Common idioms the word - Word и Excel - помощь в работе с программами

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April 13, 2023

Have you ever heard an English phrase that didn’t make sense even though you understood all the words? It was probably an idiom: a phrase that doesn’t translate literally.

Idioms are super common, so you need to understand them to understand English.

Read on to learn 103 English idioms you can use in conversation to sound more fluent!

English Idioms with Common Verbs
English Idioms with Common Prepositions
English Idioms About Money
English Idioms with Body Parts
English Idioms About Food
English Idioms About Weather
English Idioms About Nature
How to Practice English Idioms

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English Idioms with Common Verbs

1. Hit the books

Literally, hit the books means to physically hit your reading books, but this phrase is actually used to say that you’re going to study.

Sorry, but I can’t watch the game with you tonight. I have to hit the books.

2. Hit the sack

The literal meaning of this would be physically hitting or beating a sack (a large bag), but idiomatically, it means you’re going to bed. You can also say hit the hay.

It’s time for me to hit the sack. I’m so tired.

3. Twist someone’s arm

To twist someone’s arm would be rather painful if you took it literally, but it really means they’ve been convinced to do something they wouldn’t have done otherwise.

I wasn’t going to go to the party, but my friends twisted my arm and got me to go.

4. Stab someone in the back

While it still hurts, the idiomatic meaning of this phrase is not nearly as painful as literally being stabbed. What this actually means is to hurt someone who trusted you by betraying them.

I can’t believe she would cheat and stab me in the back like this! I really trusted her.

5. Lose your touch

No, this doesn’t mean you’ve lost your physical sense of touch. To lose your touch actually means to lose a skill you once had.

She used to be the best hairstylist in town, but she’s really losing her touch.

6. Sit tight

This does not mean you sit down and hold your body as tightly as you can. If a person tells you to sit tight, what they really want you to do is wait patiently.

Sit tight while I go see if Mr. Henkel is ready to see you.

7. Pitch in

This phrase may once have had a literal meaning to do with farm work (think pitchfork), but it isn’t used that way now. Figuratively speaking, it means to contribute (give) or to join in.

Let’s all pitch in a few dollars so we can buy Sally a really good present for her birthday.

8. Go cold turkey

To go cold turkey means to suddenly stop a (usually dangerous) behavior, such as drinking alcohol. A person who suddenly quits something addictive can suffer from pale skin and goosebumps, making them look like a cold, uncooked turkey.

I quit smoking cold turkey and never felt the need to go back.

9. Face the music

If someone tells you to face the music, they want you to deal with the reality of a situation and accept all the consequences.

You need to face the music. You failed because you didn’t study, so you need to take the class again next semester.

10. Ring a bell

When someone says something that you may have heard before, but don’t remember entirely, you can use this phrase to let them know it’s familiar but you may need a reminder.

That name rings a bell, but I can’t quite remember where I know her from.

11. Blow off steam

If you’re experiencing some strong feelings and need to calm down, you can blow off steam by doing something to get rid of the stress.

If my mom gets mad, she’ll usually go on a run to blow off some steam.

12. Cut to the chase

When somebody tells you to cut to the chase, it means that you’ve been talking too long and you need to get to the point. Be careful how you use this idiom; it could be rude or disrespectful if used with someone like a boss or teacher.

Hi, guys. We don’t have much time here, so I’m going to cut to the chase.

English Idioms with Common Prepositions

Prepositions are words that indicate where one thing is in relation to another. These include the words up, on and over, as you’ll see in the idioms below.

13. Up in the air

If someone tells you that things are up in the air, it means that a situation is uncertain or unsure. It’s as though a ball has been tossed upward, and no one knows exactly where it will land.

Our plans for this weekend are up in the air until Jen tells us when she gets off of work.

14. On the ball

If you’re on the ball, it means that you’re very quick to understand things or react quickly (and correctly) to a situation.

Wow, you’ve already finished your assignments? They aren’t due until next week. You’re really on the ball.

15. Get over something

Imagine something happens that upsets you, but as time goes on, you stop feeling as strongly about it. This means that you’ve gotten over it: you no longer worry about it and it no longer affects you in a negative way.

It took a while, but I finally got over breaking up with Chandler.

16. Over the hill

If you’re getting older (especially over 50) and can’t be as physically or socially active as you used to be, you might say you’re over the hill. Be careful with this idiom, though, since it’s rude to say it about someone else.

I had to slow down after my knee surgery, but I don’t think I’m over the hill just yet.

17. Through thick and thin

When you’re loyal to someone, you support them no matter what happens, good or bad. This is an idiom you can use to say so.

Roger and Sally made it to their 50th anniversary because they stood by each other through thick and thin.

18. Off the chain

If you watch “America’s Got Talent,” you may have heard host Mel B exclaim that an act was “off the chain!” That means it was especially exciting or impressive—usually in a good way, though the expression can also mean “out of control.”

The Spice Girls concert was off the chain!

English Idioms About Money

19. Look like a million bucks

Bucks here is a slang term for “dollars.” If someone tells you that you look like a million bucks, it means you look absolutely fabulous!

Wow, Mary, you look like a million bucks. I love your dress!

20. Born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth

This refers to someone who comes from a wealthy and successful family.

John was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, so he doesn’t know what it’s like to work hard.

21. To go from rags to riches

“Rags” here refers to old, tattered clothes. This means you’ve gone from being poor to having a lot of money.

Jim Carrey went from rags to riches. He was once living in a van, but eventually became one of the highest-paid comedians in the world.

22. Pay an arm and a leg for something

Use this one when you have to pay a lot of money for something. You can also say that something “costs an arm and a leg.”

Nowadays, you have to pay an arm and a leg just for a tank of gas.

23. To have sticky fingers

If you have sticky fingers, you probably steal a lot. This whimsical idiom suggests that other people’s valuables stick to you when you touch them.

