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Idioms in English Language
Meaning:
An idiom is a phrase or saying that is commonly used in
everyday
English to express certain ideas or opinions.
Understanding English idioms is important because they
require a deeper familiarity of the
English language to
comprehend what someone means when they use
them in conversation.
Idioms may seem complicated at first, but they can
actually be a lot
of fun to learn. If you’re interested in
building your English skills, read on to find out why
idioms are so important to your English language
learning.
Benefits of English Idioms:
Idioms Give You a New Way to
Express Yourself in the
English Language
The meaning of an idiom generally depends on the
specific context in
which it is used. When someone in
America tells you to ‘break a leg’,
for example, they aren’t
saying that in a literal sense, but instead are
wishing you
good luck, usually before a performance. Similarly, if
someone asks you to ‘think outside the box’, they mean
that you should
use a different approach than what you
might normally do.
Idioms are particularly useful because they give you a
new, creative way to express yourself. Rather than saying
‘You’re correct’, you could
say ‘You hit the nail on the
head’, which is a more complex and
interesting
expression. Idioms can also be quite humorous to use,
which
allows you to express yourself in a more genuine
way, including showing
off your personality and sense of
humor.
Understanding Idioms Can
Boost Your Conversational
English Skills
You may encounter idioms most often in spoken or
written
conversation. Idioms can help improve your
conversational skills because
it shows native speakers
that you understand the cultural meaning and
context
behind the idiom you’re using. This can help you feel
more
comfortable and confident with your conversational
abilities the more you practice it during your courses.
You don’t have to start with the most complex idiom,
either—even a
simple ‘break a leg’ can help you connect
in a more meaningful way
during the conversation you’re
sharing.
Learning about Idioms Can Help Enrich
What You Learn in Your ESL Lessons
Native speakers often use idioms more than someone
who is new to the
language, simply because they are
more familiar with them and know the
context in which
they should be used. Therefore, when you use an idiom,
you sound more like a native speaker.
It also helps if you think of English as if it were a soup –
the
basics may be good, but you need a little extra flavor
to take it to the
next level. Idioms, in that sense, are the
spice that you can add to
your English skills as you
progress through your ESL lessons.
Understanding the
basics of English is a good start, but idioms can
help you
explore the language in a deeper, more meaningful way.
~ I ~
- I hereby give notice of my intention
- Hereby is used sometimes in formal, official declarations
- and statements to give greater force to the speaker' or
- the writer's affirmation. People will say it sometimes to
- emphasize their sincerity and correctness.
- I may be daft, but I'm not stupid
- I might do or say silly things occasionally, but in this
- instance I know what I am doing (Usually used when
- someone questions your application of common-sense).
- I should cocoa
- (UK) This idiom comes from 'I should think so', but is
- normally used sarcastically to mean the opposite.
- I'll cross that road when I come to it
- I'll think about something just when it happens, not in
- advance.
- I'll eat my hat
- You can say this when you are absolutely sure that you
- are right to let the other person know that there is no
- chance of your being wrong.
- I've got a bone to pick with you
- If somebody says this, they mean that they have some
- complaint to make against the person they are addressing.
- I've got your number
- You have made a mistake and I am going to call you on it.
- You are in trouble (a threat). I have a disagreement with
- you. I understand your true nature.
- Icing on the cake
- This expression is used to refer to something good that
- happens on top of an already good thing or situation.
- Idle hands are the devil's handiwork
- When someone is not busy, or being productive,
- trouble is bound to follow.
- If at first you don't succeed try try again
- When you fail, try until you get it right!
- If I had a nickel for every time
- (USA) When someone uses this expression, they mean
- that the specific thing happens a lot. It is an abbreviation
- of the statement 'If I had a nickel for every time that
- happened, I would be rich'
- If it ain't broke, don't fix it
- Any attempt to improve on a system that already
- works is pointless and may even hurt it.
- If something cannot or will not happen the easy way,
- then sometimes it must be done the hard way.
- If the cap fits, wear it
- This idiom means that if the description is correct,
- then it is describing the truth, often when someone is
- being criticised. ('If the shoe fits, wear it' is an alternative)
- If wishes were horses, beggars would ride
- This means that wishing for something or wanting
- it is not the same as getting or having it.
- If you are given lemons make lemonade
- Always try and make the best out of a bad situation.
