001 A common American idiom is ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. The proverb dates back to 1628, and means a person is usually judged more by what he does than what he says. An American might say, "John seems like a nice guy, but I saw him steal that book. His actions speak louder than his words." This proverb is considered one of the most common in the English language. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS encourages us to be the person we say we are. Here's another example. "Mary said she would help me with this project, but she didn't show up. Her actions speak louder than her words." ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

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002 A popular American idiom is BEAUTY IS ONLY SKIN DEEP. This phrase reminds us that what person looks like has little bearing on the way they act. You might hear someone say, "She has the most beautiful face and hair, but I heard the hateful way she talked to the waitress yesterday. Beauty is only skin deep." This proverb has been traced back to the 17th century English poet, named Thomas Overbury. Another idiom that means the same thing is DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. Here's the expression in another sentence. "I thought David was such a handsome young man, then I saw the poor way he treated his mother. I guess beauty is only skin deep." BEAUTY IS ONLY SKIN DEEP

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003 The idiom CLOTHES DON'T MAKE THE MAN is a common saying. It admonishes us not to judge someone by what they wear. "Tom has on a beautifully well-made suit, but clothes don't make the man." This means that Tom may be well dressed, but his actions are not those of an honorable person. CLOTHES DON'T MAKE THE MAN has been traced back to the 1500's and is used in reference to women as well as men. Many well-dressed men and women are not people of character, but many poorly dressed folk are the type you would want as your most trusted friend. "I really like Susan. She is not the best dresser, but clothes don't make the man." CLOTHES DON'T MAKE THE MAN

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004 A very interesting idiom American's use often is DON'T MAKE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL. This was originally a Greek saying and dates all the way back to 200 AD. It rebukes us for making a big fuss over small issues. You might hear an American say, "I love my brother, but we argue about sports constantly. Am I making a mountain out of a molehill?" DON'T MAKE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL encourages us to let little problems and differences remain little. Here's another example. "Samuel is so worried about his disagreement with Cindy. He's making a mountain out of a molehill." DON'T MAKE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL

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005 EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSES is an interesting American idiom. It originated in the United States in the 1950's, and was used as the title of a popular song from the musical Gypsy. The words to that song give the meaning to this idiom. "Things look swell, things look great, Gonna have the whole world on a plate. Starting here, starting now Honey, everything's coming up roses." You might hear an American say, "I just married a wonderful man, and I have a new job. Everything's coming up roses!" It's a positive, upbeat belief that the future is bright and sunny! EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSES

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006 An often-used American idiom is THE FIRST STEP IS THE HARDEST. The hardest part of any task is finding the courage to begin. This proverb has been traced back to the late 1500's, and many languages have a similar expression. An American might say, "I really don't want to get started on this project, but I know the first step is the hardest." Once something is begun, it usually gets easier as we go along. THE FIRST STEP IS THE HARDEST encourages us to go ahead, make the decision, and take that first step. Two other American idioms with the same meaning are "Just do it!" and "Take the plunge." THE FIRST STEP IS THE HARDEST

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007 The saying THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE is one of the most popular idioms today. Sometimes we see the lives of other people as more desirable than our own. An American might say, "I hate what I do at work; I'd love to have Steve's job, but I know the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." This proverb has been traced back to the 1500's. THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE admonishes us for never being satisfied with what we have. Another example is "Barbara is so unhappy with the school she goes to. She complains about everything that goes on there. Doesn't she know that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence?" THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE

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008 An interesting American idiom is HE WOULDN'T HURT A FLY. This would be said of a gentle and harmless person whom someone has accused of being confrontational. An example would be "I can't believe that it was Daniel who threw the rock. He wouldn't hurt a fly!" This idiom says the person in question is so sensitive, he wouldn't harm ANY creature, even the lowly fly. In defending a friend, an American might say, "That isn't the Steven I know! He wouldn't hurt a fly!" HE WOULDN'T HURT A FLY

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009 A funny American idiom is I NEED THAT LIKE I NEED A HOLE IN MY HEAD. This saying is of Yiddish origin, and means I don't need that AT ALL! An example would be "No, I don't want a third piece of cake. I need that like I need a hole in my head!" Obviously none of us need a hole in the head, so the idiom is clearly very sarcastic! We are trying to convince our listener, and perhaps ourselves, that we really don't want what is being offered. Here's the expression in another sentence. "The new job offer sounds very appealing, but I need the added stress like I need a hole in my head!" I NEED THAT LIKE I NEED A HOLE IN MY HEAD

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010 An interesting American idiom is JUSTICE IS BLIND. This saying emphasizes the fact that true justice is unbiased, or impartial. People should not be judged based on their profession, religion, skin color, or nationality. A blindfolded woman holding high a set of scales in which she weighs the petitions of opposing parties often symbolizes justice. In America you might hear, "I know James will get a fair trial, justice is blind". The saying has been in use since the 1600's. JUSTICE IS BLIND

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011 One of the most common American idioms is the expression LET BYGONES BE BYGONES. The phrase is an exhortation to forget the past and to forgive any grudges that one might hold. You might hear an American say, "I'm sure Mark didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Let bygones be bygones." The expression is said to have originated in 16t^h century Scotland. Let bygones be bygones is an exhortation to forget the past and to let go of old hurts. Here's the expression in another example. "Mark, I want the two of us to remain friends, so let's let bygones by bygones. LET BYGONES BE BYGONES.

