The Dictionary of Popular American Idioms & Phrases: Learn 1000 Essential American English Slang Words, Sayings and Expressions

By Fluency Pro

Do you struggle with learning new American sayings?

When watching American television or movies, have you ever heard a term used in English that seemed odd or unfamiliar to you?

To begin with, it can be discouraging to realize that your textbook English isn't adequate to prepare you for the idioms and slang that native speakers use in everyday conversation.

Just having the correct resources at hand may make all the difference, and that's where "The Dictionary of Popular American Idioms and Phrases" comes in!

Inside this book you will discover:

• 1000 Popular American Slang Phrases - Mastering these key American idioms and colloquialisms is essential for communicating with native English speakers.
• Organized by Type – Unlike other books, phrases are categorized by type and usage for easy understanding.
• Idiom Meanings - Learn the precise meaning of each idiom and its plain English equivalent so you can confidently use them in conversation.
• Example Usage - Each idiom is explained and then used in a sentence to show you how it's meant to be used.
• Idiom Origins – Learn the origin of each popular slang or phrase.
• A-Z Index – In addition to each category, there is also an alphabetical listing of idioms just like you'd find in a dictionary. Using this method, discovering the meaning of an idiom is quick and easy.
• Includes Gen-Z Phrases – Unlike other books on the market, our dictionary contains recent, popular Generation Z slang used in everyday conversation.

The opportunity to understand the most frequently used idioms in American English is now at your fingertips, making it easier than ever to converse with native speakers.

Start learning more about the history of American colloquialisms while improving your English language skills with this easy to use dictionary.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CB Books
• Release date: Jan 6, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224928347

Book preview

Disclaimer

Without the publisher’s prior written consent, no portion of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the United States Copyright Act of 1976. Although every precaution has been taken in preparing this book, the publisher is not liable for any mistakes, omissions, or damages resulting from the use of the material included within. This book is intended solely for entertainment and educational purposes. The opinions presented are those of the author alone and should not be construed as professional advice or directives. The reader's activities are his or her own responsibility. The author and publisher take no responsibility or liability for the purchaser or reader of these contents. The reader is responsible for his or her own usage of any products or techniques referenced in this publication.

The Dictionary of Popular American Idioms & Phrases

First Edition: January 3, 2023

Copyright © 2022 Caliber Brands Inc.

Cover images licensed through Shutterstock

Contents

I. INTRODUCTION

THE IMPORTANCE OF AMERICAN IDIOMS

AMERICAN ENGLISH AND ITS EVOLUTION

WHY EVEN USE IDIOMS AT ALL?

THE STORY BEHIND THE BOOK

WHY WAS THIS BOOK WRITTEN?

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK TO BECOME A BETTER NATIVE SPEAKER

II. THE 1000 AMERICAN IDIOMS

1. APPEARANCE

A. WHEN TO USE THEM

B. LIST OF COMMON IDIOMS ABOUT APPEARANCE

2. RELATIONSHIPS

A. WHEN TO USE THEM

B. LIST OF COMMON IDIOMS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS

3. WORK AND MONEY

A. WHEN TO USE THEM

B. LIST OF COMMON IDIOMS ABOUT THE WORK AND MONEY

4. ANIMALS

A. WHEN TO USE THEM

B. LIST OF COMMON IDIOMS ABOUT ANIMALS

5. WEATHER

A. WHEN TO USE THEM

B. LIST OF COMMON IDIOMS ABOUT WEATHER

6. EUPHEMISM

A. WHEN TO USE THEM

B. LIST OF COMMON EUPHEMISMS

7. CLICHES

A. WHEN TO USE THEM

B. LIST OF COMMON CLICHES

8. METAPHORS

A. WHEN TO USE THEM

B. LIST OF COMMON METAPHORS

III. CONCLUSION

1. SOME USEFUL TIPS

2. USING IDIOMS

3. WHY IDIOMS CAN BE FUN AND EFFECTIVE

IV. ALPHABETICAL INDEX

I.    INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing this book. This might be the edge you need when it comes to conversing with your fellow Americans. Language is always a very complicated and contentious subject. It is ever-changing. Like water, it shifts its course based on how people use and perceive it. No living language is the same today as it was a century ago. That’s because, like all living things, languages evolve and change.

