025 A common American idiom is ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT. This proverb, of French origin, has been traced back to 1530. It reminds us that patience will help achieve a goal. An American might say, "Don't be frustrated in learning to ride your bike, Steven. All good things come to those who wait." ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT is considered one of the most common proverbs used in America. Here's another example. "Don't give up, Rusty! All good things come to those who wait."

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026 A popular American idiom is THE BUCK STOPS HERE. This phrase indicates that the speaker is ready to take responsibility for the situation. You might hear someone say, "I am the leader of this group, so THE BUCK STOPS HERE." The American president Harry Truman had a sign on his desk that said THE BUCK STOPS HERE. The saying TO PASS THE BUCK means just the opposite. This speaker is trying to shift responsibility to another. Here is another example of today’s expression - " As principal of this school, I would just like to let everyone know that THE BUCK STOPS HERE."

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027 The idiom CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME is a common saying with Biblical roots. The expression asserts that family members are more important than other responsibilities. In the Bible book of 1 Timothy the writer says, 'But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.' You might hear an American say, 'Mr. Smith, your mother needs help with her yardwork. Remember, CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME.'

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028 A very interesting idiom Americans use often is DON'T BITE OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN CHEW. This idiom, which can be traced back over 100 years, urges one to not try to do more than one can realistically handle. An example would be, 'Are you sure you want to be in charge of this project, MaryJane? It's awful complicated. Please DON'T BITE OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN CHEW. One should not overestimate ones abilities. DON'T BITE OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN CHEW.

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029 EASIER SAID THAN DONE is an interesting American idiom. Dating back to the 1500's, this proverb implies that it is easier to advise someone on how to complete a task than it is to actually do the work yourself. You might hear an American say, "It only took you five minutes to explain to me how to repair my leaky faucet, but it took me two hours to actually do the work. Fixing that faucet was easier said than done." Telling someone else how to do something is always easier than following your own directions! It's EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

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030 The saying FIRST THINGS FIRST dates back over 150 years, and was the title of a book by G. Jackson. Important things, or the first things, should come before less important things. An American might say, 'I have so much to do, the laundry, helping the kids with homework, visiting my mother. I need to make some decisions. First things have to come first.' This saying encourages us to set priorities based upon what is most important. Another example - Mrs. Brown's career was very important to her, but now she makes more time for her family. She's putting first things first.'

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031 GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE is an American idiom that inspires us to recognize people for contributions they make to a project or a plan. The saying has Biblical roots, originating in the Bible book of Romans where the writer says, 'Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe tax, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.' In America, you might hear someone say, 'John has worked so hard on this school project. I think we need to make an announcement and give credit where credit is due.' Someone who works hard and does a good job deserves to be acknowledged. GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE.

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032 An American idiom that encourages us to be cautious is HASTE MAKES WASTE. Being hasty often results in unnecessary mistakes. The proverb appears in writings dating as far back as 1380. An American might say, 'Shawn, you need to slow down and think about what you are doing. Haste makes waste.' It's better to be careful and attentive, than hasty and wasteful. Another example - 'He is so eager to finish this job on time, I had to keep reminding him that HASTE MAKES WASTE.'

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033 IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED, TRY, TRY AGAIN is an American idiom that inspires us all not to give up. This saying was originally used in the 1800's to encourage school children to finish their lessons. An American today might say, 'James, I know it's hard to learn those math facts, but keep trying. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.' Here’s another example, ‘Sally, you did not do well on your last test, but just remember, if at first you don’t succeed, try try again.’ The expression reminds not to give up; to be persistent. IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED, TRY, TRY AGAIN.

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034 JUDGE NOT THAT YOU BE NOT JUDGED is an American idiom that has Biblical roots. Taken from the Bible book of Matthew this verse reminds us that by being critical of others, we open ourselves up for criticism as well. All of us have faults, and it's better to work on improving ourselves than pointing out the faults in others. An American might say 'Tom, maybe we'd better quit picking on Terry and her problems at the office. Remember, judge not that you be not judged.' A similar expression, also from the Bible, 'Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.' Today’s idiom is JUDGE NOT THAT YOU BE NOT JUDGED.

