In this article we will look at 11 English idioms that you can use to spice up your sentences.
Idioms based on nature
1 - As fresh as a daisy
Meaning: If you feel as fresh as a daisy, you feel energetic and healthy.
Example: "I might feel awful first thing in the morning, but after a cup of coffee and a bit of meditation I'm as fresh as a daisy."
2 - A grass roots movement
Meaning: The ordinary people in a society or political organization and not the leaders.
Example: "The feeling among the grass roots of the organization is that the leaders aren't radical enough."
Example: "The feeling among the grass roots of the organization is that the leaders aren't radical enough."
3 - The grass is always greener on the other side
Meaning: Other people's lives or situations always seem better than your own.
Example: Jill - "My job is so tedious. I wish I had my own business, like Beatrice does." Jane: "Beatrice probably wishes she had the security of her old job. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence."
Example: Jill - "My job is so tedious. I wish I had my own business, like Beatrice does." Jane: "Beatrice probably wishes she had the security of her old job. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence."
4 - To hit the hay
Meaning: To go to bed.
Example: "I have to go home and hit the hay pretty soon. Let's hit the sack. We have to get an early start in the morning."
Example: "I have to go home and hit the hay pretty soon. Let's hit the sack. We have to get an early start in the morning."
5 - To be out of the woods
Meaning: To be out of danger or difficulty.
Example: "Financially, things are looking better, but we're not out of the woods yet."
Example: "Financially, things are looking better, but we're not out of the woods yet."
6 - To beat about the bush
Meaning: To avoid talking about what is important.
Example: "Don't beat around the bush - get to the point!"
Example: "Don't beat around the bush - get to the point!"
7 - To lead someone up the garden path
Meaning: To deceive you, or give you false information that causes you to waste your time.
Example: "It seems as if we've been led up the garden path about the position of our hotel - it's miles from the beach!"
Example: "It seems as if we've been led up the garden path about the position of our hotel - it's miles from the beach!"
8 - To let the grass grow under your feet
Meaning: To waste time by avoiding doing something.
Example: "We can't let the grass grow under our feet - we've really got to get going with this project."
Example: "We can't let the grass grow under our feet - we've really got to get going with this project."
9 - To nip something in the bud
Meaning: To stop something at an early stage
Example: "Many serious illnesses can be nipped in the bud if they are detected early enough."
Example: "Many serious illnesses can be nipped in the bud if they are detected early enough."
10 - Find a needle in a haystack
Meaning: Something extremely hard to find
Example: "It's pretty much a needle in a haystack because these fish are extremely hard to find."
Example: "It's pretty much a needle in a haystack because these fish are extremely hard to find."
11 - The cream of the crop
Meaning: The best of all
Example: "This particular car is the cream of the crop. These three students are very bright. They are the cream of the crop in their class."
Example: "This particular car is the cream of the crop. These three students are very bright. They are the cream of the crop in their class."
Challenge
Are you feeling brave? Try this... remember one or two of the idioms that we have mentioned above and try to use them in a sentence this week, then come back here and let us know how it went!
