Commonly-Used Idioms, Sayings and phrasal verbs - "H" Idioms. What is the meaning of idioms? Words that come together and change the whole meaning of the statement like "it rains cats and dogs", did you ever seen cats and dogs falling off from the sky?! Of course not, but it simply mean "it is raining too hard". | H had best do something - should do something ought to do something I had best go home soon as I want to get up early tomorrow morning. had better do something - should do something ought to do something I had better go now or I will be late for class. hail from somewhere - originally come from somewhere My father hails from a small farming community. the hair of the dog that bit you - a drink of alcohol taken when one is recovering from drinking too much My friend got up early and had the hair of the dog that bit him to start the day. one s hair stands on end - become frightened or afraid of something My hair stood on end when I saw the scene after the automobile accident. to be hale and hearty - to be in very good health to be well and strong My uncle is a hale and hearty fellow who never gets sick. 289 Mr_doody2004@ half-baked - an idea or plan that is not thought about carefully or not studied carefully I do not like my supervisor s half-baked idea about the new delivery system. to be half the battle - to be a large part of the work Writing the letters will be half the battle. We can finish the rest of the work next week. to be halfhearted about someone or something - to be unenthusiastic about someone or something I was halfhearted about joining the group to go hiking. ham it up - do something silly or try to exaggerate something in a funny way I was hamming it up with my friend in front of the principal s office. hammer away at someone or something - be persistent in trying to do something I worked all weekend to hammer away at my final essay for university. hammer out something - work something out by discussion and debate The union and managers were able to hammer out an agreement before midnight last night. 290 Mr_doody2004@ hammer something home - try hard to make someone understand something The speaker tried to hammer home the importance of treating the customers with respect. hand Idioms hand down a decision - announce a legal .
