Read Webster's New World American Idioms Handbook Online
Authors: Gail Brenner
Webster's New World American Idioms Handbook (66 page)
do poorly
to be unsuccessful or to fail in something, usually school ♦
You
did
very
poorly
on this test, Roger. What happened?
♦
He
did poorly
in high school, but later he excelled in college.
do exercise
to exercise.
Do
is used with most forms of martial arts, and with exercises that are done individually in a gym, for example: sit ups, push ups, yoga, gymnastics, and so on. ♦
I try to
do s
ome kind of
exercise
every day.
♦
Some older people stay strong by
doing yoga or tai chi. ♦
He’s been
doing gymnastics
since high school.
[See
do without
in Chapter 19; see
do it
in Chapter 8.]
More Idioms with
Have
Here are some additional idioms with the verb
have.
Note:
The first three idioms in this group are said frequently instead of, or in addition to,
goodbye.
have fun
to enjoy oneself ♦
We
had fun
playing at the beach.
♦
Goodbye kids. Be careful and
have fun.
have a good (
or
great) time
to enjoy oneself ♦
I really like him. We always
have a good time
together.
♦
We
had a fantastic time
on our vacation.
have a good day
to enjoy a pleasant day, good weather; a successful day financially ♦
Bye honey, I hope you
have a good day. ♦
Sales clerks often say,
“Have a good day!”
when you leave the store.
♦
The store
had a good day.
We made a nice profit.
have a bad day
to experience a day when nothing goes right, a hard day ♦
You look tired. Did you
have a bad day? ♦
When I
have a bad day,
I call a friend and talk. Then I feel better.
More Idioms with
Make
Here are some additional idioms with
make:
make a decision
to decide, usually on something important, but not always;
make a good or bad decision
means to decide wisely or unwisely ♦
We have to
make a decision
about which health care plan we want.
♦
You
made a good decision
to continue your education now rather than later.
[See also
make the call
in this section]
make a mistake
have an error or misjudge something ♦
I
made a few mistakes
on the test, but I got most of the answers right.
♦
Everyone
makes mistakes
in life. Nobody is perfect.
Note:
Do not say “make a test.” In American English, say “take a test.”
make the call
be the person responsible for deciding, choosing. Also
make a good/bad call,
meaning choose wisely or unwisely. ♦
You
made a good call
on this restaurant. It’s great!
♦
Both applicants are perfect for this job. I’ll let you
make the call
on who to hire.
[See also
make a decision
in this section.]
make tracks
move, leave, or run away quickly; be in a hurry ♦
We’d better
make tracks
if we want to catch that flight.
♦
The store manager caught the shoplifters as they were
making tracks
for the exit.
make trouble
cause problems ♦
There are always a few kids who
make trouble
for the teacher.
♦
Don’t listen to him. He’s just trying to
make trouble
by criticizing your friend.
make one’s day
to do something that makes someone very happy, that turns an ordinary day into a fantastic day; also sometimes
make one’s week
♦
Your phone call has
made my day.
It’s wonderful to hear your voice.
♦
Getting that award at school really
made her day.
It
made
her whole
week!
[See
make it, make out, make up,
and
make whoopee
in Chapter 8.]
More Idioms with
Take
The following are some additional idioms with
take.
Taking a Bath
In American English people generally use the verb
take
(not
have
) when talking about bathing. They say
take a bath
or
take a shower.
Sometimes people add
my
or
your
in front of
bath
or
shower.
Here are a few examples:
- Jenny, it’s time for you to
take your bath. - I usually
take a shower
in the evening when I get home from work. - Go ahead and
take your shower
first. I’ll take mine when you’re done.
The expression
to have a bath
is most commonly used when talking about bathing someone other than oneself, such as an infant, a child, or a pet. Here are some examples:
- Did the baby
have her bath
yet? - Jason: Dad, when was the last time the dog
had a bath
? Dad: I’m not sure. But he needs to
have another one.