The manager fired the cashier because he had sticky fingers. He stole more than $200 in a month.

24. To give someone a run for their money

If you are competing with someone and you feel like you really had to work hard to outdo them, you can say they gave you a run for your money:

Joe really gave me a run for my money in the chess tournament. He almost beat me!

25. To pony up

This means you need to pay for something or settle a debt.

Pony up and give me the $5 you owe me.

26. To ante up

Ante up comes from the game of poker, where players bet their money before the cards are dealt. Over time, the idiom has come to refer to any type of payment someone owes—not just in poker.

You’d better ante up and give me that $10 I loaned you last week.

27. To up the ante

A similar idiom to ante up is up the ante, which means “raise the stakes.” When people up the ante, they bet more money than the person before them. This is used similarly in everyday conversation, when someone raises a bet or agrees to do more.

I wanted to place a $10 bet on the soccer match, but Daniel upped the ante and raised the bet to $50.

28. Break even

This is the term you use when you’ve spent a certain amount of money, then earned roughly the same amount to balance it out.

The trip to the beach cost me $100, but I almost broke even after winning $90 in a contest.

29. Break the bank

This refers to something that is overly expensive—something that requires more money than you have.

Taking a week-long vacation would break the bank. There’s no way I could afford to do it.

30. To be close-fisted

To be close-fisted (or closefisted) is to be reluctant to spend any money, almost like you’re physically gripping it in your fist. Other words for this could be stingy or cheap.

Carl is so close-fisted, he won’t even buy snacks for the Christmas party.

31. To go Dutch

This is used when everyone pays for their own meal at a restaurant. (Note that this may be perceived as offensive to or by Dutch people.)

Usually we go Dutch when we eat out, but this time I paid for her food since it was her birthday.

32. Shell out money

This means you hand out money to pay for something. It uses “shell” in the sense of shelling peas from a pod.

I wish I hadn’t gotten that new car now that I’m shelling out $1,000 a month in payments.

33. Midas touch

This idiom comes from the story of King Midas, who turned everything he touched into gold. It’s used to say that someone is very successful in their business ventures and has an easy time making money.

Jane really has the Midas touch. Every business she starts becomes very successful.

34. Receive a kickback

If you receive a kickback, it means you are receiving money illegally, like a bribe.

The police chief was arrested after it was revealed that he was receiving kickbacks to ignore certain crimes.

35. Living hand to mouth

This means you’re barely earning enough to survive: any money that comes into your hand is immediately spent on food to put in your mouth.

The family has been living hand to mouth ever since their father lost his job.

36. To be loaded

If someone is loaded, it means they have a lot of money.

Billy paid his Harvard Law School tuition with cash. His family is loaded.

37. Make ends meet

This refers to making enough money to cover the necessities, like buying food and paying the bills.

I don’t make much from my job as a cashier, but I’m able to make ends meet.

38. As genuine as a three-dollar bill

This is an American idiom that is used to say something is fake. The U.S. never made three-dollar bills, so there’s no such thing as a genuine three-dollar bill.

Those supposed designer bags they sell on the street are as genuine as a three-dollar bill.

39. In the red

In a traditional ledger book, debits (losses) are noted in red ink. To be in the red is to lose more money than you make.

I’m in the red this month after paying that speeding ticket.

40. In the black

The opposite of being in the red is being in the black, which means that you’ve made more money than you spent.

After working a couple of small jobs over the weekend, I earned an extra $500 and am back in the black.

English Idioms with Body Parts

41. Eyeball it

Sometimes you don’t need an exact measurement: a rough estimate is good enough. When you estimate an amount of something based on how it looks, you can say you’re eyeballing it.

I’ve made this recipe often, so I didn’t bother to measure out a cup of rice; I just eyeballed it.

42. Rule of thumb

If you hear someone say as a rule of thumb, they mean that it’s a general, unwritten rule learned from experience, as opposed to exact guidelines.

As a rule of thumb, you should always pay for your date’s dinner.

43. Keep your chin up

If you’re having a hard time, a supportive friend might tell you to keep your chin up. This means they are encouraging you to stay positive and not let difficult circumstances get you down.

I know it’s hard having a sick family member, but keep your chin up.

44. Find your feet

If you find yourself in a new situation, like living in a new country and having to get used to a new college, you could say you need to find your feet. It means that you’re still adjusting and getting used to the new environment.

I only moved to France two months ago, so I’m still finding my feet.

45. Play it by ear

If someone says they’re playing it by ear, it means they’re responding to circumstances as they develop without having a plan, like a musician jamming without a musical score.

Don’t ask me where I see myself in five years. I’m playing life by ear.

46. Knuckle down

To knuckle down is to work hard or seriously at a task. If you tend to procrastinate, then you know when it’s time to do this.

My essay is due tomorrow morning! I have to knuckle down and get it done tonight.

English Idioms About Food

47. Spice things up

To spice things up means to make them more interesting or exciting.

Instead of just buying Sam a birthday gift, let’s spice things up by taking him out for dinner.

48. A piece of cake

A piece of cake refers to a task or job that’s easy to do, like eating a delicious piece of cake! If you don’t prefer cake, you can also say it’s easy as pie.

I expected the English test to be difficult, but it was a piece of cake.

49. Cool as a cucumber

Cucumbers have a refreshing taste and leave you with a cool, calm feeling. If you’re cool as a cucumber, you’re someone who’s very calm and relaxed.

My friend is nervous about taking his driving test, but I’m cool as a cucumber.

50. A couch potato

A couch potato refers to someone who spends a lot of time sitting on the couch, watching TV.

After my uncle retired from his job, he became a couch potato.

51. Bring home the bacon

To bring home the bacon means to make an income or earn a living to support your family.

Ever since her father was injured, she’s been working two jobs to bring home the bacon.

