Today we’ll learn some idiomatic expressions with nouns. Idiomatic expressions are expressions with a meaning that cannot be understood literally. For example ‘to hit the roof’ means ‘to become very angry’. This is an example of an idiomatic expression. And now let’s have a look at some more.
Most of the expressions below are verbal expressions, which means they function as verbs and can be replaced by a single verb in most cases. But there are also some adverbial and adjectival expressions, which function as adverbs and adjectives respectively.
If you prefer to watch a video first, here it is:
Anyway, let’s start with the verbal expressions.
Verbal Idiomatic Expressions
drive sb up a wall
Her attitude is driving me up a wall.
= is very annoying
sell sb down the river
His best friend wouldn’t sell him down the river.
= betray
put sth on ice
We had to put the project on ice.
= delay, postpone
shoot the breeze
I enjoy shooting the breeze with you.
= chatting informally about unimportant things
go fly a kite
She told her wicked sister to go fly a kite.
= go away (old-fashioned)
scratch sb’s back
You helped me then so now I’ll scratch your back.
= make a favor
jump the gun
They jumped the gun and revealed the secret.
= acted too hastily
hit the hay
I’m exhausted. I think I’ll hit the hay.
= go to bed
bite the dust
My old car just bit the dust. I need a new one.
= stopped functioning
get the ax
He worked really badly and finally got the ax.
= lost his job, was fired
bite the bullet
I have to bite the bullet and accept his offer.
= do sth unpleasant which I would prefer to avoid
face the music
I did what I did and now I have to face the music.
= accept the consequences
And now let’s have a look at some idiomatic expressions with adverbial or adjectival meaning.
Adverbial and Adjectival Expressions
once in a blue moon
They do it once in a blue moon.
= very rarely
at the end of one’s rope
It was too much. She was at the end of her rope.
= in a state in which she no longer could deal with a problem
full of beans
They were young and full of beans.
= vivid and full of energy