Taking Advice
The following idioms with
tak
e are used to give advice or encouragement. In these idioms,
take
means to heed or follow the advice, suggestion, or warning.
take advice
listen and follow someone’s advice ♦ Take my advice.
If you work hard, you’ll succeed.
take care
be careful ♦ Take care
with that fragile antique.
♦ Take care
crossing that busy street.
take courage
or
take heart
be hopeful, confident, brave ♦
We can
take courage
that the economy will improve.
♦ Take heart,
you’ll find a job if you keep looking.
take heed
means “listen to this warning” ♦
Take heed
and stay away from drugs.
Here are a few more idioms with take:
take effect
begin to have an effect or influence, to begin being enforced as a law or rule ♦
I hope that pain reliever
takes effect
soon. This headache is killing me!
♦
The new dress code
takes effect
immediately. No more wearing sandals or loose jewelry in the food service area.
take note
notice something of interest, pay attention, listen to an interesting fact ♦ Take note, there
are no young people represented on this advisory board. We need to appoint some.
♦
Everyone
take note,
the tour leaves an hour earlier than the time listed on the tour schedule.
take part
participate in, be part of; also
take part in
♦
We’re going to put on a fund raising event. Do you want to
take part? ♦
In the 1960s, thousands of people
took part in
the civil rights demonstrations.
take place
to happen, occur ♦
When and where will the event
take place? ♦
The accident
took place
at the corner of Eighth Street and Market Road.
take turns
alternate in doing something ♦
In our house, we
take turns
doing the dishes.
♦
Kids, don’t fight over that toy.
Take turns
playing with it.
APPENDIX II
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AMERICAN IDIOMS AND BRITISH IDIOMS
American English and British English are, of course, similar in many respects, but they also have many differences. There are some differences in spelling, pronunciation, accent pattern, wording, and usage. Idioms and slang develop and change in a social context, so they are often very different in American English and British English.
This appendix presents some of the more common and problematic idioms, expressions, and terms that British English speakers encounter in American English.
Idioms with Different Prepositions
The American and British idioms in this section share a common meaning but use a different preposition with the verb or adjective to form the idiom. For example, the American idiom
fall down,
as in “The boy fell down and cut his knee,” is said as
fall over
in British English. This is a small but important difference because in American English
fall over
is generally only used in reference to inanimate objects such as a vase or lamp, not in reference to people. Most of the following idioms are phrasal verbs (two-word verbs that include a verb and a preposition), and some are adjectives.
| American Idiom and Example | American and British Common Meaning | British Idiom |
| come over ♦ Come over anytime .You’re always welcome. | to visit someone’s house | come round |
| different from ♦This food is really different from the food we eat in my country. | not the same as, distinguished from | different to |
| fall down ♦The little girl fell down and scraped her knee. | to fall on the ground or floor Note: In American English fall over is generally used for an inanimate object, such as a vase or lamp. | fall over |
| in school ♦I’m not working because I’m still in school. | to be a student, attending school, usually college or university | at university |
| knock something out ♦We knocked out the project in one week. | to make or create hurriedly Note: In American English the expression to knock someone up means to impregnate someone. | knock something up |
| move around or get around ♦My father was in the military, so we moved around a lot. | to relocate often, be mobile; have a wide network of friends or acquaintances | move about or get about |
| it’s up to someone ♦She asked my advice, but it’s really up to her how she invests her money. | means “it’s your decision, responsibility, choice.” Note: In American English down to you means you are the last one, the only one left, as in “Everyone else has gone home, so now it’s just down to you and me.’ | it’s down to someone |
| wait on tables ♦When I was a student, I waited on tables to earn money. | to be a waiter or waitress; also, to wait tables | wait at tables |
Idioms with Different Verbs
The American idioms and British idioms in this section share a common meaning and some common words, but they use different verbs to form the idiom. This can be a very important difference for example, the British idiom
take a decision
makes no sense in American English. If you said or wrote
take a decision,
it would be considered an error. Most of the following expressions are phrasal verbs (two-word verbs that include a verb and a preposition).