52. In hot water

When someone is in hot water, they’re in a bad situation or serious trouble.

Kevin is in hot water after committing tax fraud.

53. Compare apples and oranges

Apples are very different from oranges in both appearance and taste. This idiom is used to suggest that such different things are best considered for their own merits.

I’m not sure which I enjoy more—pottery or dancing. It’s like comparing apples and oranges.

54. Not one’s cup of tea

If something is not your cup of tea, it’s an activity you have no interest in, don’t do very well or don’t enjoy.

Camping is really not my cup of tea, so I’m going to visit my friend in New York instead.

55. Eat like a bird

How much does a bird eat? Not very much, right? To eat like a bird is to eat very little.

Don’t trouble yourself cooking such a big meal. I eat like a bird.

56. Eat like a horse

Now, a horse is much bigger than a bird. You’d be right to guess that to eat like a horse is to eat a lot.

My mother has to cook a lot of food when my brother comes to visit. He eats like a horse.

57. Butter someone up

To butter someone up is to flatter someone in order to win their favor.

I’m going to butter up my mom so she lets me hang out with my friends later.

58. Food for thought

Food for thought refers to something that’s worth thinking carefully about.

Your proposal gave us a lot of food for thought. We’ll get back to you with a decision in a few days.

59. A smart cookie

Here’s an easy one. A smart cookie is an intelligent person.

It shouldn’t be hard too hard for a smart cookie like you to learn Spanish.

60. Packed like sardines

Packed like sardines describes a place or situation that’s very crowded, such as a concert hall or sports event.

Were you at the football game last night? We were packed like sardines in the stadium.

61. Spill the beans

To spill the beans is to accidentally or prematurely give out information that’s supposed to be kept secret.

Owen spilled the beans to Joyce about her surprise party, so she knows what’s happening.

62. A bad apple

If you have a basket of apples and one of them is rotten, the rot can spread quickly to the rest. Idiomatically, a bad apple is a person who creates problems or is a bad influence on the other people in a group.

John’s the bad apple: he gets his friends to do dangerous and illegal things.

63. Bread and butter

Bread and butter are some of the most basic food items that one can live on. The idiom bread and butter refers to a job that makes the money you need to live and afford basic necessities like food, housing, etc.

Fishing is the bread and butter of the friendly people I met on the island last summer.

64. Buy a lemon

To buy a lemon means to buy something (usually a motor vehicle) that doesn’t work well and is therefore worthless.

The car looked so new and shiny. I had no way of knowing I was buying a lemon.

65. A hard nut to crack

Is it easy to crack open a nut? Well, a hard nut to crack refers to a person who’s difficult to get to know or get information out of. (Also appears as a tough nut to crack.)

I want to know what secret she’s hiding, but she’s a hard nut to crack.

66. Have a sweet tooth

Do you like eating cakes, candy and other sweet-tasting food? If you do, then you can say you have a sweet tooth.

I definitely have a sweet tooth: I need dessert every night.

English Idioms About Weather

67. Under the weather

If you’re feeling under the weather, you’re not your usual self and could be feeling a little sick.

I was feeling under the weather, so I called my work and told them I wasn’t coming in.

68. A storm is brewing

This idiom is used in anticipation of trouble. Usually it means there’s been some kind of sign that this trouble is coming.

She decided to go ahead with their wedding, even though all they’ve been doing lately is arguing. I can sense a storm is brewing.

69. Calm before the storm

The air may be still before a storm actually hits. To say there is a calm before the storm is basically saying that things may be peaceful now, but it won’t last.

They had a bit of a honeymoon phase, but that was just the calm before the storm.

70. Weather a storm

It’s not exactly enjoyable to sit through a storm, so it makes sense that this idiom refers to enduring something that is difficult.

They really had to weather the storm while they waited for more people to be hired to help.

71. When it rains, it pours

Bad luck tends to come in batches. This idiom illustrates the phenomenon with the idea that any rain will become a downpour.

First he was laid off, then his wife got into a car accident. When it rains, it pours.

72. Chasing rainbows

Have you ever tried to chase a rainbow? If you have, you know catching it is an impossible task. This is why someone pursuing a very difficult goal is said to be chasing rainbows.

He’s not very artistic, but he insists on being a professional painter. He’s always chasing rainbows.

73. Rain or shine

If you are dedicated to getting something done no matter what, you are willing to do it rain or shine. This is one of the rare idioms that’s also often used literally, for outdoor events that will take place whether it rains or not.

We’re having our soccer tournament tomorrow, rain or shine.

74. Under the sun

This idiom refers to everything on Earth and is usually used as part of a superlative.

Gili Trawangan must be one of the most beautiful islands under the sun.

75. Every cloud has a silver lining

A silver lining is the little bit of good that can be found in every situation, like sunlight peeking from behind a cloud.

Sure, you took the wrong trail, but you got to see a beautiful waterfall.Every cloud has a silver lining!

76. A rising tide lifts all boats

Boats of all sizes float at the same level: if the water rises, all the boats rise with it. Usually this idiom refers to how a stable economy often benefits everyone.

When the economy showed the first signs of recovering, everyone started investing and spending more. A rising tide lifts all boats.

English Idioms About Nature

77. Get into deep water

This idiom is pretty close to the literal meaning: being in deep water means you’re in a tricky situation that is hard to escape.

He got into deep water when he borrowed a lot of money from a loan shark.

78. Pour oil on troubled waters

If you pour oil into the sea, it has a calming effect on the waves. You shouldn’t do that in reality, but you can use this idiom to say that you’re trying to soothe the tension following an argument.

She hated seeing her two best friends arguing, so she got them together and poured oil on troubled waters.

79. Make waves

Much like dropping a stone into a pond to make ripples, to make waves is to cause trouble or change things in a dramatic way.

