Idioms — Set 28

Set 28 of Idioms covers 5 idioms: bite the bullet, jump on the bandwagon, spill the beans, throw a spanner in the works, bend the rules. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. bite the bullet · idiom/baɪt ðə ˈbʊlɪt/

   to endure a difficult situation with courage

   Even though she was terrified of the surgery, she decided to bite the bullet and go through with it.

   Origin: From battlefield surgery before anesthesia — wounded soldiers bit a lead bullet to endure operations without screaming.

2. jump on the bandwagon · idiom/dʒʌmp ɔn ðə ˈbændˌwæɡən/

   to follow a trend because everyone else is doing it

   After seeing everyone invest in cryptocurrency, he quickly jumped on the bandwagon.

   Origin: From American politics in the 1800s — supporters jumped onto a candidate's parade wagon to look influential.

3. spill the beans · idiom/spɪl ðə binz/

   to reveal a secret or confidential information

   She accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party before the invitations were sent out.

   Origin: From ancient Greek voting — secret ballots used white and black beans, sometimes accidentally spilled before counting.

4. throw a spanner in the works · idiom/θroʊ ə ˈspænɚ ɪn ðə wɜrks/

   to cause problems that disrupt a plan or process

   The sudden change in regulations really threw a spanner in the works for our business expansion.

   Origin: British 20th-century expression — a spanner (wrench) dropped into machinery would break the gears completely.

5. bend the rules · idiom/bɛnd ðə rulz/

   to break or modify rules in a flexible way

   The teacher bent the rules and allowed the student to submit the assignment a day late.

   Origin: A 20th-century phrase — uses physical bending as a metaphor for slight, careful adjustment without breaking.