15 Everyday English Idioms You Must Learn!

POC English

16 May 202409:27

Summary

TLDRIn this engaging video, Maddie from PC English introduces viewers to 15 everyday idioms that are essential for English language learners. Starting with 'piece of cake,' which signifies something easy to do, she progresses through idioms like 'break a leg' for good luck, 'hit the nail on the head' for accurately identifying a problem, and 'let the cat out of the bag' for accidentally revealing a secret. The lesson covers a range of expressions from 'cost an arm and a leg' indicating high cost, to 'under the weather' for feeling unwell, and 'bite the bullet' for facing an unpleasant task. Maddie also explains 'the best of both worlds,' 'speak of the devil,' 'when pigs fly' for something that will never happen, and 'cut to the chase' for getting to the point. She touches on 'add fuel to the fire' for exacerbating a problem, 'go the extra mile' for exceeding expectations, 'out of the blue' for unexpected events, and 'once in a blue moon' for something that rarely occurs. The video concludes with an offer for a comprehensive PDF summary of the lesson and a book containing summaries of all her YouTube videos, available for free on her website.

Takeaways

😀 'Piece of cake' means something is very easy to do, and is the inspiration behind the name of Maddie's channel, PC (Piece of Cake) English.
🍀 'Break a leg' is an idiom used to wish someone good luck, often before a performance, exam, or test.
🔨 'Hit the nail on the head' means to accurately identify the cause of a problem or difficult situation.
🐱 'Let the cat out of the bag' refers to accidentally revealing a secret that was not supposed to be told.
💸 'Cost an arm and a leg' indicates that something is very expensive, implying it was overpriced or unaffordable.
😷 'Under the weather' is a way to say someone is feeling a bit sick or unwell.
💪 'Bite the bullet' means to force oneself to do something unpleasant that is necessary.
🌐 'Best of both worlds' describes a situation where someone enjoys two very different but beneficial things simultaneously.
👻 'Speak of the devil' is used when discussing someone and that person unexpectedly appears.
🐷 'When pigs fly' is an idiom that means something will never happen, as it's an impossibility.
🏁 'Cut to the chase' urges someone to get to the main point without wasting time.
🔥 'Add fuel to the fire' means to make a bad situation worse by contributing to the problem.
🚶‍♂️ 'Go the extra mile' implies doing more than what is expected or required, often to provide exceptional service or effort.
🌌 'Out of the blue' describes something that happens unexpectedly, without warning.
🌙 'Once in a blue moon' means that something occurs very rarely.

Q & A

What does the idiom 'piece of cake' mean and how is it related to the channel name 'P English'?
-The idiom 'piece of cake' means something that is very easy to do. It is related to the channel name 'P English' because the 'P' stands for 'Piece of Cake', implying that learning English with their channel is meant to be easy.
What is the meaning of the idiom 'break a leg' and when is it typically used?
-The idiom 'break a leg' means 'good luck'. It is typically used before a performance, exam, test, or audition to wish someone success.
Can you explain the idiom 'hit the nail on the head' and provide an example of its usage?
-The idiom 'hit the nail on the head' means to accurately identify the cause of a problem or a difficult situation. An example is saying 'You hit the nail on the head when you said that the company needs a new financial strategy', which means the person clearly identified the problem.
What does 'let the cat out of the bag' mean and what is an example of using this idiom?
-The idiom 'let the cat out of the bag' means to accidentally reveal a secret. An example is 'I let the cat out of the bag about their surprise party', which means the person accidentally disclosed a secret that was not supposed to be told.
How is the phrase 'cost me an arm and a leg' used and what does it imply about the item's price?
-The phrase 'cost me an arm and a leg' is used to describe something that is very expensive. It implies that the item was so costly that it felt like a significant sacrifice was made to acquire it.
What does 'under the weather' mean and how can it be used in a sentence?
-'Under the weather' means feeling a bit sick or unwell. It can be used in a sentence like 'I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, so I might stay in'.
What is the meaning of 'bite the bullet' and how does it relate to facing an unpleasant task?
-'Bite the bullet' means to force oneself to do something unpleasant that is necessary. It relates to facing an unpleasant task by implying that one must endure the discomfort or difficulty to accomplish what is needed.
Can you describe the idiom 'best of both worlds' and provide a scenario where it might be used?
-The idiom 'best of both worlds' describes a situation where someone enjoys two different, yet contrasting, experiences or benefits. A scenario could be 'She works in the city and lives in the country, enjoying the best of both worlds', meaning she gets the benefits of both urban professional life and rural tranquility.
What does 'speak of the devil' mean and when is it used?
-'speak of the devil' is used when you are talking about someone and that person unexpectedly appears or arrives. It is a way of expressing surprise when the subject of your conversation shows up.
Explain the idiom 'when pigs fly' and its implication about the likelihood of an event occurring.
-The idiom 'when pigs fly' is used to express that something will never happen. It implies that the event being discussed is highly unlikely or impossible.
What does 'cut to the chase' mean and in what context is it commonly used?
-'Cut to the chase' means to get to the main point without wasting time. It is commonly used when someone wants to quickly address the most important aspects of a discussion or situation.
How is the phrase 'add fuel to the fire' used and what does it signify?
-The phrase 'add fuel to the fire' is used to describe actions that make a bad situation worse. It signifies that instead of helping, the action exacerbates the problem.
What is the meaning of 'go the extra mile' and how can it be demonstrated in a work scenario?
-'Go the extra mile' means to do more than what is expected or required. In a work scenario, it could be demonstrated by a person who not only makes a phone call to a customer as expected but also sends an email and a text message to ensure the customer is well informed.
What does 'out of the blue' signify and can you provide an example of its usage?
-'Out of the blue' signifies something happening unexpectedly. An example of its usage is 'I hadn't talked to him in years, but out of the blue, I received a letter from him', indicating the surprise of receiving communication after a long period of no contact.
What is the meaning of 'once in a blue moon' and how does it describe the frequency of an event?
-'Once in a blue moon' means that something happens very rarely. It describes the frequency of an event as being infrequent or occurring only occasionally.