She likes to make waves with her creative marketing campaigns. They get a lot of attention from customers.

80. Go with the flow

To go with the flow is to allow things to happen and accept them as they are, like a leaf floating along on the surface of a river.

Just go with the flow and see what happens!

81. Lost at sea

Just as you’d be overwhelmed if you were stranded in the ocean, to be lost at sea is to feel unsure about what to do or that you don’t have any purpose or plan.

I feel lost at sea. I just don’t think this is the career path for me.

82. Sail close to the wind

This means to act just within the limits of what’s legally or socially acceptable. You may try to push boundaries and could sometimes cross the line.

A lot of people don’t like him because he sails too close to the wind.

83. Make a mountain out of a molehill

A molehill is very small, so if you act like it’s the size of a mountain, you are exaggerating the severity of the situation.

She shouted at him for being five minutes late. She really made a mountain out of a molehill.

84. Gain ground

If you’re gaining ground, you’re making good progress. This can mean physically crossing ground quickly, as in a race, or it can be figurative.

We’ve really gained a lot of ground in our group project, and I think we’ll finish on time.

85. Walking on air

Use this is you feel very excited or happy. “Over the moon,” “on cloud nine,” “in seventh heaven” and “in good spirits” are a few more expressions you can use to talk about happiness.

She’s been walking on air since she found out that she’s pregnant.

86. Once in a blue moon

A blue moon comes every two to three years, so saying that something happens once in a blue moon is saying that it happens very rarely.

She only comes to visit once in a blue moon.

87. Many moons ago

This is one of those English expressions that’s a little bit formal or dated. You’ll most likely hear it in stories, or when someone is trying to create a dramatic effect. It means that something happened a long time ago.

Many moons ago, we used to be two very close friends. Now we’ve gone separate ways and lost contact.

88. Castle in the sky

This one sounds a bit like something from a fairytale, which makes sense since it is a daydream or hope that’s not likely to come true. Building castles in the sky refers to fantasizing about an unrealistic future.

Seeing the world used to be a castle in the sky for most people, but globalization is helping people travel more easily.

89. Down to earth

To be down to earth is to be modest, practical, unassuming and unpretentious.

He’s my favorite professor; he’s so down to earth.

90. Salt of the earth

If you are the salt of the earth, you are a good and honest person.

My father is the salt of the earth. He works hard and always helps people who are in need.

91. The tip of the iceberg

The majority of an iceberg is below the surface of the water. If someone says something is the tip of the iceberg, it means that there’s a lot more going on than what’s immediately obvious.

Exceptionally long drought periods are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the global impact of climate change.

92. Break the ice

If you’re in a group of strangers, things can be a bit awkward, so you might need to ease the tension. This is when you’ll try to break the ice, or say something to loosen everybody up and attempt to make friends.

He made a weather joke to break the ice.

93. Bury your head in the sand

This one means that you’re trying to avoid a particular situation by pretending that it doesn’t exist. It refers to a popular myth that ostriches would stick their heads in the sand to “hide” when frightened.

Stop burying your head in the sand. You haven’t been happy with him for years, so why are you staying together?

94. Let the dust settle

This means you are allowing a situation to become calm after something exciting or unusual has happened.

You just received big news. Let the dust settle before you make any decisions.

95. Clear as mud

Mud is not a transparent substance, so this means that something is actually not clear at all.

He’s a great scientist, but I find his explanations in class are as clear as mud.

96. As cold as stone

Stones can be very cold. If you say that someone is just as cold, you’re saying that they are unemotional or not empathetic. Cold as ice has the same meaning.

She never smiles. She seems as cold as stone.

97. Between a rock and a hard place

This means that you are faced with a choice between two equally unsatisfactory options.

I can understand why she couldn’t make up her mind about what to do. She’s really between a rock and a hard place.

98. Nip something in the bud

This is to stop a bad situation from becoming worse by taking action at an early stage of its development.

Managers should know how to nip performance issues in the bud, or they’ll only get worse.

99. To hold out an olive branch

If you’re holding out an olive branch, you’re extending a hand of friendship and offering peace to a rival.

After years of rivalry with her cousin, she decided to hold out an olive branch and invite her to lunch.

100. Beat around the bush

This means you spend a long time getting to the main point of what you’re actually trying to say.

I don’t have much time, so stop beating around the bush and tell me what actually happened.

101. Out of the woods

This means the worst part of a difficult situation is over, and the end goal is in sight.

The surgery went very well, so he’s officially out of the woods. He just needs to recover now.

102. Can’t see the forest for the trees

This means someone is unable to see the whole situation clearly because they’re looking too closely at small details.

He’s worried about the flowers, but the rest of the wedding has been beautiful. He just can’t see the forest for the trees.

103. Barking up the wrong tree

This means that efforts have been put into something that won’t produce the desired outcome. Picture a dog barking to scare a squirrel out of a tree…but the squirrel is hiding in a different tree.

If you think she’s going to lend you money, you’re barking up the wrong tree. She never lends anyone anything.

How to Practice English Idioms

To learn idioms efficiently, it’s important to be exposed to native-spoken English as much as possible, whether it’s in person or virtually. Take any chance you can to try out a new idiom in conversation.

The next time you watch an English movie or TV show, write down any strange and funny expressions you hear so you can look them up later.

You can also search the language learning program FluentU for an idiom or a phrase, and you’ll see any videos that contain it.

FluentU’s video library contains English language content made by and for English speakers. This means you can learn how to actually use idioms from authentic videos like news clips, movie trailers, commercials and more.

The hover-over subtitles will also let you discover even more idioms and phrases naturally. You can add new words and sayings to your custom flashcard decks and study them later with FluentU’s personalized exercises.

The more comfortable you get using English idioms, the closer you get to reaching full English fluency!

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You are looking to take your English skills to another level?

English idioms and phrases are the way to do it.

