English IDIOMS

The IDIOM of the WEEK NO USE CRYING OVER SPILT MILK Imagine that you accidentally spilled a glass of milk. Would lamenting over it bring the milk back? No, it wouldn't. The best course of action would be to clean it up and move on. So, the phase means that dwelling on sth that has been done but can't be changed (there's always a situation that's irreversible) is pointless. That is why one should not be upset about past misfortunes. It's more productive to accept what has happened, learn from it and move forward. It's said the term was first coined by James Howell. The proverb “no weeping for shed milk" appeared in his 1659 collection of proverbs. Here are some example sentences: While it’s sad that the results aren't as good as you expected, you should now focus on moving ahead and achieving better ones next term; it is no use crying over spilt milk. 🇬🇧 The coach reminded the team when they lost the championship, "It's no use crying over spilled milk. We'll train harder and come back stronger." 🇺🇸

The IDIOM of the WEEK COST AN ARM AND A LEG The phrase refers to something astronomically expensive. It is a rather popular idiom that is thought to have its origins sometime around World War II. The phrase, which is applicable to a wide variety of situations, suggests that something is so expensive that it’s like losing an arm and a leg to pay for it. The example sentences are as follows: My daughter has developed a deep appreciation for fine fashion. Unfortunately, she is always* asking me if she can buy clothes that cost an arm and a leg. They decided to skip the engagement ring when they decided to get married, choosing to put their savings toward a down payment rather than buying a piece of jewelry that would cost an arm and a leg. Nowadays theatre tickets cost an arm and a leg. The synonym that can be used instead of the idiom is "to cost a fortune" as one of the meanings of the noun "fortune" is a large amount of money. *The one who knows why "always" is used in Continuous there, gets a ⭐.

The IDIOM of the WEEK ALL THUMBS The phrase is used when talking about a person who is clumsy or awkward with their hands. Mind that it is informal.    Example: I’m all thumbs when it comes to fixing things around the house.

The IDIOM of the WEEK HIT TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE This phrase has been around for centuries (in its present form, the earliest printed record of the idiom was found in 1656) and is often used in everyday conversations. It originates from the idea of a person throwing a stone to hit two birds, thus saving time and effort by achieving two goals at once. According to one of theories, the phrase was taken from the story of Daedalus and Icarus from Greek Mythology. Daedalus killed two birds with one stone in order to get the feathers of the birds and make the wings. The father and son escaped from the Labyrinth on Crete by making wings and flying out. You can find some modern ways of using the idiom in a sentence below ⬇️ I have to go to the bank, and on the way back, I’ll pick up the groceries as well, killing two birds with one stone. Apply for internships during your summer break to kill two birds with one stone by gaining experience and earning some extra money. Cycling to work kills two birds with one stone. It saves money and gives you some exercise. The concept of “killing two birds with one stone” emphasizes the efficiency and effectiveness of accomplishing two objectives with a single action. In general, idioms are an excellent way to express yourself in a colorful and creative manner.

The IDIOM of the WEEK The PATTER of TINY FEET 🐾 The expression is informal or humorous. The meaning of it is a way of referring to children when somebody wants (or is going) to have a baby.  We can't wait to hear the patter of tiny feet. 🫶 🍼

The IDIOM of the day SPILL THE BEANS is to blurt out sb's secret, to blab what is supposed to be confidential information. You may do it unintentionally or deliberately. The expression is pretty common in American English. The phrase dates back to the early 20th century. As for its origin, it might have originated from ancient voting practices, particularly in Greece. During elections, beans were used as a ballot system in which white beans symbolized a positive vote and black beans represented a negative one. When the results were announced, the beans would be spilled out of a container, revealing the outcome. This practice eventually led to the phrase "spill the beans" being used metaphorically to mean revealing information. But it is just one of the theories. Two others are connected with the coffee trade and a children's game called "guessing the number of beans in a jar." Which seems more likely to you?