Lesson
What is an idiom?
An idiom is a combination of words that has a meaning that is different from the meanings of the individual words themselves. It can have a literal meaning in one situation and a different idiomatic meaning in another situation. It is a phrase which does not always follow the normal rules of meaning and grammar.
To sit on the fence can literally mean that one is sitting on a fence.
I sat on the fence and watched the game.
However, the idiomatic meaning of to sit on the fence is that one is not making a clear choice regarding some issue.
The politician sat on the fence and would not give his opinion about the tax issue.
To sit on the fence can literally mean that one is sitting on a fence.
I sat on the fence and watched the game.
However, the idiomatic meaning of to sit on the fence is that one is not making a clear choice regarding some issue.
The politician sat on the fence and would not give his opinion about the tax issue.
Here I will provide an idiom every day and try to explain the meaning of it
Bide your time :
If you bide your time, you wait for a good opportunity to do
something.
"He's not hesitating, he's just biding his time. He's waiting
for the price to drop."
something.
"He's not hesitating, he's just biding his time. He's waiting
for the price to drop."
Carrot-and-stick:
If you use a carrot-and-stick approach, you use the promise of
reward and the threat of punishment to make somebody work harder.
"Some parents use a carrot-and-stick approach to obtain good
results from their children."
reward and the threat of punishment to make somebody work harder.
"Some parents use a carrot-and-stick approach to obtain good
results from their children."
