Idioms | List of Idioms

Dear John letter | Discuss

Dear John letter

Meaning:

A letter from a woman to her boyfriend or husband telling him that she doesn't love him anymore.

If a woman writes a Dear John letter to her boyfriend (or husband), she tells him that she wants end their relationship.


Example:

His girlfriend wrote him a Dear John letter and moved to Japan.

Don't have a cow  | Discuss

Don't have a cow 

Meaning:

Don't overreact.

Don't let the grass grow under your feet | Discuss

Don't let the grass grow under your feet.
(Not let the grass grow under someone's feet)

Meaning:

Act now without any delay.

If you say "Don't let the grass grow under your feet" to someone, you tell him/her not to waste time and to do something immediately.

If someone doesn't let the grass grow under his/her feet, he/she does something right now without waiting.

Example:

Now that you know what to do, act right away. Don't let the grass grow under your feet.

A: Do you think the manager's already started to do something to solve the problem?
B: I believe so. He's the kind of guy who doesn't let the grass grow under his feet.

 

Drive someone up the wall | Discuss

Drive someone up the wall

Meaning:

1. Annoy or irritate someone very much.
2. Put someone into an extreme position or situation. (= force someone up the wall)

If someone or something drives you up the wall, he/she/it annoys you very much or
pushes you to an awkward or extreme position.


Example:

The heat in this apartment drives me up the wall!

The company didn't fix the problem until the government forced it up the wall.

Drop a dime  | Discuss

Drop a dime 

Meaning:

Make a telephone call; to be an informant.