Summary
Highlights
This video is part 63 of the American Idioms series, presenting five new idioms from 311 to 315. Viewers are encouraged to pause the video to guess the meaning of each idiom before the answer is revealed with an additional example.
The idiom "to push one's luck" means to expect continued good fortune. An example is given of someone who won gambling in Las Vegas but shouldn't "push their luck" by expecting to win again. Another example involves a student, Nino, who is testing his teacher's patience by consistently arriving late to class despite her initial liking for him.
"To keep one's cool" means to stay calm and composed. The video uses the example of a person who remained calm when caught in a hurricane in her car, allowing her to navigate the dangerous situation. Firefighters are also mentioned as needing to keep their cool due to the stressful nature of their job.
This idiom means to cause a lot of damage or negative consequences. The first example describes a water leak from a ceiling that "took a toll" on living room furniture, necessitating its replacement. Another example illustrates how working over 70 hours in a week "took a toll" on a person, making them very tired and requiring them to sleep for most of the weekend.
"To be glued to something" means to give something complete attention or to be intensely focused on it. An example shows people "glued to the news on TV" as a storm approached their city, indicating their strong engagement. The idiom is also applied to children (and adults) who are constantly focused on their smartphones, even during dinner.
The final idiom, "to go overboard," means to exaggerate or do too much. The host gives an example of an uncle who "goes overboard" with Christmas decorations, putting up an excessive amount. Another example describes someone who "went overboard" for their son's birthday party by hiring the most expensive caterer, implying an unnecessary expense for a children's party.