By combining words that have completely different individual meanings, we get idioms.

English idioms are extremely common in everyday conversation and, therefore, essential for language progression.

«An idiom (also called idiomatic expression) is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning…»

Learning new words is not sufficient to become a fluent English speaker but idioms and proverbs can truly boost your knowledge.

In the following lines, you will find some of the most common English idioms with their meanings and sentences:

1. A hard nut to crack

Explanation: usually a person who is very difficult to deal with

Example: I gave my best to be friendly with her, but she is simply a hard nut to crack.

2. All ears

Explanation: very concentrated or keen to listen to the other person who has your full attention.

Example: Children are all ears when the teacher tells them fairytales.

3. A picture is worth a thousand words

Explanation: It’s better to show than to tell; illustration conveys a stronger message than words.

Example: Such a beautiful portrait of a little girl represents how a picture is worth a thousand words.

4. A piece of cake

Explanation: something easily done, simple task, or work.

Example: Anne said the test would be difficult, but it was a piece of cake. I’ll pass with no problem at all.

5. Better late than never

Explanation: It’s better to arrive late than not to come at all.

Example: We’ve been waiting for you for three hours, but better late than never.

6. Born with a silver spoon in mouth

Explanation: Someone who is born in a very wealthy family.

Example: He does not need this job as much as I do; he is born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

7. Bread and butter

Explanation: earnings of a person; indicate when a person earns for a living.

Example: You have to earn your own bread and butter.

8. Break the ice

Explanation: to try to become friends with someone; to make a start of something.

Example: It’s always easiest to break the ice after I’ve had a few drinks.

9. Break a leg

Explanation: Good luck, best wishes.

Example: You have a test tomorrow? Break a leg!

10. Can judge a book by its cover

Explanation: you can’t judge something just by its appearance.

Example: The candidate doesn’t look very promising, but you can’t judge a book by its cover.

11. Chasing rainbows

Explanation: to follow your dreams, trying to do something that can’t be achieved.

Example: I understand you want to be a famous singer, but don’t chase rainbows. You are not a good singer!

12. Cool as a cucumber

Explanation: to be very calm and relaxed

Example: How could the murderer be as cool as a cucumber after doing such serious crimes?

Related article: 8 Good Reasons Why English Is Important To Learn

13. Costs an arm and a leg

Explanation: when something costs too much money, it’s way too expensive.

Example: The show is excellent, but the tickets cost an arm and a leg.

14. Cry over spilled milk

Explanation: to be upset about something that is already done or a mistake that can’t be changed.

Example: It’s no use crying over spilled milk. It was a bad investment.

15. Draw a longbow

Explanation: to exaggerate, to lie.

Example: Anne is drawing a longbow. Do you believe her at all?

16. Easier said than done

Explanation: not as easy to do as it seems harder than you think.

Example: It’s a lot tougher than that. It’s one of those things that are easier said than done.

17. Eat like a bird

Explanation: to eat very little.

Example: Look at you! You have to eat more. You are eating like a bird.

18. Feeling under the weather

Explanation: to feel ill, sick, having a hangover.

Example: I have my final test, but I’m feeling under the weather. I think I have a fever.

19. Find your feet

Explanation: become confident in what you are doing, or familiar with some new situation or experience.

Example: I’m new to this city, so I’m still finding my feet.

20. Food for thought

Explanation: an idea to think about; think about things that can arise from an event or situation.

Example: My daughter has given me some food for thought about how she organizes her toys.

21. Forty winks

Explanation: sleep a while mainly during the day; take a nap.

Example: My dad always likes to catch forty winks after lunch.

22. Give a shot

Explanation: to try something you are not quite familiar with.

Example: I’m not prepared for my exam today. I will give it a shot.

23. Go cold turkey

Explanation: to suddenly stop or quit some bad or addictive behavior, like stop smoking.

Example: He had been trying to quit smoking for a year but couldn’t, so he decided to go cold turkey.

24. Hit the hay/sack

Explanation: when someone is really tired and wants to go to sleep.

Example: Sorry guys, I have to hit the hay now!

25. Hold one’s peace.

Explanation: be silent.

Example: Just hold your peace if you don’t have anything smart to say.

26. It’s not rocket science

Explanation: It’s not difficult; it’s not complicated.

Example: Driving a car isn’t rocket science. I don’t understand why people don’t drive better.

27. Keep your chin up

Explanation: be brave and courageous in a tough situation.

Example: Don’t let the difficulties intimidate you; keep your chin up.

28. Kill two birds with one stone.

Explanation: accomplish two different things, jobs, or actions; solve problems at the same time.

Example: Cycling to work kills two birds with one stone. It saves money and gives you some exercise.

For more expressions, contact Justlearn English tutors and book your first trial lesson.

29. Lose your marbles

Explanation: to go crazy, insane.

Example: I’ve been so bad lately that I thought I’m losing my marbles.

30. Make ends meet.

Explanation: make enough money to survive, to manage expenses.

Example: We need to start saving money in order to make ends meet.

31. Make a long story short

Explanation: Tell something briefly.

Example: To make a long story short, I had a wonderful time during my vacation.

32. Never in a million years

Explanation: Absolutely never.

Example: Never in a million years would I think to fall in love with him.

33. On cloud nine

Explanation: to be extremely happy or cheerful.

Example: Susan is on cloud nine since she got married.

34. Once in a blue moon

Explanation: something happens very rarely, once after a very long time.

Example: I don’t know why she bought that music system. She uses it once in a blue moon.

35. Out of the woods

Explanation: the hardest part of something is over, but the situation isn’t still good.

Example: The surgery went well, but he’s not out of the woods yet.

36. Penny for your thoughts

Explanation: a way of asking someone else’s thoughts.

Example: You seem so serious. A penny for your thoughts.

Don’t forget to work on learning
new English words every day, not just idioms.

