Summary
Highlights
This video is the 94th installment of the American Idioms series, presenting five new idioms, numbered 466 to 470. The host encourages viewers to pause the video and guess the meaning of each idiom before the answer and an additional example are provided.
The idiom 'under the radar' means something is not noticed or addressed. An example is given where a controversial presidential policy is kept 'under the radar' until after an election. Another example illustrates a student's poor grades slipping 'under the radar' of his teacher and everyone else.
'In a pinch' means to be in a difficult situation, often financially. The example given is someone offering to loan money to a friend who is 'in a pinch' until their next paycheck. Another example shows someone relying on a friend for help whenever they are 'in a pinch'.
To 'know one's way around' means to be very familiar with a place or situation. The example involves recommending Patty to a visitor because she 'knows her way around' New York City. A second example highlights a student, Roger, who 'knows his way around' a large campus better than others.
To 'spiff up something' means to make something more attractive or appealing. An example describes a couple transforming a bad-condition house into a brand new-looking home by 'spiffing it up'. Another instance shows someone getting hired after their wife 'spiffed up' their resume.
'On the cuff' signifies something without payment being necessary, usually because someone else is paying. The example illustrates a job benefit where company cafeteria meals are 'on the cuff'. Another example features an uncle who owns a candy store, allowing his nephew to get candy 'on the cuff'.