| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
| I smell where you're stepping |
I understand the direction of your thought, follow me,
get my drift
|
"Do you understand?" "Yes, please continue. I smell where you're steppin'"
|
| I'll be a monkey's uncle |
I cannot believe it, I must be dreaming
|
When Farley won the new car, he said, "I'll be a monkey's uncle!"
|
| I'm afraid so |
(See afraid so)
|
|
| icing on the cake |
a bonus, extra benefit, the rest is gravy
|
We've sold enough tickets to pay for the trip. This money from the
Elks Club is icing on the cake!
|
| idiot lights |
warning lights on the instrument panel of a car
|
Kim wants a car with gauges, not idiot lights.
|
| if a mussel doesn't open don't eat it |
if you force things to happen you may regret it, leave well enough alone
|
If you force a child to talk, you may regret it. As they say, If a mussel doesn't open, don't eat it.
|
| if looks could kill |
the look on your face was evil or hateful
|
If looks could kill, I'd be dead. Are you mad at me or something?
|
| if my memory serves me correctly |
if I can remember well, if I have a good memory
|
Your name is Jose - if my memory serves me correctly.
|
| if only |
I wish, we wish
|
If only we'd phoned before we came. There's nobody home!
|
| if that doesn't beat all |
that is the best/biggest/worst I have ever seen
|
Fifty people in a phone booth - if that doesn't beat all!
|
Brass Nuts Brass Screws Brass Fasteners