When George first moved to the big city from the countryside he was like a fish out of water. (What does fish out of water mean?)
Someone in a different environment than they are used to
My sister said she wanted to go to the auction with me but, reading between the lines, she really didn't want to. She was sighing the whole time and kept asking if it was over yet. (What does reading between the lines mean?)
Understanding what is said in a situation without it being said explicitly
I don't understand why he's so upset. He only lost $5, he's making a mountain out of a molehill. (What does making a mountain out of a molehill mean?)
Make a big deal out of nothing
Don't put the cart before the horse by buying a house, you don't even have a job yet! (What does put the cart before the horse mean?)
Do things in the wrong order
By doing the roof repairs myself I will save $1000. It's so true that a penny saved is a penny earned. (What does a penny saved is a penny earned?)
Be cautious of your money and have a savings
Jayvon was exhausted after the long day. As soon as he's home he's going to hit the hay. (What does hit the hay mean?)
Go to bed
Everyone was gossiping about Alex and Sam's new relationship. I just went up and asked them to get the information straight from the horse's mouth. (What does straight from the horse's mouth mean?)
Coming directly from the person who knows about it
The investigation of the police chief opened a can of worms at the police department. A whole bunch of corruption was found! (What does open a hand of worms mean?)
Bring up a new set of problems
You hit the nail on the head with this color of wallpaper for the living room; it looks better than I expected! (What does hit the nail on the head mean?)
Do or say something exactly right
We bent over backwards to help him, and he never ever thanked us. (What does bend over backwards mean?)
Do whatever it takes to get something done
He went out on a limb trying to support his friend’s mistake and, in the process, his teacher got upset with him. (What does go out on a limb mean?)
Put yourself at risk to help someone else
His comments were intended to be tongue in cheek, but his friends took it seriously and that started a huge argument. (What does tongue in cheek mean?)
Saying something jokingly, but appearing to be serious (ironic)
It's best to keep your opinion to yourself around him. Just let sleeping dogs lie. (What does let sleeping dogs lie mean?)
Don't cause trouble if you don't have to
I tried to to plan a surprise party for my mom, but my brother let the cat out of the bag and she found out! (What does let the cat out of the bag mean?)
Reveal a secret
I couldn't make it to school today because of a nasty case of the flu. My mom called in and told them I was sick as a dog. (What does sick as a dog mean?)
To be very sick
I know this is difficult work, but we are all in the same boat here, so we’ll have to do this together. (What does in the same boat mean?)
Be in the same unpleasant situation as other people
You seem to be in a very bad mood today. Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed? (What does get up on the wrong side of the bed mean?)
Have a bad day and act grumpy
My younger brother really gets under my skin. He is always whining about things that aren't a big deal! (What does get under my skin mean?)
To bother, annoy, or irritate someone
I got to watch the movie in spite it being very busy on opening night because the early bird catches the worm. (What does early bird catches the worm mean?)
By being early you get the best deal/opportunity
I was about to get grounded for breaking the vase, but then the phone rang and my mom got distracted talking to her friend! Phew, saved by the bell. (What does saved by the bell mean?)
To be rescued at the last moment before harm comes
I know that rash is driving you up the wall but if you keep scratching it, it will never heal. (What does drive you up the wall mean?)
Annoy or irritate someone
Now that I'm in high school less people are willing to help me with my grades. They're all saying that the ball is in my court now and that I need to take responsibility. (What does the ball is in your court mean?)
It's up to you to make a decision or take action
I was really under the weather last week and thought I had the flu but it was actually allergies. (What does under the weather mean?)
Feeling sick