Idioms are the coolest. They’re beautiful little packages of language that, when used correctly, can perfectly illustrate a situation. What better way to explain social discomfort than to compare yourself to a fish out of water? Or how better to announce that you’re about to get tough than uttering, “The gloves are coming off?”
Idioms are also not just an American thing, either—they’re everywhere, in every culture. And, guys, there are some really cool ones out there that you should start incorporating into your daily life ASAP. You will sound smarter and more engaging. George Clooney, Penelope Cruz and Idris Elba all probably know cool idioms. Ryan Gosling probably speaks exclusively in them.
Below are a few un-played-out idioms, their origins, and how to use them in a sentence. Many thanks to HotelClub and Marcus Oakley for their beautiful illustrated versions.
Idiom: A cat’s jump
Origin: Germany
Meaning: A short distance—a stone’s throw. In fact, you can replace a “stone’s throw” with this one, because it’s better, and it’s not cliché.
In a sentence: “My favorite bar is just a cat’s jump away from here. We should check it out.”
Idiom: Die with your boots on
Origin: American West
Meaning: To keep working to the end… the very end. (And yeah, it’s America, but it’s frontier America! So, completely different than modern-day, smartphone-swiping, Netflix-bingeing America.)
In a sentence: Aunt Thelma would not give up the family farm for anything. She died with her boots on.
Idiom: The scorpion who stings itself
Origin: Apocryphal
Meaning: This comes from a myth that a scorpion will sting itself to death when surrounded by fire. It’s included here because it feels very George R.R. Martin-esque. A great way for Mance Rayder types to say, “I’d rather go out on my own terms.”
In a sentence: “Jack heard he was getting let go and kicked over Blodgett’s desk, then spiked his Emmy like a football.” “Like the scorpion who stings itself, huh?” “Bingo.”
Idiom: Flat out like a lizard drinking
Origin: Australia
Meaning: To be extremely busy. Because, when lizards drink water, they stretch themselves out really flat, and that somehow translates to humans and busy-ness levels? Gotta love Australians. In any case, this one can replace “burning the candle at both ends,” which also makes very little sense once you really stop to think about it.
In a sentence: “Hey, mate. I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to catch up with you in ages. I’ve been flat out like a lizard drinking!” (Aussie accent optional here.)
Idiom: Someone to steal horses with
Origin: Germany
Meaning: Someone who you can be mischievous with; a perfect adventure partner; “down for whatever.”
In a sentence: “She’s beautiful, funny, but best of all, she’s one to steal horses with.”
Idiom: To slide in on a shrimp sandwich
Origin: Sweden
Meaning: Someone who didn’t have to work to get where they are.
In a sentence: “The CEO’s son slid in on a shrimp sandwich… we’ll see if he can actually do the job.”
Idiom: Go off like a frog in a sock
Origin: Australia, yet again, because they have the coolest sayings ever
Meaning: To barely be able to contain oneself in excitement. Picture a frog… in a sock. Good, right?
In a sentence: “My wife went off like a frog in a sock when she found out One Direction is reuniting for a North American tour.” (Sorry, too soon?)
