{"id":3682,"date":"2014-05-27T09:00:39","date_gmt":"2014-05-27T13:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/english\/?p=3682"},"modified":"2014-03-27T17:18:34","modified_gmt":"2014-03-27T21:18:34","slug":"top-5-english-apple-idioms-and-phrases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/english\/top-5-english-apple-idioms-and-phrases\/","title":{"rendered":"Top English “apple” idioms and phrases"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"apple\"<\/a>In a post last week<\/a>, I introduced you to the American legend of Johnny Appleseed<\/a>. Today I want to piggyback* off that post and introduce you to some great expressions in English that have the word \u201capple\u201d in them. Apples are not only healthy and delicious, but they are also a culturally important food in America.\u00a0 There are many apple related traditions in America, such as children bringing an apple to their teacher as a way of saying \u2018thank you,\u2019 a game called \u201cbobbing for apples\u201d that is played in the fall, and apple pie, a very<\/em> American dessert, that is cooked and served on many important holidays like Independence Day and Thanksgiving Day.<\/p>\n

It is this cultural importance of apples in America that has likely led to many of these apple-related phrases and idioms becoming popular. Take a look at the expressions and idioms below and see if you can find a way to use one of these apple-related phrases sometime in the next week.<\/p>\n

as American as apple pie<\/strong> \u2013 This means that something has qualities, or features, that are typical of the United States or the people of the United States.
\nExample: My brother drives a Ford truck and wears blue jeans every day; he is as American as apple pie<\/em>.<\/p>\n

an apple a day keeps the doctor away<\/strong> \u2013 Apples are considered a nutritious food; so this expression is intended as advice. To stay healthy (and to not have to visit the doctor) you should eat healthy food like, an apple, every day.
\nExample: Whenever I get sick my mother always reminds me to take care of myself by saying, \u201cAn apple a day keeps the doctor away<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

the apple of my eye<\/strong> \u2013 This is a way of referring to a favorite, or beloved, person.
\nExample: My daughter is the apple of my eye<\/strong>; she makes me happy every day.<\/p>\n

(like) comparing apples and oranges<\/strong> \u2013 This expression is used when someone is talking about two non-similar items, but trying to compare them as though they were similar.
\nExample: You can\u2019t compare who works harder, me or you; I am a teacher and you are a fisherman, and that is like comparing apples and oranges<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

one rotten apple spoils the whole barrel<\/strong> \u2013 This expression means that one bad person influences everyone around him or her and can make them act bad too.
\nExample: Jimmy is the rotten apple that spoils the barrel<\/em> in my class, I wish I didn\u2019t have to be his teacher all year.<\/p>\n

How about them apples?<\/strong>\u00a0or<\/em>\u00a0How do you like them apples?<\/strong>\u00a0 This question is the same as \u2018What do you think of that?\u2019 Asking this question is usually a way of bragging or showing off.
\nExample: I was picked to join the basketball team and you weren\u2019t. How do you like them apples?<\/em><\/p>\n

Here is a famous clip from the movie Goodwill Hunting<\/em> in which this expression is used.<\/p>\n