Idiom #20: Get your head in the game

Get your head in the game

Meaning: To concentrate/focus.

Example:

• Aiko: Hey, Mark let's play basketball again!
• Mark: Ok, but I have to teach class in 15 minutes.

5 minutes later: Mark: 5 points, Aiko: 56 points

• Aiko: Come on Mark! Get your head in the game!
• Mark: I'm trying!
• Aiko: You have to stop worrying about class.
• Mark: Ok...

a dog concentrating very hard

Origin: This is a sports idiom, but of course you can use it outside of sports. If you are playing a basketball game, don't think about school, or cute girls/boys, or dinner. If you do, your body is in the game, but your mind (your head) is somewhere else.

You can see this idiom used in the video below!

High School Musical 1

Questions? Comment below please!

Idiom #19: Hit the nail on the head

Hit the nail on the head

Meaning: to do the right thing exactly; to exactly describe a situation.

Example:

• Mary: I want to go to Japan!
• Shelly: Is it to visit all our friends?
• Mary: Yeah, that's important, but...
• Abby: I bet it's to see some CUTE guys!!!
• Mary: ... *silent* ...
• Shelly: I think you hit the nail on the head Abby.

hammer hitting a nail on the nail's head

some cute Japanese guys

Origin: In English, the top of a nail is called a "head". To say that you hit the nail on the head means that you did something really, really great! Or, in Abby's case, you said the exact truth. :)

Feel free to comment below. Until Next time~

Idiom #18: Eyes are bigger than your stomach

Eyes are bigger than stomach

Meaning: someone wants more food than they can eat

Example:
At McDonald's

• Taka: I'll have 5 cheeseburgers, 2 large fries, 1 drink, and 1 ice cream!
• Taito: You can't eat all of that!
• Taka: Yes I can. I haven't eaten breakfast yet.
• Taito: Hmmm...I think your eyes are bigger than your stomach.

awww...cute!

Extra Info: This is usually used to scold someone who usually cannot finish all of their food. This has been used for a long, long time. Some people also use "belly" instead of "stomach".

Questions? Post them below!

Idiom # 17: Suit Yourself

Suit yourself

Meaning: Do whatever you want (I don't mind).

Example:

• Victor: Hey Taito, I'm going to the mall. Do you want to come?
• Taito: Really? Oh...um...I don't know. I kind of want to watch TV...
• Victor: You can watch TV any time! Let's go!
• Taito: Ah...but...um...
• Victor: Yes? No? I have to leave soon.
• Taito: Um...well...ah...maybe, no...
• Victor: Ok, suit yourself! I'll go without you!

I get my suits from China

Origin: In the old days, if someone said "suit yourself" it would mean to put on your own clothing (that you own) instead of going to a tailor and getting a new one made.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Leave a post!

Idiom #16: Between a Rock and a hard place

Between a rock and a hard place

Meaning: You are in the middle of two or more hard choices.

Example:

• Mary: Shelly, I'm between a rock and a hard place!
• Shelly: Why? What's wrong?
• Mary: I have plans to go to Japan next month, but...
• Shelly: But...!?
• Mary: One of my good friends just told me she's getting married next month too!
• Shelly: Oh no!!! Those are two hard choices huh?!

help me...

Origin: Some people say "between a rock and a hard spot"; they both mean the same thing. "Rocks" are hard, and of course, "hard places" are hard! Please imagine yourself in this situation. You want to get out, but wherever you go is "hard" and maybe "hurts".

Questions? Comment below!

Idiom #15: In the nick of time

In the nick of time

Meaning: at the last possible time/moment

Example:

• Victor: Where is Taito? I've been waiting for 10 minutes!

5 minutes later...

• Victor: Ahh! I can't wait any longer, I have to go!
• Taito: I'm here!!!!
• Victor: Ah, you came in the nick of time. One more minute and I would have left.
• Taito: I'm sorry!!!

woah, time!

Origin: A nick or notch is a small cut made into something. Nicks used to be used to keep score or count something. Nicks are precise and small; So to say "in the nick of time" means that an event happened at a precise or exact time.

a nick in a stick

Comment below if you have a question, please!

Idiom #14: Bite the dust

Sorry I haven't been "on the ball" recently, but here's today's phrase:

Bite the dust

Meaning: To fail; to lose; to die

Example:

• Mark: Oh no, I think this old car is about to bite the dust...
• Mami: What!? Why? How old is this car?
• Mark: I've had it for 5 years.
• Mami: Nooo, it's too young to die!

Ouch!

Origin: This phrase comes from the days of the cowboys. If a rider fell off his horse, he was said to have "bit the dust". And of course the cowboy would find himself with a mouth full of dust/dirt/sand. The words were made even more famous when Queen used it in their song "Another One Bites the Dust". You can watch it here below!