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035 KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN AND YOUR MOUTH SHUT is a very useful American idiom. Traced back to the late 1500's, it admonishes us to watch and listen much more than we talk. In America, you might hear, 'Jan this is your chance to learn what's really going on around here, so keep your eyes open and your mouth shut.' We can learn a whole lot about a situation just by watching and listening. On the other hand, we don't learn much when we are doing all the talking. Another example - 'Come to the meeting with me, Bill, but keep your eyes open and your mouth shut, and we'll talk about your impressions later.' KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN AND YOUR MOUTH SHUT.

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036 THE LAST STRAW WILL BREAK THE CAMEL'S BACK is a fascinating American idiom. This is said about something that turns a bad situation into a disaster. You might hear an American say, 'Sharon, your grades in math have not been very good this month, but your grade on this last test is the straw that will break the camel's back.' You will not be allowed to play outside until you can do better.' The saying is often shortened to just 'the last straw', as in 'Thomas, I saw you throw that rock! That's the last straw! Come inside right now!' THE LAST STRAW WILL BREAK THE CAMEL'S BACK.

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037 A MAN IS ONLY AS OLD AS HE FEELS is an amusing American idiom. It reminds us that youthfulness is a matter of the mind, not chronological age. Whereas an old person may feel young, a young person may also feel old. In America, someone might say, 'Oh, come on, Neal, you're not too old to play baseball with us. A man is only as old as he feels!' Other ways that Americans say 'A man is only as old as he feels' include 'You're as young as you feel' and 'You're as young as you think you are.' A MAN IS ONLY AS OLD AS HE FEELS

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038 NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER is an often used American proverb. This phrase admonishes us not to judge a person or situation based on first impressions. This idiom originated in the United States in the early 1900s, and is one of the most frequently used American proverbs. An American might say, 'As someone who prefers never to judge a book by its cover, I waited a few months before I formed an opinion about my new boss.' Here’s another example, ‘Look Tim, I know the boss seems gruff, but he’s really a nice guy once you get to know him. You should NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER’

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039 A captivating American idiom is ONE PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS. This saying reminds us that visual images leave a greater impression than words. It has also been proven that children learn better by seeing and hearing than by hearing alone. In America, you might hear, ‘Did you see the photo of those starving children in Somalia? One picture is worth a thousand words.’ Originated in the 1920s, this saying is listed in all major dictionaries of American proverbs. ONE PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.

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040 A fairly new American idiom is READ MY LIPS. The speaker is assuring his audience that he is telling the truth, and they should listen closely. In America, you might hear someone say, 'Read my lips! I said I will not go to the party with you!' Although dating back to the early 1980s, this saying was popularized in the United States by George Bush in his campaign for the presidency in 1988. Another example - 'Stacey, read my lips! I said no cookies before dinner, and I what I say!' READ MY LIPS

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041 An American idiom that parents should heed is SPARE THE ROD AND SPOIL THE CHILD. This saying reminds us that a child who is never disciplined will grow up to be rude and self-centered. You might hear an American say, 'Beth is getting old enough to understand that 'no' means 'no'. Spare the rod and spoil the child.' This idiom appears in the Bible book of Proverbs. Here’s another example. Bob and Helen have completely lost control of their children. Don’t they know that when you spare the rod you spoil the child?’ SPARE THE ROD AND SPOIL THE CHILD.

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042 THERE'S NO USE CRYING OVER SPILLED MILK is one of the most frequently used idioms in America. Dating back to the 1600s, this saying encourages us not to dwell on something that happened in the past that cannot be changed. An American might say, 'I'm sorry your team lost, Bruce, but it's over, and there's no use crying over spilled milk.' Another idiom that means the same thing is 'What's done is done.' Here is nother example of today’s expression - 'Daniel, you did your best on the science test. I'm sorry your score was not as good as you expected, but there's no use crying over spoiled milk.'