- With some ingenuity you can make a bad situation useful.
- If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen
- Originally a Harry S. Truman quote, this means that
- if you can't take the pressure, then you should remove
- yourself from the situation.
- If you fly with the crows, you get shot with the crows
- If you wish to be associated with a particular high risk
- and/or high profile situation and benefit from the rewards
- of that association, you have to accept the consequences
- if things go wrong - you cannot dissociate yourself.
- If you will
- 'If you will' is used as a way of making a concession
- in a sentence: He wasn't a very honest person, a liar if
- you will.
- If you'll pardon my French
- (UK) This idiom is used as a way of apologizing for
- swearing.Ill at ease If someone is ill at ease, they are
- worried or uncomfortable.
- Ill-gotten gains
- Ill-gotten gains are profits or benefits that are made
- either illegally or unfairly.
- In a cleft stick
- If you are in a cleft stick, you are in a difficult situation,
- caught between choices.
- In a fix
- If you are in a fix, you are in trouble.
- In a flash If something happens in a flash,
- it happens very quickly indeed.
- In a fog
- If you're in a fog, you are confused, dazed or unaware.
- In a heartbeat
- If something happens very quickly or immediately,
- it happens in a heartbeat.
- In a jam
- If you are in a jam, you are in some trouble.
- If you get out of a jam, you avoid trouble.
- In a jiffy
- If something happens in a jiffy, it happens very quickly.
- In a nutshell
- This idiom is used to introduce a concise summary.
- In a pickle
- If you are in a pickle, you are in some trouble or a mess.
- In a rut
- In a settled or established pattern, habit or course of
- action, especially a boring one.
- In a tick
- (UK) If someone will do something in a tick, they'll do it
- very soon or very quickly.
- In a tight spot
- If you're in a tight spot, you're in a difficult situation.
- In all honesty
- If you say something in all honesty, you are telling the
- complete truth. It can be used as a way of introducing a
- negative opinion whilst trying to be polite; in all honesty,
- I have to say that I wasn't very impressed.
- In an instant
- If something happens in an instant, it happens very rapidly.
- In another's shoes
- It is difficult to know what another person's life is
- really like, so we don't know what it is like to be in
- someone's shoes.
- In apple-pie order
- If something is in apple-pie order, it is very neat and
- organized.
- In broad daylight
- If a crime or problem happens in broad daylight, it
- happens during the day and should have been seen
- and stopped.
- In cahoots
- Cahoots, they are conspiring together.
- In cold blood
- If something is done in cold blood, it is done ruthlessly,
- without any emotion.
- In donkey's years
- 'I haven't seen her in donkey's years.' -
- This means for a very long time.
- In dribs and drabs
- If people arrive in dribs and drabs, they come in small
- groups at irregular intervals, instead of all arriving at the
- same time.
- In droves
- When things happen in droves, a lot happen at the
- same time or very quickly.
- In for a penny, in for a pound
- If something is worth doing then it is a case of in for a
- penny, in for a pound, which means that when gambling
- or taking a chance, you might as well go the whole way
- and take all the risks, not just some.
- In his cups
- If someone is in their cups, they are drunk.
- In hot water
- If you are in hot water, you are in serious trouble.
- In light of
- 'In light of' is similar to 'due to'.
- In my bad books
- If you are in someone's bad books, they are angry with
- you. Likewise, if you are in their good books, they are
- pleased with you.
- In one ear and out the other
- If something goes in one ear and out the other, you
- forget it as soon as you've heard it because it was too
- complicated, boring etc.
- In over your head
- If someone is in over their head, they are out of the
- depth in something they are involved in, and may
- end up in a mess.
- When something is as it ought to be. Or, when used
- cynically, it may refer to someone whose excesses
- are on display; a caricature.
- In rude health
- (UK) If someone's in rude health, they are very
- healthy and look it.
- In so many words
- This phrase may be used
to mean 'approximately' or
- 'more or less'.
- In stitches
- If someone is in stitches, they are laughing
- uncontrollably.
- In tandem
- If people do things in tandem, they do them at the same time.
- In that vein
- If you do something in that (or this) vein, you do it in the
- same distinctive manner or style.
- If something is in the bag, it is certain that you will get it
- or achieve it
- In the ballpark
- This means that something is close to the adequate or
- required value.
