complicated and detailed, are considered being “all in a day’s work” when you’ve completed them

Question 18

An elephant never forgets

Answer 18

This phrase describes someone who doesn’t forget anything, despite how long ago something happened. The phrase comes from researchers who discovered that elephants always follow the same path to their burial place, even passing on directions to younger generations.

Question 19

Apple of one’s eye

Answer 19

When someone is truly precious and dear to you, he or she is the “apple of your eye.”

Question 20

Armed to the teeth

Answer 20

In a movie, for example, when an actor is carrying lots of knives, guns and other weaponry on his or her persons, it’s safe to say he or she is “armed to the teeth.”