LET HIM STEW IN HIS OWN JUICE is a frequently used American idiom that reminds us that the person who creates a problem is responsible for accepting the consequences and cleaning up the mess. Even if this cure requires heartache or suffering, the offender will learn much in the process. This saying can be found in books in the United States written in the early 1700’s. An American teacher might tell a parent, "No Mr. Smith, Charles is the one who did not do his homework. It was his responsibility, and he should suffer the consequences. Let him stew in his own juice." Today’s American idiom – Let him stew in his own juice. 

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LET HIM WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE is a phrase used in America that has Biblical roots. It can be found in the New Testament Bible book of John, chapter eight, verse seven. In this scripture, a woman caught committing adultery is brought to Jesus, the Christian Messiah. In that culture, such a person was to be stoned. Jesus asked that the first stone be thrown by whoever in the crowd was sinless. The people turned and left, ashamed. This story, and idiom, admonishes us to remember that no one is perfect, and no one has the right to judge others. Today’s American idiom – Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.

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LET NATURE TAKE ITS COURSE is a saying we use in the United States that implies that there are reasonable and logical outcomes to certain situations, and it’s best to just ‘let it happen’. In a literal sense, this idiom suggests that it would be foolish to fight the laws of nature. An American father might say to his wife, "Honey, Jonathan has the chicken pox, and there’s nothing we can do about it. The lotion will help him feel a little better, but we will just have to be patient and let nature take its course." Let me repeat that example, "Honey, Jonathan has the chicken pox, and there’s nothing we can do about it. The lotion will help him feel a little better, but we will just have to be patient and let nature take its course." Today’s American idiom – Let nature take its course.

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LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE is a common American saying that encourages us not to stir things up, or agitate a situation, after everything and everyone has settled down. If you have ever had a new puppy living in your house, you will surely understand the meaning of this idiom! Someone in an American home might say, "Elizabeth, let sleeping dogs lie. Steven is finally calmed down about the argument you had. You’re only asking for trouble if you bring it up again." Let’s listen to that example once again, "Elizabeth, let sleeping dogs lie. Steven is finally calmed down about the argument you had. You’re only asking for trouble if you bring it up again." Today’s American idiom – Let sleeping dogs lie.

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LET THE DEAD BURY THE DEAD is an American idiom of Biblical origin. It was used by Jesus Christ, and is recorded in the New Testament Bible book of Matthew, chapter eight, verse 22. Although it sounds harsh, this saying is really encouraging one to put the past behind, and concentrate on the future. You might hear an American say, "Jacob, that relationship is in the past; it’s over and done with! But there are more girls out there who will be more than happy to spend time with you. Let the dead bury the dead. Get past this, and let’s go have some fun! Today’s American idiom – Let the dead bury the dead.

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If an American wants to encourage someone to be honest and realistic, he might use the American idiom, LET'S FACE IT. This is usually said to one who needs to be jolted into acknowledging the truth. An American composer, Cole Porter, used this idiom as the title of his Broadway musical in 1941, but its popularity blossomed in the 1970’s. In America, the manager of a department store might say to a lazy employee, "Let’s face it, Benjamin, you’re just not working very hard. If you are not willing give me your best effort, then I’m going to have to find someone to replace you." Let’s hear that example one more time, "Let’s face it, Benjamin, you’re just not working very hard. If you are not willing give me your best effort, then I’m going to have to find someone to replace you." Today’s American idiom – Let’s face it.

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LIFE BEGINS AT FORTY is a funny American saying. It is usually used by those approaching or just arriving at the age of forty to remind themselves that they are still young enough to enjoy life! It is a new stage in life, and maturity brings new surprises. This idiom’s first known usage is as the title of a book by W. B. Pitkin in 1932. An American wife might tell her husband, "Chris, I know it’s your fortieth birthday, but please don’t be sad. We have so much to look forward to together. Remember, life begins at forty!" Let me repeat that example for you, "Chris, I know it’s your fortieth birthday, but please don’t be sad. We have so much to look forward to together. Remember, life begins at forty!" Today’s American idiom – Life begins at forty.