- In the black
- If your bank account is in credit, it is in the black.
- In the cards
- If something is in the cards, it is bound to occur, it is
- going to happen, or it is inevitable.
- In the catbird seat
- (USA) If someone is in the catbird seat, they are in an
- advantageous or superior position.
- In the clear
- If someone is in the clear, they are no longer suspected
- of or charged with wrongdoing.
- In the clink
- (UK) If someone is in the clink, they are in prison.
- In the club
- (UK) If a woman's in the club, she's pregnant. 'In the
- pudding club' is an alternative form.
- If someone is in the dock, they are on trial in court.
- If someone is in the doghouse, they are in disgrace
- and very unpopular at the moment.
- In the driver's seat
- If you are in the driver's seat, you are in charge of
- something or in control of a situation.
- In the family way
- If a woman is in the family way, she is pregnant.
- If someone's in the hot seat, they are the target for a lot
- of unwelcome criticism and examination.
- If you are in the know, you have access to all the
- information about something, which other people
- don't have.
- In the lap of luxury
- People in the lap of luxury are very wealthy and have
- have everything that money can buy.
- This means 'over a long period of time', 'in the end' or 'in
- the final result'.
- If you're in the loop, you are fully informed about what is
- happening in a certain area or activity.
- In the lurch
- If you are left in the lurch, you are suddenly left in an
- embarrassing or tricky situation.
- In the making
- When something is in the making, it means it is in the
- process of being made.
- In the offing
- If something is in the offing, it is very likely to happen
- soon.
- In the pink
- If you are in very good health, you are in the pink.
- In the pipeline
- If something's in the pipeline, it hasn't arrived yet but its
- arrival is expected.
- In the red
- If your bank account is overdrawn, it is in the red.
- In the saddle
- If you're in the saddle, you are in control of a situation.
- In the same boat
- If people are in the same boat, they are in the same
- predicament or trouble.
- In the short run
- This refers to the immediate future.
- In the soup
- If you're in the soup, you're in trouble.
- In the swim
- If you are in the swim, you are up-to-date with and fully
- informed about something.
- In the swing
- If things are in the swing, they are progressing well.
- In the tall cotton
- A phrase that expresses good times or times of plenty
- and wealth as tall cotton means a good crop.
- In the twinkling of an eye
- If something happens in the twinkling of an eye, it
- happens very quickly.
- In the zone
- If you are in the zone, you are very focused on what
- you have to do.
- In turn
- This means one after the other. Example: She spoke
- to each of the guests in turn.
- In two minds
- If you are in two minds about something, you can't
- decide what to do.
- In your blood
- A trait or liking that is deeply ingrained in someone's
- personality and unlikely to change is in their blood.
- A similar idiom is 'in his DNA.'
- In your element
- If you are in your element, you feel happy and relaxed
- because you are doing something that you like doing
- and are good at. "
- In your face
- If someone is in your face, they are direct and
- confrontational. (It is sometime written 'in yer
- face'colloquially)
- In your sights
- If you have someone or something in your sights,
- they are your target to beat.
- Indian file
- If people walk in Indian file, they walk in a line one
- behind the other.
- Indian giver
- An Indian giver gives something, then tries to take
- it back.
- Indian summer
- If there is a period of warmer weather in late autumn,
- it is an Indian summer.
- Ins and outs
- If you know the ins and outs of something, you
- know all the details.
- Into thin air
- If something vanishes or disappears without trace,
- it vanishes into thin air; no-one knows where
- it has gone.
- Iron fist
- Someone who rules or controls something with
- an iron fist is in absolute control and tolerates
- no dissent.
- Irons in the fire
- A person who has a few irons in the fire has a
- number of things working to their advantage at
- the same time.
- Is Saul also among the prophets?
- It's a biblical idiom used when somebody known
- for something bad appears all of a sudden to be
- doing something very good.
- It ain't over till the fat lady sings
- This idiom means that until something has officially
- finished, the result is uncertain.
- It cost an arm and a leg
- If something costs an arm and a leg, it is very
- expensive indeed.
- It cost the earth
- If something costs the earth, it is very expensive indeed.
- It never rains but it pours
- 'It never rains but it pours' means that when things go
- wrong, they go very wrong.
