The interview on the Podcast was all about life in the States from the point of view of a Brit. Here are some random phrases that came up, which are highlighted in bold in the Interview Transcript. I think it was particularly interesting in this interview to see the number of idioms we use, very naturally, in everyday conversation. It’s something which is difficult for learners to do, as these non-literal phrases can feel so alien to them.

Grill: OK. This isn’t an idiom. But most of the rest are, I promise. When you question someone intensely. Not to be confused with a barbecue. Though it rings a quiet bell  that using a grill for torture in order to make someone talk was something done in yesteryear.

Fend for yourself: To survive or manage your life on your own. I don’t think I’ve ever used the word fend on its own, though. The fend bit comes from defend, as in defending yourself. In Spanish, defenderse can, apart from the obvious, mean that you can hold your own. Me defiendo en español, for example. So there is a link.

Smooth sailing: When you undertake a task and everything goes well, with no hiccups or hitches. Self-explanatory really. The boat remains unrocked.

Up sticks: To leave your old life behind and start a new one somewhere else. Like the poles or stakes used to hold down a tent, or indeed the sticks used to make a fence around your property. So you gather them all up and take them to another place.

(Something to) Fall back on: It’s useful to have a Plan B. Something to fall back on if things don’t work out. I suppose it’s the idea that if things were to go badly, if you fall, your fall is cushioned and it’s not the end of the world.

Get wind of: Hear about something, maybe by chance, or maybe something which was supposed to be secret. I like the idea of hearing about something on the breeze, as if the wind were whispering to you. Not to be confused with flatulence.

Itchy feet: Having an urge to travel, or just move out of a life situation, maybe a job, or a relationship, in order to go to pastures new. Imagine you literally have itchy feet; you would be constantly on the move, trying to alleviate the itch. Or actually, you could just scratch it. Less bother. And in fact, we  do also use the phrase to scratch an itch, meaning that you satisfy a need in order to feel better. So maybe if you have itchy feet, you scratch that itch by going off travelling.

Eyes out on stalks: Visualise a cartoon character when they are extremely surprised or shocked or impressed. We also say eye-popping, and both these expressions, when thought of literally, make me wince!

Walk the street: The insinuation here is relating to a lady of the night, let’s say… (Also known as a street-walker). And I’ll leave it at that.

Fall on hard times: When you find yourself in a difficult life situation, normally relating to money, specifically the not having of it, probably through no direct fault of your own, as the idea of fall is involuntary.

Reckon on: Step One: Reckon means to think or believe. Step Two: Consider also means believe, but also think about, a slight drift away from the idea of simply believe. Step Three: Reckon, with the on preposition, becomes consider in the sense of think about, or take into account, count on… Unfortunately, reckon also means calculate, but we won’t go there today. Although… No. I’m getting side-tracked.

Doggy bag: You’ve ordered too much delicious food at a restaurant. Take home a doggy bag. Not sure where that comes from… Are you taking it home for your dog? One theory is that it started during WWII in America, in order not to waste food, or bones that could be used for stock, and another is that it saved customers from embarrassment if they wanted to eat the leftovers themselves by pretending it was for their dog!

At your fingertips: Readily available. Having something at your fingertips is having direct and easy access to it. Pretty literal really.

Long-winded: Drawn out, with irrelevant details, leading to a very long explanation or description of something quite simple. It is believed to come from the idea of wind as air, or breath, so you’re using a lot of breath to speak for so long. For example, I’m trying not to make my comments too long-winded. But I think I may have failed.

Lay your demons to rest: We refer to our demons as things which we can’t let go of, maybe a worry in the present or from the past. It’s the idea of burying, or saying goodbye to, things which have haunted or plagued us.

Twang: My best definition of a twang is the sound of a badly plucked guitar string. However, in this case we are using it to refer to accents, or rather, the slight hint of an accent, maybe in certain words, but that accent is not necessarily immediately recognisable. I’m not sure I see the connection, but hey ho.

Bits and bobs: Or indeed odds and ends, or odds and sods. Unimportant stuff. I can’t really think of any other way to explain it. So I won’t try.

It tickles me: It makes me laugh. It’s said that tickling makes you laugh, but in all honesty, I’d say it’s only babies who react that way. Adults have a tendency to bat you away. I do, at least. It’s not a pleasant feeling.

Dial it down: Stop with the drama! If someone is exaggerating their emotions, you may ask them to dial it down. Because a dial measures something, and if you’re way up on the dial, you maybe need to turn down the level!

Shed light on: Shed means to drop, (or cast off, or lose). Like cats shed their coats in the summer. Not the hut at the bottom of the garden. So the phrase suggests that you’re dropping light on, or illuminating something that was previously in darkness. It’s normally used when someone provides information, formerly unknown, which helps you to discover the truth or find a solution.

Nail it: Perform a task perfectly, or get something completely right. The gymnast nailed her landing. Not quite the same as hit the nail on the head, (to describe the cause of something perfectly.)

Throw your cap into the ring: Make a stand, take a side, get involved, take up or make a challenge. It comes from boxing. Of course it does. I’ve come to learn many idioms from boxing. Throw in the towel, for example. Who knew one sport would bring such a wealth of language… Anyway, spectators who wanted to make a challenge or simply have a go, would literally throw their cap, or hat, into the boxing ring. I guess it’s similar to throwing down the gauntlet, in that sense. However, with the original phrase I was supposed to be commenting on, we’re talking more about making your position public. So the first three definitions I mentioned. Just ignore the rest. Talk about long-winded!

So there you have it; all these phrases we use without even thinking, and which can be a nightmare for learners of English. All I’d say is, toss in a few when you’re speaking, and your English will be all the better for it! Just don’t go overboard… (Yet another idiom…!)

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