By Anabelle Snchez Rodrguez

It is a group of words which, when they are used together in a particular combination, have a different meaning from the one they would have if you took the meaning of all the individual words in the group. Collins, Harry. (1996) 101 American
English Idioms. Lincolnwood: Passport Book

A penny saved is a penny earned

Example:
My grandfather used to tell us that a penny saved was a penny earned.

Even small amounts of money are worth saving.

Break one`s back/neck (to do something)

Example:

I broke my neck to finish the report on time.

Do all one possibly can, work very hard to do something

Cover one's back

Example:

I was very careful to cover my back when dealing with the lawyers.

Do something to protect yourself from criticism or future blame

Don't hold your breath

Example:
Don't hold your breath, I said when my friend asked when he would be able to borrow our friend's car.

Don't stop breathing to wait for something (because it will never happen)

Eyes are bigger than one's stomach

Example:
My eyes were bigger than my stomach when I went to the buffet table and put too much food on my plate.

Take more food than one can eat

Find a needle in a haystack

Example: Finding my earring in the grass was like finding a needle in a haystack.

Something that is very difficult to find

Give-and-take
Example:
You must be willing to giveand-take if you want to have a good marriage.

Sharing, giving and receiving between people

Hold your horses

Example: Hold your horses for a moment while I make a phone call.

To wait, to be patient

It's raining cats and dogs!

Example:
It has been raining cats and dogs all day.

It is raining very hard.

Join hands
Example:
Everybody in the group joined hands at the end of the meeting.

Hold hands with other people

knock on wood

Example:
I don`t think that I will lose my job - knock on wood.

knock on something made of wood to keep from having bad luck

Last but not least

Example:
Last but not least the boy came up to the front of the class to receive his report card.

In the last place but not the least important