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English Idioms

Never let the grass grow under your feet.

If you never let the grass grow under your feet, you always do things immediately, you don't wait or hesitate but act swiftly.

let the grass grow under one`s feet
- be idle, be lazy, waste time
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.

That man is never content to let the grass grow under his feet. He is always busy.

The grass is always greener on the other side.

People are never satisfied with their own situation; they always think others have it better.

You use this proverb to say that the things other people have or their situations always look better than your own,even when they are not really so.

It is often shortened to "The grass is greener on the other side," or even 'The grass is greener."
Example:
Don't compare your talents with others. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Just do your best.

You might think you'd be happy if you were working in my company, but, well, the grass is greener on the other side.

Everything is coming up roses.

EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSES is an interesting American idiom. It originated in the United States in the 1950's, and was used as the title of a popular song from the musical Gypsy. The words to that song give the meaning to this idiom. "Things look swell, things look great, Gonna have the whole world on a plate. Starting here, starting now Honey, everything's coming up roses."
The lyrics of the song 'Everything's Coming Up Roses' (1957) were written by Stephen Sondheim (1930 - ) and the music by Jule Styne (1905 - 94). It is interesting to note that in 1932 the Democrats launched their presidential campaign promising that 'Everything will be Rosy with Roosevelt'." From "Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings" by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New York, 1996).
KNLS English Service

Poor Mary was a bit of a wallflower at the dance.

One who does not participate in the activity at a social event because of shyness or unpopularity.
wall flower a girl who is not invited to dance, no shrinking violet I won't go to the party because I feel like a wall flower when the boys don't ask me to dance.
shrinking violet a bold woman, not a timid woman
Barb will defend her rights. She's no shrinking violet. Word History: The sweet-smelling flowers of Cheiranthus cheiri came to be called wallflowers because they often grow on old walls, rocks, and quarries. The plant name is first recorded in 1578. It is not known who first made the comparison between these delicate flowers and the unpartnered women sitting along the wall at a dance, but the figurative sense is first found in an 1820 work by Mrs. Campbell Praed entitled County Ball. Although originally used to describe women at dances, the word is now applied to men as well and used in situations remote from a ballroom.

He led her up the garden path.
To leave someone up the garden path is an idiom and it means to mislead or deceive someone deliberately.

Everything in the garden is lovely.

Everything in the garden is lovely means all is well/everything is all right.

Money doesn't grow on trees.

Meaning:
You use this proverb to tell someone that he/she shouldn't waste money or there is not enough money to buy something expensive.

If someone says, "Money doesn't grow on trees," he/she means that it is not easy to earn money, so it is valuable, and you have only a limited amount of money. You should be careful how much money you spend.
Example:
A: "Mom, can I buy a new dress?"
B: "We can't afford one now. Money doesn't grow on trees."

Our lab computers are getting old, but we can't afford to buy new ones this semester. Money doesn't grow on trees, you know.

A bird in the hands is worth two in the bush.

Meaning:
You use this proverb to say it is better to accept something that you have or you can use now than to try to get something better that you might not be able to obtain. Sometimes people just say, "A bird in the hand."

If someone says, "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," he/she means that it is better to be satisfied with something you have than to risk losing it by trying to get something better you may not succeed in getting.
Example:
If I were you, I'd accept the job. It might not be the best job for you, but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Come to the point and stop beating about the bush.
Don't trust him, he's a bit of a snake in the grass.

snake in the grass is an idiom
A treacherous person, as in Ben secretly applied for the same job as his best friend; no one knew he was such a snake in the grass. This metaphor for treachery, alluding to a poisonous snake concealed in tall grass, was used in 37 b.c. by the Roman poet Virgil (latet anguis in herba). It was first recorded in English in 1696 as the title of a book by Charles Leslie.
Sources:
English Idioms & Proverbs
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Create Date : 22 มกราคม 2549

Last Update : 22 มกราคม 2549 19:14:33 น.

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