Weekly Idioms

1. I think I smell a rat.
   • Meaning: Feel that something is wrong; to have a suspicion about something
   • Example:
     A) How come the front door is open? Didn't you close it before we went shopping?
     B) I'm sure I did. I can't understand it.
     A) Frankly, I smell a rat.
     B) Me, too. I'm convinced that something is definitely wrong here.
     A) We'd better call the police.
     
2. Go/gone to the dogs.
   • Meaning: Become run-down
   • Example:
     A) Have you seen their house lately? It's really gone to the dogs.
     B) It's true that is has become run-down and in serious need of repair, but I'm sure that it can be fixed up to look like new.
     A) I guess with a little carpentry work and some paint it could look pretty decent.
     
3. Fishy
   • Uses: That's fishy; there's something fishy going on
   • Meaning: strange and suspicious
   • Example:
     When the security guard saw a light in the store after closing hours, it seemed to him that there was something fishy going on. He called the central office and explained to his superior that he thought something strange and suspicious was occurring.
     
4. Play it by ear
   • Meaning: improvise as one goes along
   • Example:
     A) Let's go to the movies, ok?
     B) Sure. And what'll we do after that?
     A) Oh, I don't know. Let's play it by ear.
     B) Well, I would like to have a more definite plan of action.
     A) Don't be like that. It's always more fun not knowing what to expect and deciding what to do as we go along.
     
5. Hit the books
   • Meaning: study
   • Example:
     "I'd like to go to a movie now, but I've got to hit the books."
     
6. Hit the hay
   • Meaning: go to bed; go to sleep
   • Example:
     "It's getting late so I guess I'll hit the hay."
     
   
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