37. Pull someone’s leg

Explanation: To joke with someone, to trick someone in a humorous way

Example: I think he was just pulling your leg when he said you’ve fallen in the exam.

38. Rain cats and dogs

Explanation: rain heavily, tremendously.

Example: It’s raining cats and dogs when the Monsoon comes.

39. Speak of the devil

Explanation: The person we were talking about showed up.

Example: Did you hear what happened to Anne yesterday? Oh, speak of the devil, there she is.

40. Square peg in a round hole

Explanation: When a person doesn’t fit into society when you find in a surrounding that doesn’t suit you.

Example: That lifestyle really doesn’t suit Sally at all; she’s like a square peg in a round hole.

41. Takes two to tango.

Explanation: Specific actions can’t be performed alone; it takes two persons to participate; both persons are responsible for an action.

Example: If you want to play that game, you need a partner who plays with you. It takes two to tango.

42. That’s the last straw

Explanation: Someone’s patience has run out, to be the latest in a sequence of unpleasant things that can’t be accepted.

Example: I’m not going to wait for the last straw. I’ll do something about the problem much sooner than you.

43. To cut corners

Explanation: to do something in an easy and very cheap way; to reduce time, money, expenses.

Example: My mom often had to cut corners when we were kids to feed all of us.

44. To go Dutch

Explanation: When everyone pays his bill.

Example: Last night we had a date, but we went Dutch because I’ve paid for my coffee and he paid his.

45. To have sticky fingers

Explanation: to be a thief.

Example: The manager fired his employee because he had sticky fingers. He stole 100$.

46. To sit tight

Explanation: wait patiently and take no action; stay where you are.

Example: Just relax and sit tight; we’ll solve the problem for you.

47. Up in the air

Explanation: unresolved, undecided about something; full of doubt.

Example: I am not sure what the plans are. Everything was up in the air when I last spoke to him about it.

48. What goes around, comes around.

Explanation: how you treat and behave to others will eventually come to you, too.

Example: All of his life, he treated his family with no respect, and now his son is doing the same to him. What goes around, comes around.

49. When pigs fly

Explanation: something that will never happen or highly unlikely to happen.

Example: He plans to clean his house every week, but he will probably do it only when pigs fly.

50. Zip your lip

Explanation: To remain a secret or silent.

Example: I’ll tell you a secret about Marry, but zip your lip about it!

Related article: 20 Idioms With Their Meanings and Sentences (That You Really Need To Know) + PDF

Practice makes perfect

To learn English idioms better, we’ve prepared some exercises that will help you test your knowledge.

Don’t be shy. Try and find out.

Please note that you will not need all listed idioms in the following exercises, so focus and pay attention.

I can’t wait to see you on premiere tomorrow night! __________________ !

I can’t believe that was our test. I think it was easier than some of our homework! It was a ______.

They were discussing the girl who was his new crush when she walked in. ____________________.

The earthquakes hits _________________ in this part of the earth, we never felt it.

He showed up for the wedding when they were already cutting the cake. __________________, I suppose.

To_______________________________, he still stays in the apartment but now it is owned by someone else.

You can’t be serious about that! Stop ___________________.

Such a beautiful portrait of a little girl — represents how ________________________.

I am really tired after all that exercise. I am going to_______________.

John asked Sarah whether she would go to the movies with him. Sarah replied that would happen __________________.

It is sad to see that people always wait until ________________before they start to take any action in this country.

It’s not right to blame only the other woman for his adulterous affair -__________________.

I have never eaten Mexican food, but I will ______________ .

She has just returned from her vacation, but is feeling _______________and has a sore throat and running nose.

I have to go to the bank, and on the way back, I’ll pick up the groceries also, ____________________.

He really wants to go to that event. He’s willing to pay __________________ for it.

When drug addicts go ___________________ they experience a period of extreme suffering.

He has never worked hard for anything because he was________________________. His parents brought everything to him instead.

Shall we _____________? No, not this time I’m paying the bill.

Peter is still new in his job; give him some time to ______________.

Answers:

9, B. 4, C. 39, D. 34, E. 5, F. 31. G. 37, H. 3, I. 49, J. 42, K. 41, L. 22, M. 18, N. 28, O. 13, P. 23, Q. 6, R. 6, S. 44, T. 19.

Источник

What are idioms?

Idioms are the most commonly used words that we read and hear across our daily life conversation. Idioms are the group of the words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words. Idioms do not match with surface meaning of the words but these are used very consciously in context of the conversation.

Commonly used English idioms

A hot potato

Meaning: A difficult task or something difficult to deal

Example: Learning how to drive a car is not a hot potato.

A piece of cake

Meaning: Something that is very easy. (1)

Example: The quiz was a piece of cake (very easy) so all of the students passed it with an A grade.

Acid test

Meaning: To prove the effectiveness of something.

Example: I already know how to compute decimals but the acid test will come when our Math professor will conduct assessment orally.

Add insult to injury

Meaning: To make a bad situation more badly.

Example: Father was angry, and then, to add insult to injury, younger brother broke the window pan.

Add fuels to the flames

Meaning: Say something that makes a difficult situation even worse.

Example: Raul forgot Ali’s debt, and his excuses only added fuel to the flames.

An arm and a leg

Meaning: A lot of money.

Example: It is the best car to buy, but it will cost you an arm and a leg.

At the drop of a hat

Meaning: Instantly; without any hesitation

Example: Ali was ready to play a match at the drop of a hat.

Back-room boys

Meaning: People who perform important work but have no contact with the public.

Example: Johnny Manahan and the writers of the show are the back room boys that deserve more applause than the artists performing on stage.

Blow up in face

Meaning: This refers to a situation when a plan or project suddenly fails.

Example: It was difficult to be on time in the venue. It blew up in the face when the bus didn’t arrive on time at the station.

