Idioms for Teaching English and ESL in Japan

If someone lays it on thick, they make an emotion or experience seem more important or serious than it really is.

Idioms for Teaching English and ESL in Japan

A person who is reluctant to talk about a specific subject is close lipped.

Idioms for Teaching English and ESL in Japan

No Sweat means something is easy. For example, “This contest is just no sweat.” meaning “This contest is just easy.”

Idioms for Teaching English and ESL in Japan

‘Easy does it’ is used to advise someone to approach a task carefully and slowly, especially in spoken English.

Idioms for Teaching English and ESL in Japan

This means that it’s hard to know how much someone else is suffering..

Idioms for Teaching English and ESL in Japan

Prominent and influential people who comprise the most desirable guests at a social function or gathering.

Idioms for Teaching English and ESL in Japan

If you tempt fate, you do something where there is a high risk of failure.  It can also be used when talking about something could make it risky.

Idioms for Teaching English and ESL in Japan

A blank slate is something that hasn’t been developed or described in any detail.

Idioms for Teaching English and ESL in Japan

If you lay a glove on someone, you strike a blow against them in an argument, dispute, etc.  (Mostly used in the negative)

Idioms for Teaching English and ESL in Japan

It means until the very last possible moment or until every possibility is exausted:

You boys always stay until the last dog is shot
I will stay until the last dog is shot to complete this project by deadline

(Expression my mom who was born in 1917 in Wisconson always used.)