- It takes a village to raise a child
- It takes many people to teach a child all that he or
- she should know.
- It takes two to tango
- This idiom is used to suggest that when things go
- wrong, both sides are involved and neither side is
- completely innocent.
- It's no use crying over spilt milk
- This idiom means that getting upset after something
- has gone wrong is pointless;
- It's your funeral
- The other person has made a decision that you
- think is bad. However, it is their choice; it is their
- funeral.
- Itch to
- Ivory tower
- People who live in ivory towers are detached
- from the world around them.oms i j k l
~ J ~
- Jack Frost
- If everything has frozen in winter, then Jack Frost
- has visited.
- Jack the Lad
- A confident and not very serious young man who
- behaves as he wants to without thinking about
- other people is a Jack the Lad.
- Jack-of-all-trades
- A jack-of-all-trades is someone that can do many
- different jobs.
- Jam on your face
- If you say that someone has jam on their face,
- they appear to be caught, embarrassed or found guilty.
- Jam tomorrow
- (UK) This idiom is used when people promise
- good things for the future that will never come.
- Jane Doe
- Jane Doe is a name given to an unidentified female
- who may be party to legal proceedings, or to an
- unidentified person in hospital, or dead. John Doe
- is the male equivalent.
- Jekyll and Hyde
- Someone who has a Jekyll and Hyde personality
- has a pleasant and a very unpleasant side to the
- character.
- Jersey justice
- (UK) Jersey justice is very severe justice.
- Jet set
- Very wealthy people who travel around the world
- to attend parties or functions are the jet set.
- Jet-black
- To emphasise just how black something is, such
- as someone's hair, we can call it jet-black.
- Job's comforter
- Someone who says they want to comfort, but actually
- discomforts people is a Job's comforter. (Job's is
- pronounced 'jobes', not 'jobs')
- Jobs for the boys
- Where people give jobs, contracts, etc, to their friends
- and associates, these are jobs for the boys.
- Jockey for position
- If a number of people want the same opportunity and
- are struggling to emerge as the most likely candidate,
- they are jockeying for position.
- Jog my memory
- If you jog someone's memory, you say words that will
- help someone trying to remember a thought, event,
- word, phrase, experience, etc.
- John Doe
- John Doe is a name given to an unidentified male who
- may be party to legal proceedings, or to an unidentified
- person in hospital, or dead. Jane Doe is the female
- equivalent.
- John Hancock
- (USA) John Hancock means a signature- his signature
- on the engrossed copy of the Declaration of
- Independence is very prominent.
- John Q Public
- (USA) John Q Public is the typical, average person.
- Johnny on the spot
- A person who is always available; ready, willing, and
- able to do what needs to be done.('Johnny-on-the-spot'
- is also used.)
- Johnny-come-lately
- A Johnny-come-lately is someone who has recently
- joined something or arrived somewhere, especially
- when they want to make changes that are not welcome.
- Joined at the hip
- If people are joined at the hip, they are very closely
- connected and think the same way.
- Judge, jury and executioner
- If someone is said to be the judge, jury, and executioner,
- it means they are in charge of every decision made, and
- they have the power to be rid of whomever they choose.
~ K ~
- When people take the law into their own hands and
- form courts that are not legal, these are known as
- kangaroo court.
- Keen as mustard
- (UK) If someone is very enthusiastic, they are as
- keen as mustard.
- Keep abreast
- If you keep abreast of things, you stay informed
- about developments.
- If you keep someone or something at bay, you
- maintain a safe distance from them.
- Keep body and soul together
- If you earn enough to cover your basic expenses, but
- nothing more than that, you earn enough to keep
- body and soul together.
- Keep in touch
- If you keep in touch with someone, you keep
- communicating with them even though you may
- live far apart.
- Keep it on the Q T
- If you keep something on the Q T, you keep it quiet
- or secret.('Q-T' is also used.)
- Keep it under your hat
- If you keep something under your hat, you keep it
- secret.
- Keep mum
- If you keep mum about something, you keep quiet
- and don't tell anyone.
- Keep posted
- If you keep posted about something, you keep
- up-to-date with information and developments.
- Keep someone at arm's length
- If you keep someone or something at arm's length,
- you keep a safe distance away from them.
- Keep someone on their toes
- If you keep someone on their toes, you make sure
- that they concentrate on what they are supposed to do.
