AMERICAN IDIOMS (T)
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Idioms starting with T
Here is our list of popular "T" idioms that are used in American English:
Tag along (v.): To go with/ accompany someone.
Example: "I'm going to the mall. You wanna tag along?"
Take a joke: To have a sense of humor; Not to get offended at a joke directed towards you.
Example: "Geez! I was only kidding. Can't you take a joke?"
Take a load off (v.): To relax.
Example: "Come on in, sit down, take a load off."
(To) take it:
To endure trouble, criticism, or abuse.
Example: "Say whatever you want about me. I can take it."
Take it easy!
Relax! (Also used in "to take it easy" = to relax, to spend a day relaxing, etc.)
Take it or leave it:
To accept it the way it is or to forget it.
Example: "That's my final offer. Take it or leave it."
(To) take its toll:
To cause damage (or loss).
Example: "The long hours he puts in at work have begun to take their toll on his health."
Take off (v.): To leave, to get going, to be on one's way.
Example: "We have to take off. See you soon!"
(To) take something/ someone for granted:
To accept something/ someone (without gratitude) as a matter of course.
Example: "We tend to take a lot of things for granted."
(To) take something lying down:
To endure something unpleasant without fighting back.
Example: "I'm not going to take this type of treatment lying down!"
(To) take something with a grain of salt:
Not to take something that someone says too seriously.
Example: "If I were you, I'd take everything that she tells you with a grain of salt."
(To) take someone under one's wing:
To protect (and teach) someone.
Example: "Arthur took the new employee under his wing and taught him everything he knew."
(To) take the rap (for something):
To accept responsibility, admit that one is guilty of something.
Example: "I thought that Bill was responsible for the mix-up, but his friend Tom took the rap."
That does it!:This phrase is used when one has had enough of something/someone, and decides to do something about it.
Example: "That does it! I'm calling the police!"
That hit the spot: (When talking about food/drinks) That was really good; That's just what I needed.
Thick-skinned (adj.): Not easily offended; The opposite of "touchy". "He's thick skinned. He can take it."
(To) think straight:
To think clearly.
Example: "I was so tired that I couldn't think straight."
Throw the book at someone: To impose the highest/most severe penalty on someone for a crime committed.
Example: "After John got caught stealing again, the judge threw the book at him."
(To) throw someone for a loop:
To confuse or shock someone.
Example: "His last comment really threw me for a loop. I had no idea what he meant!"
(To) tie the knot:
To get married.
Example: "They tied the knot in Puerto Vallarta."
Tight (adj.): Close.
"That's one tight game!"
(To) tighten one's belt
To spend less money.
Example: "After Becky lost her job, we really had to tighten our belts for a while."
To save his/her life:
At all/ completely.
Example: "She can't sing to save her life."
Told you so!:
Basically when someone says "told you so!", it's like saying "See, I was right!".
Tongue in cheek:
Joking.
Example: "Quentin made a tongue-in-cheek remark to his dad."
(To) touch on (something):
To mention/talk about.
Example: "During the meeting, we touched on the plans to rebuild the school."
Trash (v.): To destroy.
"The band trashed the hotel room."
(To be) tripping on (something): to be high on something (usually drugs).
True to one's word:
Keeping one's promise.
Example: "I wasn't sure he would pay me, but he turned out to be true to his word."
(To) try your luck
To attempt something; to try to see if you can do/win something.
Example: "I'm going to try my luck at the slot machines."
(To) try someone's patience
To do something annoying that may cause someone to lose patience.
Example: "It's not a good idea to try the boss' patience."
(To) turn a blind eye to something:
To ignore something and pretend you did not see it.
Example: "The usher turned a blind eye to the boy who snuck into the theater."
Turn-off (n.): Something that makes you lose your interest.
Example: "The fact that she smoked so much was a real turn-off."
(To) turn one's back on (something/someone):
To forget or ignore (something/someone)
Example: "You should never turn your back on your friends."
(To) two-time someone:
To be in a relationship and to have another boyfriend/girlfriend without telling your first boyfriend/girlfriend. Example: "I dumped him when
I found out he was two-timing me with Mary."
24/7 (Twenty four seven): Non-stop, around the clock.
Example: "That place is open 24/7. It never closes."