Questions? Suggestions? Comment below please!

Idiom #13: A toss up

A toss up

Meaning: a decision between two choices/options.

Example:

• Abby: Jimmy, what should we do tomorrow?
• Jimmy: Well, I think it is a toss up between going to the beach, or watching a movie.
• Abby: Why can't we do both?
• Jimmy: Ok, let's watch a movie at the beach!

Is it beach time?

Origin: A toss up comes from the "game" of flipping (or tossing) a coin into the air. Before it falls down, one person will call "heads" or "tails". If it lands correctly, then that person wins! Many people will flip a coin to make decisions as well. Maybe they will say something like, "if it is heads, I will go to the beach. And if it is tails, I will go to the mall". Or something like that.

If ya have any questions, comment below!

Idiom #12: Couch Potato

Couch Potato

Meaning: A really lazy person. He/she usually sits down on the couch all day and watches TV

Example:

• Jimmy: Mark can you help me learn Japanese?
• Mark: Not right now, I'm watching Naruto!
• Jimmy: You've been watching Naruto all day...stop being a couch potato!
• Mark: Ahhh!! Chotto matte tebbayo!!!

That's Mr. Potato to you!

Origin: Think of a potato. It is fat and doesn't move. So when a person watches TV all day, he usually doesn't exercise and doesn't move around a lot.

I love potato chips! If you like them too, comment below! :)

Idiom #11: Turn your back on

Turn your back on

Meaning: To leave someone when they need your help.

Example:

• Shelly: Mark can you help me with my homework?
• Mark: Sure, no problem!
• Mark: . . .
• Shelly: What's wrong?
• Mark: This is Math...not English...sorry...bye bye
• Shelly: Wait! Don't go!!!

The next day...

Shelly: Mark...I really needed your help, but you turned your back on me!

Mark: Sorry...

teacher, please help me!

Origin: This one is simple. When a person can't help you, they turn around and walk away. Well, what do see when someone walks away? You see their back! So just think about that!

By the way, never turn your back on a friend. Ok!?

If you have any questions, comment below!

Idiom #10: Bump in the road

A bump in the road

Meaning: an obstacle/hindrance in a process or task.

Example:

• Rika: Oh, Sayuriiiiii our three weeks in Hawaii is almost done! :(
• Sayuri: Yes, there were a few bumps in the road, but we've really learned a lot.
• Rika: I know, classes were so hard, but we're at the end now.
• Sayuri: Yes, many hardships, but we will miss Hawaii a lot.

I love Hawaii~

Origin: When driving (or biking) down the road sometimes you run into some bumps. However, bumps aren't big enough to stop a car or bike. So people usually use this phrase to talk about small problems that have happened when doing a task.

Have an English question? Want to have it answered on this blog? Comment below!

Idiom #9: Bite the hand that feeds you

Bite the hand that feeds you

Meaning: To do bad things to someone (or something) that has helped you.

Example:

• Mami: Ok, Rara do you want some food?
• Rara: Wan, wan!!
• Mami: Alright here's your food!!!
• Rara: WAN, WAN!!!!!! *bite*
• Mami: Ahhhh, itai!!! Ouch!!!
• Mami: Rara! Don't bite the hand that feeds you!
• Rara: ...

she is so innocent looking!

Origin: This is another simple phrase to imagine. If you have a dog, think about him or her. You feed your dog everyday, take care of her, play with her, wash her, and buy lots of wonderful things for her...and then she bites your hand! How would you feel? So, in real life, if someone (a boss, a friend, a teacher) or something (a church, a school, a company) does something good to you, don't do something bad to them...or say bad things about them to someone else!

By the way, Rara is my wife's family's dog~

If you liked this phrase or have a question, comment below!

Idiom #8: The early bird catches the worm

The early bird catches the worm

Meaning: Basically means, "if you work hard and prepare you will be great!", but it can be taken more literally to mean, "if you wake up early (and work hard) you will be successful".

Example:

• Taka: Yoshihiro, let's wake up at 4:00am tomorrow and practice playing baseball!
• Yoshihiro: I agree! You know what they say, "the early bird catches the worm!"
• Taka: We will be the best baseball players ever!
• Yoshihiro: Ok, I'll see you tomorrow morning!

The next day...

• Yoshihiro: uhhg...it's too early...
• Taka: zzz zzz

Origin: When you hear this, try to imagine birds catching worms. The bird that wakes up the earliest has a better chance of catching worms.
This is a very old proverb that dates all the way back to 1670 in England.

Sorry this is late! Comment below please~

Idiom #7: Cut Corners

Cut corners

Meaning: To do something as quickly as possible. This is usually done to save time or money, but often results in lower quality.

