In today’s podcast, you’ll learn 12 more idioms connected to house and home so that you can widen your vocabulary and use some common English expressions.

Email from Rosario
I’ve just listened to your podcast about used to, be used to, get used to and always. https://inglespodcast.com/489

Here are my examples:
Growing up I used to meet friends on Sunday morning to go to the disco. Sounds strange, isn’t it? (doesn’t it) But, 50 years ago we used to do it.

I also used to play the bandurria in a student music group. I keep it but I don’t play (haven’t played) it since then.

I used to take care of my grandchildren in the morning when they were babies. Now they are almost teens so in the mornings they’re usually at school. I had to get used to spending the mornings without them.

When I got married, it took me a long time getting used to (TO GET USED TO) the new married life. I had to change my neck of the woods, but I got easily used to living in the new one.

Well, I’ve enjoyed writing this email practicing different uses of “used to”.

More house and home Idioms

Idioms Connected to House & Home: https://inglespodcast.com/220

couch potato
If you refer to someone as a couch potato, you criticize them for spending a lot of time sitting and watching television.
“Don’t be such a couch potato. There are better ways of spending your time than watching Netflix.”

home and dry
If you are home and dry, you have successfully achieved all your objectives, or are now out of danger and needn’t worry
“After scoring their sixth goal against a goalless Manchester United in the last minute, Liverpool can safely say they’re home and dry.”

burn the candle at both ends
If you burn the candle at both ends, you exhaust yourself by doing too much, especially going to bed late and getting up early.
“Reza looks exhausted. He’s been burning the candle at both ends lately.”

roll out the red carpet
To roll out the red carpet means to give special treatment to an important or honoured visitor.
“We always roll out the red carpet when Reza comes to visit.”

close to home
When a situation or comment makes someone feel uncomfortable because it concerns an issue that person is very sensitive to or has negative past experience of.
“Everybody talking about Mary’s terminal cancer in the office was too close to home for Frank, whose mother has just died of cancer, so he left the building.

sweep (something) under the rug
If you sweep something under the rug (or carpet), you try to hide it because it is embarrassing.
“The prime minister tried unsuccessfully to sweep the scandal under the rug.”

fly off the handle
A person who flies off the handle becomes suddenly very angry.
“Craig flew off the handle when I didn’t study enough for the exam.”

a different kettle of fish
To describe a person, thing or situation as a different kettle of fish means that it is completely different from what has just been mentioned, or another matter entirely.
“It may be fairly easy to get a basic teaching qualification, but finding your first job is a different kettle of fish.”

strike while the iron is hot
If you strike while the iron is hot, you act immediately because now is the ideal time to do it.
“The price of bitcoin has dropped. It’s a good time to buy. You should strike while the iron is hot.”

(a) mug’s game
Something that only a fool (mug) would do is called a mug’s game.
“Investing in Bitcoin is a mug’s game.”

a lot on your plate
If someone has a lot on their plate, they are extremely busy or have several problems to handle at the same time.
“He flew off the handle because he’s got a lot on his plate at the moment.”

the pot calling the kettle black
When a person with a fault criticizes someone else for having the same fault.
“She said I was lazy/a liar/selfish/tight-fisted – talk about the pot calling the kettle black!”

as useful as a chocolate teapot
Something which is of no practical use at all is about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
“When there are no roads, a car is about as useful as a chocolate teapot!”

(have a) brain/memory like a sieve
Someone who has a brain (or memory) like a sieve has a very bad memory and forgets things easily.
“Oh, I forgot to buy the bread – I’ve got a brain like a sieve these days!”

We know that you don’t have a memory like a sieve and that you always intend to send us a voice message to practise your English. Even if you have a lot on your plate at the moment, please take 5 minutes to send us a message and practise 2 or 3 of your favourite idioms from today’s podcast.

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The music in this podcast is by Pitx. The track is called ‘See You Later’