- Keep the wolf at bay
- If you keep the wolf at bay, you make enough money
- to avoid going hungry or falling heavily into debt.
- Keep up with the Joneses
- People who try to keep up with the Joneses are
- competitive about material possessions and always
- try to have the latest and best things.
- Keep your chin up
- (UK) This expression is used to tell someone to have
- confidence.
- If you keep your cool, you don't get excessively
- excited or disturbed in a bad situation.
- Keep your ear to the ground
- If you keep your ear to the ground, you try to keep
- informed about something, especially if there are
- rumours or uncertainties.
- Keep your eye on the ball
- If you keep your eye on the ball, you stay alert and
- pay close attention to what is happening.
- Keep your eyes peeled
- If you keep your eyes peeled, you stay alert or watchful.
- Keep your fingers crossed
- If you are keeping your fingers crossed, you are
- hoping for a positive outcome.
- Keep your hair on
- Keep your hair on is advice telling someone to keep
- calm and not to over-react or get angry.
- Keep your head
- If you keep your head, you stay calm in times of difficulty.
- Keep your head above water
- If you are just managing to survive financially, you
- are keeping your head above water.
- Keep your nose clean
- If someone is trying to keep their Nose Clean, they
- are trying to stay out of trouble by not getting involved
- in any sort of wrong-doing.
- Keep your nose to the grindstone
- If you keep your nose to the grindstone, you work
- hard and seriously.
- Keep your options open
- If someone's keeping their options open, they aren't
- going to restrict themselves or rule out any possible
- course of action.
- Keep your pants on
- If someone tells you to keep your pants on, they mean that you should be patient and not make them rush.
- Keep your pecker up
- If someone tells you to keep your pecker up, they are
- telling you not to let your problems get on top of you
- and to try to be optimistic.
- Keep your powder dry
- If you keep your powder dry, you act cautiously so
- as not to damage your chances.
- Keep your shirt on!
- This idiom is used to tell someone to calm down.
- Keep your wig on!
- (UK) This idiom is used to tell someone to calm down.
- Kettle of fish
- A pretty or fine kettle of fish is a difficult problem or
- situation.
- Kick a habit
- If you kick a habit, you stop doing it.
- Kick away the ladder
- If someone kicks away the ladder, they remove
- something that was supporting or helping someone.
- Kick in the teeth
- Bad news or a sudden disappointment are a kick in the
- teeth.
- Kick something into the long grass
- If an issue or problem is kicked into the long grass,
- it is pushed aside and hidden in the hope that it will
- be forgotten or ignored.
- Kick the ballistics
- It means you realise the intensity of a situation.
- For example, there is too much unemployment now,
- so the prime minister must kick the ballistics and
- change his policy.
- Kick the bucket
- When someone kicks the bucket, they die.
- Kick up your heels
- (USA) If you kick up your heels, you go to parties or
- celebrate something.
~ L ~
- Labor of love
- A labor of love is a project or task undertaking for the
- interest or pleasure in doing it rather than the reward,
- financial or otherwise.
- Labour of love
- A labour of love is a project or task undertaking for the
- interest or pleasure in doing it rather than the reward,
- financial or otherwise.
- Lame duck
- If something or someone is a lame duck, they are in
- trouble.
- Land of nod
- If someone has gone to the land of nod, they have
- fallen asleep or gone to bed.
- Landslide victory
- A landslide victory is a victory in an election by a
- very large margin.
- Lap dog
- A lap dog is a person who is eager to please another
- at the expense of his or her own needs in order to
- maintain a position of privilege or favor.
- Lap of the gods
- If something is in the lap of the gods, it is beyond
- our control and fate will decide the outcome.
- Larger than life
- If something is excessive or exaggerated, it is larger
- than life.
- Last hurrah
- If an elderly person does something special before
- they die, it is a last hurrah.
- Last laugh
- The person who has the last laugh ends up with the
- the advantage in a situation after some setbacks.
- Last straw
- The last straw is the final problem that makes someone
- lose their temper or the problem that finally brought
- about the collapse of something. It comes from an
- Arabic story, where a camel was loaded with straw
- until a single straw placed on the rest of the load broke
- its back.
- Last-ditch
- A last-ditch attempt is a desperate attempt that will
- probably fail anyway.
