This is lesson 5 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 5
1- Get a foot in the door= To enter a business or organization at a low level, but with a chance of being more successful
Making contacts can help you get a foot in the door when it comes to getting a job.
2- Through the back door= Using indirect or dishonest means to achieve an objective.
There is always a chance to find a job through the back door if you have good connections in the company.
3- Lay the foundation= to produce the basic ideas or structures from which something much larger develops
The two leaders have laid the foundations of a new era in cooperation between their countries.
4- Like a tons of bricks= very strongly or forcefully
If dad finds out what you’ve been doing, he’ll come down on you like a ton of bricks!
5- At death’s door= to be very sick
I was so ill with flu last week I thought I was at death’s door.
6- Behind closed doors= taking place secretly or without public knowledge
Some important meetings among top management are conducted behind closed doors.
7- Like talking to a brick wall= the person you are speaking to does not listen
I’ve tried to discuss my feelings with her, but it’s like talking to a brick wall.
8- Going out of the window= if sth goes out of the window, it does not exist anymore
When he went, our happiness and our security went out of the window.
9- Bashing one’s head against a brick wall= wasting one’s time
I keep asking her not to park there, but it’s like bashing my head against a brick wall.
10- The corridor of power= the higher levels of government where the most important decisions are made
Sometimes in a company, people in the corridors of power get into heated discussions.
11- Smoke like a chimney= Smoke heavily, be a heavy smoker
She smokes like a chimney.
12- On someone’s doorstep= very close to someone is or lives
One of the advantages of living downtown is that you’ve got everything right on your doorstep.
13- Cement an agreement or relationship= Make it unlikely to change
The European Union needs to do more to cement its relationship with the old Eastern Bloc countries.
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.
