English is the most unusual language in the world: what we read and what we write are not the same. For eg: We say (new-moan-ee-a), but we write it as Pneumonia, due to its Greek origin. The fact that English contains 26 letters, sort of limits it and makes it challenging all at the same time.
And even so, we all like studying languages, and English is one that ties us all together no matter where we are on the globe. So, today, I’m going to present some English proverbs and idioms that everyone should know and may use in daily conversations:
- To have a new lease on life: The idiom refers to a shift in one’s mental attitude or perspective. For eg: Travelling gives her a new lease on life.
- As pale as a ghost: This phrase refers to someone afraid, unwell, or queasy. For eg: Due to the weather Seema was as pale as a ghost.
- To have a frog in one’s throat: The phrase means when someone is unable to talk clearly or unwell. For eg: After his marriage, Harry appears to have a frog in his throat.
- As sick as a dog: The phrase means someone who is very sick. For eg: Rita is sick as a fog after partying for hours yesterday.
- You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks: The phrase means you can’t force people to change their ways. For eg: Parents who refuse to let their children grow up and make their own decisions, you cannot teach an old dog new tricks.
- Coming of Age: The idiom means when a person reaches adulthood or a specific degree of maturity. For eg: Sex education is a coming-of-age discussion that all parents must have with their children.
- To only have eyes for someone: The idiom means when a person is solely interested in or attracted to one individual. For eg: Cherry only has eyes for David at every event.
- Fair-weather friend: This term refers to a friend who can’t be counted on in difficult times. For eg: Molly is a fair-weather friend, who only shows up when she wants something.
- It’s raining cats and dogs: This term refers to when it is raining severely. For eg: We can’t go to the movies, it’s raining cats and dogs.
- Right as rain: The phrase means to be perfectly fit and well. For eg: After the surgery, Lola was right as rain.
- Take a rain check: This expression refers to gently declining an offer with the intention of accepting it later. For eg: I have to take a rain check before coming to your party.
- To turn over a new leaf: This expression means to begin acting or behaving in a more responsible or better manner. For eg: Finding a job will allow me to turn over a new leaf.
- Chasing rainbows: This idiom means trying to do or achieve something that isn’t actually achievable or practical. For eg: Paily likes to chase rainbows.
- Something in the wind: This idiom means something rumoured, anticipated, or intuited to happen or take place. For eg: There is something in the wind about Pat proposing to Kat.
- Cooking up a storm: This idiom refers to doing something with a lot of enthusiasm and often expertise. For eg: Om was cooking up a storm to woo his girlfriend.
These are a few of the most powerful English phrases and idioms that everyone should know. Use them and leave everyone in awe of you.
For more, read this: The Best English Idioms and Phrases