http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/a.html (Phrase Finder)

http://englishexpressyes.com/english-idioms.html

1000+ Most Popular English Idioms and Their Meanings

FOOD IDIOMS

“Nutty as a Fruitcake”
A crazy or odd person is called a nut, and there are a lot of nuts in fruitcake. This is used from harmless silliness to someone who needs professional help.

“That Annabelle is sweet, but she is as nutty as a fruitcake.”
“Frank is nuttier than a fruitcake; he once painted himself blue for a football game…in December!”

“Slower than Molasses”
Molasses is a syrupy liquid that pours slowly. For drama, people will add “in January,” “going uphill,” or both.

“Phyllis is an excellent typist, but she is slower than molasses when filing reports.”
“That horse I bet on was slower than molasses going uphill in January. I lost $40!”

“Cool as a Cucumber”
A person who is able to remain calm is “as cool as a cucumber.”

“Our boss was as cool as a cucumber when he told us our paychecks would be late.”
“Her car was on fire, her dog was on fire, and her hair was on fire, but Janet somehow remained as cool as a cucumber.”

“Bad Apple”
One spoiled apple will cause the apples around it to spoil. The idiom may refer to a bad person, or it can refer to a bad person who affects others.

“That Bob is one bad apple; he came to work with an eye patch, and now everyone is talking like a pirate.”
“I am not allowed to date you, my dad says you are a bad apple.”

“Big Cheese”
This refers to a leader, boss, or important person.

“Since Johnny filled his lunch-box with cookies, he will be the big cheese at school.”
“After the awards were distributed, the company’s big cheese gave a speech.”

“Couch Potato”
A lazy person who spends his spare time in front of the TV.

“I’m off this weekend, and I intend to be a couch potato.”
“Bob had a beer in one hand, a bag of chips in the other, and the remote on his lap: the perfect picture of a couch potato.”

“A Lot on my Plate”
This refers to an over-abundance of food on a dinner plate, and it is used when someone has many responsibilities or scheduled activities.

“Asked to plan the company’s 50th anniversary party, Bubba had a lot on his plate.”
“I would go to the zoo with you, but I have too much on my plate this weekend.”

“Take it with a Grain of Salt”
The source indicated may not be completely trustworthy, so do not automatically believe everything.

“I have a book on chicken farming, but it’s 150 years old, so I take a lot of the advice with a grain of salt.”
“Frank is a fruitcake; take anything he says with a grain of salt.”

“Piece of Cake”
A task is easy.

“That crossword puzzle was a piece of cake.”
“I thought that chicken would peck me, but taking her eggs was a piece of cake.”

“Walk on Eggs”
“On eggs” or “walking on eggs” is an attempt to not upset someone in a foul mood.

“After I broke Mom’s vase, I walked on eggs for a week.”
“You spent the rent money? You had better be on eggs when you get home, mister!”

English is filled with idioms and phrases related to food, and some are pretty weird. What is the strangest food idiom you have heard?

LIFE IDIOMS

To Be the Light of Someone’s Life
Love is a powerful emotion that can become a person’s reason for living. This idiom describes a profound form of love. For example, Daniela always said that her daughter was the light of her life.

The Best Things in Life are Free
This popular idiom applies to things in life that are exceptionally beautiful or delightful but are also free. Here’s an example. As the group reached the top of the mountain, the sun was just peeking over the hills. It was clear that the best things in life are free.

Lead a Double Life
People go to great lengths to hide activities that are taboo, and they work hard to seem normal. Here’s an example. The tabloids were covered with headlines suggesting that the actor was leading a double life.

Risk Life and Limb
When people risk their vitality in the pursuit of wealth, thrills or fun, this is a very fitting idiom. Here’s an example. The explorers risked life and limb to find lost Inca gold in the jungles of South America.

Larger Than Life
This idiom defines celebrities, literary characters and high-profile individuals who seem to lead lives that are more interesting than most. It also applies to situations and objects that are extraordinary or impressive in scale. Here’s an example. For many people, any film star is a larger-than-life hero.

It’s a Dog’s Life
Life is not always fun and games. When there’s too much work to do, this is a good idiom to use. Here’s an example. Sylvia had to clean the bathroom on her day off. It certainly is a dog’s life.

Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries
This idiom is used when things are going well. However, it is also used sarcastically when things aren’t going so well. Here’s an example. As Lucile relaxed by the pool, she sighed “Life is just a bowl of cherries.”

Spring to Life
This simple idiom implies that an object, person or thing abruptly became active. For example, after changing the spark plugs, the lawn mower suddenly sprang to life.

Bring to Life
This subtle idiom describes tangible and intangible changes that give an object a lifelike presence or renewed vigor. Here’s an example. With a few quick strokes, the artist brought the portrait to life.

Life in the Fast Lane
Some people prefer a wild, dangerous or carefree life. This idiom describes them perfectly. Here’s an example. Marcus loves fancy cars, beautiful women and crazy parties. He lives life in the fast lane.

