English Idioms & Idiomatic Expressions

An idiom is a phrase where the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words, which can make idioms hard for ESL students and learners to understand.

Idiom: Call time
Idiom Definitions for 'Call time'
If you call time on something, you decide it is time to end it.
This idiom is British English

Idiom: Lose heart
Idiom Definitions for 'Lose heart'
If you lose heart, you stop believing that you can succeed in something, or lose your confidence, courage or conviction.

Idiom: Slow off the mark
Idiom Definitions for 'Slow off the mark'
If people are slow off the mark, they are slow to respond or act in a situation.

Idiom: Go easy on
Idiom Definitions for 'Go easy on'
1. Don't use to much of something. Example:"Go easy on the ice, I just want a little bit in my drinks." (also "easy ice") or "Go easy on the gas--slow down!" (or "easy on the gas") 2. Don't demand too much, or be to critical, rough or hard on something or someone. Examples: "Go easy on her, she's had a hard day." or "Go easy on that car door--don't slam it!" or "The coach is going too easy on the team since that last big loss."


go easy on someone or something
to be gentle on someone or something; not to be too critical of someone or something; to take it easy on someone or something. (See also go easy on something.) Go easy on Sherri. She's my friend. Try to go easy on criticizing their report. They did the best they could in the time allotted.
go easy on something

to use something sparingly. (See also take it easy on something; go easy on someone or something.) Go easy on the mustard. That's all there is. Please go easy on the onions. I don't like them very much.

Idiom: Hold the wire
Idiom Definitions for 'Hold the wire'
If you ask someone on the telephone to hold the wire, you want them to wait and not hang up.

Hold the phone.
1. and Hold the wire(, please).; Hold, please.; Hold the line(, please).; Hold the phone(, please).; Please hold. Fig. Please wait on the telephone and do not hang up. (A phrase in use before telephone "hold" circuitry was in wide use.) Bill: Hold the wire, please. (Turning to Tom) Tom, the phone's for you. Tom: Be right there. Rachel: Do you wish to speak to Mr. Jones or Mr. Franklin? Henry: Jones. Rachel: Thank you. Hold the line, please. Sue: Good afternoon, Acme Motors, hold please. Bill (hanging up): That makes me so mad!
2. Fig. Wait just a minute.; Don't rush into something. Hold the phone! Let's think about it a little longer. Hold the phone. I just had another idea.

BRB ^^

Idiom Definitions for 'Make the grade'

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Someone or something that makes the grade reaches the standard expected or required.

Idiom Definitions for 'Make your day'

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If something makes your day, it pleases you or makes you very happy.