I couldn't care less is an American saying that implies a person is completely disinterested in the subject matter. An American might say, "I couldn't care less what John thinks, Sylvia, I'm going to tell MaryAnn the truth." This phrase must be interpreted in context, because the speaker often means just the opposite. The speaker may in fact care very deeply about the subject and is using this expression to express anger, strong disapproval, or even contempt for the speaker. Here's another example: "If you want to go to the park with him, Cathy, then go. I couldn't care less." Today’s American idiom is I couldn't care less.

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I wasn't born yesterday is an idiom used in America that reminds the listener that the speaker is not naive or lacking intelligence, but is instead knowledgeable and experienced. You might hear an American say, "I wasn't born yesterday, Bradley. I don't believe a word you are saying." This expression can be traced back to the early 1800's, but came into popular usage much later in the United States. Here’s another example, "I wasn't born yesterday, Marty, I’m not buying your product until I’ve done my own research." Today’s featured American idiom is, I wasn't born yesterday.

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If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times is a phrase used in America to scold or admonish someone, usually a child, who is not paying sufficient attention. It may also be used when someone refuses to accept your answer as final. An American mother might tell her child, "Seth, if I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times, you mustn’t play in the street. Now put your bicycle away and go to your room!" In this saying, the word 'thousand' can be replaced by any large, even imaginary number, such as, "Barry, if I've told you once I've told you a bazillion times, I'm not going camping with you. I don't like sleeping outside with all the bugs!" Today’s featured American idiom is If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times.

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If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen is an idiom that originated in the United States. The expression suggests that if you can't stand the pressure of a difficult situation, then don't get involved. Leave it to those who can. In American today, you might hear, "This business moves fast Douglas, and sometimes there's a lot of stress involved, so if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." Another humorous American idiom that means the same thing is "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay under the porch." Let me repeat those two examples for you. The first is, "This business moves fast Douglas, so if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." A similar idiom is "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay under the porch." Today’s featured American phrase is, If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

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It's a blessing in disguise is an 18^th century English phrase Americans often use to suggest that something good may very well come out of a bad situation. A friend in America might say to you, "I know you were really worried when you lost your job last year, Jan, but look at you now! Your new job is so much better. Losing your old job was a blessing in disguise." Here’s another example. "Ted, I know that you were disappointed when the company promoted Bob to the supervisor’s position instead of you, but it may be a blessing in disguise. Bob is under a LOT of pressure." Today’s special American idiom is It's a blessing in disguise.

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Keep youR mouth shut and your eyes open is a saying we use in America that reminds us that one learns more by listening than by talking. Paying close attention will often lead to success. In America, your boss might say, "Since you're the new man in the office Reese, I suggest you keep your mouth shut and your eyes open for awhile in our weekly meetings." In rare circumstances this expression can also be a warning. You might here someone say, "Fred, American’s are not well liked in this part of the world just now, so I suggest you keep your mouth shut and your eyes open." Today’s special American Idiom is Keep your mouth shut and your eyes open.

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Leave no stone unturned is used in America to assure the listener that everything possible will be done to take care of, or solve, a problem. An American police officer might say "I’m sorry that your bicycle was stolen, Mrs. Smithson, but we'll leave no stone unturned in trying to find your bike and the person who took it." The earliest reference to this expression dates back to 400 BC. According to Greek legend, Polycrates the Theban found a great treasure hidden under a rock when the Oracle of Delphi told him to 'leave no stone unturned." Here’s today’s example once again. "I’m sorry that your bicycle was stolen, Mrs. Smithson, but we'll leave no stone unturned in trying to find your bike and the person who took it." Today’s special American idiom is Leave no stone unturned.

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Let's cross that bridge when we come to it is an American idiom used to encourage someone not to worry until there's really something to worry about! You might hear an American husband say to his wife, "I know you are worried about what to do if Jonathan fails his test, but let's cross that bridge when we come to it." This proverb was traced back to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, an American poet, and it is listed in all major books of proverbs in America. Here’s another example you might wish to try. "Susan, I know that the cost of your physical therapy will be high, but let's cross that bridge when we come to it. I’m just happy you survived the accident." Today’s special American idiom is Let's cross that bridge when we come to it.

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Let's get the show on the road is an American saying used to inspire someone to hurry and get started. Although originally a show business phrase said to encourage actors to get ready for a tour, it is now commonly used in everyday life. In America, you might hear a father say, "OK, kids, the beach is waiting! Put your towels and sand toys in the car and let's get this show on the road!" This really is a very popular idiom and so you might want to try to master it soon. Here’s another example. "Tom, we have a dozen customers to see before we quit today, so let’s get this show on the road!" Today’s featured American idiom is Let's get the show on the road.

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Life is too short is an often-used American idiom that admonishes one to make the most out of life; to enjoy it while you can. Today in America, one might say, "Steven, life is too short to worry all the time about things that may never happen! Let's just enjoy the day." Life is too short also admonishes one to take advantage of opportunities while they are offered to you. Here’s an example, "Don’t spend all your time at work, Toby. Life is too short. Enjoy your children while they’re still small." Let me repeat those examples for you. The first is, "Steven, life is too short to worry all the time about things that may never happen! Let's just enjoy the day." You might also hear an American say, "Don’t spend all your time at work, Toby. Life is too short. Enjoy your children while they’re still small." Today’s featured American idiom is Life is too short.

