Summary
Highlights
This video is the 33rd installment in the American Idioms series, presenting five new idioms numbered 161 to 165. The format involves presenting an idiom, giving an example, allowing viewers to guess the meaning, and then providing an explanation with more examples.
The first idiom is 'high on the hog'. An example given is Alex living 'high on the hog' after winning the lottery. This idiom means to live in a luxurious or expensive way. Another example describes a family living 'high on the hog' after a pay increase.
The next idiom is 'be in full swing', meaning something is at its highest level of intensity or activity. An example is not being able to find a hotel room because the summer vacation season was 'in full swing'. Another example describes arriving at a party that was 'in full swing', meaning it was crowded and everyone was dancing.
'Jump through hoops' is idiom 163, meaning to do things that seem unnecessary but are required. An example is being made to 'jump through hoops' by the bank for a car loan. Another example discusses having to 'jump through hoops' to be accepted into a university. The idiom evokes the image of a trained animal.
Idiom 164 is 'keep at Bay', defined as keeping something at a distance or under control. The example provided is working two jobs to 'keep debts at Bay'. Another illustration is a woman who 'kept her weight at Bay' by exercising daily.
The final idiom is 'leave someone in the lurch', which means to leave someone in a difficult position. An example describes a co-worker leaving someone 'in the lurch' by taking a vacation before a production deadline. Another example shows a department store being left 'in the lurch' when its union went on strike before Christmas.