The 800 Most Commonly Used Idioms in America (Part I)

“IDIOM” - an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either grammatically (as no, it wasn’t me) or in having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements. In other words, it’s American Slang which you may not always get.  In fact, idioms can make you totally lost in conversations! We Americans seem to roll them off our tongues very easily and we are so busy gabbing that we really are clueless when we even use them! Yet idioms are nothing to sneeze at.  If you wish to make a killing in America, you must keep your nose to the grindstone and not have your head always in the clouds.  You’ll find that if you hang in, and knock yourself out with hard work, before you know it, you will have mastered these hip expressions and come through with flying colors. I bent over backwards putting this list together for you. I figured if I gave you a hand in helping you understand how American English is used on a daily basis, soon you’ll see that you no longer are just scratching the surface in learning the language.  You’ll realize that you have pulled this off ever so successfully.  Before you know it, not only will your pronunciation be reeling, but soon you’ll be sounding like a native, understanding the lingo, and realizing that you finally have it made!

(Translation)

In other words, it’s American Slang which you may not always understand.  In fact, idioms may make you totally confused in conversations! We Americans seem to say them very easily and we are so busy talking that we really are unaware when we even use them! Yet idioms are not easy.  If you wish to be successful in America, you must work hard and not be day dreaming.  You’ll find that if you don’t give up, and are diligent, before you know it, you will have mastered these popular expressions and finish with tremendous success. I did everything I could putting this list together for you. I figured if I assisted in helping you understand how American English is used on a daily basis, soon you’ll see that you no longer are just merely beginning to understand the language.  You’ll realize that you have accomplished something remarkable.  Soon, not only will your pronunciation be great, but soon you’ll be sounding like a native, understanding our expressions, and realizing that you are enjoying tremendous success!

THE 800 MOST COMMONLY USED IDIOMS IN AMERICA

(in alphabetical order)