a beach bum
Meaning: someone who spends a lot of time at the beach (usually negative)
Example: He’s always surfing instead of doing his homework – what a beach bum!

not the only pebble on the beach
Meaning: not the only important person in a place or situation
Example: She’s a manager now but she’ll have to remember that she’s not the only pebble on this beach – there are lots of other managers in the company

take sand to the beach
Meaning: a pointless activity
Example: She has so much perfume, buying her another bottle would be like taking sand to the beach

to be all ears

Meaning: to be listening carefully / paying attention

Example: Please explain why this product would be useful to me. I’m all ears.

Many thanks to Brillo for today’s illustration.

music to your ears

wet behind the ears
Meaning: young and inexperienced
Example: The new staff cam straight from school and were still wet behind the ears.

fall on deaf ears
Meaning: when advice or information is ignored by a person
Example: I told him to start saving money before the recession but the advice fell on deaf ears.

have an ear to the ground
Meaning: to listen carefully for news related to the future
Example: I’ve had an ear to the ground but I still can’t work out whether the boss will be leaving or not.

have (something) coming out of your ears
Meaning: to have a lot of something
Example: My apple tree had loads of fruit this year. I have apples coming out of my ears.

walls have ears
Meaning: someone might be listening
Example: Person 1 – Did you hear the news about Dave leaving? Person 2 – It’s best not to talk about that here. Walls have ears and we’re not supposed to know that news yet

Today’s image is by Andrea Kratzenberg.

to pull a fast one
Meaning: to carry out a clever (usually nasty) trick
Example: Dave said if I gave him £100, he would get me a good deal on a new TV but he pulled a fast one and ran off with the money.

life in the fast lane
Meaning: to live a dangerous, risky lifestyle
Example: Simon loves gambling and sports cars. He lives his life in the fast lane.

to make a fast buck
Meaning: to make money easily, usually in a dishonest way
Example: Dave thought he could make a fast buck selling stolen TVs but the police caught him in the end.

on the fast track
Meaning: likely to get somewhere or achieve something faster than usual
Example: Her attitude and knowledge put her on the fast track to success.

to hold fast
Meaning: to remain secure
Example: It was a big storm but the ropes held fast and the tent didn’t blow away.

Today’s image is by Ariel da Silva Parreira.

slow down
Meaning: to decrease speed
Example: Slow down! You’re above the speed limit.

slow going
Meaning: to make little progress
Example: I’m painting the kitchen today but it’s really slow going. I’ve only done one wall.

slow off the mark
Meaning: to delay starting something
Example: Our company was really slow off the mark with releasing our new product and another company was able to dominate the market first.

slow but sure
Meaning: gradual but certain
Example: Despite tough conditions, Simon’s slow but sure progress meant he won the race.

a slow day
Meaning: A day with little activity or business
Example: It’s a really slow day today – we’ve only had one customer.

Today’s image is by Jacqueline Fouche.

It’s raining cats and dogs

Meaning: it’s raining very heavily

Example: Let’s stay at home today. It’s raining cats and dogs, and I don’t want to get wet.

Image – ©Brillo 2010

take it easy
Meaning: to relax
Example: Your exams are over now so you can take it easy for a while.

easy on the eye
Meaning: to be nice or attractive to look at
Example: Rachel’s new assistant isn’t very clever but he certainly is easy on the eye.

easy does it
Meaning: take care
Example: Take that furniture over there, please. Easy does it – we don’t want to scratch the walls.

easy as pie
Meaning: very easy
Example: That exam was as easy as pie. I’m sure I will get a good mark.

easier said than done
Meaning: something that may be a good idea but is difficult to do in real life
Example: (Person 1) All we need to do is find two more clients and we will make a really good profit. (Person 2) That’s easier said than done. There’s not much business around at the moment because of the recession.

easy come, easy go
Meaning: if something good happens without needing much effort, it is likely to be lost easily
Example: Simon won the lottery and spent all his prize money in a year. It’s easy come, easy go with him.

Today’s image is by Asif Akbar.