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LIFE IS HARD BY THE YARD, BUT BY THE INCH LIFE'S A CINCH is a saying used in America to encourage one to keep going in difficult times. Problems can be overwhelming if you try to solve all of the issues at once. A problem is more manageable if you conquer it one piece at a time. Another way to say the same thing is, ‘One day at a time’. An American teacher might tell her discouraged third graders, ‘Boys and girls, I know these multiplication tables seem complicated, and you think you’ll never learn them all. But we’ll just learn a few a day, and before you know it, we’ll be finished! Remember, life is hard by the yard, but by the inch life’s a cinch. Today’s special phrase is Life is hard by the yard, but by the inch life’s a cinch.

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When a child is showing personality traits similar to a parent, an American might say, LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON. Traced back to the early 1300s, this idiom was used as the title of an American movie in 1987 about a father and son whose bodies and personalities are temporarily switched. Let’s use this idiom in a sentence. "Daniel, when you came out to meet me at the car, you looked just like your dad. And then when you spoke, I knew you had to be related to Carl! Like father, like son!" Here’s that example once again, "Daniel, when you came out to meet me at the car, you looked just like your dad. And then when you spoke, I knew you had to be related to Carl! Like father, like son!"

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An American idiom used to avoid giving a direct and honest answer is A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME. Usually, the person has somehow gotten hold of information that is supposed to be secret, and doesn’t want to reveal the source. A reporter for an American newspaper may say to his editor, "I have this great story. None of the other papers in town knows anything about it! But I can’t tell you my source. Let’s just say a little bird told me." Listen carefully as I repeat that example, "I have this great story. None of the other papers in town knows anything about it! But I can’t tell you my source. Let’s just say a little bird told me." Today’s American idiom – A little bird told me.

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A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING is a widely used American idiom that dates back to the first century BC. This saying implies that one who does not know enough about a situation can cause great harm. Listed in all major dictionaries of American proverbs, it is considered one that every speaker of American English must know and understand. Let’s use this idiom in a sentence. "I’m sorry, Hank. I’m really uncomfortable letting you drive the car by yourself so soon. You’ve only been driving for a few weeks, and a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. I’ll let you drive solo when you’ve had more practice." Here’s that example once again, "I’m sorry, Hank. I’m really uncomfortable letting you drive the car by yourself so soon. You’ve only been driving for a few weeks, and a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. I’ll let you drive solo when you’ve had more practice."

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LIVE AND LEARN is a simple but frequently used saying in America that reminds us of how much our experiences in life teach us. Dating back to the 1500s, this idiom is used to encourage someone to learn from his or her mistakes, and go on to do better. An American mother might tell her daughter, "Laurie, I know you are discouraged about the grade you received on your essay. But the teacher says your writing is much improved. So don’t give up, just live and learn." I’ll repeat that example for you, "Laurie, I know you are discouraged about the grade you received on your essay. But the teacher says your writing is much improved. So don’t give up, just live and learn."

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When an American sees or hears of someone who does not seem to notice the faults in his or her sweetheart, the expression LOVE IS BLIND is likely to be used. This is a very old proverb, and is found in works by Plato, Chaucer, and Shakespeare. It is considered one of the most frequently used in America. Let’s use this idiom in a sentence. "You know, Joan, I don’t know what Ellen sees in Jesse. He doesn’t seem to have much motivation, and he isn’t very friendly. But she really seems to like him. I guess love is blind." Let’s listen to that example again, "You know, Joan, I don’t know what Ellen sees in Jesse. He doesn’t seem to have much motivation, and he isn’t very friendly. But she really seems to like him. I guess love is blind."

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A MAN IS KNOWN BY THE COMPANY HE KEEPS is a proverb we use in America, especially with our children. We use it to encourage them to be aware of the reputations of those they spend time with. Chances are, our children will develop the same reputation, so we want them to choose their friends wisely. On a Saturday morning, an American father might tell his son, "Taylor, you’re old enough to go to the park by yourself now. But I want you to be careful whom you choose to play with. A man is known by the company he keeps." Listen carefully as I repeat that example, "Taylor, you’re old enough to go to the park by yourself now. But I want you to be careful whom you choose to play with. A man is known by the company he keeps."

