Pedal to the metal

Idiom: Pedal to the metal

Example: Our flight is in 1 hour and we can't miss it! Let's go! Put the pedal to the metal!

Meaning: Pedal to the medal is used to talk about driving very, very fast. When the gas pedal reaches the floor (metal), the car is traveling at maximum speed. This expression is often used as an imperative, or a command, like "hurry," "drive faster."

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Backseat driver

Idiom: Backseat driver

Example: We are going on a road trip to the Grand Canyon next month. I am very excited about everything except for 1 thing: Joseph is coming with us. Joseph is a good friend, but he is a backseat driver. He tries to control the car even when he isn't driving! "Slow down, speed up, turn here, why are you driving like that?" I hope he will take a nap when I am behind the wheel. 

Meaning: A backseat driver is a person who tells the driver what to do. This expression has slightly negative connotations as it implies that the backseat driver does not have confidence in the actual driver. 

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To do something in one's sleep

Idiom: To do something in one's sleep

Context #1:

Sean: Did you finish the math homework yet?

Terry: Are you kidding?  It was so easy I could've done it in my sleep.

Sean: Oh, come on! It wasn't that easy!

Context #2:

Crissy: I heard your really good at making lasagna. Do you think you could teach me?

Sarah: Sure, I make it every week for my husband because he loves it.  In fact, I've made it so many times and I could do it in my sleep.

Crissy: Sounds great!

Meaning: "to do something in one's sleep" is used when something becomes so easy to do that you don't even have to really think about it or concentrate very much any more. 

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To bomb something

Idiom: to bomb something

Context #1:

Jim: How did you do on the History final exam yesterday?

Chuck: Actually, I think I bombed it!  I didn't study at all.

Jim: What were you thinking? That exam is like one quarter of our overall grade.

Context #2:

Sally: Can you help me study for the Geometry exam that we have next week?

Cathy: Sure! 

Sally: I am having a hard time in this class and I don't want to bomb the exam.

Cathy: No problem.  Let's meet at Starbucks tonight and I'll help you with it.

Meaning: "to bomb something" means to totally fail. It is most often used in an educational context, but it can also be used for such things like job interviews and projects.  

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Wouldn’t dream of doing

Idiom: Wouldn’t dream of doing– Something a person would never consider doing

Example 1:

Marco:  Did you ever imagine we would be trekking the Andes?

Chuck: Two weeks ago, I wouldn’t have dreamed of it!

Marco: Yes, this is an unbelievable experience.

Chuck: Next, we should go trekking in the jungles of Guatemala.

Example 2:

Juan: I can’t believe I’ve been living in Taipei for three years now.

Erick: Yeah, you said you would never travel abroad.

Juan: It’s true, I wouldn’t dream of moving to Taiwan before graduating college.

Erick: I guess that’s how it goes sometimes. 

Meaning: “Wouldn’t dream of doing” means something a person would never consider doing in life. 

In example #1, Chuck never thought he would do something exotic like trek the Andes of South America.  

In example #2, Juan never imagined he would travel abroad, let alone live abroad.

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Like a dream

Idiom: Like a dream - so good it’s unbelievable

Example 1:

Miguel:  Hey Saul, did you buy the new Ferrari you talked about?

Saul: Oh man, I totally did!

Miguel: So, how is it?  How does it drive?

Saul: It drives like a dream.

Example 2:

Charlie: How was your vacation to New Zealand?

Jean: My trip was like a dream.

Charlie: Wow! That’s great!  What did you enjoy the most?

Jean: I always wanted to watch the All Blacks play rugby.  It was great to watch a live game.  It really was like a dream come true.

Meaning: “Like a dream” means so good it’s unbelievable. 

In example #1, Saul never imagined it would feel so good to drive a Ferrari.  

In example #2, Jean’s vacation was so good, it felt unreal.

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Out with the old, in with the new

Idiom: Out with the old, in with the new - To change the old for the new. To leave old things or ideas behind and bring in new things or ideas.

Example 1

Jerry:  What are you doing?

Malcom: I’m eating raw spinach with almonds for lunch.

Jerry: That doesn’t look very appetizing.

Malcom: Well, with the new year comes the "Out with the old, in with the new" attitude. No more double cheeseburgers with fries for lunch. It’s spinach salads for the new year and an hour workout at the gym every morning!

Jerry: Really? Well, good luck with that!

Example 2

Kathleen: I’ve made a decision.

Tia: OK.

Kathleen: For the new year, I’m going to break up with Philip.

Tia: But you guys are always breaking up and then getting back together.

Kathleen: Well, this is it. It’s the new year. Out with the old, in with the new. I’m going to ask Javier out on a date. I’ve always thought he was cute and I think we would have a lot of fun.

Tia: You would make a cute couple!

Meaning: “Out with the old, in with the new” means to leave old things or ideas behind and start fresh with new things or ideas. People usually say this at the beginning of a new year or at the beginning of something new.  In the first example, Malcom is throwing out his old habit of eating fast food  and starting to eat healthier food for lunch instead.  In the second example, Kathleen is leaving her old boyfriend behind and looking for a new relationship with someone she can have fun with.

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