The Idiom Challenge: 13 Idioms to Learn in the Next 13 Days
If you can understand every word in a conversation or a text but still fail to understand it, chance are you are having trouble with idioms. Learning idioms is an important part of taking your English to the next level – from intermediate to advanced.
Idioms are an integral part of the English language. Native English speakers, specially when they converse among themselves will use idioms and if you are an English learner you might find yourself confused and frustrated. So learning idioms is an extremely important part of the journey of learning English.
Today, we are going to give you a list of 13 idioms that you MUST know if you are to become an intermediate level English speaker. We challenge you to learn one idiom a day and keep going for 13 days. By the end of the 13 days, you have to be able to use these 13 idioms either when writing or speaking. Let us know how you do.
Here are the 13 idioms:
1.) The picture of Niagara Falls called up fond memories of our trip
Called up means reminded or brought to mind.
2.) The mayor did not want to rock the boat during election time
Rock the boat means to make trouble or to upset something or someone.
3.) It was a shot in the dark but luckily I got the answer right to the professor’s question
A short in the dark means a wild guess; an attempt without much hope of success.
4.) The opposite number of the president of the United Sates in Germany is the chancellor of the Federal Republic
The opposite number means the person occupying the same position as someone in the different institution or group.
5.) If you are a leader, you have to enjoy calling the shots
Calling the shots means giving orders or directing.
6.) After 3 years of marriage, the couple decided to split up
Split up means to separate; get a divorce.
7.) Sam was invited to the wedding but he could not attend as he had other fish to fry
Other fish to fry means other things to do.
8.) One reason I like Andy is because he is willing to roll up his sleeves when it gets busy
Roll up one’s sleeves means to work hard.
9.) I’m so tired so I’m going to call it a night
Call it a night means to end an activity or event conducted late in the day.
10.) Tom would split hairs in every meeting he was part of. He was so annoying
Split hairs means to discuss small or unimportant things
11.) It was so quite in the stadium, you could hear a pin drop
Hear a pin drop means complete silence.
12.) Richard came from California driving a new car, tanned and wearing a new tuxedo. He looked like a million dollars
Look like a million dollars means to look well; healthy, happy and prosperous.
13.) Greg was a hard-nosed businessman and would not go down without a fight.
Hard nosed means tough or not soft, specially in a competitive situation.