- Laugh a minute
- Someone who is a laugh a minute is very funny.
- Laugh to see a pudding crawl
- (UK) Someone who would laugh to see a pudding
- crawl is easily amused and will laugh at anything.
- Laugh up your sleeve
- If you laugh up your sleeve, you laugh at someone
- secretly.
- Laughing stock
- If someone becomes a laughing stock they do
- something so stupid or wrong that no one can take
- them seriously and people scorn and laugh at them.
- Laughter is the best medicine
- Laughing is often helpful for healing, especially
- emotional healing.
- Law unto yourself
- If somebody's a law unto themselves, they do what
- they believe is right regardless of what is generally
- accepted as correct.
- Lay down the law
- If someone lays down the law, they tell people
- what to do and are authoritarian.
- Lead someone up the garden path
- If someone leads you up the garden path, they
- deceive you, or give you false information that
- causes you to waste your time. 'Lead someone
- down the garden path' is also used.
- Lead with the chin
- If someone leads with their chin, they speak or
- behave without fear of the consequences.
- Lean and mean
- An organisation that is lean and mean has no excess
- or unnecessary elements and is very competitive.
- Learn the ropes
- If you are learning the ropes, you are learning how
- to do something.
- Leave no stone unturned
- If you look everywhere to find something, or try
- everything to achieve something, you leave no
- stone unturned.
- Like wildfire
- If something happens or spreads like wildfire, it happens very quickly and intensely.
- Lily-livered
- Someone who is lily-livered is a coward.
- Lines of communication
- Lines of communication are the routes used to communicate by people or groups who are in conflict; a government might open lines of communication with terrorists if it wished to negotiate with them.
- Lion's share
- The lion's share of something is the biggest or best part.
- Lip service
- When people pay lip service to something, they express their respect, but they don't act on their words, so the respect is hollow and empty.
- Little pitchers have big ears
- (USA) This means that children hear more and understand the world around them better than many adults realize.
- Little strokes fell great oaks
- Meaning: even though something may seem impossible, if you break it up into small parts and take one step at a time, you will succeed.
- Live high off the hog
- If you are living high off the hog, you are living lavishly.
- Live wire
- A person who is very active, both mentally and physically, is a live wire.
- Lo and behold
- This phrase is used to express surprise.
- Loan shark
- A loan shark lends money at very high rates of interest.
- Lock and load
- This is a military term meaning "be ready and prepared"
- .
- Lock horns
- When people lock horns, they argue or fight about something.
- Lock the stable door after the horse has bolted
- If someone takes action too late, they do this; there is no reason to lock an empty stable.
- Lock, stock and barrel
- This is an expressions that means 'everything'; if someone buys a company lock, stock and barrel, they buy absolutely everything to do with the company.
- Long face
- Someone with a long face is sad or depressed about something.
- Long in the tooth
- If someone is long in the tooth, they are a bit too old to do something.
- Long shot
- If something is a long shot, there is only a very small chance of success.
- Long time no hear
- The speaker could say this when they have not heard from a person, either through phone calls or emails for a long time.
- Long time no see
- 'Long time no see' means that the speaker has not seen that person for a long time.
- Look after number 1
- You are number one, so this idiom means that you should think about yourself first, rather than worrying about other people.
- Look before you leap
- This idiom means that you should think carefully about the possible results or consequences before doing something.
- Look on the bright side
- If you look on the bright side, you try to see things in an optimistic way, especially when something has gone wrong.
- Look out for number one
- If you look out for number one, you take care of yourself and your interests, rather than those of other people.
- Look what the cat dragged in
- This idiom is used when someone arrives somewhere looking a mess or flustered and bothered.
- Loose cannon
- A person who is very difficult to control and unpredictable is a loose cannon.
- Lord love a duck
- An exclamation used when nothing else will fit. Often fitting when one is stunned or dismayed.
- Lord willing and the creek don't rise
- Pertains to the ability to accomplish a task or meet an obligation, barring unforseen complications. Example: "I will be at work tomorrow, Lord willing and the creek don't rise."
- Lose face
- To lose one's reputation or standing is to lose face
- Lose the plot
- If someone loses the plot, they have stopped being rational about something.
- Lose your bottle
- (UK) If someone loses their bottle, they lose the courage to do something.