Re: Problem with IDIOMS like "something to crow about" "According to Hoyle" is an expression that refers to some guy named Hoyle who wrote what was once considered to be the definitive book of rules for card games. (I believe the BE equivalent is "according to Cocker.") So yes, it's an idiom, and one I wouldn't use it in an essay. For one thing, you might not be understood :)
I agree with BobK's point about colloquial language.
[not a teacher] |