Just to remind you, an idiom is a phrase where the words take on a different meaning than the definition of the individual words alone. Here are some more examples:

Question of time

This describes a situation that will happen, but you do not know when. For example:

A. “You look like you’re going to have your baby any minute now. Are you due soon?”

B. “Any day now, it’s just a question of time.”

Rather you than me

When a person has an unpleasant task to do, another person will use this idiom to tease them about it. For example:

A. “I’m not looking forward to this afternoon when I have to clean the bathroom.”

B. “Rather you than me.”

Straw that broke the camel’s back

The straw that broke the camel’s back is usually the problem that has caused you to lose your temper. Sometimes the problem isn’t big, but since it’s the last problem in a long line of problems, it’s the one that finally makes you say, “I have had enough!” This idiom can also be used to describe the collapse of something. For example:

A. “Did you really break up with Joe because he was ten minutes late?”

B. “Yes, I know it doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. There were many other things wrong with the relationship.”

Tie the knot

When two people get married, they tie the knot.

Up to speed

This idiom is usually used when one person is giving you recent news. For example:

“I will begin this presentation by bringing you all up to speed on the project.”

Vicious cycle

This describes things that get worse and worse each time they happen again. It is hard to stop this happening once it starts. For example:

“I helped Lisa do her homework a few times and now she feels like she cannot do it without me…we are in a vicious cycle.”

Without a hitch

This idiom describes a situation where the plans all happened the way you wanted them to. For example:

“The party went off without a hitch. I can’t believe how surprised he was!”

Your call

If someone tells you that it is ‘your call,’ it is up to you to make the decision. For example:

A. “Do you think we should have hamburgers or pasta for dinner?”

B. “It’s your call.”

Zero tolerance

If someone or something has a zero tolerance policy, they will not overlook breaking a rule no matter how small or trivial it is. For example:

A. “I was only 2 minutes late! Why am I getting in trouble?”

B. “The school has a zero tolerance policy on being late.”

This is the end of Englishlink’s lessons on idioms. I hope they helped. Now go out and start using them! Please visit our site for more resources and tips.