English is a delightful language but can at times be a rather difficult mountain to climb. Reaching atop this steep and craggy mountain takes a lot of time and effort, but once you scale through with the right amount of determination, the feeling of elation and satisfaction is immense.

Idioms are part and parcel of the English language. What is an idiom? An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is difficult or sometimes impossible to guess by looking at the meanings of the individual words it contains.

Incidentally, 'not on your nelly!' is a rather quaint idiom which means 'certainly not!' and 'not in a million years!' Though this charming idiom is not commonly used, it still brings a smile whenever uttered. Idioms appear in conversations all over the English-speaking world every minute of the day and we take them for granted. Have you heard someone say they had a bone to pick with you or they could smell something fishy? Have you wondered what on earth they were talking about? Yes? Okay then, let's get down to brass tacks.

'Getting down to brass tacks' is a phrase which means that early discussions are complete and one now needs to get to the heart of the matter — the details. Some suggestions point to the origin of this phrase being the American drapery stores where brass-headed tacks were nailed to the counter and used for measuring out fabric. The idea being that once the customer had taken time to choose their material, putting it to the 'brass tacks' meant actually getting down to the sale.

Let us discuss a few more interesting idioms. Shall we start from scratch then? Now 'starting from scratch' is a saying we use to illustrate starting again from the beginning, regardless of how much we have already achieved of a task.

Its origin dates back to the medieval times, when horse-race competitors would start at a line 'scratched' into the ground by either a sword or a javelin. If competitors cut corners or strayed from a set course of the race, they would have to start again from the scratch line.

Oh dear, you're not getting cold feet are you? This phrase indicates a loss of nerve or to have doubts about a particular situation. It has its origins in the gaming world, albeit a fictional one. The story tells us that in 1862, Fritz Reuter, a German author, described a scene in one of his novels during which a poker player fears losing his fortune but does not want to lose face by conceding defeat. Instead, he explains to his fellow poker players his feet are too cold and he cannot concentrate. This gives him a chance to leave the table and then slip away from the game.

'Boo-hoo!' you cry out. Come; come now, enough of the crocodile tears! 'Crocodile tears' are considered to be false tears or showing insincere sorrow. In fact, crocodiles, after eating, shed excess salt from the gland located just beneath each eye, giving the impression of tears.

According to an ancient Egyptian legend, after the animal had devoured its victim it would immediately appear to be crying with remorse. The Egyptians coined the phrase and applied it to their double-dealing country folk who showed insincerity or false sorrow for their actions.

What, do I hear you say that you are actually alive and kicking, and ready to bite the bullet?

Ah, this is good! 'Alive and kicking' is used to suggest someone or something is lively and active. In the last century the origin was thought to relate to a market fishmonger who used the phrase to indicate his fish were so fresh they were still 'kicking in the trays'.

To 'bite the bullet' is to carry out a task against the doer's wishes. It means getting on with something that just 'has to be done'. This phrase has its origins in the British Empire as the Victorians made friends around the world at the point of a gun.

Ah-ha! You have finally realised that this isn't mumbo jumbo after all, and, hence, quite futile to beat around the bush.

'Mumbo Jumbo' is the expression we use for language that seems nonsense and to have no discernible meaning. For the origin of this saying we travel to Africa. Mumbo Jumbo was a legendary spirit in villages across Africa who was used by male tribal leaders in order to keep the women of their tribes in line.

When an outbreak of backbiting became intolerable, a man would dress up as Mumbo Jumbo and visit the main culprit in the dead of night and scare her rigid by shrieking and hollering. The trouble-making woman was then tied to a tree and given an old-fashioned thrashing by Mumbo Jumbo.

'To beat around the bush' is to approach a subject indirectly without tackling the central point directly. The saying is a 300-year old hunting phrase related to beaters who used sticks against the bush or undergrowth (wherever the prey had taken refuge) with the intention of scaring it out and into the line of the hunters' guns.

Hmm, I see you now nod your head in agreement. Clearly, you have the bit between your teeth. Bravo!

To have 'the bit between your teeth' means to go about a task with such enthusiasm and determination that nobody can stop you. This term relates to the metal bar in a horse's mouth attached to the reign enabling a rider to steer and control the animal.

Therefore, enhance your English by learning idioms. A piece of writing  polka-dotted with such phrases makes an absorbing read, while a conversation peppered with idioms beguiles listeners, rousing their imagination and creating a colourful tapestry of words.

Impress everyone — teachers and classmates, family and friends — with your knowledge of these captivating idioms. Get cracking! Go bananas! Have oodles of fun with idioms and, for sure, you'll be tickled pink!