Political Idioms

Political Idioms

It's Election Day in the U.S. and the presidential candidates have been campaigning hard these last few weeks. We've been hearing a lot of idioms on television and the radio, in the presidential speeches, and in conversations with our friends and coworkers. Let's take a look at a few of them today.

-to put your foot in your mouth: to say something that you regret because it was embarrassing, insulting, or hurtful

Ex: “I really put my foot in my mouth when I said that.”


-to throw your hat in the ring: to officially enter a contest

Ex: “I would really like the chance to throw my hat in the ring with those candidates!”


-the buck stops here: said by someone who is responsible for making decisions and who will be blamed if things go wrong

Ex: “Although I appreciate your advice, the buck stops here and I need to do what I think is right.”


-you shouldn't count your chickens before they hatch: you should not depend on something before it happens

Ex: “I’m feeling really confident, but I know I shouldn’t count my chickens before they hatch.”


-to be stuck between a rock and a hard place: to be in a very difficult situation or having to make a very difficult decision

Ex: “This is awful…I feel like I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to figure out what to do.”


-to make a mountain out of a molehill: to make a small problem seem like a much bigger problem

Ex: “I can’t stand it when these protestors try to make a mountain out of a molehill.”


Tagged:

Published on November 8, 2016

A leading English language school accredited by the CEA (Commission on English Language Accreditation) and approved by SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) located in Los Angeles, California. Learn English in LA with our ESL classes, TOEFL preparation, and English speaking classes. Are you serious about improving your English? Join a class today!