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 father’s 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 backOrigin: 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 man’s eye.

Between A Rock And A Hard Place: Meaning: Stuck between two very bad options.Sentence: Should I fight back or not? I’m 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 Maria’s 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 bull’s 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 bull’s eye. It was Nick’s 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: There’s 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 dyingSentence: 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: I’m 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: It’s 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 wouldn’t be as bad as going to jail. So the king told him to come to his castle at 4:00 that day. He didn’t 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 should’ve went to jail.

Off The Hook: Meaning: No longer have to deal with a tough situation.Sentence: You’re 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’ won’t 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 girl’s brother came in front of the car and said, “You can kill her over my dead body.” He absolutely didn’t 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 brother’s dead body.

Pull the plug: Meaning: To stop something and bring it to an end.

Sentence: If you guys don’t stop then I’ll 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: Let’s quit smoking! C’mon 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 didn’t 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 it’s supposed to be done.Sentence: I’ll 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 he’ll show him the ropes by showing him how to tie a knot on the rope. He taught the man how it’s done by showing him the ropes.

Who Let The Cat Out Of The Bag:Meaning: To share a secret that wasn’t 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 friend’s house. Later on that day when Jeff got home his friend called him and told him that the cat wasn’t in the bag anymore. So Jeff said “Who let the cat out of the bag?”