Summary
Highlights
To "backfire on someone" means a plan or action does not proceed as intended and may have negative consequences. The example involves a company's expansion plan backfiring due to poor management decisions. A second example discusses an intense diet and exercise plan that was expected to backfire but ultimately succeeded.
The video introduces part 120 of the American Idioms series, covering idioms 596 to 600. Viewers are encouraged to pause the video to guess the meaning of each idiom before the answer and an additional example are provided.
The idiom "a run on something" means a sudden widespread demand for something. An example given is a "run on gold" after a stock market crash, indicating high demand. Another example involves a rush for canned goods after an earthquake.
"A dust up" refers to a fight or quarrel. The example illustrates two friends who stopped speaking after a "dust up." Another scenario describes students suspended for two weeks due to a "dust up" at a basketball game.
To "get the dirt on someone" means to obtain scandalous or damaging information about them. The video explains that some newspapers constantly try to find such information on celebrities. Another example shows a political opponent using damaging personal information to win an election.
"Shore up something" signifies to prop up or support something or someone. The first example describes a city government shoring up the living situation for homeless people with affordable housing. The second example details a mayor trying to shore up votes for his election campaign.