Idioms — Set 18

Set 18 of Idioms covers 5 idioms: chase rainbows, a place in the sun, be over the moon, a drop in the ocean, come rain or shine. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. chase rainbows · idiom/tʃeɪs ˈreɪnboʊz/

   to pursue goals that are impossible to achieve

   Ryan thinks he will play for the best teams in the world I think he's just chasing rainbows.

   Origin: From Irish folklore — chasing the unreachable end of a rainbow, where a leprechaun supposedly hides gold.

2. a place in the sun · idiom/ə pleɪs ɪn ðə sʌn/

   a favorable position with success, wealth , fame or other advantages

   The actress starred in several movies before but she earned a place in the sun for her amazing performance in her movie.

   Origin: Coined by Pascal in the 1600s — used politically by Germany in 1897 to claim its share of world influence.

3. be over the moon · idiom/ˈoʊvɚ ðə mun/

   to be extremely happy

   He is over the moon about his new book that will be published this fall and says he can't wait for the readers' reaction.

   Origin: From the nursery rhyme 'Hey Diddle Diddle' — the cow that jumps over the moon expressed pure joy.

4. a drop in the ocean · idiom/ə drɑp ɪn ði ˈoʊʃən/

   an amount that is so small that it does not make a difference

   Our progress in fighting childhood obesity so far is only a drop in the ocean compared to what needs to be done.

   Origin: Used in the Bible (Isaiah 40:15) — a single drop compared to the vast ocean shows extreme insignificance.

5. come rain or shine · idiom/kʌm reɪn ɔr ʃaɪn/

   whatever happens

   Please remember that you are everything to me and I'll be there for you come rain or shine.

   Origin: An 18th-century expression — commits to action regardless of weather, the most basic external uncertainty.