<p><b>Shape up your English with thousands of idioms</b></p><p>Whether you are a learner of English who is having difficulty understanding expressions in everyday speech or a native speaker who wants to expand your written or spoken range, you need a comprehensive reference for idioms, common phrases, and sayings of American English. <i>McGraw-Hill's American Idioms Dictionary</i> shows you the ropes of English and helps you:</p><ul><li>Expand your English-speaking abilities with these 14,000-plus expressions, proverbs, and common sayings, listed alphabetically <li>Use American idioms correctly by following the many helpful examples <li>Easily find the right phrase by one of its key words </ul><p><b>Some examples of the colorful English language, as spoken by Americans:</b></p><p><b>at peace </b> relaxed and happy<br><b>every trick in the book </b> every deceptive method known<br><b>Johnny-on-the-spot</b> someone who is in the right place at the right time<br><b>make a killing</b> to have a great success, especially in making money<br><b>nine-to-five job </b> a job with normal daytime hours<br><b>scream bloody murder</b> to complain bitterly<br><b>take a powder </b> to leave; to leave town</p>