No horsing around!

Did you often come across expressions in English that just did not make sense when translated into another language? For example, as soon as you hear the phrase "horse around", you imagine a horse. In reality, it was just about fooling around.

Quite a few such examples can be cited. Such expressions are called idioms, and you will come across them from time to time. By memorizing the most common set phrases, you are able to enrich your active vocabulary.

Where do idioms come from?

I am sure you've ever wondered who came up with idioms. It is always interesting to know how they come into use and why these expressions become so popular.

Some expressions are very close to the figurative meaning of words. As a rule, they are easy to guess. For example, time flies. It is clear that flying means it is going very fast.

Others are illogical, but understandable. Largely due to the fact that the Russian language has something similar. Example: when pigs fly. First, we understand that it means never. Secondly, in Russian there is a phraseological unit “when the cancer whistles on the mountain” - almost the same thing.

Many expressions came from literature, including from religious texts. So, the phrase wolf in sheep's clothing refers to the Bible. Also, from it we took such a familiar expression as broken heart.

Many expressions have cultural or historical overtones. Often not obvious to us, people living in the 21st century. It is very fascinating to investigate the origin of individual phrases. For example, “to bite a bullet” means “to experience something painful, unpleasant”, as in the 19th century, in the absence of anesthesia, patients during the surgery were told to hold the bullet in their mouth to protect their tongues.

Weather

They say that when two English people meet, they first talk about the weather. The first writer to mention it was Samuel Johnson. He did it several centuries ago, though the expression is still used. So, I will not be surprised that a large part of English idioms is related to the topic of weather.

rain cats and dogs - rain unusually hard

face like thunder - a face that looks very angry

storm in a teacup - a situation in which people are very angry or upset about something that is not important

chase rainbows - try to pursue unrealistic or fanciful goals, things that are impossible

lightning-fast - very fast indeed

Money

An equally popular small talk topic is, of course, money. We would like you to get acquainted with the most common "financial" idioms.

a piece of the pie

• a share of something

gravy train

• easy money

bring home the bacon

• to earn the money that is needed to live

make ends meet

• to pay for the things that you need to live when you have little money

hit the jackpot

• have great or unexpected success

Time

Time is money. This saying can often be heard in Europe. It confirms their extremely cautious attitude to time. No wonder many idioms are dedicated to it.

once in a blue moon

• something extremely rare in occurrence

behind the times

• not having or showing knowledge of current ideas or styles

time flies

• time goes by very quickly

the big time

• the highest or most successful level in a career

around the clock

• done all day and all night without stopping

Animals

There are hardly any people who love their pets more than the British. And it is reflected in speech.

monkey business

• mischievous or deceitful behavior

smell a rat

• suspect something is wrong, especially a betrayal of some kind

top dog

• a person who is successful or dominant in their field

cash cow

• a business, investment, or product that provides a steady income or profit

eager beaver

• a person who is extremely zealous about performing duties and volunteering for more

Food

One can’t speak about the variety of English. Yet the number of idioms dedicated to food is considerable. Let’s check the most common "delicious" phraseological expressions.

egghead

• a person with intellectual interests or pretensions

big cheese

• someone who has a very important job or position

couch potato

• a person who takes little or no exercise and watches a lot of TV

tough cookie

• a person who is physically and emotionally strong

top banana

• the most powerful or important person around