| American Idiom and Example | American and British Common Meaning | British Idiom |
| call someone up ♦I’ll call you up tonight. What’s your phone number? | to telephone someone Note: In American English to ring someone up means to total someone’s purchases at a cash register. | ring someone up |
| check something off (a list) ♦He checked off his grocery list as he chose the items. | to mark an item on a list as done, completed Note: The American English idiom tick someone off means to annoy someone or make someone mad, as in “His comments at the meeting really ticked me off .” | tick something off |
| line up ♦The kids lined up on stage to receive their awards. | to form a line, get in a line | queue up |
| make a decision ♦I finally made a decision about my career plans. | to decide | take a decision |
| nab ♦The police nabbed the suspect as he was leaving the store. | to catch or arrest a criminal | nick |
| run a red light ♦Did you see that car?! It just ran a red light! | to fail to stop for a red light, to go through a red light | jump a red light |
| set the table ♦She set the table with her best china for the party. | to put dishes and silverware on the table | lay the table |
| take a bath or shower ♦After working in the garden, she likes to take a hot bath . | to wash oneself in the bath or shower Note: In American English people occasionally say have a bath or shower , but generally this is used when pets or children are bathed by someone, as in “The dog had a bath today.” | have a bath or shower |
Idioms with Different Nouns
The following abbreviations, slang expressions, and informal terms are quite different in American English and British English. The difference can be very important; for example, the British English slang term for friend,
mate,
means romantic partner or spouse in American English. All of the idioms in this section are nouns or adjective and noun combinations.
| American Idiom and Example | American and British Common Meaning | British Idiom |
| ATM ♦I need to go to the ATM and get some money. | automated teller machine, money machine | cash dispenser or cash point |
| backup lights ♦One of his backup lights isn’t working. | red lights on the back of the car that glow when going in reverse | reversing lights |
| bathroom, restroom ♦Excuse me, where is the restroom located? | room that contains the toilet Note: American English speakers sometimes consider it a bit crude to refer directly to the toilet in this context. | loo, toilet, lavatory, or W.C. |
| bill ♦I don’t have any change in my pocket, just bills . | dollar bill, paper money Note: In American English a bank note refers to a specific type of promissory note issued by the bank. | bank note |
| buddy, pal ♦He usually goes out with his buddies on Saturday night. | friend/ Note: In American English mate refers to one’s spouse or romantic partner. It implies a sexual relationship and, often, life partner, as in “He wants to settle down and find a mate.” | mate |
| a busy signal ♦Maybe he’s on the phone or his computer because I’m getting a busy signal . | repeating tone indicating the phone that one called is in use | the line’s engaged |
| dishwashing detergent ♦You’ll find the dishwashing detergent on aisle 7 next to the soap. | liquid detergent for washing dishes | washing-up liquid |
| grammar school | school for children aged 6 to 11 or 12 years old Note: In the United States, the primary grades are grades 1 through 3, for children who are approximately 6 to 8 years old. | primary school |
| half bath ♦We’ve just redecorated the half bath for our guests. | room with toilet and sink but no bath Note: In American English a cloak room is a closet or small room where one hangs coats, umbrellas and so on. | cloakroom |
| high school | academic school for students who are approximately 13 to 18 years old Note: In the United States, grammar school is for children who are approximately 6 to 11 years old | grammar school |
| merry-go-round ♦Children love to ride the horses on the merry-go-round . | carousel | roundabout |
| nail polish ♦Her daughter has 20 different shades of nail polish . | paint for finger- and toenails | nail varnish |
| newsstand ♦I’m going to the newsstand to pick up a paper. | small stand or stall where one buys newspapers | newsagent or bookstall |
| private school | a school that charges tuition and is not funded by the government Note: In the United States, a public school does not charge tuition and is funded by the state government. | public school |
| rest stop or rest area ♦After driving 400 miles, they stopped for a break at a rest stop . | place along the highway to stop, use the bathroom, rest | lay by |
| (shopping) cart ♦My cart was full of items for our holiday meal. | metal cart for holding grocery items one wants to buy | shopping trolley |
| soft drink ♦They bought some soft drinks to take to the beach. | soda, carbonated drink | fizzy drink |
| take out ♦When we’re too tired to cook, we order take out . | food ordered, often by phone, from a restaurant and taken home to eat | take away |
| waste (paper) basket ♦We can toss all these old files in the waste basket . | small container for throwing away paper | dustbin |
| zits ♦He tried different medications to get rid of his zits . | acne, pimples | spots |
Idioms with Very Different Wording
These expressions are worded very differently in American English and British English, but they have the same meaning. Some of them are verb phrases, some are adverbs, and others are expletives.
