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Never look a gift horse in the mouth.  It is common knowledge that you can determine the age and health of a horse by looking at its teeth. Typically a buyer will check a horse’s teeth before agreeing to any sale. That’s where the popular American idiom never look a gift horse in the mouth originated. It is a lighthearted saying Americans use that encourages one to accept gifts with grace. The phrase reminds us that a person should not be critical of any gift, or the giver. For example, a father might tell his teenage son, "Seth, I know you wanted a new car. Still, it was generous of Uncle Harry to give you his old car. You shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth." Let me repeat that example: "Seth, I know you wanted a new car. Still it was generous of Uncle Harry to give you his old car. You shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth."

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Never speak ill of the dead is an interesting phrase used often in the United States and today’s featured expression. This saying reminds us that, since someone who has died cannot defend himself, we should show respect and only say positive and kind things about him. This expression is one of the most common American proverbs. A man might say to his brother, "Steven, I know Justin could be cruel, and wasn’t a very good boss, but he’s gone now. Let’s not speak ill of the dead." Listen to that example once again, "Steven, I know Justin could be cruel, and wasn’t a very good boss, but he’s gone now. Let’s not speak ill of the dead." Today’s featured expression is Never speak ill of the dead.

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No pain, no gain.  When an American football coach wants to encourage his players to continue practicing even though they are tired and sore, he might say ‘No pain, no gain’. With this expression he is reminding his players that they must work hard and push themselves if they want to be better athletes. In other words, anything worthwhile requires hard work. This proverb first appeared in the United States in Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanac in 1745. An American woman might encourage her running partner to run another mile by saying, "Come on, Ruthie, just think how good you’ll feel when you lose another five pounds. Remember, No pain, no gain!" Here’s that example again, "Come on, Ruthie, just think how good you’ll feel when you lose another five pounds. Remember, No pain, no gain!"

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Nobody is perfect is one of the most popular American idioms. This saying admonishes us to be less judgmental about other people. Everyone has his or her own faults, and we should not expect perfection in others. An American mother might tell her complaining teenage daughter, "Shelly, I know Lisa does some things that drive you crazy, but she’s been a good friend to you. Remember, nobody is perfect." Let’s use that expression in a second sentence. "Jill, Kathy was wrong when she talked badly about you. But you two have been friends for so long; you need to forgive her. Just remember, nobody is perfect." Today’s featured American idiom…Nobody is perfect.

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Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  When an American businessman wants to encourage his sales team to try a new advertising campaign, he might say ‘Nothing ventured, nothing gained’. By using this expression, the business man is trying to remind his colleagues that they must step out and try new things if they want to move ahead. Taking risks is all part of learning new things and developing new ideas. This saying has been in use since the late 1300s, and has many different variations. A businessman might say to his staff, "Come on, people, be confident. We may fail, but we won’t know until we try. Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Would you like to hear that example again? A businessman might say to his staff, "Come on, people, be confident. We may fail, but we won’t know until we try. Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

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Oil and water don’t mix is an often used American idiom that reminds us that, like oil and water, people with different personalities may not be able to work together and get along. Conflicts may be inevitable. This saying originated in the United States in the late 1700s. A teacher might tell one of her students, "Jensi, you and Amber have tried all semester to complete this project without success. Your personalities and work styles are just too different. The two of you are like oil and water!" Let’s listen to that example a second time, "Jensi, you and Amber have tried all semester to complete this project without success. Your personalities and work styles are just too different. The two of you are like oil and water!" Today’s featured expression is Oil and water don’t mix.

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The only thing we have to fear is fear itself is a common expression in the United States. It implies that, in many situations, fear is the only thing that keeps us from attaining success. This idiom encourages us to be confident about the future, and ready to face our fears. This expression is actually quite old. However, most Americans recognize it as part of a speech made during World War Two by American President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. A swim teacher might encourage a group of children fearful of getting in the water by saying. "OK, boys, let’s start by sitting on the pool side with our feet in the water. I know you can do it! The only thing you have to fear is fear itself!" Let’s hear that phrase again, "OK, boys, let’s start by sitting on the pool side with our feet in the water. I know you can do it! The only thing you have to fear is fear itself!"

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Opportunity knocks but once is one of the most popular idioms in America. This expression reminds us that new opportunities often involve some level of risk. The phrase dates back to ancient times, and can be found in the literature of many different cultures. One might hear an American father tell his daughter, "Jessica, I think you should go ahead and try out for the lead in your school play. I know it will be painful if you don’t get the part, but this might just be your big chance. Opportunity knocks but once." Listen to that example a second time, "Jessica, I think you should go ahead and try out for the lead in your school play. I know it will be painful if you don’t get the part, but this might just be your big chance. Opportunity knocks but once."

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An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is a frequently used idiom in America. This saying reminds us that costly consequences often result from ill-considered actions. Slow and careful deliberation is usually the best course. An American doctor might tell his patient, "Mr. Johnson, if you don’t start exercising and eating properly, you will have serious health problems in the future. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Please listen to that sample sentence again, "Mr. Johnson, if you don’t start exercising and eating properly, you will have serious health problems in the future. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Today’s featured expression is An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

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Out of sight, out of mind is a simple, but fun American idiom that parents like to use when talking about their children. When a person or object isn’t seen for a while, the child tends to forget about it. At Christmastime, children seem to want every toy they see. The wise parent will wait to see how committed a child is to getting that toy before deciding to buy it. A mother in America might tell her husband, "Bethany saw a doll advertised on the television this afternoon that she thinks she just HAS to have. But I think I’ll wait until closer to Christmas to see if she is still talking about it. I’m afraid it might be a case of ‘out of sight, out of mind’. I would hate to buy a toy she will never play with." Today’s featured expression is, Out of sight, out of mind.