Perhaps this is why many speakers, even native speakers, find it difficult to grasp the full nature of languages. Words, phrases, and idioms can change by the day, and people can be left without a means to catch up. That’s how fast languages are changing. Considering English is spoken all over the world, mostly as a second language, the rate of its change is unprecedented. If you are one of those people who feel like they lack linguistic depth when it comes to the English language, then this book is for you. We will go over 1,000 of the most common idioms to get you up to speed on how English has evolved in the states and how it continues to change. Hopefully, this journey will bear fruit (this is how an idiom is used).

The Importance of American Idioms

American English broke off from British English around the time of the colonization of the American continent. Due to the distance of the entire Atlantic Ocean, people in the United Kingdom and the Colonies evolved the language separately. From pronunciation to usage, the two forms of English have clear and distinct features that distinguish them. In this section, we will explore more about American English and how it came to be as well as the usage of idioms.

American English and Its Evolution

The United States of America emerged as an independent state after it declared independence from the British Crown in 1776. However, even by that time, American English was diverging from the path of the Brits. Consequently, American English began to be considered a separate dialect only after one generation since the colonists arrived from the old world. As people began to settle in the increasingly multicultural colonies, they began to lose contact with the distinctly English England.

Americans began to settle alongside Native Americans, French, Spanish, Swedes, Dutch, Germans, and natives from many other lands. As a result, American English emerged from this cultural melting pot. Moreover, the vast distance from England, where the language originated, and the involvement of multicultural social spheres ensured that Americans developed their own version of English. This difference can be seen in all the things we mentioned before, from pronunciation to spelling, punctuation, and even slang and idioms.

However, if you dig deeper, you can find that American English is actually the successor of what is called rhotic speech. This is when the r in words is noticeably pronounced. This was the common tongue in the U.K. even before the independence of the 13 colonies from the Crown. Wealthy nobles and posh citizens from the upper classes wanted to distinguish themselves from the common rabble. So, they began to pronounce things differently, often omitting the r, such as when pronouncing water as woh-tuh. Since the upper classes are often considered to be the desirable group, many people followed suit. They adopted this somewhat French way of speaking English. The colonists lacked such social conditioning or compulsion and thus did not conform.

American English has developed differently from British English and, as such, distinguishes itself through its speech and words. As a result, the idioms of both languages are frequently confusing for either. That’s because idioms are created organically. They are created to allow learners to understand and develop a deeper knowledge of something and express thoughts differently.

Why Even Use Idioms at All?

As asserted by the Oxford Dictionary, an idiom is a group of words established by use as having a meaning not derived from those of the individual words.

They are phrases and sentences that convey a figurative meaning to a given thing. They are not meant to be taken literally. They have a deeper meaning that is conveyed beyond the words’ capacity. Because of this, the literal meaning of an idiom can be drastically different from its figurative meaning. Think of break a leg as an ironic idiom that symbolizes good luck, but if taken literally by someone can make them take offense to it. They can occur naturally and develop over time as common figures of speech. English itself is known to have around 25 million idioms, but we will go over the most common 1000.

So why do Idioms exist, and what utility do they provide? Idioms provide a unique glimpse of the cultural and historical information of a language. They broaden people’s understanding of English and can create new meanings from the same old words of everyday speech. Native speakers can use idioms to convey ideas in a colorful and vibrant manner. They can enhance the retention and understanding of what is spoken and can even strike an emotional connection between people. In writing or speaking, Idioms can add a flair and flow that can be appealing to the recipient of the message.

The Story Behind the Book

This book was written with a core concept in mind-- Idioms are still an anomaly for many native speakers. At the same time, we hear them every day in our lives. We may even use many of them in day-to-day speech. But can we say for certain why we say what we say, and do they mean what we think they mean? For most people, the answer is most likely a no. We use these phrases all the time, yet few of us know the history behind them. Considering that they are important artifacts of a language, this book is made to preserve them and illuminate the American native speakers to understand the things they might not have given a second thought to.

Why Was This Book Written?