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When an American father wants to encourage his son to find contentment in something other than material possessions, he might use the idiom, MONEY CAN'T BUY HAPPINESS. Many people erroneously think if they buy just the right car, or just the right clothes, or go on just the right holidays, that they will be happy. But true happiness and contentment come from inside ourselves. Let’s use this idiom in a sentence. "Joshua, I know you would like to have some new clothes for school. I can tell it bothers you that all the other kids have newer outfits. But you need to realize that money can’t buy happiness." Here’s that example once again, "Joshua, I know you would like to have some new clothes for school. I can tell it bothers you that all the other kids have newer outfits. But you need to realize that money can’t buy happiness."

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MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACKING is an American idiom that is especially popular to those who are interested in sports. Many professional football games are played on Saturday and Sunday, and on Monday, it seems that everyone knows how the game SHOULD have been played. In other areas of life, we are also guilty of criticizing others, and telling them how they should have handled a situation. An American mother might tell her husband, "Travis, I appreciate your input on how I should have handled the problem with the children this afternoon. But you weren’t there. I think you are guilty of Monday morning quarterbacking." Here’s the example once again, "Travis, I appreciate your input on how I should have handled the problem with the children this afternoon. But you weren’t there. I think you are guilty of Monday morning quarterbacking."

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NEVER BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR is a common American saying that reminds us that many conversations are filled with speculation, gossip, and half-truths. Unless you have seen it with your own eyes or heard it with your own ears, you have a right to question it. Let’s use this idiom in a sentence. "Tonya, I know Thomas told you he heard Carrie say she was angry with you, but you need to go directly to Carrie before you get upset. Never believe everything you hear. It will save you a lot of heartache." Here’s today’s example once again, "Tonya, I know Thomas told you he heard Carrie say she was angry with you, but you need to go directly to Carrie before you get upset. Never believe everything you hear. It will save you a lot of heartache."

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An American mother trying to encourage her child to work on the school assignment that is due next week might say, NEVER PUT OFF UNTIL TOMORROW WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY. Procrastination, or putting things off, can lead to missed deadlines, as more interesting and fun things tend to get in the way of what needs to be done. This idiom has been traced back to a writing of Chaucer in the late 1600s. Let’s use this in a sentence. "Jessica, I know this paper isn’t due until next week, but if you keep putting it off to go swimming everyday, you will panic on the last night before it’s due. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today." Would you like to hear that example again? "Jessica, I know this paper isn’t due until next week, but if you keep putting it off to go swimming everyday, you will panic on the last night before it’s due. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today."

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NO MAN IS AN ISLAND is a common saying here in America that reminds us that we need to share our worries and problems, as well as our happiness with friends and family. Being an independent person is great, but everyone needs comfort and support from those around them. An American might tell his brother, "Lennie, I know you like to do things for yourself, but if you would let me and dad help you with moving to your new apartment, it might lessen your stress. No man is an island." Listen to that example one more time, "Lennie, I know you like to do things for yourself, but if you would let me and dad help you with moving to your new apartment, it might lessen your stress. No man is an island."

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When an American teenager is asked to do a job that he finds easy, or not very time-consuming, he might reply using the idiom, NO SWEAT He is implying he can handle the situation with no problems. This idiom once was considered a slang term, but is a common saying in America now. Let’s use it in a conversation. Roberto’s mother is frazzled. She has errands to run, and the baby is taking a nap. "Roberto, I don’t know what to do, Jose is sleeping, and I need to go to the grocery to get things for dinner. Can you help?" Sure, mom, I’ll watch Jose. No sweat!" Listen to that exchange once more, "Roberto, I don’t know what to do, Jose is sleeping, and I need to go to the grocery to get things for dinner. Can you help?" Sure, mom, I’ll watch Jose. No sweat!"

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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