american-expressions-explained
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On Hand
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This phrase means it is in possession now, or something is currently available. It may mean that the stock is in the warehouse or on the shelf, etc.
Example #1
Right now, we have 30 Apple Ipods on hand. How many would you like to buy?
Example #2
I am sorry, but we don't have any Apple Ipods on hand at the moment. Unfortunately, the manufacturer did not produce enough to meet the demand.
Example #3
I bet the cell phone store in Sunnyvale is not being truthful. Their ads say that they have the Iphone 4g on hand. I don't believe it! I think they are just trying to get people into the store to buy other products. No one in the whole city has the Iphone 4g in stock!
Example #4
When you are studying English, you should keep an English translation dictionary on hand all the time.
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On The House
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This refers to food or drinks offered without charge by the establishment or the management.
Example #1:
It is always a good idea to go to a restaurant on opening night. Most owners offer refreshments on the house.
Example # 2:
The local team won the football championship. The whole town celebrated at a local bar and many drinks were offered on the house.
Example #3:
Last night, we had to wait for a table for nearly two hours because the receptionist forgot to book our reservation. The owner appeased us with a delicious meal on the house.
Example #4:
The drinks cost an arm and a leg. It’s a good thing you are friends with the owner. We wouldn’t have gotten these cocktails on the house.
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Packed In Like Sardines
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When people are packed like sardines it means they are forced into a small space that allows little room for comfort and movement.
Example #1:
There were thirty people inside the small room. They were packed in like sardines!
Example #2:
People were surprised to see seven full-grown men get out of a Volkswagen beetle. They were probably packed in like sardines!
Example #3:
Are you sure this is the room you reserved for us? I specifically said I needed a room big enough to accommodate 15 people. With this tiny space, we are going to be packed in like sardines!
Example #4:
The car was a two-seater, so when Mark asked us to give him a ride, we were packed in like sardines!
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Peas In a Pod
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This is a phrase that is used to describe two people who look so much alike. It may describe twins, siblings, or random people who have a striking similarity to each other. The similarity is not limited to the physical attributes alone but may also include habits, traits and mannerisms.
Example #1:
I have a lot of trouble telling them apart. Aside from the fact that they are identical twins, they also dress and behave the same way. They are like peas in a pod!
Example #2:
My mom says I take after my father. When he was about my age, we were probably like two peas in a pod.
Example #3:
They say couples who look a lot like each other usually end up together. If that’s the case, my girlfriend and I will probably be growing old together because we look like peas in a pod!
Example #4:
If your two sons look like peas in a pod, they will probably confuse a lot of people. Jake can pretend to be John whenever he wants to!
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Piece Of Cake
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This is a phrase or expression used to imply that something is very easy to do. It may also be used to describe a topic that is easy to understand, or a problem that is easy to solve.
Example #1:
Girl: Thank you so much for helping us out with the decorations!
Boy: No problem, it was a piece of cake!
Example #2:
Gina aced the test. With all the studying she has been doing lately, the exam was probably a piece of cake!
Example #3:
Are you nervous about the interview? Don’t worry! The other applicants said it was a piece of cake.
Example #4:
If you studied for this test, it would have been a piece of cake.
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Piece Of The Action/Slice Of The Action
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When someone or an entity like a company or a group of people even animals wants to join in an activity towards a positive goal, then this is the expression used. Either a piece of the action or slice of the action can be used interchangeably but the meaning is still the same.
Example #1
Microsoft Corporation learned that Java is a program that people really want. In order to get a piece of the action, they incorporated it with their latest operating system called windows 7.
Example #2
Five lions were chasing a zebra and a sixth lion was lying in the bushes watching. So that he could get a slice of that action and enjoy the benefits afterwards, he joined the other five lions. Finally, the lions killed the zebra and all six of them ate.
Example #3
It is up to you if you want to take a piece of the action. But I tell you, when you do, be ready to get rich because we are!
Example #4
One guy saw a group of men playing poker. There was a large pile of money on the table for the winner. So the guy decided to take a piece of the action.
Example #5
The Jones criminal family started selling narcotics. They made so much money, that even the corrupt police wanted a piece of the action.
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Red In The Face
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When someone is red in the face, it means the person is really embarrassed.
Example #1:
When the police finally caught her, she was handcuffed and escorted to the police car. She was red in face!
Example #2:
During the wedding, I tripped on my gown while walking down the aisle. I was absolutely red in the face!
Example #3:
He became red in the face when he picked a fight with the owner of the club by mistake.
Example #4:
The teacher became red in the face when a student challenged her opinion.
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Sell Like Hotcakes
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An expression used around the world, this means something is being sold very fast. The analogy is that hotcakes taste better while they’re still hot, hence you have to eat them as soon as they come out of the oven. So when something is selling like hotcakes, people literally can’t wait to buy them.
Example #1
When the Iphone 4g comes out by the end of next month, I am pretty sure it will sell like hotcakes and I have to be ready and be in the store as early as possible to make sure I get one.
Example #2
Oh, I’m afraid we don’t have anything left from yesterday’s sale. This particular pair of Nike shoes is very popular, it’s selling like hotcakes!
Example #3
George, please go down to 11th street and see what all the buzz is about. I have heard something is selling like hotcakes and I want to know what it is. We don’t want to be the last to know. Maybe it’s something I really need!
Example #4
We need to create a product that will sell like hotcakes! Our products are too dull and never make it to the top. If we don’t come up with something great, we will be in the red very soon and we may all lose our jobs.
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Single Out
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If you want to single out someone, it means you pinpoint someone amidst the many choices available. It can be used to refer to objects as well.
Example #1:
There were many great performances during the contest, but the judges singled her out for the Best Actress Award.
Example #2:
Girl1: Why are you crying? What’s wrong?
Girl2: It’s Mr. Brown. I don’t know why but he always manages to single me out in class. There are other students who don’t pay attention, but it’s always me he sees!
Example #3:
The eligible bachelor singled her out among the many beautiful women at the party. Several months later, they got married.
Example #4:
They singled out her painting because it had the most peculiar theme.
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Sold Out And Sell Out
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The phrase sold out means that all of the items have been purchased. None of the items are left.
Example #1
We really want to sell out all the tickets for the Michael Jackson tribute concert. All of the profits will go to the foundation he established while he was alive. I am pretty sure it will be easy to sell it out because many people still like Michael Jackson.
Example #2
These tuna sandwiches must be sold out today. If they do not sell, they will go stale and we will make no money.
Example #3
The company that sells concert tickets declared yesterday that the upcoming concert of Bon Jovi is already sold out. They never even had to make any effort to sell out those tickets. Bon Jovi is so popular!
Example #4
What do you mean you are sold out of iPods? Your advertisement said you had 500 in stock!
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