A Piece of Cake:

Meaning: A task that can be accomplished very easily.

Sentence: This test is a piece of cake.
Origin: In 1897, a peasant was about to have a test to become a knight. He
was very happy and decided to celebrate by eating some cake. When he
finished and succeeded the test, he said that the test was as easy as eating
the cake.
A Taste Of Your Own Medicine:
Meaning: When you are mistreated the same way you mistreat others.
Sentence: John got a taste of his medicine when he got shoved into the
wall.
Origin: In 1504, a man wanted to poison his father. He mixed poison in his
fathers medicine. After his father died, he unknowingly took the same
medicine to cure his sickness and died. His family said that he had gotten a
taste of his own medicine after killing his father.
An eye for an eye:
Meaning: Revenge for something a person did to you.
Sentence: An eye for an eye, you shove me and I shove you back
Origin: In 1798, two men were fencing. One of them poked the others eye
out and the other man wanted revenge. He said, You took my eye now I will
take yours. So he poked out the other mans eye.
Between A Rock And A Hard Place:
Meaning: Stuck between two very bad options.
Sentence: Should I fight back or not? Im stuck between a rock and a hard
place.
Origin: In 1808, two soldiers were fighting and one of them got cornered.
He had two options, to jump off the cliff (jump over the rock and off the
cliff), or to surrender (to go to the hard place) He was stuck between two
very bad options. He surrendered and later got executed.
Blue Moon:
Meaning: A rare event or occurrence.
Sentence: I only see Katie happy once in a blue moon.
Origin: In 1936, an old lady looked out through her window to stare at the
stars. She had noticed that the moon was blue. She had only heard of a blue
moon once from her friend. She was happy to see this rare opportunity.
Break A Leg:
Meaning: A superstitious way to say 'good luck'.
Sentence: Good luck on the show, break a leg.

Origin: In 1990, two girls that were envious of each other decided to
compete in the talent show. When it was the first girls turn (Stephanie), the
other girl (Maria) told her to Break a leg, she ignored her and continued on
to do the show. To Marias misfortune, Stephanie had actually won the talent
show. Stephanie then considered that saying break a leg is lucky.
Bulls Eye:
Meaning: A perfect shot.
Sentence: As John aimed at the target, he hit the bulls eye.
Origin: In 1890, a military school was having a test. The test was on aim.
The goal was to aim the gun at a moving bulls eye. It was Nicks turn and
when he shot he hit the eye. He yelled out Bulls eye. Nick had made a
perfect shot.
Cry Over Spilt Milk:
Meaning: When you complain about a loss from the past.
Sentence: Theres no point to cry over spilt milk.
Origin: In 1980, there was a girl named Michelle she was having a party
with her friends. While she was making hot chocolate, she dropped the milk
carton in front of her friends and she started to cry. Later, the next day when
she went to school Michelle still cried over the milk she spilt. Her friends said
it was okay and to stop crying over spilt milk.
Curiosity Killed The Cat:
Meaning: Being inquisitive can lead you into a dangerous situation.
Sentence: Be careful, curiosity killed the cat.
Origin: In 1989, a cat was sleeping. The cat had heard a squeak from
behind the curtains and it was curious to know what it was. It was actually a
mouse trap in which a mouse had got caught in and the cat also got caught
in the mouse trap. The cat eventually died after being stuck in the trap for
hours.
Dropping Like Flies:
Meaning: A large number of people either falling ill or dying
Sentence: The swine flu is making people drop like flies.
Origin: In 1786, a terrible disease spread in the air which made poison for
the flies. All flies were dropping dead. The poison was immune to humans.
Then later, another disease spread in the air, but this time it was toxic to
humans. That day humans started dying. The other countries said that the
humans were dropping like flies because a large amount of humans were
dying and getting ill.

