This is a set of flash cards to help you practice some idiomatic expressions in English.

English Idiomatic Expressions from Fruit and Vegetables

to become overwhelmed by emotion, either positive or negative

Example:  At a soccer match, the fans go bananas when their team gets a goal.

a machine that never worked properly, normally used in reference to cars

Example: My car is a lemon.  I bought it brand-new and I have already taken it to the mechanic three times in three months.

to make a rude noise with one's lips, a vulgar way to show disapproval

two things that are not similar --- often used to express that two things cannot be compared

Example: Comparing the writing style of ancient authors to modern ones is like comparing apples and oranges.

to choose the best with great care, as one would choose the best cherries from a tree

Example: Private schools can cherry-pick the best students, while public schools are required to take anyone who applies.

someone who spends an excessive amount of time seated watching television or playing video games

to tell a secret

Example: We planned a surprise party for George, but Liz accidentally spilled the beans to him at work.

to be very close with or similar to someone

Example: Rob and his brother are like two peas in a pod.  Sometimes people confuse one for the other.

to be very self-possessed under pressure

Example: Even when everyone else was arguing and shouting, Katherine stayed as cool as a cucumber.

to encourage someone with an incentive

Example: When airlines overbook a flight, they often have to dangle a carrot to get a passenger to give up their seat.

to be someone's favorite person

Example:  Laura is the apple of her grandfather's eye.

a bad person; someone who causes trouble for others

Example: Now we have to get a doctor's note any time we are sick. That's because a bad apple took advantage of the sick-leave policy.

criticism of something that you can't have

Example:  James always criticizes people with sports cars, but I think it's sour grapes.  I bet he secretly wants one.

to produce a positive result

Example:  Our company is successful now, but it took years before all of our hard work began to bear fruit.

something that is easy to do

Example:  If we have to cut costs, let's start with the low-hanging fruit.

a politically unstable and corrupt country that generates most or all of its revenue from exporting a single product

a person who is crazy

Example: A: Kevin just painted his house neon green.  It's hideous.  B: Did he?  What a fruitcake!

to offer peace or show somebody that you want to end a disagreement

Example: After a week of not speaking to each other, John decided to hold out an olive branch to his friend.

to hear about something informally, or as gossip

Example: I heard through the grapevine that Jenny is getting married.  Is it true?

to hear (something) through the grapevine

a piece of horse manure

Example: When you cross the street, be careful not to step on road apples.