American Idioms and Some Phrases Just for Fun phần 4 potx

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What on earth?" he asked in alarm. "What was that loud noise?
What on earth do you think you're doing?

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A (Little) White Lie
This idiom is used to make a lie seem not quite so bad. Rather than a great lie it's only a small
untruth.
Why was she so angry? It was only a little white lie.
Saying that I am younger than I am was just a white lie.
A PHRASE JUST FOR FUN
TO BE BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN ONE'S MOUTH
This phrase is rather long, but it is used in place of much shorter ones: born
wealthy or born to a life of comfort.
What does she know about work? She was born with a silver spoon in her
mouth.

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More Phrases Just for Fun
Six of One and Half a Dozen of the Other
This is another long phrase that replaces a simple idea. Use it to mean that it's all the same or there is
no difference.
I don't care if we go skiing or sledding. To me it's six of one and a half a dozen of the other.
Stick-in-the-Mud
This phrase can mean that you are just no fun or not able to change from your serious nature.
Don't invite Bill. He's such a stick-in-the-mud.

That's the Straw That Broke the Camel's Back/That's the Last Straw
These two phrases are quite similar. They are used to say that something was the final problem and
that someone no longer has any patience to endure it.
You want another hundred dollars? Well, that's the straw that broke the camel's back!
She lost her purse again. That's the last straw! I simply won't buy her another.
To Talk Someone's Head Off
This phrase should be used when you wish to say that someone is talking too much to another person.
John stood in the corner as the annoying woman talked his head off.
Mary was embarrassed. Her husband had been talking Mrs. Smith's head off.
To Tick (Someone) Off
This expression is very casual and indicates that someone is angry.
If you say that again, you're going to tick me off.
After the dog bit him, Dad became really ticked off.

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To Wet One's Whistle
This is an old expression that is still used very widely. It means to have a drink and often refers to
alcoholic beverages.
Let's stop at this bar and wet our whistles.
What a hot day. I need to wet my whistle.
Whatever!
This is a rather up-to-date expression and is used to end a conversation or a debate. Its use suggests
that the speaker is frustrated by the conversation and has no more patience with the other speaker.
John: "You took my car and drove to the city, then you spent my money to buy yourself a dinner."
Mary: "Whatever!"
What's Up?
Use this simple question to ask in very broad terms what someone is doing now or has planned for
later, or to question why someone has summoned you.

Hi, Tom. You look rather busy. What's up?
I hurried right over after I got your phone call. What's up?
To Take Forty Winks
This is a synonym for to take a nap.
I'm really tired. I need to take forty winks.

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