Episode 59 Confusing But Common English Idioms You Need To Know

Today we're talking about various different idioms that I said or heard this week. These are very commonly used in the UK, so important to know. Hopefully they will be useful for you. You can find today's episode on ⁠the YouTube channel⁠ with the subtitles if you need. Have a great weekend! This week I noticed several times when I was watching TV and reading my books that I came across idioms. Even if you don't get around to using them, you might still hear them. When I was walking up a hill last week I found myself saying to a passing Chaffinch (small British bird) that I scared 'don't worry, I'll be out of your hair in two ticks'. This has two idioms: 'Two ticks' we covered earlier and is a time phrase that just means, soon or quickly. 'I'll be out of your hair' - means I'll get out of your way. Very similar meaning to these we have: I need to get this out of the way. This can have a literal meaning: I need to move this box. Or a figurative meaning: I need to tell you something before we move on. Similar to this figurative meaning we have: I need to get this off my chest. This means: I need to tell you something. It could be a mistake you made or a confession. Deadpan This is a word we use to describe a way of saying something. It's a kind of humour. When someone says something, often silly or very obvious and then you confirm it in a sort of sarcastic or perhaps very serious tone of voice, but actually you're being funny we can say you deadpanned it. At the drop of a hat She's always leaving work at the drop of a hat. This means we do something immediately or at the slightest provocation. He's barking up the wrong tree. This is used when someone is making a mistake. Usually they are wrong in their beliefs or ideas. Often they are really pushing someone saying they're wrong, but actually they're not. I'll make you eat your words. Again, this is used when someone is wrong. Often when we're sure we're right we keep pushing it, but the other person might also know they're right. They might say 'I'll make you eat your words' meaning I'll show you that you're wrong. Additional Vocabulary jogged my memory - idiom - this means something reminded me of something. #esl #english #englishvocabulary #englishidioms #emmaseslenglish #englishpodcast