to grill someone

Idiom: to grill someone; used as a verb

First Example:
Theresa was really grilling Harry on their first date. She was sure asking him all these questions about his preferences. He eventuall had to ask her to stop. 

Second Example:

When Janice said she hadn't done her homework because she had to go to the hospital the night before, the teacher grilled her on what happened. The teacher asked for so many details, Janice finally gave up and was honest, explaining that she went to a movie.

Meaning: To "grill" someone means to ask that person many questions, similar to a cross-examination in a courtroom. In the first example/illustration above, Harry was grilled by his date; he thought her questions were excessive. In the second example, Janice is grilled by her teacher, and she eventually admitted that she was lying. 

Like mother, like daughter

Idiom: Like mother, like daughter

Read the following dialogue and try to guess the meaning of the idiom "like mother, like daughter":

Anna: I can't believe our daughter is getting married today! She looks beautiful! Look at how well she dances! 

Bob: She is a good dancer because you are! She is also as beautiful as you are. Like mother, like daughter!

Anna: Oh, Bob... 

Bob: May I have this dance, ma'am? 

Meaning: "Like daughter, like mother" is an idiom used to show that a daughter has similar talents, looks, or personality traits as her mother. 

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Chasing rainbows

Idiom: Chasing rainbows

Example 1: Sarah is so beautiful and talented! I sometimes dream about what life would be like if she were my girlfriend. I'm too shy to talk to her, but even if I could, I know I would just be chasing rainbows. There's no way she would be interested in me. 

Example 2: My friend is always trying new "get rich quick" schemes. She spends a lot of her money on lottery tickets and workshops that promise to help people achieve wealth in a short time. I try to help her be realistic and tell her that she is just chasing rainbows. Some people can get lucky and win the lottery, but most people won't. 

Meaning: A rainbow is a beautiful arc of color that appears after the rain. A rainbow cannot be touched or held in your hands because it is merely a visual phenomenon created by the sunlight's effect on water droplets in the air. Therefore, when someone chases rainbows, this person is chasing/going after something that is impossible or unrealistic. 

As in example 1, "Sarah" is the rainbow. The speaker knows it's an impossible goal.

In example 2, "getting rich quick" is the rainbow. It is an unrealistic goal.

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To do something in one's sleep

Idiom: To do something in one's sleep

Context #1:

Sean: Did you finish the math homework yet?

Terry: Are you kidding?  It was so easy I could've done it in my sleep.

Sean: Oh, come on! It wasn't that easy!

Context #2:

Crissy: I heard your really good at making lasagna. Do you think you could teach me?

Sarah: Sure, I make it every week for my husband because he loves it.  In fact, I've made it so many times and I could do it in my sleep.

Crissy: Sounds great!

Meaning: "to do something in one's sleep" is used when something becomes so easy to do that you don't even have to really think about it or concentrate very much any more. 

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Horsing around

Idiom: "horsing around"

Example:

Mariela:  Minami, you really should pay more attention in your Idioms class. I don’t think you pay attention in class, you are always horsing around.

Minami: Horsing around? I don’t have a horse! I don’t even know how to ride a horse.  I take the bus everywhere I go!

Mariela: No, silly. Horsing around means goofing around and not paying attention.

Minami: Okay, you are right. I really need to stop chatting with Bruno and Sylvia in Idioms class and need to start paying attention to what the teacher says.  

Meaning: "horsing around" means to be goofing around, playing around. Not paying attention.

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