Dictionary of American English Idioms and Slang: a bridge to successful communication

From “A.O.K.” to “Yuppies,” they’re all there. Judy Hunter has compiled an exhaustive list of colloquialisms and slang expressions that we use—and take for granted—every day. What is intriguing about this list is that these expressions make perfectly good sense to us, but they make absolutely no sense in terms of standard English syntax or grammar.What also makes perfectly good sense is that she has brought all these phrases together with the insight and sensitivity of one who has spent years teaching English as a second language. Ponder for a moment a native Mandarin-speaking individual who would hear you say in casual conversation, “in the same boat” (page 238). There would be an inquisitive scratching of the head to understand why you are, without segue, launching into nautical terms. And there are certainly times when even native speakers would need to resort to this extensive thesaurus to decipher a turn of phrase that wafts glibly to the ear.What a perfect gift for those who struggle with the curious ways in which we stretch the limits of simple grammar, whether they be native speakers or those poor souls who are tasked with the unenviable challenge of mastering the complexities of American English.

Great reference material. I use it routinely.

One of the best books that outlines a lot of American phrases. My husband is not from the US, and I use weird phrases all the time without thinking about it. His face of confusion always catches me, because some of the idioms we use make very little sense graphically. This book is a great tool. He can hear those phrases from me, a friend or colleague, and then go check this book to learn it's true meaning. Some of the phrases are a little dated, so I went through and highlighted the ones that I still hear and use today. The book could also use a few more, but it's really rather inclusive of a lot, so I'm happy with a purchase.

I bought this for my work colleagues in Italy, who want to become proficient in American slang, and they love it.

this is an amazing collection. A must for anyone teaching English to foreign speakers

Wonder full book for foreigners to learn American English idioms.

From the expression "Don't put the cart before the horse" to "horsefeathers" which are easily recognized by our grandparents to the current expressions such as "on the DL" and "Frenemy" which teens readily recognize, this dictionary is very comprehensive and bridges the gap between generations.

Excellent book. I recommend.