Go The Extra Mile:

Meaning: Going above and beyond whatever is required for the task at
hand.
Sentence: Im going to go the extra mile and explain everything I know.
Origin: In 1998, an employee was on her way to becoming an assistant
manager. She was required to get a book to help her with her job. She was
on her way to get one but the only store she could find was the second hand
shop. She wanted the better one, the one with more information. So she
drove and extra mile to get the right book.
Hold Your Horses:
Meaning: Be patient.
Sentence: Hold your horses until I say go.
Origin: In 1865, an old farmer was fertilizing his crops and he noticed that
his horses were whinnying uncontrollably. The horses were trying to get out
of the fence. His neighbour told the farmer to hold his horses because they
were impatient.
Kick The Bucket:
Meaning: Die.
Sentence: Its time for you to kick the bucket.
Origin: In 1734, in medieval times, a slave named Craig was going to be
put into jail. Instead the king told Craig that he could kick the bucket. So
Craig thought that it wouldnt be as bad as going to jail. So the king told him
to come to his castle at 4:00 that day. He didnt know that there would be a
venomous snake inside the bucket. That day he arrived the bucket was
ready for him. When he kicked the bucket, a rattle snake jumped out and bit
Craig on the neck. In seconds Craig started to fall down to the ground and 5
minutes later he died. After all Craig shouldve went to jail.
Off The Hook:
Meaning: No longer have to deal with a tough situation.
Sentence: Youre off the hook for now.
Origin: In 1749, James was about to be hung with a hook dug into his skin.
When it was time for the execution, James father came into the field with
proof in his hands that James is innocent. The king said that James wont
have to go on the hook and the real criminal will be punished.
Over My Dead Body:
Meaning: When you absolutely will not allow something to happen.
Sentence: You can hurt her over my dead body.
Origin: In 1890, on a stormy night, a man was trying to run over a girl to
punish her for not marrying him. The girls brother came in front of the car
and said, You can kill her over my dead body. He absolutely didnt want his

sister to die. So the man killed her brother and then got to the girl. The
man had hurt the girl over her brothers dead body.
Pull the plug:
Meaning: To stop something and bring it to an end.
Sentence: If you guys dont stop then Ill pull the plug.
Origin: In 1920, an electrician was working on a house. He was working on
the electricity of the house. To his misfortune, he messed up and got an
electric shock. His men came in and helped him by pulling the plug and
bringing the problem to an end. Luckily he survived.
Quit Cold Turkey:
Meaning: To quit something in one move. (Drugs, smoking, alcohol etc.)
Sentence: Lets quit smoking! Cmon cold turkey!
Origin: In 1909, a guy named Joe was working as a butcher. He loved to eat
cold turkey although he was really addicted to it. Three years later, he
noticed that he gained 100 pounds. His doctor recommended him to stop
because if he didnt he would die soon. To lose weight and not die, he
decided to quit cold turkey. Instead of reducing by small amounts he quit all
at once. He did survive after all.
Saved By The Bell:
Meaning: Saved at the last possible moment.
Sentence: I just got saved by the bell from doing a test.
Origin: In 1980, two boys were about to write a test that they never studied
for. Just at the right moment when the tests got handed out, the bell rang.
The boys said that they were saved by the bell from getting a bad grade.
Show you the ropes:
Meaning: Tell you how its supposed to be done.
Sentence: Ill show you the ropes.
Origin: In 1959, a pirate teacher was teaching his crew how to tie knots.
One of the crew members failed to do so, so he said that hell show him the
ropes by showing him how to tie a knot on the rope. He taught the man how
its done by showing him the ropes.
Who Let The Cat Out Of The Bag:
Meaning: To share a secret that wasnt supposed to be shared.
Sentence: George, who let the cat out of the back.
Origin: In 1937, a guy named Jeff was a man that stole cats for money. He
stole a brown cat from an apartment building. He put the cat into a garbage
bag and left it at his friends house. Later on that day when Jeff got home his
friend called him and told him that the cat wasnt in the bag anymore. So
Jeff said Who let the cat out of the bag?