The book has a twofold purpose. First, to explain and expand the knowledge of American native speakers regarding American Idioms. Second, to help you become a better speaker and writer. As stated, Idioms have a huge role to play when it comes to conveying messages in a manner that can be considered engaging. Idioms break the monotony and present ideas in a different manner, which can feel refreshing.

To better help you in making sure that you have the attention of your audience in the palm of your hand, this book presents you with the most common idioms to gain mastery over. This book can help you make sure that people not only hear what you have to say but listen, understand, and even respond as well.

How To Use This Book to Become a Better Native Speaker

This book is meant to be used as an introduction to the most common Idioms in American English. Many of these are ingrained in pop culture, but many of them are much more obscure and are often misunderstood. This book seeks to remove those misunderstandings to allow you to become the master of the language. The chapters included in the book seek to divide the notion of idioms into different categories for easier digestion and understanding and make the experience more educational. As such, the book is structured as a dictionary for Idioms.

You can refer to this book whenever you come across an Idiom you are unfamiliar with. You can refer to it even when you think you made a mistake when saying a particular phrase when you shouldn’t have. This book provides insight into Idioms by presenting their meaning, etymology, and origin. It provides an example to help you better understand. This book can be a companion for any English speaker, native or otherwise, who wants to brush up on their communication skills. You can even read it in your free time to make the most of it and absorb the different phrases to use them later when appropriate. Ultimately, it can be fitting to say that the ball is in your court (If that went over your head, don’t worry, we’ll get to that soon).

II.  THE 1000 AMERICAN IDIOMS

We begin now by going over the 1000 most common American Idioms. This list is divided into multiple categories based on themes, from animals to money, to relationships, and everything in between. Next, we will discuss how the idioms came to be and what they mean. Examples in the form of sentences will also be provided to further hammer home the idea of idioms.

Let’s begin.

1.     APPEARANCE

This section of the book will focus on the idioms that refer to appearances and how we describe them. We all relate to each other based on how we look, dress, and carry ourselves. Our appearance broadcasts what we are. As such, it is no surprise to learn that the English language and the American dialect have loads of idioms that describe how people look. These idioms can be appropriate in different situations, but be sure to read the room before speaking.

A.    WHEN TO USE THEM

These idioms can be used whenever you want to say something about the way a person looks without speaking the words directly. As we have established previously, idioms tend to carry more meaning than the sum of their parts. As such, these phrases are used to project a particular idea in the mind of a person rather than using mere adjectives themselves. This can be more expressive and expansive concerning appearance.

However, be sure to ascertain what people you are around and in what setting. For instance, while quipping about the appearance of a friend while hanging out at a bar can be harmless, doing the same to a stranger at a soiree can come off as rude. However, not all idioms carry negative connotations. Some are appropriate when you’re in a situation where you need to break the ice. Since appearance is the first thing we notice about people, these idioms can be a great way to start a conversation and also leave a positive first impression.

B.    LIST OF COMMON IDIOMS ABOUT APPEARANCE

A 10 (or any number)

Definition: A rating given to someone based on how they look. 10 is the best, while 1 is the worst.

Origin: This relatively recent idiom gained popularity through TikTok and other social media.

Example: I met Stacy the other day, and she’s a 10 through and through.

A Great Face for Radio

Definition: An ugly face

Origin: The phrase originated somewhere during the 1800s in a story or article.

Example: Tim’s got a great face for radio, and that’s what everyone tells him.

Air of Mystery

Definition: Someone who looks ambiguous or mysterious.

Origin: The origin of this phrase is unknown

Example: Brandon is good to hang around with, but he has an air of mystery to him.

All Brawn and No Brain

Definition: Someone who looks strong but doesn’t have enough brain capacity.

Origin: The origin of the phrase is unknown.

Example: Matthew is all brawn and no brain, the way he walks around knocking stuff over with his huge frame.

All Cats are Gray in the Dark

Definition: Appearances do not matter because people can be the same inside.

Origin: The origin of the phrase is disputed. It is speculated that Benjamin Franklin first coined the phrase. At the same time, another source credits John Heywood with his book of proverbs which contained the phrase in 1546.

Example: You shouldn’t be picky with whom you go on dates. After all, all cats are gray in the dark.

All Dressed and