Monthly Archives: June 2024

YouTube Videos

Coffee Shop Conversations A Cup of Idioms

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Join Alex and Casey at their favorite coffee shop as they catch up on life, work, and dreams in this delightful animated short. Watch as they weave a tapestry of English idioms into their everyday conversation, making their dialogue both entertaining and educational.

From “kicking off the day” with a cup of coffee to “knocking their socks off” with exciting news, this video is a fun way to learn and enjoy idiomatic expressions. Perfect for English learners and language enthusiasts, “Coffee Shop Conversations: A Cup of Idioms” brings the richness of English idioms to life in a relatable and engaging way. Don’t miss out on this idiom-filled adventure!

Idiom of the day

Riding a hobby horse

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Meaning: This idiom means to frequently talk about or focus on a favorite topic or pet issue, often to the point of annoying others. It implies having a particular enthusiasm or obsession that one keeps bringing up.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “He’s always riding his hobby horse about the benefits of organic farming.”
  2. “Whenever we discuss environmental policies, she can’t help but ride her hobby horse about renewable energy.”
  3. “I wish he would stop riding his hobby horse about the importance of exercise during every conversation.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “riding a hobby horse” dates back to the 16th century. A hobby horse was a child’s toy, a stick with a horse’s head, that children would “ride” in play. By the 19th century, “hobby” had come to mean a favorite pastime or subject that one is particularly passionate about, derived from the idea of a child’s riding toy as a repetitive activity. Thus, “riding a hobby horse” metaphorically describes someone who repeatedly brings up their favorite topic or engages in a specific enthusiasm, often to the point of obsession or annoyance to others.

Riding a hobby horse
Idiom of the day

A dime a dozen

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Meaning: This idiom means that something is very common and of little value. It implies that the item or thing being referred to is easily available and not rare.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “In today’s digital age, online scams are a dime a dozen.”
  2. “Job applicants with basic qualifications are a dime a dozen; we need someone with specialized skills.”
  3. “Cheap souvenirs from the tourist shops are a dime a dozen.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “a dime a dozen” dates back to the early 20th century in the United States. A dime, which is worth ten cents, was a small amount of money even then, and the phrase originally referred to items that could be bought in large quantities for very little money. For instance, products like eggs, candies, or other inexpensive goods could often be bought at this rate. Over time, the phrase evolved to refer more generally to anything that is plentiful and not particularly valuable or unique.

A dime a dozen
Idiom of the day

Out to lunch

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Meaning: This idiom means to be inattentive, distracted, or not fully aware of what is happening. It implies that someone is not paying attention or is out of touch with reality.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “He didn’t respond when I asked him a question; he seemed completely out to lunch.”
  2. “She made a bizarre comment that made it clear she was out to lunch during the meeting.”
  3. “When it comes to technology, my grandfather is completely out to lunch.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “out to lunch” is believed to be from the literal phrase indicating that someone is not present because they are out having lunch. Over time, it evolved into a figurative expression suggesting that someone is mentally absent, inattentive, or not fully engaged in the current situation. The idiom became popular in the mid-20th century and has since been commonly used to describe someone who is distracted or out of touch with their surroundings.

Out to lunch
Idiom of the day

The last straw

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Meaning: This idiom refers to the final event or problem in a series that causes someone to finally lose patience or endurance. It implies that a person has reached their limit and can no longer tolerate the situation.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “When he missed the deadline for the third time, it was the last straw; I had to let him go.”
  2. “The constant noise from the construction was annoying, but the broken window was the last straw.”
  3. “She has been patient with his excuses for months, but forgetting their anniversary was the last straw.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “the last straw” comes from the proverb “the straw that broke the camel’s back.” This saying suggests that a single piece of straw is light and insignificant on its own, but when added to a load of many other straws, it can become the final, seemingly small burden that makes the load unbearable and causes the camel to collapse. The phrase has been used in English since at least the 17th century and is derived from this idea, emphasizing how one small additional problem can be the tipping point in an already strained situation.