Outlines

00:00

📚 English Idioms Lesson with Maddie

In this educational video, Maddie from PC English introduces viewers to 15 common English idioms. She begins with 'piece of cake', explaining that it means something is very easy to do, and uses it to illustrate the ease of learning English with her channel. Maddie continues with 'break a leg', which is a way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance or test. She also covers idioms like 'hit the nail on the head', which means accurately identifying a problem, and 'let the cat out of the bag', which means accidentally revealing a secret. Other expressions include 'cost an arm and a leg' for something being very expensive, and 'under the weather' for feeling sick. The lesson aims to familiarize viewers with these idioms to enhance their English language skills.

05:01

🌐 Idiom Explanations and Their Usage

Maddie continues her lesson on English idioms, explaining the phrase 'bite the bullet', which means to force oneself to do something unpleasant but necessary. She then describes 'best of both worlds' as enjoying two different but complementary situations, such as working in the city and living in the country. The idiom 'speak of the devil' is used when discussing someone and they unexpectedly appear. 'When pigs fly' is a humorous way to say that something will never happen. 'Cut to the chase' urges someone to get to the main point quickly, while 'add fuel to the fire' means to exacerbate a bad situation. 'Go the extra mile' is about doing more than what is expected. 'Out of the blue' refers to unexpected occurrences, and 'once in a blue moon' indicates something that happens very rarely. Maddie wraps up her lesson by encouraging viewers to engage with her content and offering a comprehensive book of her channel's lessons for download.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Piece of cake

The phrase 'piece of cake' is used to describe a task or situation that is very easy to accomplish. It is a common idiom that implies there is no significant challenge or difficulty involved. In the video, it is used to reassure someone that an upcoming test will be easy to pass, emphasizing the theme of the video which is about everyday idioms that express common situations or feelings.

💡Break a leg

'Break a leg' is an idiomatic expression used to wish someone good luck, particularly before a performance, exam, or any event where success is desired. It is not meant to be taken literally but is a way to convey support and positive wishes. In the context of the video, it is mentioned as a way to encourage someone before a big presentation, aligning with the educational theme of learning idioms.

💡Hit the nail on the head

To 'hit the nail on the head' means to be exactly right in identifying or describing a problem or situation. It is often used to acknowledge that someone has accurately pinpointed the issue at hand. In the script, it is used to illustrate the concept of accurately diagnosing a company's need for a new financial strategy, which is an example of the idiom's application in a business context.

💡Let the cat out of the bag

The idiom 'let the cat out of the bag' refers to the act of accidentally revealing a secret or information that was supposed to be kept confidential. It is often used when someone discloses something without intending to. In the video, it is humorously introduced with the incorrect assumption of a literal action before clarifying its true figurative meaning, which is to emphasize the importance of discretion.

💡Cost an arm and a leg

When something 'costs an arm and a leg,' it means that the item or service is extremely expensive, implying that it is costly to the point of being prohibitive. The phrase is used to express the high financial burden of acquiring something. In the script, the idiom is used to describe the high price of a tennis racket, which sets an example of how the phrase can be used in everyday conversation.

