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Where did you take these from? I don't really use them.

I never use idioms like those you revealed. :? I think using those type idioms are rather native English speakers' prerogative..

Hello all.

I am a native speaker of english, and although I recognize more than half of the idioms you mention Katja, I must say, that at least in the US, we do not use them in everyday conversation. Most of them, in my opinion, are outmoded, and appear in print rather than in everyday usage.

Regards

Chuck

I agree with Chuck. Some of them are outmoded, and appear in print rather than in everyday usage. Some of them are not idioms at all. See below:

All flowers are not in one garden - Proverb (never heard it) but seems to mean you can't find everything in one place.

An oak is not felled with one stroke - Proverb (don't think I've heard it) but seems to mean a big job takes time and effort.

bush telegraph - a rapid informal network by which information or gossip is spread

everything coming up roses - all is going well/successfully

flourish like a bay tree - never heard it

leaves without figs - never heard it

gild the lily - (try to) improve on perfection

Let grass grow under one’s feet - act slowly, dawdle, do nothing, so that everything else overtakes you

oops-a-daisy - said when you make a mistake, same as oops (but especially for children)

old chestnut - a joke or story that has been repeated so many times that is has become boring

Bail of Hay - collocation
Blade of Grass - collocation
Field of Wheat - collocation
See classifiers at: http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/c ... -lists.htm

Peckham Rye - a place in London, UK

Tit-willow - title of a song from The Mikado (by Gilbert & Sullivan)

On a tree by a river a little tom-tit
Sang "Willow, titwillow, titwillow"

Josef wrote: oops-a-daisy - said when you make a mistake, same as oops (but especially for children)

I like this idiom.

thanks for your helping.i will contact with you in the next time.

you may also check out this very useful website: http://www.idiomsite.com/