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Hawaii Palms English Minute – American Idioms

Idioms are everywhere. You hear them in movies and on TV.
Some people love to use them; others, not so much.
But even if you don’t like to use idioms, it’s important to understand them
so you know what people are talking about. Here are 4 commonly used English idioms.

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS is used in situations where you can enjoy the benefit of 2 different things or opportunities at the same time.

Examples:

  1. Living in Honolulu is great! We can enjoy nature and the benefits of living in a city. It’s the best of both worlds!
  2. I have the best of both worlds: a wonderful family and a great job!

We use PULLING SOMEONE’S LEG when we tell someone something that isn’t true, as a joke or a trick.

Examples:

  1. I was panicking when my classmate told me we had a big test today, but he was just pulling my leg.
  2. My friends were pulling my leg when they told me someone had stolen my car.

If you do something right away, without delay or hesitation, you do it AT THE DROP OF A HAT.

Examples:

  1. Call me if you need any help moving this weekend. I can be there at the drop of a hat.
  2.  I’m sorry I couldn’t meet you when you called earlier today, but I can’t just leave work at the drop of a hat.

WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS is used to describe situations where everything suddenly goes wrong at the same time.

Examples:

  1. His house was broken into and the next day he got fired from his job. When it rains, it pours.
  2. Our team not only lost our first 5 games, but our 3 best players also got injured. I guess when it rains, it pours.

Can you think of your own examples for using these idioms?
What are some unique idioms in your language?
We’d love hear from you!

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