365 More American English Idioms: An Idiom A Day

Including... The EXPLANATION of each idiom. USAGE NOTES to learn the history and/or way to use the idiom The STRUCTURE showing the grammar usage of the idiom. EXAMPLE sentences to see how the idiom is used in context. What is an idiom? An idiom is a word or set of words that have a different meaning than the usual & literal meaning of those words. For example, let's look at the idiom, "get the ball rolling." To start a game like bowling or billiards, you roll the ball. So this idiom gives us the idea we are starting something. When we say, "Let's get the ball rolling," we mean, let's begin. You can use this idiom to begin a meeting, a class, or even a road trip. Why learn idioms? Idioms are commonly used in everyday, conversational English. You could being your meeting with "Let's begin the meeting," but starting the meeting with "Let's get the ball rolling" will make you sound more like a native speaker, and more natural. I encourage you to study the lessons in this book, and begin using these idioms in your conversations. You will sound more natural when you do so!