Anna had lived in her quiet neighborhood for years. One day, a moving truck pulled up next door. A new neighbor was moving in.

Anna decided to introduce herself. She baked some cookies and went over. The new neighbor, Mr. Clark, seemed friendly but a bit shy.

Over the next few days, Anna noticed Mr. Clark struggling to carry heavy boxes alone. “Should I offer to help?” she thought. “Why not? What goes around comes around.”

She offered a hand, and they started chatting. It turned out Mr. Clark had just moved after a tough divorce and was trying to start from scratch.

Anna listened and said, “You’re handling this really well. Hang in there, things will get better.”

Mr. Clark smiled. “Thanks. I’m just trying to keep my head above water for now.”

A few weeks later, Mr. Clark had settled in and invited Anna and some neighbors over for tea. “I guess I’m finally breaking the ice around here,” he joked.

Idioms Used in the Story

1. What goes around comes around

Meaning: The way you treat others will eventually come back to you.

Examples:
Be kind—what goes around comes around.
He helped many people, and what goes around comes around.

2. Start from scratch

Meaning: To begin again from the beginning.

Examples:
After the fire, they had to start from scratch.
We lost the files and had to start the project from scratch.

3. Hang in there

Meaning: Don’t give up; be patient and strong.

Examples:
Hang in there—things will improve.
I know it’s hard, but hang in there.

4. Keep one’s head above water

Meaning: To manage to survive or cope, especially financially or emotionally.

Examples:
We’re struggling to keep our heads above water this month.
He’s just keeping his head above water after losing his job.

5. Break the ice

Meaning: To do something to make people feel more comfortable.

Examples:
A few jokes helped break the ice.
We played a game to break the ice at the party.