Idiomatic English Expressions (英语中的成语，你了解多少？）（I）

 Idiomatic English Expressions (英语中的成语，你了解多少？）（I）

• Idiom

Put simply, idiomatic expressions are idioms. Okay, well then what’s an idiom? It’s a group of words where the meaning cannot be inferred simply by looking at each of the words.

Or

An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase. Categorized as formulaic language, an idiom's figurative meaning is different from the literal meaning.

• A Friend In Need Is a Friend Indeed

A real friend will be there to help, even in difficult situations.

• As Busy As a Bee

Someone that has a lot of work to do; they are busy, like a bee.

• Apple Of My Eye

Cherishing someone or something; being fond of another.

• An Elephant Never Forgets

Someone with a good memory.

• A piece of cake 

means something that’s easy to do.

E.g., That job was a piece of cake.

• Dodge a bullet

Manage to avoid a difficult or unwelcome situation.

E.g., Sydney dodges a bullet on floods as the clean-up begins

• Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater

An idiomatic expression for an avoidable error in which something good is eliminated when trying to get rid of something bad, or in other words, rejecting the favourable along with the unfavourable.

• It’s raining cats and dogs outside.

That means it is pouring rain!

• Tickled pink

I was tickled pink when I heard the news. (In other words, he was very happy.) 

• Cloud nine

She was on cloud nine after receiving a hefty raise. (Another expression for feeling happy.) 

• Under the weather

I’m going to stay in bed because I’m feeling under the weather. (A person who is feeling either sad or sick.) 

• not exactly rocket science

Fixing a bike is not exactly rocket science. (Fixing a bike is simple, to put it another way) 

• a needle in a haystack

I’m trying to find the remote, but it’s a needle in a haystack. (In other words, he’s having a hard time finding it.) 

• no-brainer

It’s hot outside, so staying inside today was a no-brainer for me. (It means the choice was very easy to make.)

• not exactly rocket science

Fixing a bike is not exactly rocket science. (Fixing a bike is simple, to put it another way) 

• a needle in a haystack

I’m trying to find the remote, but it’s a needle in a haystack. (In other words, he’s having a hard time finding it.) 

• Quitting cold turkey

To quit cold turkey is to stop a bad habit immediately.

• ​Spill the beans

If someone spills the beans, they revealed a secret.

• ​In a pickle

To be in a pickle is to be in a tough spot.

• Hit the nail on the head

Hitting the nail on the head is doing or saying something that is precisely correct.

• Cost an arm and a leg

If something costs an arm and a leg, then it is very expensive. (e.g., This car is going to cost me an arm and a leg.)

• Going out on a limb

Taking a guess. (e.g., I’m gonna go out on a limb and say he doesn’t like chocolate.)

• Jump the gun

Jumping the gun means going too soon; doing something earlier than you were supposed to.

• Driving me nuts

To be greatly frustrated or annoyed.

• Hold your horses

Telling someone to stop, or to wait. (e.g., Hold your horses, I’m not ready yet.)

• A cup of joe

This is a nickname for a cup of coffee.

• An Apple a Day Keeps The Doctor Away

Eating an apple (or fruits and vegetables) daily can help to keep the doctor away.

• All Greek To Me

Something that is extremely difficult to understand because of its complexity; unintelligible.

• All Bark And No Bite

Someone is full of talk but has no action behind their words.

• Actions Speak Louder Than Words

A person’s actions have more of an impact than just their words alone.

• A Chip On Your Shoulder

Being angry about something that happened in the past.

• A Dime a Dozen

Something that’s abundant in quantity and/or cheap; something that’s easily acquired.

• A Fool And His Money Are Soon Parted

If someone acts foolish with their money, they will quickly lose it.