This document contains definitions for 30 common English idioms, including their meanings and example sentences. Some idioms defined are "bark up the wrong tree", "cat got your tongue", "easy as pie", "fair-weather friend", "get this show on the road", and "leave no stone unturned". The idioms cover a wide range of topics from being easily frightened to making trouble to showing one's emotions openly. All definitions and examples are sourced from the Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms copyright 1996.

1. Idioms, Oh how I love thee! By: Ms. Brand

2. Afraid of your own shadow Meaning- very easily frightened, especially of small or imaginary things. Sometimes at night I am afraid of my own shadow , but then I realize its just me.

3. Bark up the wrong tree Meaning: to direct your attention or efforts toward the wrong person or thing; to have the wrong idea about something. You are barking up the wrong tree if you think I like video games.

4. Cat got your tongue Meaning: Is there a reason that you’re not speaking. Why do you ignore me? Cat got your tongue?

5. Draw the line at Meaning: to set a specific limit, especially about behavior . I draw the line at people using bad words.

6. Easy as pie Meaning: not difficult; requiring practically no effort. That test was easy as pie , I know I got and A!

7. Fair-weather friend Meaning: a person who is a faithful friend only when everything is going well but who desserts you in times of difficulty. David is a fair-weather friend , when I wrecked my car he stopped being my friend.

8. Get this show on the road Meaning: get going; move forward; get the work started; do it! Lets get this show on the road you have been stalling all day .

9. Hang in there Meaning: to continue without giving up; to not lose faith or courage. My friend told me to “ hang in there , things will get better” and they did!

10. Ignorance is bliss Meaning: It is better not to know bad news sometimes, especially if you are happy. Ignorance is bliss when it comes to fighting.

11. Jump the gun Meaning: to do or say something before you should; to act prematurely or hastily. I jump the gun when it comes to Christmas gifts and always give them early.

12. Kill two birds with one stone Meaning: to do two things by one action; to get two results with just one effort. I can kill two birds with one stone if I clean my room and talk on the phone at the same time.

13. Leave no stone unturned Meaning: to make all possible efforts to carry out a task or search for someone or something. I will leave no stone unturned in searching for my car keys.

14. Make your mouth water Meaning: to look so attractive and desirable that it makes you want to have it very much; to want to eat or drink something that looks or smells delicious. The thought of chocolate makes my mouth water.

15. Need something like a hole in the head Meaning: to have no need for something at all. Ms. Strauss needs a new pair of shoes like she needs a hole in the head.

16. On pins a needles Meaning waiting anxiously for something; extremely nervous. I am on pins and needles waiting to hear if I got the job.

17. Play cat and mouse Meaning: to tease or fool someone. She plays cat and mouse with her little brother, pretending to hand him a lollipop, then taking it away when he reaches for it.

18. Quite as a mouse Meaning: silent or still; making very little noise; saying nothing; hushed, subdued. When the baby is sleeping I try to be as quite as a mouse.

19. Rock the boat Meaning: to make trouble and disrupt a stable situation; to risk spoiling a plan; to create a disturbance. Jimmy likes to rock the boat in English class always getting up to sharpen his pencil while the teacher is talking.

20. Salt of the earth Meaning: a person or group considered to be the finest, most admirable, and noble. Rachel is the salt of the earth , she sees good in all people.

21. Through the grapevine Meaning: through the informal spreading of messages, gossip, rumors, other confidential information from one person to another. I heard through the grapevine that Tom likes Sue.

22. Up a creek without a paddle Meaning: in deep trouble and unable to do anything about it; in serious trouble. When Todd cut class he was up a creek without a paddle.

23. Wear your heart on your sleeve Meaning: to show one’s emotions and feelings openly. When it comes to feelings Jackie wears her heart on her sleeve.

24. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks Meaning: people who find it difficult or impossible to change their ways or adjust to new ideas. I tried to teach my Uncle how to whistle, but you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

25. All Idioms and meanings from Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms Copyright 1996 Scholastic Inc.