Summary
Highlights
This video is the fourth in a series on American idioms, covering five new idioms numbered 16 through 20. The viewer will have a chance to guess the meaning of each idiom before it's explained.
To 'play it by ear' means to figure things out without a pre-made plan. An example is given where someone forgot their presentation content and had to improvise. Another example is not having hotel reservations for a trip and deciding to find accommodation upon arrival.
A 'dead ringer' refers to a person or thing that strongly resembles someone or something else, almost like an exact copy. Examples include a person looking exactly like a celebrity and companies making products that are exact copies of top brands.
Something that is 'like pulling teeth' means it is very difficult to do. Examples include the struggle of getting children to do homework and a district attorney's difficulty in getting a straight answer from a defendant.
To 'get a slap on the wrist' means to receive a small or minor punishment for a crime or wrongdoing. Examples illustrate a family's dissatisfaction with a light sentence for a robber and a judge fining someone instead of giving them jail time.
To 'jump on the bandwagon' means to join an activity or adopt an idea because many other people are already doing it. Examples include stores offering discount coupons after others found success, and traditional car makers starting to produce electric cars due to the trend.
The video concludes by thanking viewers and promising more idiom lessons in the future. Viewers are encouraged to subscribe, share, and continue practicing their English.