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Don’t open Pandora’s box.  When an American is trying to warn someone to leave a situation alone, he might say, "Don’t open Pandora’s box." Some problems are so volatile, that it’s often best to simply leave them alone. In classical mythology, Pandora opened a box in which the gods had placed all the evils that plague the world, unintentionally releasing them to terrorize mankind. Today you might hear a husband use the expression, saying to his wife, "Honey, I know you are still angry with your sisters over what happened at the party. But I think you will be opening Pandora’s box by bringing it up again. Just let it alone." Listen to that example a second time, "Honey, I know you are still angry with your sisters over what happened at the party. But I think you will be opening Pandora’s box by bringing it up again. Just let it alone." Today’s featured expression is, Don’t open Pandora’s box.

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The party’s over is a common American idiom. It is often used to describe the end of a happy, carefree time – and the beginning of more serious endeavors. The expression can be used in almost any context. For example, a business owner in the United States might tell his staff, "OK, people. The holidays are over. We’re well in to the new year now. The party’s over. Let’s get serious about making some sales!" Here’s another example, "John, you’ve been spending too much time out with your friends and your grades are slipping. The party’s over, son! Time to get serious about your school work." Today’s featured American idiom is, the party’s over.

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Physician, heal thyself is an interesting saying used here in American. It reminds us that one should address his own faults before trying to fix someone else’s. The physician represents someone who may be very knowledgeable and able to help others, but has a harder time looking inward and seeing his own shortcomings. This proverb comes from the Bible book called Luke, chapter 4. You might hear an American say, "Eddie, perhaps you should listen to your own advice. After all, you seem to have more problems than I do. You remind me of that old adage, ‘Physician, heal thy self!’ Listen to that sample phrase a second time, "Eddie, perhaps you should listen to your own advice. After all, you seem to have more problems than I do. You remind me of that old adage, ‘Physician, heal thy self!’"

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Today’s featured American idiom is, That’s the pot calling the kettle black! This expression reminds us that it is sometimes easier to point out the faults in others than to recognize our own shortcomings. An American might say, "Do you know what Harold said? He told Will I’m late everywhere I go! Now that’s the pot calling the kettle black. I’ve NEVER seen him get to work on time!" Here’s a second example for you to consider, "Norm told the boss that I never get my work done on time. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! He never meets his deadlines." Today’s expression reminds us that it is sometimes easier to point out the faults in others than to recognize our own shortcomings. That’s the pot calling the kettle black!

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Pride goes before a fall is one of the most popular American idioms. This saying reminds the listener that thinking too highly of one’s self usually leads to trouble. Being modest usually leads to much less distress. This saying has Biblical origins, and can be found in the Bible book of Proverbs, chapter 16. An American father might tell his bragging daughter, "Jill, I know you received the highest grade in your class on that test, but don’t boast too much. There will be many more tests before the school year ends. Remember, pride goes before a fall." Would you like to hear that example again? An American father might tell his bragging daughter, "Jill, I know you received the highest grade in your class on that test, but don’t boast too much. There will be many more tests before the school year ends. Remember, pride goes before a fall."

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That was a shot in the arm!  When someone has encouraged an American, whether by word or deed, he might show his appreciation by responding with the oft spoken idiom: That was a shot in the arm! A "shot" is slang for an injection by syringe. When a doctor gives you an injection, or "shot in the arm", he’s strengthening your immune system against disease. Personal encouragement can provide a similar boost to your spirits. This saying is very well known, and is heard on a daily basis. Let’s use it in a sentence. "Larry, thank you for encouraging me in my job search. I’ve been feeling really disheartened, and your kind words have been a shot on the arm." Let’s listen to that example again. "Larry, thank you for encouraging me in my job search. I’ve been feeling really disheartened, and your kind words have been a shot on the arm."

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The show must go on is a phrase Americans use to encourage others to not give up; to keep on going no matter what. This is usually said to someone who has had a major setback, or when problems seem to be at their worst. This idiom originated in the entertainment industry. Every professional actor knows that, no matter how badly a performance is going, it must be continued to the end. Let’s use today’s idiom in a sentence. You might hear an American say, "Steven, I know you are discouraged, and that the soccer season is not going as well as you would like. But you can’t quit. The show must go on." Let’s listen to that example a second time. "Steven, I know you are discouraged, and that the soccer season is not going as well as you would like. But you can’t quit. The show must go on."

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It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other.  When an American has a number of different options to solve a problem, and it looks like it will make no difference which one is chosen, he might say, "It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other." This saying has been translated into many languages, but has been traced back to a novel by Frederick Marryat in the early 1830s called ‘The Pirate & the Three Cutters.  An American teacher might tell her class, "I want you to spend the next hour studying for the test tomorrow. You can study on your own, or in small groups, I don’t care which. It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other. Just make sure you are ready in the morning!" Let’s hear that example again. An American teacher might tell her class, "I want you to spend the next hour studying for the test tomorrow. You can study on your own, or in small groups, I don’t care which. It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other. Just make sure you are ready in the morning!" Today’s featured expression is, It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other.

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So far, so good is an American idiom that is spoken to provide both praise and encouragement. One might use this expression to encourage a child in the middle of a difficult homework assignment, or to a staff member struggling with an overwhelming deadline. The goal is to inspire someone to finish the project, or complete the assignment. Let’s hear how a person in the United States might use this saying. "Victor, you’re doing such a great job. I know this is a tough assignment, but so far, so good. I think you’ll be able to wrap it up before the day is over." Would you like to hear that example again? "Victor, you’re doing such a great job. I know this is a tough assignment, but so far, so good. I think you’ll be able to wrap it up before the day is over." Today’s featured expression is, so far, so good.