| American Idiom and Example | American and British Common Meaning | British Idiom |
| catch red-handed ♦They caught the shoplifter red-handed as she put merchandise in her purse. | to catch or discover people while they are committing a crime | bang to rights |
| cut in line ♦Hey! No cutting in line! Go to the end of the line and wait your turn. | to get ahead of other people already waiting in a line | jump the queue |
| do the dishes ♦My son’s job is to do the dishes after dinner. | to wash the dishes Note: In American English to wash up means to wash one’s face and hands or to clean oneself up, usually before a meal or after working or playing outside. For example, “She helped her little sister wash up before lunch.” | wash up |
| fill in the blanks ♦In part two of the test, fill in the blanks with the correct word. | to complete a form; to complete test questions | fill in the gaps |
| get going ♦Our trip was delayed, but we finally got going around noon. | to hurry, leave, go | move off |
| give something up ♦I quit smoking. It was time to give it up . | to quit, stop doing something | give something a miss |
| go bad ♦Ugh! This milk has gone bad! | to spoil, rot, turn sour Note: In American English to go off means to ring, as an alarm, or to explode, like fireworks, a gun, or a bomb. For example, “My alarm goes off every morning at 6:30 a.m.” and “The gun went off accidentally.” | go off |
| go belly up ♦During the recession a lot of businesses went belly up . | for a business to fail, go bankrupt | go all up |
| go on or go ahead ♦Okay, kids. Go on. There’s the school bus. | encouragement to proceed; leave, go | off you go |
| hang up ♦Susan, hang up the phone now and come eat dinner. | to end a phone conversation | ring off |
| all at once ♦The raft tipped, and everyone fell out all at once . | all happening at the same time | all in one go |
| happen only once ♦In our lifetime, seeing this comet will happen only once . | to happen just one time, no more | be a one-off event |
| look sharp ♦He always looks sharp , no matter what he wears. | to be well dressed, fashionable Note: In American English to look smart means to look or appear intelligent, as in “He thought that his glasses made him look very smart , like a scholar.” | look smart |
| miss one’s turn ♦He missed his turn at bat when he went to the food stand to get a soda. | to miss one’s chance to do or try something in a succession of turns with others | miss one’s go |
| next to last ♦You’re scheduled to speak next to last , so you can relax for a while. | the one before the last, second to last | last but one |
| Period! ♦No! Your father and I won’t allow you to buy a motorcycle. Period! | that’s final; that’s the end | Full stop! |
| right away ♦I’ll put that report on your desk right away . | immediately, without delay | straight away |
| a run ♦Oh no! I have a run in my stocking. | a line of unraveled weave in nylons, pantyhose | a ladder |
| sleep in ♦I can’t wait for Saturday when I can sleep in . | to sleep later than usual, deliberately | have a lie-in |
| be stuffed ♦Everyone was completely stuffed after the Thanksgiving meal. | full of food, satisfied | be full up |
| take a turn ♦Everyone took a turn at flying the kite. | to have a chance to do or try something in succession with others | have a go |
| wash up or get washed up ♦While we were camping, we washed up in a small basin. | to wash, generally one’s hands and face | have a wash |