Back to the drawing board

Meaning: Starting something again.

Example: We loss this match, but now we are back to the drawing board.

Ball is in your court.

Meaning: It is your turn to take step

Example: I have given my opinion, now the ball is in your court.

Barking up the wrong tree

Meaning: Accusing the wrong person; looking in the wrong place.

Example: He did not commit the crime, you’re barking up the wrong tree.

Be glad to see the back of

Meaning: Being happy to see someone leaving.

Example: I do not want to see her. I’ll be glad to see the back of her.

Beat around the bush

Meaning: Not speaking directly about the issue.

Example: Tell your problem don’t beat around the bush.

Best of both the worlds

Meaning: Condition in which one enjoys two different opportunities.

Example: Amina had the advantage of a lecturer and freedom of a student. She had the best of both worlds.

Best thing since sliced bread

Meaning: A good plan or idea

Example: I prefer your idea. It’s the best thing since sliced bread.

Blind as a bat

Meaning: Someone whose vision is very poor, or who is unable to see anything.

Example: Sajida is totally dependent on her glasses. Without them, she is as blind as a bat.

Blind leading the blind

Meaning: A person with very little ability trying to help or guide a person with no ability.

Example: Don’t ask me to help you in your speech. I could hardly speak English words right. I don’t want to be blind leading the blind.

Blink of an eye

Meaning: happen nearly instantaneously with hardly enough time to notice it.

Example: Saif just vanished in the blink of an eye.

Burn the midnight oil

Meaning: To stay up working late at night especially studying.

Example: She’s been burning the midnight oil for the last few days; her hard work will positively pay off in the upcoming exams.

Chance on one’s arm

Meaning: It is among commonly used English idioms which mean something even though the chances of success are very little.

Example: Considering her height, Tahir knew that there was little chance of her to be casted in Bb. Panabo 2019 but he still decided to chance her arm.

Cake not worth a candle

Meaning: Something in which results are too less compared to the effort.

Example: Henry studied so hard in English exam but still he got the low score. The cake wasn’t worth the candle.

Caught between two stools.

Meaning: Difficult to choose between two alternatives.

Example: Tahir had committed to both and now he’s caught between two stools.

Cook someone’s goose

Meaning – Ruin other person’s chances of success.

Example: Sadia cooks someone’s goose when she failed to answer easy questions in the quiz test.

Cross that bridge when you come to it.

Meaning: Deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary.

Example: Ali: I think I need to hire a lawyer – Aalia: Cross that bridge when you come to it.

Cry over spilled milk

Meaning: To be unhappy about something that cannot be undone.

Example: It can’t be helped, don’t cry over spilled milk.

Curiosity killed the cat

Meaning: Being too curious can get you into trouble.

Example: Don’t ask about his divorce-curiosity killed the cat!

Cut corners

Meaning: To take shortcuts; when something is done badly to save money.

Example: They always put quality first; they won’t cut corners just to save money.

Cut the mustard

Meaning: Perform satisfactorily; to succeed.

Example: We need a better catcher; this one just doesn’t cut the mustard.

Dead wood

Meaning: people or things which are no longer useful or necessary.

Example: The college acquires new laboratory equipment. They no longer want the dead woods.

Devil’s advocate

Meaning: To present a counter argument

Example: The professor always played devil’s advocate to provoke discussion in the classroom.

Don’t give up the day job

Meaning: You’re not very good at something. You could definitely not do it professionally.

Example: Why did you invest in business even after failing in it in the past? Don’t give up the day job!

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

Meaning: Don’t focus all of your attention on one thing or one area.

Example: I know you love Harvard, but don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Apply to other colleges too.

Drastic times call for drastic measures

Meaning: When you’re extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions.

Example: Yes we had to let go of five of our workers! Drastic times call for drastic measures.

Elvis has left the building

Meaning: The show has come to an end. It’s all over.

Example: We waited for another performance by the band but it looked like Elvis had left the building.

Every cloud has a silver lining

Meaning: Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days.

Example: I’m sorry your business is going badly, but remember every cloud has a silver lining.

Far cry from

Meaning: A thing that is very different from something else.

Example: What you did was a far cry from what you said you were going to do.

Feel a bit under the weather

Meaning: Feeling sick or unhealthy.

Example: I’m not coming to office today, I’m feeling a bit under the weather.

Fast track something

Meaning: Rating something higher on a priority list to achieve the desired result.

Example: In view of the seriousness of the crime, the civil society is pressing up on a fast track decision from the court.

Flying start

Meaning: something that is immediately successful.

Example: “Praybet Benjamin” hit the box office with a flying start and collected the highest revenue on day 1 of Metro Manila Film Festival.

Fair-weather friend

Meaning: someone who acts as a friend when times are good, and is not there when you are in trouble.

Example: I thought I could count on Bill, but I’ve discovered he’s just a fair-weather friend.

Fine-tooth comb

Meaning: examining something carefully so as not to miss out any details.

Example: My thesis adviser examined my report with a fine tooth comb before submitting it to the panel for defence.

Go up in smoke

Meaning: It is among commonly used English idioms which mean something that ends before getting a result.

Example: His plan of cheating in the exam has gone in smoke after the proctor inspected all the examinees things.

Go to the dogs

Meaning: Getting comparably less successful than before.

Example: With the inexperience of the SSC president on budgeting, the student council is going to dogs.

Golden handshake

Meaning: Sum of money given to a person on retirement.

Example: When the company want to cut down on the man power, they usually offer a golden hand shake to many of their aged employees.

Give the benefit of doubt

Meaning: Believe someone’s statement without proof.

Example: I knew him since the past 5 years, so I gave him the benefit of doubt.

Hear through the grapevine

Meaning: To hear news from someone who heard that news from someone else

Example: I heard through the grapevine that she’s pregnant.