💡Under the weather

To be 'under the weather' is a way of saying that someone is feeling unwell or slightly sick. It is a polite and indirect way to express that one's health is not at its best. In the video, the phrase is used to describe the speaker's current state of health, which is an example of how it can be used to communicate personal well-being.

💡Bite the bullet

The idiom 'bite the bullet' means to confront a difficult or unpleasant task that one cannot avoid. It suggests a sense of determination and resilience in the face of adversity. In the script, it is used in the context of studying for an exam that one might not enjoy but is necessary to pass, which exemplifies the idiom's use in encouraging action despite reluctance.

💡Best of both worlds

The phrase 'best of both worlds' describes a situation where one is able to enjoy the advantages or benefits of two different, often contrasting, situations or states. It implies a state of having the ideal combination of two desirable things. In the video, it is used to illustrate the concept of having a well-paying part-time job while also being a student, which encapsulates the idea of achieving a balance between work and education.

💡Speak of the devil

When you 'speak of the devil,' it is an idiomatic expression used when you are discussing someone, and that person unexpectedly appears or is mentioned. It is often used to express surprise or coincidence. In the video, the idiom is introduced with a hypothetical scenario of talking about a friend named Jack, and then Jack arrives, which demonstrates the idiom's use in everyday conversation.

💡When pigs fly

The idiom 'when pigs fly' is used to indicate that something is highly unlikely to happen or is impossible. It is a humorous way to express that a particular event or situation will never occur. In the script, it is used to suggest that a promotion is out of the question, which illustrates the idiom's application in expressing doubt or disbelief about a future event.

💡Cut to the chase

To 'cut to the chase' means to get to the main point or the most important part of a discussion without delay or digression. It is often used to request brevity and focus, especially when time is limited. In the video, it is suggested as a way to communicate efficiently and directly, which aligns with the video's educational purpose of teaching idioms.

💡Add fuel to the fire

The idiom 'add fuel to the fire' is used to describe a situation where an action or comment exacerbates an already bad situation, making it worse. It suggests that rather than helping, the action intensifies the problem. In the script, it is advised not to argue back when in a bad situation, as doing so would only 'add fuel to the fire,' which provides an example of how to use the idiom to caution against certain behaviors.

💡Go the extra mile

To 'go the extra mile' means to do more than what is required or expected. It implies going beyond the call of duty or making an extra effort to achieve a goal or help someone. In the video, it is used to describe a scenario where an employee exceeds expectations by not only making a phone call to a customer but also emailing and texting them, which exemplifies the idiom's use in praising exceptional effort.

💡Out of the blue

If something happens 'out of the blue,' it means that it occurs unexpectedly or without warning. It is often used to express surprise at an unforeseen event. In the script, it is used to describe the unexpected receipt of a letter from someone the speaker had not been in contact with for years, which demonstrates the idiom's use in conveying surprise at an unexpected occurrence.

💡Once in a blue moon

The phrase 'once in a blue moon' is used to describe an event that happens very infrequently or rarely. It suggests that something is an unusual or exceptional occurrence. In the video, it is used to express that the speaker rarely goes to the cinema, preferring to watch movies on Netflix, which illustrates the idiom's use in indicating infrequency.

Highlights

Introduction to learning 15 everyday idioms

Explanation of 'piece of cake' meaning something very easy to do

The origin of 'P English' as a channel name based on the idiom 'piece of cake'

Clarification that 'break a leg' is a way to wish good luck, not a violent expression

Description of 'hit the nail on the head' as accurately identifying the cause of a problem

The idiom 'let the cat out of the bag' explained as accidentally revealing a secret

Understanding 'cost me an arm and a leg' as a way to say something is very expensive

Definition of 'under the weather' as feeling a bit sick

The meaning of 'bite the bullet' as forcing oneself to do something unpleasant but necessary

Explanation of 'best of both worlds' as enjoying two different but good situations

The idiom 'speak of the devil' used when discussing someone who then appears

'When pigs fly' as an idiom to express that something will never happen

The phrase 'cut to the chase' meaning to get to the main point without delay

Definition of 'add fuel to the fire' as making a bad situation worse

'Go the extra mile' as doing more than what is expected or required

The meaning of 'out of the blue' as something happening unexpectedly

The idiom 'once in a blue moon' to describe something that happens very rarely

Invitation to download a summary of the lesson and channel videos in an ultimate English book