English Idiom of the Day – No Pain, No Gain

No Pain, No Gain

To achieve something requires some sort of hard effort or sacrifice; suffering is needed to make progress.

Example Usage:  I spent one hour exercising today but, no pain no gain! 

Did you know…?  The phrase ‘no pain, no gain’ originated in the fitness / bodybuilding community. It suggests that people who avoid pain (such as sore muscles) will not succeed in their goal of building big muscles.  The phrase is now used in all kinds of situations where effort is needed in order to achieve something.

English Idiom of the Day – Better Safe Than Sorry

Better Safe Than Sorry

It’s better to proceed in a safe manner than to proceed and be sorry you took that action.  Something that you say which means it is best not to take risks even if it seems boring or hard work to be careful.

Example Usage:  “Should I take my umbrella today?”  Answer: “Yes, I think  you should – better safe than sorry!”

“Do I have to wear my seatbelt, we are only driving around the corner?” Answer: “Yes, better safe than sorry”

Idiom of the Day – A Blessing in Disguise

A Blessing in Disguise

When some bak luck or misfortnate ultimately results in something positive; A good thing that you do not recognise at first as being good.

Example Usage: “The hotel is full tonight; we will need to find a new place to stay.” Answer: “Maybe it is just a blessing in disguise; I’ve been wanting to try a new place anyway.”

Comment: Some people believe that when good things happen to us they are “blessings” (gifts from God), and that we do not always recognise them for what they are at first.

 

Idiom of the Day – A Last-Ditch Effort

Last-Ditch Effort

A final try at doing something; the last possible attempt.

Example Usage:  I made one last-ditch effort to get her to stay but it was no use;  We are making a last-ditch effort to finish our work in time for the deadline.

Did you know…?  The expression ‘a last-ditch effort’ has its origins in military terminology.  The ‘last ditch’ was, in military terms, the last line of defence.

Idiom of the Day – A Dream Come True

A Dream Come True

A wish or dream that has become reality.

Example Usage: Our vacation to Hawaii was like a dream come true.

Idiom of the Day – A Breath of Fresh Air

A Breath of Fresh Air

A welcome relief; a nice change for the better.

Example Usage: The new teacher was like a breath of fresh air.

Idiom of the Day – Break the Ice

Break the Ice

To establish a relaxed atmosphere in socially awkward situations; to break down a tense or unduly formal atmosphere.

Example Usage: It was an awkward situation until Mary came along and broke the ice.

Alternative wording: Ice-breaker – The teacher introduced a fun activity as an ice-breaker.

Did you know..?  The idiom ‘break the ice’ originated from the use of old ships, known as ice-breakers, which were used to break through ice in polar regions to become aquainted with new areas.  It was later applied to social initiatives which were intended to get strangers aquainted with one another.

Idiom of the Day – A Piece of Cake

A Piece of Cake

A task that can be accomplished very easily.

Example usage: Fixing my bicycle was a piece of cake.

Where did it come from?  It is thought the expression originated from the fact that for most people, eating a piece of cake is an easy thing to do!

Idiom of the Day – Have a Ball

Have a Ball

To have a ball means to have a great time or to enjoy oneself greatly.

Example usage: We are going to have a ball at the party tonight.

We had a ball last night and didn’t come home until 2.00am.

Idiom of the Day – Make a fresh start

Make a Fresh Start

To make a fresh start means to make a new start or to start something again.  This expression  is used when things have not been going so well and a person wants to change their situation.  On days like today, at the start of a New Year, many people see an opportunity to make a fresh start, to put any bad situations behind them and to move on to something new. It is a time of hope and change.

Example Usage: I’m going to put last year behind me and make a fresh start.