Top Funny English Idioms you may not know

An idiom is an everyday figure of speech or metaphorical expression whose meaning cannot be taken literally. Idioms often go against the logical “rules of language and grammar” despite being commonly used by the language’s native speakers. If you look closely at the literal meaning of most idioms, you will realise they are often downright hilarious. Here is a list of some of the funniest English idioms you may not know, most of which are drawn from British English. Enjoy!

1.    Do a Devon Loch
Devon Loch was a racehorse that collapsed just short of the winning line of the 1956 Grand National race in the UK.  If someone does a Devon Loch, they suddenly fail when everybody expects them to succeed or simply crumble at the very last minute when they are almost winning.
2.     Do a runner
When someone does a runner, he leaves a place in a hurry in order to avoid paying for something (like in a restaurant) or flees a difficult situation to escape punishment. Like many British idioms, this particular idiom originates from one of Shakespeare’s popular plays, Anthony and Cleopatra, a gripping story of romance and tragedy that was first performed in 1606.
3.     More holes than a Swiss cheese
While delicious, Swiss cheese is hard, pale yellow or white with many holes. If something has more holes
than a Swiss cheese, it has a lot of problems; there are many things wrong with it. It is incomplete or lacks important components.
4.     Fall off the back of a lorry

This is the British humorous way of saying you acquired something that was probably stolen, or you are trying to sell something that’s stolen or illegitimate. The American equivalent of the phrase is: “off the back of a truck.”
5.     Hairy at the heel
This disparaging phrase was originally used by the British upper-class to refer to someone who is ill-bred, dangerous or untrustworthy. The image of a hairy heel is indeed striking and funny.
6.     All talk and no trousers
Someone who is all talk and no trouser talks and thumps his chest a lot about doing big, important things, but doesn’t actually take any action. The thought of someone running his mouth with no trousers is funny.
 

7.     If you’ll pardon my French
“Pardon my French,” or “excuse my French” is an informal apology for the use of profane, swear or taboo words. The expression dates back to the 19th century when it was fashionable for Englishmen to use French words – a foreign language then – in conversation, knowing the listener may not understand.

8.     Cat got your tongue
Imagine a cat eating or holding your tongue! Would you be able to speak? No, probably not. That is exactly what the phrase means. If a cat got your tongue, you are unable to speak. Your silence is oddly suspicious. Apparently, the phrase stems from the middle ages when witches were greatly feared. It was said that if you saw a witch, her cat would somehow “steal” your tongue so you couldn’t report the sighting. Not a nice thought but definitely a reason why you would be speechless.


Written by David K Williams - Posted by Florence Tilkens. Florence is Social Media & Marketing Manager at FOCUS.

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