We are on to part two of our three-part series on using of idiomatic expressions (idioms) correctly. To remind you, an idiom is a phrase in which a group of words takes on a different meaning that the dictionary definitions of the individual words. Today, we will continue that series and look at more popular idioms and what they really mean.

If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen

This idiom doesn’t mean to exit your kitchen when you are cooking. It means that a person should exit a situation if the pressure is getting to be too much for them. For example:

A. “This diving competition is really stressing me out. Aren’t you worried?”

B. “No, not at all. And, if you can’t stand the heat, you should get out of the kitchen.”

Joined at the hip

People that are joined at the hip are usually similar thinkers and are really close emotionally. They aren’t actually joined together, but it’s as if they are as they are so alike and spend so much time together. For example:

A. “Look at Susan and Carol. They are always together!”

B. “I know! It’s like they are joined at the hip.”

Keep in touch

When you keep in touch with someone, you’re continuing to communicate with them even if they live far away.

Long time no see

This expression means that the speaker usually hasn’t seen the person they are talking to in a long time. For example:

A. “Hey! Long time no see. How’ve you been?

B. “It has been a while. Good to see you.”

Mum’s the word

If someone uses this idiom with you, it means that they want you to keep quiet and not tell other people about what they’re telling you. For example, if your friend tells you that she is planning a party for her husband and says “mum’s the word”, she doesn’t want you to tell him about the party.

Nip it in the bud

When you nip something in the bud, you are dealing with the problem while it is still a small one – before it grows into a big problem. For example:

A. “Kate seemed really mad at me, but I talked to her and nipped it in the bud. We’re OK now.”

On a roll

This expression is used to describe someone who is moving from success to success. For example, if a person wins 5 chess games in a row, they’re on a roll.

People who live in glass houses should not throw stones

This doesn’t mean that people are actually throwing rocks at houses! It means that a person shouldn’t criticize another person for a fault or weakness that they might have themselves. For example:

A. “Joe is so lazy!”

B. “Yeah, but people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”

Well, this is the end of Englishlink’s second article on some commonly used idioms. Stay tuned for part 3 when we finish our look at some of the English language’s more puzzling idioms.