Idioms — Set 56

Set 56 of Idioms covers 5 idioms: throw down the gauntlet, get your act together, sell someone down the river, break the ice, put something on ice. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. throw down the gauntlet · idiom/θroʊ daʊn ðə ˈɡɔntlət/

   to issue a serious challenge

   He threw down the gauntlet by challenging the champion to a match.

   Origin: From medieval knights — throwing a glove (gauntlet) to the ground formally challenged someone to a duel.

2. get your act together · idiom/ɡɛt jʊr ækt təˈɡɛðɚ/

   to take responsibility and improve your behavior

   You need to get your act together if you want to succeed.

   Origin: From American show business in the 1900s — performers had to organize their stage act properly to succeed.

3. sell someone down the river · idiom/sɛl ˈsʌmwʌn daʊn ðə ˈrɪvɚ/

   to betray someone for personal gain

   I trusted him, but he sold me down the river to save himself.

   Origin: From American slavery — slaves were sold downriver to harsher plantations, a terrible betrayal by their owners.

4. break the ice · idiom/breɪk ðə aɪs/

   to start a conversation in a way that makes people comfortable

   I told a joke to break the ice at the meeting.

   Origin: From the 1500s — special ice-breaking ships cleared frozen waters so trade ships could safely follow behind.

5. put something on ice · idiom/pʊt ˈsʌmθɪŋ ɔn aɪs/

   to postpone or delay something

   Let’s put this discussion on ice and revisit it later.

   Origin: From the 1800s — food kept on ice was preserved for later, neither used immediately nor thrown away.