idioms

thumbs
Definition: low in the job
Explanation in the sentence:
Walter tried to fix broken table but couldn’t. He was all thumbs.
(Means: he got difficulty to arrange the table, because he was un be able to do it).

(To) Beat to the draw
Definition: to do something before other people to do it.
Explanation in the sentence:
I had hoped to get that job in New Orleans, but Jake beat me the draw.
(Means: Jake applies for and gets it before me)

(to) Call the shots
Definition: giving direction
Explanation in the sentence:
I like a leader who knows how to call the shots
(Means: I want to be a wise leader)

Down in the dumps
Definition: fed up, sad or disappointed.
Explanation in the sentence:
After their team lost the game, both the players and fans were down in the dumps.
(Means: all people disappointed after inferior in the competition)

Eager beaver
Definition: the people who diligent work, sometimes his purpose to take other people attention.
Explanation in the sentence:
Jack is such an eager beaver; he always helps the teacher after school.
(Means: he like help to work his teacher after he came back)

Flat broke
Definition: have not money
Explanation in the sentence:
She gambled all of her saving away and is now flat broke.
(Means: he don’t has money again)

(to) Get it in the neck
Definition: punished
Explanation in the sentence:
Esther got it in the neck because she forgot to turn off the car light.
(Means: I can be mistaken because I didn’t kill fire)

Hard act to follow
Definition: the best achievement, can’t be surpassed the quality.
Explanation in the sentence:
My predecessor at my new was excellent. He’ll be a hard act to follow.
(Means: very difficulty the job better than my firs comer)

In the chips
Definition: wealth; have much money
Explanation in the sentence:
After he won the lottery, he was in the chips.
(Means: he has much money after he got lottery prize)

(to) jump (climb, get) on the bandwagon
Definition: supported the group or with purpose to get success or popular.
Explanation in the sentence:
As soon as his friends decided to vote for Tom Williams, Harry jumped on the bandwagon, too.
(Means: Harry decided to join with his friends to support Tom Williams)

(to) Keep one’s cool
Definition: keep calm or not care
Explanation in the sentence:
In spite of all the excitement over the disaster, the men were able to keep their cool and continue the rescue work.
(Means: they be able to calm however very noisy)

Like water off a duck’s back
Definition: have not been influential or have not changed feeling.
Explanation in the sentence:
All of their advice to their son was ignored. It was like water off a duck’s back.
(Means: their advice didn’t influence)

Money to burn
Definition: have much money more than what they need.
Explanation in the explanation:
My uncle is so rich that he has money burn.
(Means: he was very rich)

Number one
Definition: herself, egoist.
Explanation in the sentence:
My father always told me: look out for number one.
(Means: he warned me order to pay attention my importance)

Out on a limb
Definition: the position very dangerous can’t be avoided.
Explanation in the explanation:
John went out on a limb when he decided to speak out against waste in the country.
(Means: he said his opinion about rubbish to be heard by someone)

(to) Paddle one’s own canoe
Definition: work without helping, or fulfill necessary self.
Explanation in the sentence:
The window’s son was very talented and soon had left home to paddle his own canoe.
(Means: the son who can fulfill necessary his self).

Snake in the grass
Definition: someone who can‘t be believed.
Explanation in the sentence:
Where did you hear that from Ed? He’s a snake in the grass.
(Means: Ed can’t be believed because he told the secret to other)

(to) Take it easy
Definition: be careful
Explanation in the sentence:
Take it easy! The street is very icy.
(Means: drive the car slowly and be carefully)

Uptight
Definition: the situation is very worry.
Explanation in the sentence:
Mike was so uptight about his job interview the next day that he couldn’t sleep.
(Means: he wants to get the job so he couldn’t sleep)

REFERENCE: CURRY, DEAN. IDIOMS 2: ILLUSTRATED AMERICAN ENGLISH. 1996. JAKARTA; PT. GRAMEDIA PUSTAKA UTAMA.