Idioms — Set 20

Set 20 of Idioms covers 5 idioms: get on someone's nerves, go to pieces, be lost for words, be as happy as a clam, be hopping mad. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. get on someone's nerves · idiom/ɡɛt ɔn ˈsʌmwʌnz nɜrvz/

   to annoy someone

   His negative attitude to pretty much everything is really getting on my nerves.

   Origin: From the 19th century — based on early medical ideas that nerves carry irritation directly to the mind.

2. go to pieces · idiom/ɡoʊ tu ˈpisɪz/

   to become extremely sad

   In an interview, the famous actress said that she went to pieces when her father passed away, which led to a long period of depression.

   Origin: Used in English since the 1700s — describes emotional collapse as breaking apart into separate fragments.

3. be lost for words · idiom/lɔst fɚ wɜrdz/

   to be unable to speak because of an intense feeling such as shock, sadness or admiration

   When she found out that her book was chosen to receive the prestigious prize, Amy was lost for words and had to take a few deep breaths before she said something.

   Origin: From the 1800s — depicts vocabulary itself as something one can misplace under shock or strong emotion.

4. be as happy as a clam · idiom/ˈhæpi əz ə klæm/

   to be extremely happy

   Your child will be as happy as a clam when he gets all these presents.

   Origin: American 1800s, originally 'happy as a clam at high water' — at high tide, clams are safe from being dug up.

5. be hopping mad · idiom/ˈhɑpɪŋ mæd/

   to be extremely angry

   Jack was hopping mad when he discovered texts that were obviously blaming him of the failure.

   Origin: A 19th-century American expression — extreme anger imagined as causing someone to physically jump or hop.