In this lesson, you will learn 5 English idioms you must know. These English expressions are used by native English speakers and will help you speak English more fluently.
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IDIOM #1
Expression: Be in a tight spot
Meaning: “To be in a difficult situation”
EXAMPLE SENTENCES
- You have put me in a tight spot, I think I need to let you go.
- Her divorce put her in a tight spot, but she is doing better now.
- Jeremy put me in a tight spot, when he brought up the bankruptcy in front of everyone.
IDIOM #2
Expression: Be off the mark
Meaning: “Not achieving the desired result due to inaccuracy”
EXAMPLE SENTENCES
- I was really off the mark on my exams.
- His efforts were off the mark; she was too hysteric to console.
- The weather forecast was really off the mark today.
IDIOM #3
Idiom: Bend over backwards
Meaning: “To work extra hard in an effort to make someone happy”
EXAMPLE SENTENCES
- Jamie’s husband constantly bends over backwards for her!
- I bent over backwards for that guy, and he still treats me poorly.
- I only bend over backwards for family.
IDIOM #4
Idiom: Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: “To make a commitment you can not fulfill”
EXAMPLE SENTENCES
- I think I bit off more than I can chew with this new job.
- I need to expand my company, but I don’t want to bite off more than I can chew.
- He is about to bite off more than he can chew by marrying Sabrina; she’s a wild one!
IDIOM #5
Idiom: Bitter pill to swallow
Meaning: “An unpleasant happening that is difficult to endure”
EXAMPLE SENTENCES
- Moving away from family was a bitter pill to swallow.
- The pandemic is a bitter pill to swallow, but we will overcome this!
- Failing the bar exam again, was a bitter pill to swallow. But, I will make sure I pass next time!
INTERACTIVE Questions
- The pandemic is a bitter pill to swallow, but we will overcome this!
- Jeremy put me in a tight spot, when he brought up the bankruptcy in front of everyone.
- I need to expand my company, but I don’t want to bite off more than I can chew.
- The weather forecast was really off the mark today.
- I bent over backwards for that guy, and he still treats me poorly.