American Expressions R2 - Learn American English Online

Popular Expressions Used in the U.S.

raining cats and dogs: heavy rain; a large rainfall.
rain or shine: an event will go as planned, regardless of the weather. Don’t worry about the concert getting cancelled. It’s going to happen–rain or shine.
rake over the coals: to be very angry at someone and express that anger verbally. She raked him over the coals for smoking inside the house.
ram something down one’s throat:
read between the lines: to have the ability to read for detail or compehend information beyond what is written. It’s important to learn how to read between the lines so that you can avoid being tricked into believing someting that isn’t true.
read someone’s mind:
ready, willing, and able: prepared and eager to do something. He’s ready, willing, and able to defend himself if anyone ever attacks him.
reinvent the wheel: to create something that has already been created; to do work that has already been done. You can easily find lessons online for your students. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
return the favor:
right off the bat:
right on:
right up one’s alley: an area of a person’s expertise; something that a person knows well how to do. Astronomy is right up Jacob’s alley. That’s why he wants to become an astronomer someday.
rise and shine:
rise to the occassion: to quickly learn how to do something; to adapt.
rob Peter to pay Paul: to take money or resources from one and give to another. (This is a biblical reference)
rob someone blind:
rob the cradle: an older person marries or has a romantic relationship with someone much younger.
roll up one’s sleeves:
Rome wasn’t built in a day:
rotten to the core:
rub elbows with someone:
rub someone the wrong way:
ruffle someone’s feathers:
run amok: out of control; chaotic
run around like a chicken with its head cut off:
(a) run for one’s money:
run something into the ground:
running on empty: tired; exhausted; no money
run of the mill: ordinary; average