Tidbit Note -Practice English With Me-

#25 Amazing idioms


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Sometimes we meet something strange. I've been trying to get various idioms because these days I get stuck studying English. As I’m looking for idioms on the internet, I met some interesting ones. Especially idioms that mean differently from the original words are very interesting. For example, being under the weather means feeling bad because of some illnesses. Who can predict the meaning of this idiom without any explanation? “Under the weather” sounds like things that are changeable or things we can’t control. I looked up the origin of this word and the article said “There is one popular theory about the origin of under the weather that connects it with sailing. Supposedly, when a sailor wasn’t feeling well, he would retreat below deck, out of the “weather” above, where he could be described as under the weather.” I still can’t understand the reason why under the weather means feeling bad after reading the article.

The other interesting idiom is “Break a leg!” It sounds terrifying. But incredibly, This idiom is not at all threatening. Often accompanied by a thumbs up, ‘Break a leg! ’is an encouraging cheer of good luck. So no matter when you want to say Good luck, you can say “break a leg!” instead. It is really weird. For me, if it is the first time to meet this idiom, “Break a leg” should have been similar to “go to hell”! It originates from when successful theatre performers would bow so many times after a show that they would break a leg. It doesn’t convince me at all. I still can’t understand the reason why “break a leg” means “good luck”.

Do you have any ideas of weird idioms that can’t imagine the meaning?

I’m pleased with your ideas about that.

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Tidbit Note -Practice English With Me-By Charlie Blue