- Backseat driver: a passenger who critiques or criticizes your driving
- Sunday driver: one who drives slowly and makes unexpected maneuvers
- Greasy spoon: usually applied to restaurants – especially diners – serving cheap fried or grilled foods
- Pit stop: to stop for gas, snacks, beverages, restrooms, etc.
- Red-eye flight: any flight departing late at night
- One for the road: having one more of something (especially a drink) before departing
- Live out of a suitcase: to continuously travel from place to place
- Hit the road: to begin traveling
- Pedal to the metal: to accelerate or speed up
- Off the beaten path/track: something that is out of the mainstream, rarely frequented or known
- Fleabag motel/roach motel: shabby, low-priced accommodations
- Running on fumes: driving with very little gasoline in the tank
Category: Idioms
Idioms related to food
- Cooked to perfection – food that is cooked to a very high standard
This steak looks delicious. It was cooked to perfection.
- Cook up a storm – to cook an amazing meal(s) and usually a large quantity of it
My grandmother was a great cook. She used to cook up a storm every time we visited her.
- Eat like a horse – to eat a very large quantity
I have to cook every day. My son eats like a horse.
- Smart cookie – intelligent
My daughter is the best student in her class. She is a smart cookie.
- A piece of cake – very easy
This test is a piece of cake. I’ll finish in 5 minutes.
- Bring home the bacon – earn money to feed the family
David pays all the bills. I’m sure he is the one who brings home the bacon.
More idioms…..
Idiom: “if the shoe fits, wear it”
Meaning: If the description is correct, accept it.
Example:
Veronica: My friends keep saying that I’m always late. I don’t understand why they have to complain so much…
Elena: Well, you’re late all the time. I know you don’t like it when people complain about you being late, but if the shoe fits, wear it.
Idiom: “to monkey around”
Meaning: To play around; to do something without a real purpose.
Example:
Veronica: Ughh…..I have such a bad headache.
Elena: Why? What’s wrong?
Veronica: I wish my students would be more serious and study. They want to just monkey around.
Idiom: “on pins and needles”
Meaning: Anxious or excited about something.
Example:
Veronica: What’s wrong with Dana today?
Elena: Oh…she’s on pins and needles. She’s been waiting for a call from her boyfriend all morning.
Lovely idioms :)
Idiom: “as quiet as a mouse”
Meaning: Extremely quiet, a person that doesn’t talk too much
Example:
Veronica: Do you know Maria? She is my new student. I can’t make her say anything in class.
Elena: I know her. I had her in my conversation class last month. She is as quiet as a mouse.
Idiom: “it’s raining cats and dogs”
Meaning: It is raining very hard
Example:
Elena: Are you going to the bank today?
Veronica: Yes, I’m leaving in 5 minutes.
Elena: You’d better take your umbrella with you. It’s raining cats and dogs.
Idiom: “as sharp as a tack”
Meaning: An extremely smart person
Example:
Veronica: Have you met the new grammar teacher?
Elena: Yes, I’m so excited to work with him. He is as sharp as a tack.
Veronica: Really?!
Idioms again :)
Idiom: “money doesn’t grow on trees”
Meaning: You should be careful how much you spend because money is a limited resource
Example:
Veronica: I really want to get a new car. I love that BMW I saw yesterday. I think I’ll get it.
Elena: Veronica, I don’t think you can afford that car. You know, money doesn’t grow on trees.
Idiom: “don’t cry over spilt milk” (“it’s no use crying over spilt milk”)
Meaning: Getting upset over something that has already happened and that it can’t be changed
Example:
Elena: Look at my new dress! I can’t believe the cat ruined it completely. What am I gonna do now? What am I supposed to wear? My day is completely ruined!
Veronica: It’s no use crying over spilt milk. Let’s go buy another dress and enjoy the party tonight.
Idiom: “to bury your head in the sand”
Meaning: To refuse to think about a bad situation or experience / To ignore you’re in a dangerous situation
Example:
Veronica: I told my sister that her husband is cheating on her two months ago. However, she refused to listen to me and now it’s too late. He wants a divorce.
Elena: She should have listened to you and done something about it instead of just burying her head in the sand.
More idioms :)
Idiom: “to go around in circles”
Meaning: Not accomplishing anything
Example:
Veronica: We’ve been going around in circles all day trying to decide on an ad for the website. It’s 8:00 pm and we still haven’t decided!
Elena: Hmmmmm……
Idiom: “to be in the dog house”
Meaning: You are in trouble
Example:
Veronica: My lovely husband came home at 4:00 am last night. Can you believe that?
Elena: Oh….I guess he’s in the dog house now.
Idiom: “to run against the clock”
Meaning: To have a tight deadline
Example:
Elena: When do you have to submit your application for that teaching position?
Veronica: Today by 5:00 pm.
Elena: You’d better hurry up and do it. You’re running against the clock.
Idioms
Idiom: “when fish fly”
Meaning: Something that will never
happen.
Example:
Veronica: I’ll buy a pink dress tomorrow.
Elena: Yeah, right! You’ll buy a pink dress when fish fly!
Idiom: “money pit”
Meaning: A business, a project or a possession (a house, a car) that
requires more and more money with little hope of profit.
Example:
Veronica: See this new car? It’s a money pit! I have to take it to the mechanic every week….
Elena: Why don’t you get rid of it and take the subway like everybody else?
Idiom: “a fat cat”
Meaning: A very rich and powerful person
Example:
Veronica: Look at that guy’s car! It’s a Ferrari!
Elena: He’s a fat cat for sure.