by freehartz on July 26th, 2006

freehartz

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Can people help me think of North American English phrases that would seem confusing to new ESL students? Such as "hot on my tail", "no strings attached", "that's the pits"....I'm making a list for my students. Mainly common

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Answers. 17 helpful answers below.

  • by Jodie44 on August 1st, 2006

    Jodie44

    Sounds like you're looking for idioms. Here's a site called, "The Idiom Connection" that lists idioms alphabetically and by subject, then gives a short explanation.

    "Preaching to the choir" would be under P, of course, and "Can't cut the mustard" is found with the food idioms. The site has a boatload of both popular and obscure sayings, so you and your students will probably find it helpful. Good luck!

    http://www.idiomconnection.com/

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  • by AntigoneRising on January 11th, 2007

    AntigoneRising

    Three sheets to the wind...that's something always said in the area I grew up. My Indian coworkers looked at me like I'd sprouted carrots from my ears when I said it.

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  • by Darryl61 on July 26th, 2006

    Darryl61

    Here is a really fun site that might give you some ideas. http://www.rootsweb.com/~genepool/meanings.htm

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  • by tjatherton on July 26th, 2006

    tjatherton

    Over the hill,
    He did some Fancy footwork,
    beating around the bush.
    Climbing the walls
    split a gut
    tiger in my tank
    living on easy street
    not wrapped too tight

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  • by nurse7263 on January 11th, 2007

    nurse7263

    Cut a tree down and then cut it up.

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  • by Glenn Blaylock on July 26th, 2006

    Glenn Blaylock

    Behind the eight ball.

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  • by Sharona Life is a Tale Told by an Idiot on October 4th, 2009

    Sharona Life is a Tale Told by an Idiot

    You make me horny baby

  • by Dizzymaestra on October 4th, 2009

    Dizzymaestra

    You should get a book on idioms...there are SO many of them. Book Fairs at schools usually have them, and most classroom teachers have one if you know one.

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  • by chelsea on September 30th, 2009

    chelsea

    catch my drift

    spitting fire

    too many buns in the fire

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  • by Sir yhvhash on September 30th, 2009

    Sir yhvhash

    catch the bus

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  • by Anonymous on September 30th, 2009

    Anonymous

    'Piss up a rope'

    'Farting through silk'

    'Whistling by the graveyard'

    'Screwed the pooch'

    'you got your nuts in a ringer'

    'I don't mean to piss in your cereal'

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  • by Sandman on September 30th, 2009

    Sandman

    I've been out of the ESL business for more than a decade, but I recall using "A Dictionary of American Idioms," by Makkai, Boatner, and Gates.
    Oh, here's a searchable online site for it:
    http://www.sky-net-eye.com/eng/dictionary/english/idioms/american

    .
    Damn! freeHartz hasn't been back since 2007.
    Oh, well, I'll post this anyway. SOMEone may benefit by it.

  • by Sir yhvhash on September 30th, 2009

    Sir yhvhash

    Chew the rag

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  • by Sir yhvhash on September 30th, 2009

    Sir yhvhash

    Kick the bucket

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  • by Sir yhvhash on September 30th, 2009

    Sir yhvhash

    Choking the chicken

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  • by Thriftymaid on September 30th, 2009

    Thriftymaid

    on the same page

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  • by Bernie198 on January 11th, 2007

    Bernie198

    Freehartz, Dave's ESL Cafe is a website which has provided my students with a great deal of help. Click on Student, then idioms, if you choose. Also, under Teacher there are some excellent resources. Good luck, you are doing a very important job.

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