The last straw
Idiom of the day

Beats me

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Meaning: This idiom means that someone does not know the answer to a question or is unable to explain something. It implies a state of confusion or lack of knowledge about a particular subject.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “What time does the meeting start? Beats me, I didn’t get the memo.”
  2. “Why would she quit her job without another one lined up? Beats me.”
  3. “How did they manage to fix the problem so quickly? Beats me, but I’m glad they did.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “beats me” is somewhat unclear, but it appears to have come into use in American English in the early 20th century. The phrase likely derives from the expression “it beats me,” which means that something is beyond one’s comprehension or understanding. “Beat” in this context means to defeat or confound, so “beats me” essentially means “it defeats my understanding.” Over time, it has become a colloquial way to express ignorance or bewilderment about a situation.

Beats me
Idiom of the day

Between a rock and a hard place

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Meaning: This idiom means to be in a difficult situation where one has to choose between two unpleasant or difficult options. It implies being stuck in a dilemma with no easy or favorable solution.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “I’m really between a rock and a hard place: I can either take a pay cut or risk losing my job.”
  2. “She found herself between a rock and a hard place, having to choose between moving away from her family or giving up her dream job.”
  3. “The politician was between a rock and a hard place, having to either support an unpopular bill or go against her party’s leadership.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “between a rock and a hard place” is often traced back to early 20th-century American mining. Miners would sometimes find themselves literally between a rock (a hard, unyielding obstacle) and a hard place (another difficult, often dangerous situation) while working in mines. The phrase gained more widespread use during the Great Depression when people faced difficult economic choices. However, the general concept of being trapped between two difficult choices has been present in various forms in different cultures throughout history. The idiom effectively conveys the sense of being trapped with no easy way out.

Between a rock and a hard place
Idiom of the day

Running on fumes

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Meaning: This idiom means to continue doing something even though you have almost no energy, resources, or motivation left. It implies that a person is barely managing to keep going despite being exhausted or depleted.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “After working a 12-hour shift, I’m running on fumes but I still have to finish this report.”
  2. “She’s been taking care of the newborn and working full-time; she’s really running on fumes.”
  3. “The company has been running on fumes for months, struggling to stay afloat financially.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “running on fumes” comes from the automotive world. When a car is running low on fuel, it might continue to operate for a short while on the remaining fuel vapors or “fumes” in the tank. This precarious state of barely functioning due to lack of fuel has been metaphorically extended to describe people or organizations that are continuing to operate despite being nearly out of energy or resources. The phrase has been in use since at least the late 20th century and effectively conveys the idea of pushing forward with minimal reserves

Running on fumes
Idiom of the day

Catch you on the flip side

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Meaning: This idiom means to see someone later or at a future time. It is a casual and informal way of saying goodbye with the expectation of meeting again soon.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “I have to run now, but I’ll catch you on the flip side!”
  2. “Enjoy your weekend. Catch you on the flip side.”
  3. “Heading out for the day. Catch you on the flip side!”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “catch you on the flip side” is often attributed to the era of vinyl records and radio DJs. In this context, the “flip side” referred to the B-side of a vinyl record. When DJs played a record, they would sometimes mention the “flip side” or the other side of the record, implying that they would get to it later. Over time, this phrase entered popular slang as a way of saying “see you later.” It became a part of casual speech, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, and has since been used as a friendly and informal way to bid someone farewell with the intention of meeting again.

Catch you on the flip side
YouTube Videos

Idioms Quiz: Do You Know What ‘See Eye to Eye’ Means?

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“Hey word nerds! Ready to test your idiom IQ? In this fun and quick quiz, we’re diving into the meaning of the common idiom ‘See eye to eye.’ What do you think it means?

a) To disagree completely,

b) To share a secret glance,

or

c) To agree with someone?

Watch the video to find out if you got it right! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe idiomspoint for more fun quizzes on idioms and figurative language!”