Example:

• Sayuri: Aiko, let's make pancakes again.
• Aiko: Ok, but if you cut corners like last time it will taste so bad!!!
• Sayuri: Don't worry I won't, I will remember the sugar this time!
• Aiko: Yay~

I love pancakes too

Origin: This phrase comes from driving. Sometimes when people come to a sharp turn in the road, instead of gong all the way to the corner and then turning, they go diagonally across and "cut through the corner". This can save time, but can result in accidents.

Just in case, here's a picture of a corner:

Questions? Comment below please!

Idiom #6: Speak of the Devil

Speak of the devil

Meaning: This phrase is used when a person you have been talking about unexpectedly appears

Example:

• Mark: Awww....Kevin is so small!
• Yoko: Yeah, he is so cute isn't he?
• Mark: I know..oh, doesn't he look like Conan, from Detective Conan!?
• Yoko: Yeah!! Oh my goodness!!!
• Mark: Hahah! Oh, speak of the devil, here he comes now!!!
• Kevin: Aloha teachers~

I drew Kevin in Conan's clothes

Origin: Nowadays this phrase is used in a fun and joking way. It is not used in a mean or evil (sinister) manner. The original 1600's phrase went, "speak of the Devil and he will appear" and was probably said so that people wouldn't say the Devil's name too often (maybe like Voldermort...He-who-must-not-be-named...)

By the way, if you don't know who Detective Conan is, click here!

Comment below please!

Idiom #5: On the ball

On the ball

Meaning: To be ready, prepared, or alert

Example:

• Mark: Ok, today's lesson is a little tricky so I need you all to be on the ball today!
• Mark: Ok! Bob, name one country in Polynesia!
• Bob: Hawaii.
• Mark: Good. Lee, how about another country??
• Mark: Lee....LEE???
• Lee: zzz...zzz...zzz
• Bob: Oh no. Lee's not on the ball today.

This is how I remember Lee

Origin: This idiom comes from sports, most likely from Baseball. In sports, players should always keep their eyes on the ball so that they can catch or hit it better.

Comment below please!

Idiom #4: Feeling Under the Weather

Feeling under the weather

Meaning: To be sick. To feel ill.

Example:

• Mary: What's wrong Marina?
• Marina: Uhhhh....I'm feeling a little under the weather...
• Mary: Oh no! We should go see a doctor!

Origin: This phrase was originally used by sailors (people who sailed boats). In the old days, when a sailor was sick, he was sent downstairs (below deck) so he could rest and get better. He went under and away from the bad weather.

Comments? Questions? Just click down here!

Idiom #3: Miss the boat

Miss the boat

Meaning: Having a really big opportunity in front of you, not doing it, and then realizing that you may never have it again (or may not have the opportunity again for a really long time).

Example:

• Mary: Abby, let's go to Japan!!!
• Abby: Ok, let's check the prices of plane tickets!
• Mary: Wow, only $700!! Let's buy it tomorrow morning!!!

The next day

• Mary: Let's buy the tickets now!
• Mary: (checking the computer) Oh no, the price is now $1000!!!!
• Abby: Awww...looks like we missed the boat on that one...
• Mary: Nnnnnnnnoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

Origin: This one is easy to imagine. Imagine that you have tickets to go on a boat ride; you get a taxi,drive to the place where the boat is (the dock)...but you're late! When you get there, you see the boat already sailing away. You missed your chance.

As always, if you have a question put it in a comment below!

Idiom #2: Cost an arm and a leg

This is in response to Abby's request on facebook.

Cost an arm and a leg

Meaning: Something is really expensive!

Example:

• Abby: I want to buy a house in Hawaii...
• Carl: Ok! First you need about $300,000! (about 8,785,500 TWD)
• Abby: Oh no!!! It will cost an arm and a leg to buy a house in Hawaii!!!

Origin: After a war many soldiers would come home missing arms or legs. Many people would say that the price of war cost many people their arms or legs.

Don't forget to comment if you have any questions or have a request!

Idiom #1: Beating around the bush

This blog is dedicated to my former and present students. It is also for anyone interested in becoming better at English. I hope everyone here will enjoy learning these little parts of the English language and use it them in the future!

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Beating around the bush

Meaning: To speak indirectly in order to avoid problems.

Example:

• Mary: Hey, tell me who took my book!!!"
• Shelly: Ok...it was...a tall man, with black hair, brown eyes, glasses...
• Mary: Stop beating around the bush and tell me already!
• Shelly: Ok, ok...it was Jimmy!!!

Origin: This term probably comes from the practice of beating (or hitting) bushes to scare animals out of hiding.

This is what a bush looks like: