English Idioms with Unexpected Meanings

Each language has its own set of colorful expressions and idioms that reflect certain traditions, legends and legacies. In English, the meaning of some idioms can be guessed quite easily as in “A friend in need is a friend indeed”. On the other hand, it is not that easy to guess the meaning of other idioms. Take for instance:

• Barking at the wrong tree – It means blaming the wrong person or cause and putting wrong emphasize on the wrong matter. Example: If you think that your boss will give you a raise after what you did, then you are parking at the wrong tree.
• Hit the nail on the head – This doesn’t sound like something nice, does it? Yet, it means to do or say something correctly and perfectly. Example: She hit the nail on the head saying that her boss would never offer her a raise after she insulted him.

On the whole, most historic idioms made up by ordinary people centuries ago had something to do with nature. Here are some colorful examples of idioms related to animals:

• Have a cow – surprisingly it means to get upset about something. Example: I think she will have a cow if I told her that I hit her car.
• Let the cat out of the bag – it means to confess or reveal a secret. Example: I was trying to surprise her on her birthday, but her friend let the cat out of the bag.
• In the doghouse – it means to be in trouble. Example: I am so late to work; I will be in the doghouse today.
• Have a bee in the bonnet – to be obsessed about something. Example: I really have a bee in the bonnet about tomorrow’s exam; I can’t stop thinking about it.

Below are more examples of idioms related to plants:

• Lead up the garden path – to manipulate or deceive. Example: she has been led up the garden path; the car she bought was damaged.
• Hear on/through the grapevine – to learn or hear something accidentally or from someone who heard the same from someone else. Example: I heard through the grapevine that he was fired, is that true?
• Beat around the bush – to be vague and avoid the topic. Example: stop beating around the bush and tell me the truth.