043 A common American idiom is ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT. This idiom reminds us that patience will be rewarded, and will help you achieve your goals. An American might say, 'Settle down and be patient, John. Remember, all good things come to those who wait.' This saying originated with the French, and has been traced back to the early 1500's. In the United States, this idiom was made popular by the poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his poem, The Student's Tale. Here's another example. Jacob, keep working on the answer to your problem, and don't get discouraged. All good things come to those who wait. All good things come to those who wait

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044 A popular American idiom is THE BALL IS IN YOUR COURT. This saying implies that the next move is yours. It is a term used in negotiating. You might hear someone say, 'I've told you what I think, Helen. Now the ball is in your court.' Originating in the United States, this saying refers to the game of tennis, and became popular in the mid 19^th century. Here's the expression in another sentence. 'Henry, we've been over and over this. Now the ball is in your court.' THE BALL IS IN YOUR COURT

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045 An American idiom that has changed meaning over the years is THE CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG. Originally this saying was used when it was revealed that a seller was trying to trick a buyer by putting a cat in a bag instead of a pig. But now the saying is used when someone reveals a secret. In America, you might hear 'The cat is out of the bag, Eric. They know you are the one who took the last piece of pie.' The cat is out of the bag. THE CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG

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046 An interesting American idiom is THE DIE IS CAST. This saying implies that one's mind is made up, a decision has been made, and there's no turning back. You might hear an American say, 'The die is cast, Eddie. We're sticking with our decision, and there's no going back.' This idiom has been traced back to Julius Caesar, and is often used by those who are getting ready to try something risky or dangerous. Here's another example. 'OK, Adam. The die is cast. Put your helmet on and watch what you're doing on that steep hill.' THE DIE IS CAST

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047 A very common American idiom is EASY COME, EASY GO. This saying reminds us that money and material blessings gained without a lot of work tends to be spent or used up very quickly and carelessly. An American might say, 'Anna's parents gave her a lot of money for her birthday, but she had it spent within just a few days. Easy come easy go.' This proverb dates back to the writer Chaucer in the late 1300's. Here is another example. The boys got so many presents for Christmas, they didn't appreciate what they received. Most were soon broken or lost. Easy come, easy go. EASY COME, EASY GO

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048 A popular American idiom is FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. This saying implies that the first person in line, or the first person to ask a question will be helped first. It has been traced back to about thirteenth century. In American, you might hear, 'Benjamin, let's get to the store early today so we don't have to wait in a long line. First come, first served. Another phrase that means the same thing is on a first-come, first-served basis. Here's another example. 'Belinda, we need to make our reservations for the play soon. The tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.' FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED

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049 A humorous American idiom is GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE. This saying is often used by someone who just had his or her thoughts put into words by someone else. For instance, you might hear an American say, 'That's exactly what I was thinking, Carl. Great minds think alike!' The expression is generally used in a comical way, suggesting that both individuals are smart! Here’s another example, 'That's exactly what I was about to say, Danl. I guess great minds really do think alike!' GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE

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050 An American idiom that has Biblical roots is THE HANDWRITING IS ON THE WALL. It implies that danger is upon us or that we are about to get caught. In the Old Testament portion of the Bible, the Babylonian king asks the prophet Daniel to interpret words that God has miraculously written on his wall. Daniel tells the king that the message is a warning that his reign is about to end and it in fact did end that very night. In American you might hear, 'The handwriting is on the wall, Casey. I think I'm about to lose my job.' THE HANDWRITING IS ON THE WALL

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051 A fun American idiom is I WOULDN'T TOUCH THAT WITH A TEN-FOOT POLE. The speaker is usually saying he doesn't want to get involved. The 'pole' refers to the long poles used to push barges down a canal or river. You might hear an American say, 'Charlie, I don't have a clue how you get yourself involved in these situations, but I wouldn't touch that one with a ten-foot pole.' Here’s another example. ‘That salesman doesn’t seem very honest. I wouldn’t touch one of his contracts with a ten foot pole.’ I WOULDN'T TOUCH THAT WITH A TEN-FOOT POLE

