This is lesson 2 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 2
1- Kill two birds with one stone= achieve two aims at once.
I can bring your suit to the cleaners when I pick up the kids and kill two birds with one stone.
2- Watching me like a hawk= to carefully watch sb/sth all the time
When I was at home, mum and dad watched me like a hawk.
3- Take sb under his wing= start to protect and take care of sb
He took the rookie pitcher under his wing.
4- In a flap= confusion or panic
He got in a flap over the delays in the schedule.
5- Parrot fashion= if you learn something parrot fashion you learn it word by word
Babies repeat what we say in parrot fashion.
6- Wouldn’t say boo to a goose= sb who is shy and easily frightened
He seemed the kind of chap who wouldn’t say boo to a goose
7- As the crow flies = shortest route between two points
It’s 10 miles as the crow flies.
8- In one fell swoop= all in one go.
I got all my Christmas shopping done in one fell swoop.
9- As dead as dodo= completely dead or extinct or no longer effective, valid, or interesting
The campaign was as dead as a dodo
10- As sick as a parrot= disappointed, unhappy, or depressed about sth
He was sick as a parrot when he found out he had missed the first half of the movie.
11- Fly the nest= To move out of one’s parents’ house for the first time.
I’m so nervous to fly the nest and start college this fall because I’ve never lived on my own before.
12- Swan around= to wander aimlessly
She spends her time swanning around the world.
13- Pecking order= a hierarchy among people, nations or classes
As an assistant manager, he was pretty low in the company’s pecking order.
14- Nest egg= a sum of money put as a reserve or saving
Regular savings of small amounts of money is an excellent way of building a nest egg.
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 1 Outline
If you wish to explore all lessons that are covered in HiCafe Idiom Part 1, you can visit the Essential and Popular English idioms- Part 1 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.