From Dead Horses to Killed Cats. The Art of the American Idiom.

Have you ever heard an American say something you just didn’t understand? You may have heard every word correctly but the meaning was lost on you. Was the phrase I just used, “lost on you,” over your head? Was that phrase, “over your head” hard to understand too!?

Or maybe you’ve heard an American say, “curiosity killed the cat” or “I don’t have room to swing a cat in there,” and thought about how much violence surrounds cats in the U.S.

Let’s clear up some of these misconceptions, shall we? Idioms are common phrases anyone uses whose meanings are not defined by the words being used.

Get it? Good.

Below I’ve listed some of the hardest to understand and most often used idioms here in the U.S.

Feel free to add you own or ask any questions you have about them!



Cat Got Your Tongue – when you can’t find the right words to say.

Jump Down Someone’s Throat – To get angry and yell at someone.

Pull Someone’s Leg – To play a joke on someone or to trick them.

A Little Bird Told Me – Someone says this if they don't want you to know who told them what they just told you.

All Thumbs – To be clumsy and drop something.

A Dime A Dozen – Something that’s common.

A Leopard Can't Change His Spots - You can’t change who you are any easier than a leopard could change his spots.

A Piece Of Cake – An easily accomplished task.

A Taste Of Your Own Medicine – When you do something mean to someone then the same thing happens to you.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words – Doing something is better than talking about doing something.

All Bark And No Bite - When someone is aggressive but not willing to engage in a fight.

An Arm And A Leg – Something is very expensive.

Apple Of My Eye - Someone who is treasured above everyone else. Example - My wife is the apple of my eye.

Back Seat Driver - Giving unwanted advice from the back seat of a car to the person driving.

Beat A Dead Horse – To keep discussing an issue that has already ended.

Bite Off More Than You Can Chew - To take a job that is way too big for you.

Break A Leg – Another way (albeit more violent way) to say “good luck”.

Crack Someone Up - To make someone laugh. (Mr. Bean does not crack me up. Can someone explain this humor to me?)

Curiosity Killed The Cat - Being curious can lead you into danger. (So did the fast car.)

Don't Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch - Don't rely on something until your sure it’s going to happen.

Don't Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth - When somebody gives you a gift, don't be unappreciative.

Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket – Don’t put all your resources into only one possibility.

Pardon My French – Someone says this to excuse them from using a curse word.

Get Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed - Someone who is grumpy in the morning.

Good Samaritan - Someone who helps others in need, without expecting anything in return.
(This comes from a Bible story!)

Graveyard Shift – Working at night when most other people are sleeping.

Hit The Books - To study for a test.

Hit The Hay/Sack – To go to bed. (So much hitting.)

Hold Your Horses – To be patient. (Don't beat them.)

Keep Your Chin Up - To remain happy in a tough situation.

Kick The Bucket – To die.

Lend Me Your Ear - To ask for someone's attention.

Like A Chicken With Its Head Cut Off - To act hysterically. Example - When April eats too much sugar she runs around like a chicken with its head cut off. :)

Don’t Bite The Hand That Feeds You - Don't hurt the person that helps you.

No Room To Swing A Cat – A small or cramped space. (I don't recomend you try this. Seriously...)

On The Fence – Undecided about something.

Over My Dead Body - When you will not allow something to happen.

Saved By The Bell - Saved at the last second from something. (Saved By the Bell is also a great American tv show from the early 1990's. Maybe you learned better English by watching this show?)

Riding Shotgun - Riding in passenger seat of a car. (In the wild west the person who sat next to the driver of a stage coach always had a shot gun to use on bandits!)

Southpaw - Someone who is left-handed. (I'm a southpaw! 3 Awesome Points for you if you are too!)

The Ball Is In Your Court – Your turn to make a decision.

The Whole Nine Yards - The whole thing or all of it.

Tie The Knot – To get married.

Steal Someone's Thunder - To take the credit for something that you didn’t do.

Under The Weather – To feel sick. (I wonder if you could say you feel over the weather if you feel healthy? Hmmm.)

Wear Your Heart On Your Sleeve - To be free with the way you express your emotions.

When Pigs Fly - Something that will NEVER happen.

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover –Don’t judge something until you have fully looked into it.