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052 Today we have another American idiom that has its roots in the Bible. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER comes from the Bible book of Proverbs, chapter twenty-four, where it says, ‘A man of knowledge increases strength’. This proverb reminds us that knowledge is a means by which we can change the world around us. An example might be, 'I know you think school is boring right now, Susan, but keep at it a few more years. Knowledge is power.’ Here’s another example, ‘The salesman tried to cheat me, but I knew what the car was really worth. Knowledge is power!’ KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

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053 LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE is an American idiom we would all do well taking to heart. This saying admonishes us to not interfere in others' affairs. It also suggests that we don't try to fix what doesn't need fixing. The idea, if not the actual saying, was first seen in the printed works of Aesop. In America you might hear, 'I think Sarah is angry at me over what I said about Tom, and I would like to talk to her about it, but I guess for tonight, I'd just better leave well enough alone.' LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE

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054 MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES is an interesting American idiom. This saying refers to the practice of spreading grass out in the sunshine to dry before bundling it up to use as food for farm animals in the winter months. It encourages us to take advantage of opportunities or promising conditions before they pass one by. This saying is one of the most frequently used in America. In America, one might say, 'Chad, let's get all that firewood cut and stacked before the cold weather comes. We need to make hay while the sun shines.' Today’s expression is MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES.

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055 An American idiom that many children hear from their parents is NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTS. It is a way to stop an argument when someone has made a final decision, and doesn't want to discuss the matter any further. You might hear an American parent say, 'No ifs, ands, or buts, Stacey. You may not go to Carol's house after dinner, and my decision is final!' Here’s another example, ‘no ifs, ands, or butts young man! Its time to sleep, so in the bed you go!’ Today’s American idiom is NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTS.

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056 An inspiring American idiom is ONE GOOD TURN DESERVES ANOTHER. This saying is used when someone is returning a favor, or paying another back for a good deed done. An American might say, 'I brought you some cookies, Marsha. You were so kind to my children while I was in the hospital and one good turn deserves another. While this expression generally has a positive meaning, it should be noted that it is occasionally used satirically. In this case it means that a bad deed deserves revenge. Today’s expression is ONE GOOD TURN DESERVES ANOTHER.

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057 PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT is a well-used American idiom. Many parents will say this to their children when they become weary of learning a new task, and want to quit. This proverb is listed in all major dictionaries of American proverbs, and is considered one all people should commit to memory. In America, you might hear, 'I know these math problems are frustrating, Stephen, but keep trying. Practice makes perfect.' Here’s another example, ‘If you want to do well at your piano recital, Thomas, then you must keep working. Afer all, practice makes perfect!’ PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

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058 SEE NO EVIL, HEAR NO EVIL, SPEAK NO EVIL is an American idiom said of people who do not want to be drawn into a situation. Although the origin is unknown, the saying is often written under a picture or statue of three monkeys; the first covering his eyes, the second covering his ears, and the third covering his mouth. An American might say, 'I looked out my office window when I heard the child scream. Nobody stopped to help. I guess they thought…see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.' Today’s expression is, SEE NO EVIL, HEAR NO EVIL, SPEAK NO EVIL.

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059 THANK GOODNESS IT'S FRIDAY is a common expression used by Americans at the end of a tiring workweek as they prepare for a leisurely weekend. Sometimes it is abbreviated in writing with the letters TGIF. You might hear an American say, 'Let's go home James. I don't think I've ever had such a tiring week. Thank goodness it's Friday.' Most Americans work a five day week, beginning on Monday and ending on Friday. Here’s another example, ‘The boss has been harassing me all week. Thank goodness it’s Friday!’ THANK GOODNESS IT'S FRIDAY

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060 VIRTUE IS ITS OWN REWARD is an idiom used in America that suggests that people of integrity do not need an ulterior motive to do the right thing. It has been traced back to A.D. 25-99 when Silius Italicus wrote 'Virtue herself is her own fairest reward'. An American teacher might say, 'Class, your assignment for tonight is to do something good for someone else, such as raking a neighbor’s leaves, or going to the store for someone who is house bound. Don’t accept any payment for your work. I want you to learn that virtue has its own reward.' Today’s American idiom is, VIRTUE IS ITS OWN REWARD.

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The New Life Station is pleased to provide transcripts online for a number of KNLS programs.  Please note that all scripts are the property of World Christian Broadcasting and/or SeedSower Productions.  They are provided here for your personal enjoyment only and may not be disseminated in any fashion without prior written permission.

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