Idiom of the Day

Idiom of the Day

hit (someone) when (he or she) is down


To criticize, exploit, insult, or otherwise treat badly someone who has already suffered a setback or is in a vulnerable position. Watch the video

What is the meaning of an idiomatic expression?

An idiomatic expression or idiom is a phrase whose meaning is not readily discernible from the individual words that comprise it. Idioms sometimes contain colorful or flowery language, and they often have historical, cultural, and/or geographical significance.

Some Examples of Idioms

One popular American idiom you may have heard is eating crow. The phrase derives from the truth that crows, known carrion eaters, are as unpleasant to swallow as the reality that one is wrong. Eating crow, therefore, means admitting that you are wrong.

eating crow
Eating crow: admitting that one is wrong.

Daily Idioms | Examples for Students

Language is like a living organism, always growing and changing. Just listen to three English speakers from the U.K., Australia, and the U.S.A., and you will immediately hear the difference in their accents. In just over two centuries the three nations, separated by vast oceans, have produced unique iterations of the English language, each replete with its own unique vocabulary and accent.

The idiom is a perfect example of the adaptive power of language. Much like Darwin’s finches, language grows, changes, and adapts to suit the needs of its native speakers.

darwin's finches
Like Darwin's finches, language is forever adapting to it's environment (the needs of its speakers).

This page updates every 24 hours with a new idiom of the day. Come back daily for more examples of idiomatic expressions and to strengthen your command of the English language. Or better yet, teach your students or friends English idioms! Nothing solidifies your understanding of a subject better than teaching it to somebody else. Idioms are especially fun and useful in teaching students of English as a second language (ESL).

We hope to see you here tomorrow!

The word of the day is provided by TheFreeDictionary.com.