Overview  / Table of Content

Idioms from "A" through "E"
Idioms from "F" through "J"
Idioms from "K" through "O"
Idioms from "P" through "T"
Idioms from "U" through "Z"

Quick Jump

    F - G - H - I - J

-F-

'Fed up'

Have you ever been so tired of something that you wish it would just stop or go away? That is when you can use the idiom ‘fed up’. For example, if you see the same TV commercial every morning, you might say, "I’m fed up with that McDonald’s commercial. It’s on TV all the time!" Usually, ‘fed up’ is used with the preposition ‘with’, as in the last example. But you can also use it on its own: "I’ve had enough of Roger’s bad behavior. I’m completely fed up!"

 

'Fender-bender'

    A ‘fender-bender’ is a minor accident. They can often happen during ‘bumper-to-bumper’ traffic. The ‘fender’ refers to the part of the car’s body that covers the tire. In a ‘fender-bender’ there is some damage to a car, but not enough to make it impossible to drive.

    Example: "I had a fender bender on the Central Highway, but I was able to keep driving to the repair shop."

 

'Filthy rich'

    "Filth" means dirt, so it may be surprising to hear about someone who is "filthy rich". However, this idiom simply means that someone is extremely wealthy. Perhaps the idiom comes from the idea that to display too much wealth is sometimes inappropriate. You may also hear the less common phrase "filthy lucre", or "dirty money".

    Example: "Dr. Carlton is so filthy rich that he has three yachts and two summer houses."

 

'Flunk'

    To flunk (rhymes with 'sunk') is a common expression meaning that one has failed a course or a year in school and must repeat it before moving on. Usually students 'flunk' a course when they receive a grade of 'F' in the American grading system. The system usually works on a scale of A, B, C, D and F, with A being the highest score. If a student receives a 'D' they pass, but an 'F' indicates failure and a need to take the course again. (At FLS we don't use this letter system, but give students a grade on a scale of 1-100). Sometimes the phrase 'flunk out' is used with the same meaning.

    Example: "It was kind of sad. After Jason flunked out of high school, it was really hard for him to find a job."

 

Front runner

    "Front runner" is a term often used in politics. During an election cycle, the "front runner" is the person who is ahead in the public opinion polls.

    Example: "After his surprise victory in New York state, Senator Preston became the new front runner in the race for the Democratic nomination."

 

'Full-court press'

    An aggressive defense strategy in basketball in which one or two players harass the ball handler in the backcourt while the rest of the team maintains a close man-to-man or zone defense. This idiom can be used to refer to any aggressive strategy outside of basketball as well.

    Example: "The President really wants to pass the new health bill. He is putting the full-court press on the Senate to get the necessary votes."

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-G-

'Game of chicken'

    This is a dangerous game once very popular with American teenagers. In a game of chicken, two drivers drive their cars straight toward one another on a crash course. The driver who veers out of the way to avoid the crash is the ‘chicken’. There is a famous game of chicken in the movie ‘Rebel Without a Cause’.

'Ghost of a chance'

    A ghost usually refers to the transparent or invisible spirit of a dead person. This idiom refers to a slight chance, apparently with as little substance as a ghost. It is used when there is little or no chance of something happening.

    Example: "There’s only a ghost of a chance that Donaldson will win the election this year."

 

'Go for the gold'

    This phrase, originating with the Olympic competition, is now used in everyday conversation to refer to a person going to extremes to achieve success.

    Example: "Now that Phil has a successful local business, he’s going for the gold and trying to make his business national."

     

'Give me a hand'

    Give some help with a project or a small task. This is used in relation to chores or duties at work.

    Example: "Phil, I need to clean up around the house. Can you give me a hand with the dusting?"

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-H-

'Head of the class'

    Head of the Class refers to a person or persons who are among the smartest and most knowledgeable in their group. When you receive the best score on a test, the teacher might say, "Congratulations! You can go to the head of the class!" (in other words, you are among the smartest in the class.)

 

'High roller'

    A "high roller" is a person who gambles with big stakes, as opposed to a "small time" or "penny ante" gambler. The word "roller" derives from the roll of the dice in many casino games. In Las Vegas, many of the resorts have a special room for the high rollers which cater to gamblers with expensive tastes.

    Example: "The Bellagio resort has expensive rooms and exclusive shops. They’re really trying to attract high rollers from around the world."

 

'Hit the town'

    When you are in a new place, you usually want to explore the city's nightlife and busiest areas. To 'hit the town' is to go out for the night and try to find some of the most exciting places in a city. Usually, it means to go to a nice restaurant and then to some bars, clubs or other popular night spots. People usually go out later than normal when they 'hit the town'.

    Example: "Tomorrow I can sleep late, so tonight I'm really going to hit the town and have a great time."

 

'Hub'

    Hub refers to an airport which is a center of activity and flight departures for a particular airline. The word 'hub' originally referred to the central part of a wheel from which the spokes radiate. In a similar way, most airlines choose one city to act as a hub and have their flights radiate out from this central city. Hub cities are generally major destination cities, such as Los Angeles, Tokyo, Washington D.C. They can also be cities located in the geographic center of a country, such as Detroit and Dallas/Ft. Worth.

    Example: "I'm flying from Los Angeles to London on United, with a transfer at Detroit since that's United's hub city."

     

'Hand it over'

    Pass or give something to another person. This can be a strong command, as in the case of a robbery or being used by an authority figure.

    Example: "Bobby, I told you to stop playing with that Gameboy. Hand it over, or you're going to have extra homework."

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-I-

'I’m just looking'

    This is a common phrase to use in shopping. If you enter a store and a salesclerk asks, ‘Do you need some help?’ you might say, ‘No, I’m just looking.’ Another common way to say this is that ‘I’m just browsing’. This can also mean that you don’t want to buy anything right now. For example, at a car dealer, if the salesman asks if you need help, you can say "No, I’m just looking."

     

'Indian summer'

    Dry, warm, summer-like weather that occurs after the official end of summer early in Autumn.

 

'In full swing'

    Something that is completely underway or is now at its peak. It can be used to refer to a party, a concert, a holiday season or any other event that takes place over time. Usually refers to something that starts out slow and then becomes more intense.

    Example: "When the football season started, not too many people came to the games. But now the season’s in full swing and the stadium is full."

 

'In his blood / in her blood'

    Refers to a trait or talent that someone seems to have naturally. It may be a talent that is present in the person’s family (as in the expression, ‘runs in the family’). If a person has a grandfather and father in the army, we may say ‘The army is in his blood’.

    Example: "It’s no wonder the Kennedys always go into politics. It’s in their blood!"

     

'In your hands'

    In your control or part of your responsibility.

    Example: "Sally, I'm turning over my control to you. The future of this company is in your hands."

     

'In cold blood'

    Doing something that seems cruel or violent deliberately and unemotionally. Often used when speaking of crimes, such as murder.

    Example: "The police were shocked to find out the suspect had shot two women in cold blood."

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-J-

'Jack o' lantern'

    This is a pumpkin carved with a spooky face. An American tradition is to hollow out the pumpkin by removing all the inner seeds and pulp. Then a scary face is carved on one side of the pumpkin and a candle is placed inside. The illuminated jack o' lantern is usually placed on a porch or windowsill on Halloween night.

    Example: "My class had a contest to see who could carve the scariest jack o' lantern."

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