IDIOMS X

Many idiomatic expressions seem to have little connection to the situations they describe. But on closer inspection, there is a connection, often an historical one, between the literal meaning of the words and those conditions. For example, the idiom To throw your hat in the ring - meaning to run for political office - comes from the sport of boxing. In early boxing matches, if someone wanted to challenge someone to a fight, he would literally throw his hat into the boxing ring.

Can you think of idioms that describe the situations below?

1. Quit

2. Not regard seriously

3. Begin to behave more responsibly

4. Have a flamboyant time

5. Talk foolishly or ignorantly

6. Abstaining from drinking alcohol 

7. In any way possible

8. Be very frugal - miserly

9. Stop something immediately before it becomes worse

10. Purchase or accept something without knowing its value or seeing it first

Answers:

 

1. Throw in the towel

2. Take with a grain of salt

3. Turn over a new leaf 

4. Paint the town red

5. Talk through your hat

6. On the wagon

7. By hook or crook

8. Pinch pennies

9. Nip in the bud

10. Buy a pig in a poke