This is lesson 16 from Idiom Part 2. Each idiom is followed by its definition and examples. After you learn them, you can use them in your daily conversation.
Previous English Idiom Lesson
In our previous English idiom lesson, we cover below:
English Idiom Part 2- Lesson 16- Idioms about Food
1- A foot in the door = To take the first step toward a goal, especially a job or career.
I took an internship to get a foot in the door at the publishing company.
2- Food for thought = Something worth thinking seriously about.
Her presentation on climate change gave us a lot of food for thought.
3- Not my cup of tea = Not something one enjoys or prefers.
Horror movies are not my cup of tea, so I’ll skip this one.
4- A piece of cake = Something very easy to do.
The math test was a piece of cake because I studied well.
5- In a pickle = In a difficult or troublesome situation.
I’m in a pickle because I lost my wallet and need to get home.
6- Couch potato = A person who spends a lot of time sitting and watching television.
He became a couch potato during the holidays and didn’t move from the sofa.
7- Cool as a cucumber = Very calm and composed, especially in stressful situations.
Even during the crisis, the manager was cool as a cucumber.
8- Went pear-shaped = Went wrong or did not go as planned.
Our vacation plans went pear-shaped when the flight got cancelled.
9- Salt of the earth = A very good and honest person.
My grandmother is the salt of the earth kind, humble, and always helping others.
10- Sell like hot cakes = To sell quickly and in large quantities.
The new smartphone is selling like hot cakes.
11- Bread and butter = Someone’s main source of income or livelihood.
Freelance writing is her bread and butter.
12- Stew in his own juice = To suffer the consequences of one’s own actions or mistakes; to be left alone to face the unpleasant effects of something one has done.
After lying to everyone, he was left to stew in his own juice.
13- Butter someone up = To flatter someone to gain their favor.
She tried to butter him up before asking for an extension on the project.
14- Take that with a pinch of salt = To view something with skepticism or doubt.
He tends to exaggerate, so I always take what he says with a pinch of salt.
15- Egg on our face = To be embarrassed or appear foolish due to a mistake.
We had egg on our face after announcing the winner before checking the results.
16- On the breadline = Living in poverty or with very little money.
After losing his job, he found himself on the breadline and struggling to pay bills.
17- (Variety is) the spice of life = Different experiences make life more interesting.
I like trying new cuisines; variety is the spice of life!
18- Don’t put all your eggs in one basket = Don’t risk everything on one single plan or idea.
She invested in multiple startups because she didn’t want to put all her eggs in one basket.
19- Best thing since sliced bread = Something is excellent or very innovative.
My new phone is amazing. It’s the best thing since sliced bread!
Next English Idiom Lesson
In our next English idiom lesson, we cover below:
Related Idioms
Here is the list of idioms related to this lesson.
Idiom Part 2 Outline
If you wish to explore all lessons that are covered in HiCafe Idiom Part 2, you can visit the Essential and Popular English idioms- Part 2 page.
English Fluency Resources
If you like to read all of lessons related to English expressions, phrases, idioms, proverbs, slang and words, you can visit our Improve English Fluency page.
