12 common idioms to improve your English! COMMON IDIOMS
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16 Have a bone to pick with someone 1
If you “have a
bone to
pick with someone”, you
have a problem you need
to discuss with them.
A
What’s up? I can sense a bit of tension! B
I’ve got a bone to pick with you about that video you put up on Instagram of me dancing at the wedding. Get up on the wrong side of the bed 2
If you “get up on the wrong side of the bed”, you
wake up in a bad
mood , often because you haven’t
slept well.
A
The meeting is in the conference room, isn’t it? B
Yeah but prepare for the worst. I think Ms Simmonds got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. She’s been shouting at everyone. Wouldn’t touch someone or something with a bargepole 3
If you “wouldn’t touch someone or something with a
bargepole ”, you wouldn’t do anything with them, or
become involved with them in business, romantically, etc.
A
Has he had any more acting work recently? B
No, the movie producers wouldn’t touch him with a bargepole after he sued the last film studio over of a very minor accident.” [US English: “Wouldn’t touch someone with a 10-foot
pole .”]
Hold your horses 4
We use this expression (
hold your horses) to tell
someone to stop speaking or to calm down.
A
We need someone to be at the conference this weekend, so I
