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Sunshine
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Senior Student

Posts: 18

Some idioms - 2005/12/14 02:01 Born with A Silver Spoon in His Mouth

My neighbour was born with a silver spoon in his mouth but he kept it under his hat. When he told me in a moment of drunkennes I said "You're pulling my leg!" But it was true and he'd let it out of the bag. I always wondered. He lived humbly but when we painted the town red he always footed the bill. I thought he just worked hard and burned the candle at both ends. But apparently he got the lion's share of a huge country estate. I thought he would hit the ceiling when he realised he'd told me his secret. But instead he kept a stiff upper lip. All he said was "I've let the cat out of the bag now." I told him I would keep mum, but ever afterwards he gave me the cold shoulder. I asked him to have a heart, to no avail. I was between a rock and a hard place. What could I do? Never mind. He's six feet under now.

born with a silver spoon in his mouth: born very rich
kept it under his hat: keep it a secret
pulling my leg: joking
let it out of the bag: reveal secret
painted the town red: go out and have a good time
footed the bill: pay
burned the candle at both ends: go to bed late, get up early
the lion's share: the majority
hit the ceiling: get very angry
kept a stiff upper lip: remain cool
let the cat out of the bag: reveal a secret
keep mum: keep quiet
gave me the cold shoulder: ignore
have a heart: be kind
between a rock and a hard place: in a dilemma
six feet under now: dead and buried

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David Rogers

Admin

Posts: 100

Re:Some idioms - 2005/12/14 13:42 Hi Sunshine,

These are great idioms. Thanks very much for sharing them!

You obviously have a very good understanding of English idioms, as many of these are quite difficult yet you have their definitions and usage absolutely perfect. Well done!

-David Rogers Open English World
http://www.OpenEnglishWorld.com

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Sunshine
User

Senior Student

Posts: 18

Re:Some idioms - 2005/12/16 02:29 Thanks for your encouragement, David Rogers. But I find it difficult in daily speaking usage. I rarely or never use idioms when speaking.

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Mike Huskins

Admin

Posts: 57

Re:Some idioms - 2005/12/16 12:19 Sunshine:

Idioms are difficult, but as they say, "practice makes perfect." And also remember, "Believe that you can do everything if you try!" Just keep up the hard work and idioms will become natural for you.

Best,
Mike Best,
Mike

http://www.openenglishworld.com

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Sunshine
User

Senior Student

Posts: 18

Re:Some idioms - 2005/12/17 04:54 Mike Huskins wrote:
Sunshine:

Idioms are difficult, but as they say, "practice makes perfect." And also remember, "Believe that you can do everything if you try!" Just keep up the hard work and idioms will become natural for you.

Best,
Mike

Thanks Mike very much! Yeah, I believe that I can use idioms perfectively if I try!

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aaron
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Fresh Student

Posts: 1

Re:Some idioms - 2009/01/01 07:41 I enjoyed these idioms immensely. These idioms are very handy in real life. I also want to know Are there any differences between American and English idioms?. .

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