Summary
Highlights
This video, part 73 of the American Idiom series, presents five new idioms, numbered 361 to 365. The presenter will give a chance for viewers to guess the meanings before revealing the answers and providing additional examples. Viewers are encouraged to pause the video at each question.
The idiom 'the gravy train' means a position where one makes a lot of money without much effort. An example is Ricky, who has been on the gravy train since getting a government job. Another example illustrates how an aunt's gravy train ended when her company went out of business, leaving her struggling to find new employment.
To be 'Larger than Life' means to be more important or impressive than the average person or thing. Movie stars are often seen as Larger than Life by their fans. The presenter also shares an example of how Yankee Stadium appeared Larger than Life, very impressive and big, to a visitor.
The idiom 'to light a fire under someone' means to motivate someone to take action. An example given is a boss needing to motivate a team to meet a deadline. Another example shows how someone must have motivated Lucas to improve his math grades from failing to having the highest GPA.
To 'track something into some place' means to bring dirt or other substances into a place on one's feet. The example used is a cat tracking mud into a home after being outdoors. Another example advises taking off shoes before entering a house to avoid tracking dirt inside and angering the homeowner.
The idiom 'to coat something with something' means to cover someone or something with a substance. An example is a wife coating her kids with sunscreen before going to the beach. Another example highlights the importance of coating walls with a good primer before painting them.