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012 The phrase KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP is an idiom Americans have borrowed from the British and use a lot. It admonishes us to not get discouraged. When a person undergoes emotional stress, a trembling lip is common, so KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP encourages a person to not get upset. In American, you might hear, "Don't be discouraged about not finding a job, John. Keep a stiff upper lip." There are other idioms in the American culture that mean basically the same thing. KEEP YOUR CHIN UP and HANG IN THERE are two common ones. Here's another example. "We're trying to keep a stiff upper lip about moving away, but it's hard leaving our friends after so many years." KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP

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013 A lighthearted American idiom is LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE. Humor can provide a much-needed respite from the trials and problems of one's life. Considered one of the most common American proverbs, LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE is proving to be literally true. Doctors now know that laughter stimulates the release of healing chemicals in the brain. An American might say, "I know you're feeling down about what happened at work today, so let's go see a funny movie. Laughter is the best medicine." LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE

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014 A fun American idiom is THE MORE, THE MERRIER. This implies that everyone's welcome. The more people who get involved, the more enjoyment there will be. An American might say, "A bunch of us are going to the park for a picnic, Luke. Come with us! The more, the merrier!" First appearing in a book of poems in the late 1300's, THE MORE, THE MERRIER is used by people who are not shy, who enjoy a crowd, and who are usually friendly with everyone. THE MORE, THE MERRIER

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015 An American idiom that encourages us to think positively is NEVER SAY NEVER. In this world of surprises, even things that seem impossible can happen. In America, you might hear, "Don't give up on your dream, Jean! It may happen. Never say never!" This saying is first seen in a work by Charles Dickens dating to 1837. Other idioms that inspire us in the same way to keep on going and not quit, include IT'S NOT OVER TIL IT'S OVER, and NEVER SAY DIE. Today's expression is NEVER SAY NEVER

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016 A fairly recent American idiom is ONE MAN'S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN'S TREASURE. What may be worthless to one person may be very valuable to someone else. An American might say, "I don't know why Jack would want that old lamp, but I guess one man's trash is another man's treasure." Another American idiom that means the same thing is EVERY MAN TO HIS OWN TASTES. We all have different likes and dislikes. ONE MAN'S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN'S TREASURE is often heard at community markets, and used clothing and furniture stores. ONE MAN'S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN'S TREASURE.

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017 When a person seems to be daydreaming or is deep in thought, an American might say to him, A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS. This is an encouragement to share what is on one's mind. In America, you might hear, "Your mind seems to be somewhere else, Eve. A penny for your thoughts." This saying can be traced back to John Heywood's collection of proverbs penned in1546. Here is another example. "Jeff was unusually quiet at the dinner table. Concerned about him, Jan asked, 'A penny for your thoughts?'" A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

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018 One of the most frequently used idioms in America today is ROME WAS NOT BUILT IN A DAY. This saying reminds us that major changes cannot happen quickly; it takes time to accomplish great things. An American might say, "Don't be discouraged that your project is taking so long, Bob. Rome wasn't built in a day!" Many cultures have a similar expression, and sometimes the name of the city is changed. Another example would be, "Be patient, Elizabeth, your book is coming along just fine. Rome wasn't built in a day." ROME WAS NOT BUILT IN A DAY

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019 An American idiom that dates back to the nineteenth century is THE SHOE IS ON THE OTHER FOOT. This saying implies that the situation has completely reversed. Before the nineteenth century, shoes were made in different sizes, but both the left and right shoe were exactly the same, so people could put a shoe on either foot. Today, an American might say, "Scott used to always be in charge of the projects at work, but now the shoe is on the other foot." THE SHOE IS ON THE OTHER FOOT reminds us how situations can change and we can go from rich to poor, from leader to follower, or from healthy to sick very quickly. THE SHOE IS ON THE OTHER FOOT

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020 TAKE IT EASY is a simple but fun American idiom. It encourages us to relax, or calm down. In America, you might hear, "Take it easy, Daniel. We still have time to get what we need before the shop closes!" Another way that TAKE IT EASY is used is as a simple farewell, or as a way of saying goodbye. "We're getting ready to go, Fred. Take it easy!" This frequently used phrase originated in the years following the Great Depression of 1929. Today's expression is TAKE IT EASY!

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021 An idiom that came from the 1768 writings of an American army officer is UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL. John Dickinson reminds us that we will be stronger by working together. Members of the American hippie movement used this saying often in the late 1960's and early 1970's in songs and poems. Although the idiom is not used much today, the concept is. The coach yelled, "Come on guys, we can win this game if we play like a team!" UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL

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022 A popular American idiom is VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE. An variety of activities and interests in one's life make it enjoyable and interesting. This exact wording can be traced back in America to the late 1700's, but the concept expressed by this phrase originated centuries earlier. You might hear an American say, "Come on, Connie, you can't read all day! Variety is the spice of life!" The idea expressed here is that, while reading may be educational and entertaining, a person needs to participate in a variety of activities to enjoy a well rounded life. VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE

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023 A popular American idiom today is WAY TO GO! It is a way of congratulating someone. It is way of saying, "You did a great job!" It is thought that this expression was first used in the 1950's by sports coaches to encourage their players. "After Bill made his first basket, his coached screamed, 'Way to go, Bill!'" Today, WAY TO GO is used almost everywhere by ordinary people to inspire a friend, a co-worker, a child, or anyone who needs a bit of cheer. Other expressions used in similar circumstances include, LOOKIN' GOOD and MAN, YOU ARE SMOKIN'! Today's special phrase is WAY TO GO!

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024 An idiom that originated in the United States in the 1920's is YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS MINE. This saying implies that you know as much as I do. An American might say, "I don't know what to tell you, Wayne. Your guess is as good as mine." It acknowledges that none of us have all the answers, and an educated guess that you have would probably be as close to the right answer as one I would have. A very similar expression is ITS ANYBODY'S GUESS. Today's American idiom is YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS MINE.

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