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Look before you leap is a phrase Americans might use to remind someone to think carefully before an important decision is made. A parent in America might say, "Laura, you agreed to buy this used car too quickly, and now you are paying the price. Next time, look before you leap." Traced back to a book in the 1300's, this idiom can be said in many different ways, such as "discretion is the better part of valor," and "slow and steady wins the race." Here’s a second example for today’s idiom. "Sarah, I know that you just wanted to help, but you should have made sure you could do the work before you volunteered to lead this project. Next time, look before you leap." Today’s special American expression is Look before you leap.

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A man's got to do what a man's got to do is an American saying that suggests that one follow his conscience, doing whatever is necessary to achieve positive results. An American might tell his wife, "Janie, I know my decision sounds all wrong to you, but a man's got to do what a man's got to do." This idiom was made popular by famous American actor, John Wayne, in the movie 'Stagecoach'. Here’s another example. Dad, I know that you are worried about my being assigned overseas. But I’m in the army now, and a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do." Today’s featured American idiom is, A man's got to do what a man's got to do.

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In America, the idiom misery loves company, implies that unhappy or miserable people find comfort with those who have suffered the same problem. In America, one might call a friend and say, "Sarah, I had a real bad day at work and I know you did too. So let's go out tonight and get some ice cream. After all, misery loves company." Here’s a second example for you to practice. "Charlie, I know you wanted off this weekend, but if the rest of us have to work, so do you. Misery loves company." This is one of the most frequently used proverbs in America, so let me repeat those two examples for you. The first is, "Sarah, I had a real bad day at work, and so did you, so let's go out tonight and get some ice cream. You know that misery loves company." Today’s second example is, "Charlie, I know you wanted off this weekend, but if the rest of us have to work, so do you. Misery loves company." That’s today’s special phrase, misery loves company.

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Money burns a hole in his pocket is an American idiom that suggests certain people spend money as quickly as they make it. They always find something they simply must buy. An American parent might tell her friend, "I don't know what to do with Beth. Whenever she gets paid for her part-time work, she spends every penny she makes. It seems like money burns a hole in her pocket." Here’s another example, "Bob receives the same travel allowance everyone else gets, but he always runs out of money before the trip is over. I guess money just burns a hole in his pocket." Today’s featured American idiom is Money burns a hole in his pocket.

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Necessity is the mother of invention is an American saying that reminds us that seemingly disastrous situations will inspire us to use our imagination to find a solution. An American tourist might tell his wife, "Chrissie, we're out here in the middle of nowhere. Before this heat gets any worse we've got to find some way to fix the fan belt on this rental car. Necessity is the mother of invention." This saying is one of the most frequently used in America, so let me share with you a second example you might want to practice. "When I started my business I didn’t have the money to purchase research reports, and so I did my own research over the internet. Necessity is the mother of invention." That’s today’s featured American idiom, Necessity is the mother of invention.

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A frequently used American idiom is no problem. A friend in America might say, "I'd be glad to help you out of a jam, Matthew. No problem." This implies that whatever the request or challenge, it can be easily dealt with. Although this saying originated in the United States, it is well known world-wide. Even those who speak very little English are often familiar with this expression. Let me share a second example with you. "I know the car looks bad, but I can have this accident damage repaired by next week. No problem!" Let me repeat those two examples for you. The first says, "I'd be glad to help you out of a jam, Matthew. No problem." And today’s second example is, "I know the car looks bad, but I can have this accident damage repaired by next week. No problem!"

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Nothing could be further from the truth is an American saying used to emphatically deny something. It implies that a lie was told. In American, you might hear someone say, "I can't believe Tony told you that about me, Wes. Nothing could be further from the truth." In this example, the speaker is using today’s phrase, 'nothing could be further from the truth' to protect her good name. This idiom makes a very strong statement and should be used sparingly. Here’s another example. "I know the reports suggest that our department is responsible for the company’s heavy losses this past quarter, but nothing could be further from the truth." Today’s featured American idiom is Nothing could be further from the truth.

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One is innocent until proven guilty is an American idiom that reminds us that we shouldn't jump to conclusions about another person’s guilt unless we have absolute proof. Your neighbor in America might say, "I know it sounds suspicious because Keller has been in trouble before, but remember, he's innocent until proven guilty." This idiom embodies one of the fundamental principles of American law. Here’s a second example. "Mom, I know that you think I left the mess in the kitchen, but there are three other people living here. Remember that one is innocent until proven guilty." Today’s featured American idiom is One is innocent until proven guilty.

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An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure reminds us that it is better to plan ahead and prevent a disaster, than to have to fix it, or clean it up afterwards. Most countries now use metric measurements, so perhaps we should note that a pound is the heavier of the two measurements. A teacher in an American science class might tell her students, "OK, class, you need to think through each step of this experiment very carefully. These chemicals can be dangerous if not handled properly. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." This is an unusually long and difficult proverb, so let me repeat the example for you. "OK, class, you need to think through each step of this experiment very carefully. These chemicals can be dangerous if not handled properly. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.