English Idiom Lesson with Audio: 7 Useful Idioms

I have a cup of joe every morning.

I have a cup of joe every morning.

IDIOM #1: a cup of joe 

  • How to use it:  You can buy, drink, make, etc a cup of joe.
  • Explanation: Joe is a slang word for coffee and so a cup of joe means a cup of coffee.
  • Example: I like to start my day with a cup of joe.

IDIOM #2: a dime a dozen


  • How to use it:  [something] is a dime a dozen
  • Explanation: A dozen means twelve, and a dime is a ten-cent coin, so a dime a dozen literally means twelve costs ten cents. So if something costs a dime a dozen, it is inexpensive and easy to find.
  • Example: Hot dog carts are a dime a dozen on the streets of NYC.

IDIOM #3: a pain in the neck

  • How to use it:  [something] or [someone] is a pain in the neck
  • Explanation: Something that is a pain in the neck is troublesome and inconvenient.
  • Example: Tom is a pain in the neck. He borrows my tools but never returns them on time.

IDIOM #4: a piece of cake

  • How to use it:  [something] is a piece of cake
  • Explanation: Something that is a piece of cake is easy to do.
  • Example: Using computers is a piece of cake for me.

IDIOM #5: a pipe dream

  • How to use it:  [something] is a pipe dream
  • Explanation: A pipe dream is something unrealistic that you wish for or wish to do.
  • Example: I know sailing a yacht in the South Pacific is a pipe dream, but someday I hope to do it!

IDIOM #6: a screw up

  • How to use it:  [someone] is a screw up
  • Explanation: A screw up is a person who often make careless mistakes, generally because they are not paying attention to what they are doing or because they are incompetent.
  • Example: I hear Tom was fired because he is a screw up.

IDIOM #7: absent-minded

  • How to use it:  [someone] is absent-minded
  • Explanation: Someone who is absent-minded easily forgets things.
  • Example: Jack forgot his wife’s birthday. He’s so absent-minded.

Now it’s your turn. How about trying to write an original sentence using the above idioms. Use the comment box below!



Enter email address:

 

If you know anyone who has trouble with this English language point, why not help them out! Just share this lesson with them.

Thanks for studying today!

English Idiom Lesson: Idioms Using “Go”

Happy goes bonkers for chicken

Today, I want to show you five useful idioms that use the verb go. These idioms are pretty common in conversational English, so using them will make your English sound more natural.

Idiom: go around in circles
Use / Structure: [someone] or [something] go around in circles
Explanation: When a conversation goes around in circles it does not progress.
Example: At the meeting, Jim was going around circles so the boss told him to get to the point.

Idiom: go belly up
Use / Structure: [a business] goes belly up
Explanation: When a business goes belly up, it goes bankrupt.
Example: The new café in town went belly up after just six months.

Idiom: go bonkers
Use / Structure: [someone] or [an animal] go bonkers
Explanation: When someone goes bonkers, they get very excited.
Example: My dog goes bonkers for chicken.

Idiom: go down the tubes
Use / Structure: [something] goes down the tubes
Explanation: When something goes down the tubes, it fails. We usually use this for plans.
Example: Because of the weather, our plans for a party at the beach went down the tubes.

Idiom: go for broke
Use / Structure: [someone] goes for broke
Explanation: When you go for broke, you risk everything to achieve something.
Example: Tom went for broke to open the café, and the shop is a big success!
 

Now it’s your turn. How about trying to write an original sentence using some of the above patterns. Use the comment box below!



Enter email address:

 

If you know anyone who has trouble with this English language point, why not help them out! Just share this lesson with them.

Thanks for studying today!

English Idiom Lesson: Food Idioms

Here is a tasty selection of idioms based on food. Check them out!

english food idiomsKaplan English Idioms Illustrations



Enter email address:

 

If you know anyone who has trouble with this English language point, why not help them out! Just share this lesson with them.

Thanks for studying today!

English Lesson – Idioms Related to Money

Here is a great collection of idioms that are related to money. Check it out!
money idiomsLearn how to speak English with Kaplan



Enter email address:

 

If you know anyone who has trouble with this English language point, why not help them out! Just share this lesson with them.

Thanks for studying today!