30 Most Common Idioms in English

“beauty is in the eye of the beholder” – This means that different people possess different standards of beauty and that not everyone agrees on who is beautiful and who is not.

“don’t count your chickens before they hatch” – It means that you should not plan on everything going exactly as you expected until you see the results for yourself.

“sitting on the fence” – A person who doesn’t want to make a decision.

” Sleep Tight” – Have a good nights sleep

” I’ll put the Kettle on” – Let me make you a cup of tea

“over the top” – To an excessive degree; beyond reasonable or acceptable limits.

“pulling your leg” – Tricking someone, or joking.

“put a sock in it” – To tell someone to be quiet.

“raining cats and dogs” – Raining very heavily.

“saved by the bell” – Saved by a last minute intervention. Saved at the last possible moment.

“the ball is in your court” – It is your turn to make the decision.

“tie the knot” – Get married.

“to turn a blind eye” – To knowingly refuse to acknowledge something which you know to be real.

“when pigs fly” – Something that will never happen.

“cut from the same cloth” – This means that two or more people are very alike or act in a very similar way.

“a piece of cake” – Something that is very easy to do.

“barking up the wrong tree” – Looking for something in the wrong place.

“air your dirty laundry in public” – To reveal aspects of your private life that should really remain private.

“adding salt to the wound” – When you say or do things that make the situation worse or cause people to suffer more.

“out of my hands” – There is nothing else you can do because it’s out of your control.

“two heads are better than one” – Some problems may be solved more easily by two people working together than by one working alone.

“you can’t judge a book by it’s cover” – You shouldn’t make judgments based only on appearances.

“I could eat a horse” – To say that you could eat a horse means that you are very hungry.

“you are what you eat” – In order to stay healthy you must eat healthy foods.

“practice what you preach” – You shouldn’t say one thing and then do another. To behave the way you tell other people to behave

“the best of both worlds” – You get the advantages of two different things at the same.

“break a leg” – ‘Break a leg’ means to make a strenuous effort. This idiom is also a way of wishing someone good luck. It is usually said to actors for good luck before they go on stage, especially on an opening nights.

“a leopard can’t change his spots” – You cannot change who you are.

“don’t put all your eggs in one basket” – Don’t risk everything all at once. To risk losing everything by putting all your efforts or all your money into one plan or one course of action.

” Burning the Candle at Both Ends” – Working for many hours without getting enough rest

LOVE AND ROMANCE

http://blog.myhappyenglish.com/2012/02/english-lesson-podcast-romance-love-id…

1. Blind Date
Although dating a person who is visually impaired might be considered a blind date, the term is commonly used for a pre-arranged social appointment where a third-party sets a date for two mutual friends who have never met. Therefore, the date is designated as “blind.”

2. To Fall For
In the case of “to fall for someone” or “to fall in love,” the word fall functions as an intransitive verb representing a particular state of being.
Example: When Francois gave Jeanette a handwritten poem, she knew he was falling for her.

3. To Find Mr. Right or Miss Right
This common phrase denoting the ideal romantic partner has been in use since 1922 when the Irish author James Joyce coined the expression.
Example: After she paid the excessive restaurant bill, Marie knew she had found Mr. Wrong not Mr. Right.

4. To Get Back Together
Getting back together is a common intransitive phrasal verb used when a couple, band or group decide to resume their relationship.
Example: Isabella wistfully looked through the love letters from her ex-lover and realized they should get back together.

5. To Get Engaged
To get engaged is a phrase related to marriage that implies the betrothed parties are reserved for one another.
Example: Since meeting her prince charming, Delilah couldn’t wait to get engaged.

6. To Get Hitched
To tie the knot or get hitched are both common informal terms for marriage.
Example: The bride and groom got hitched and were united in a bond even stronger than a trailer hitched to an overloaded station wagon.

7. To Have a Crush
A crush is a common informal idiom for a romantic infatuation. This term has been used since the 19th century and is still popular today.
Example: Paul had a crush on Sophie since first grade. He finally summoned up enough courage to invite her to the movies.

8. Head Over Heels
Falling head over heels in love with someone is an idiomatic way of expressing the overwhelming excitement of irrevocable affection.
Example: Juliet knew she was falling head over heels for Romeo.

9. To Be Hung Up On Someone
This popular phrase has been in use since the late 1800s. It implies a lingering interest or something you can’t get out of your head.
Example: Antoinette had been hung up on that mysterious cowboy since they met one fateful night.

10. To Patch Up a Relationship
Patching is a term often used for repairing tires or mending jeans. However, it can also be used to denote emotional reconciliation.
Example: Jack and Jill decided it was time to patch up their relationship.

11. To Pop The Question
This informal idiom for proposing marriage has been in use since 1826.
Example: Marcus stopped by the jewelry store that evening and was waiting for the right moment to pop the question.

12. Those Three Little Words
There are plenty of three-word phrases, but this romantic idiom only refers to “I love you,” the most meaningful phrase of all.
Example: Martina waited with anticipation hoping her sweetheart would say those three little words.

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