Hard as nails

Meaning: It is among commonly used English idioms which mean a person without sentiments and sympathy for anyone.

Example: He has become as hard as a nail after his brother was brutally murdered.

Hit the nail on the head

Meaning: To do or say exactly the right thing.

Example: You’ve spotted the flaw, Robert. You’ve hit the nail on the head.

Hit the road running

Meaning: This means to start performing immediately.

Example: She came late that’s why she hit the road running just seconds of her arrival.

In the heat of the moment

Meaning: Overwhelmed by what’s happening at the moment.

Example: He doesn’t hate you. He just said that in the heat of the moment.

In the bag

Meaning – Refers to a situation when you are sure that success is sure.

Example: The BPA Team fans rise to yell, the victory seems to be in the bag after the opponent’s best player failed to shoot in last two seconds time.

Jack of all trades

Meaning: It is among commonly used English idioms which mean a person who can do many different things but is not very good at any one of them.

Example: I can sing, I can dance, I can write, I can act but I do not excel on any of them. Now, I realize that I am a jack of all trades.

Jump on the bandwagon

Meaning: Join a popular trend or activity.

Example: So many people are playing that game that I might as well jump on the bandwagon and check it out.

Keep something at bay

Meaning: Keep something away

Example: A good way to keep your anxiety at bay is through meditation.

Keep up appearances

Meaning: Maintaining an outward show of prosperity or well-being while hiding your difficulties

Example: Her smile and taste of fashion keep up her appearances to her friends and colleagues.

Kill two birds with one stone

Meaning: To solve two problems at a time with just one action

Example: John practiced his words while peeling the potatoes. He was killing two birds with one stone.

Last straw

Meaning: The last problem in a series of problems

Example: This is the last straw. I’m calling the police.

Let slip through fingers

Meaning: Failing to obtain or keep up a good opportunity.

Example: This reporting could be your chance to chosen as the class debater. Please don’t let it slip through your fingers.

Lick one’s wounds

Meaning: When someone licks one’s wounds, it means that he is trying to regain their confidence or boost up the spirits after a defeat.

Example: Janna is licking her wounds after being dropped from the Deans List.

Live on the breadline

Meaning: Having very little income.

Example: The war in Kashmir caused many natives live on the breadline.

Live beyond means

Meaning: spending more money than you can afford.

Example: Carol has a habit of living beyond her means. Most of the times, you will find her borrowing the money from her friends.

Live in an ivory tower

Meaning: living a lifestyle that saves you from the real world problems.

Example: Jay has problems in dealing with poor people because she has lived in an ivory tower.

Lump in your throat

Meaning: It is among commonly used English idioms which mean emotion like sadness or gratitude.

Example: I have a lump in my throat seeing my daughter receiving a gold medal today after all the hard years we have in the family.

Mean business

Meaning: Being serious about what you announce.

Example: We mean business when we posted announcement on the internet site.

Make or break

Meaning: Circumstances causing total success or total ruin.

Example: Your performance in the Q and A portion will make or break you.

Make a long story short

Meaning: Come to the point – leave out the details.

Example: And – to make the long story short – I never got back the money I lent him.

Makes your blood boil

Meaning: It is among commonly used English idioms which mean make someone really angry.

Example: The absence of Pres. Aquino on the arrival of the FALLEN 44 made the Filipinos blood boil.

Method in the madness

Meaning: A purpose in what one is doing, even though it seems to be crazy.

Example: What I’m doing might seem strange, but there is method in my madness.

Make a go of

Meaning: This means you are succeeding in your enterprise.

Example: With his hard work and dedication, he has made a go of his new venture.

Makes your blood run cold

Meaning: If something makes your blood run cold, it means it shocks or scares you a lot.

Example: The tiger look of our English teacher made my blood run cold

Murphy’s law

Meaning: This means that if anything can go wrong, it will.

Example: Sofia prepared for the worst in the debate but she doesn’t forget the Murphy’s law.

Miss the boat

Meaning: To miss out on something.

Example: Pay attention, John, or you’ll miss the boat and never learn algebra.

Not a spark of decency

Meaning: It is among commonly used English idioms which mean a person who has no manners

Example: Her brother has not a spark of decency. I don’t like the way he acts in public.

Not turn a hair

Meaning: This refers to not exhibiting any emotion where it is expected.

Example: Martha didn’t turn a hair even after her name was called as the Grand Prize Winner.

On the ball

Meaning: When someone understands a situation well; attentive.

Example: If you were on the ball, this wouldn’t have happened.

Miss the boat

Meaning: Failure to take advantage of an opportunity because of slow actions.

Example: I wasn’t able to pass my project in advance and failed to earn an early bird bonus points. Submitting late made me miss the boat.

Oldest trick in the book

Meaning: A well known and much used trick/method

Example: Oldest trick in the book to treat cold and cough is drinking turmeric milk.

On the pig’s back

Meaning: A person, event, idea in successful and well situation.

Example: Her studies were on the pig’s back before she met Adrian.

Old habits die hard

Meaning: People find it difficult to change their accustomed behavior.

Example: She retired last month, but still gets up at the same time in the morning. Old habits die hard.

Once in a blue moon

Meaning: Very rarely

Example: Jill has a very rocky relationship with her father. She speaks to him once in a blue moon.

Out of the blue

Meaning: Happen unexpectedly

Example: She had given up all hope when out of the blue she got a call from Harvard.

Out on a limb

Meaning: Do something risky or something that others do not support (leaving the doer in a difficult situation)

Example: She was out on a limb with her project – nobody supported her idea.

Over the top

Meaning: Totally excessive and not suitable for the occasion.

Example: Her sari was way over the top for a somber occasion like this.

Pen is mightier than the sword

Meaning: Words and communication have a greater effect than war

Example: A simple handwritten note put an end to their week long cold war – pen is mightier than the sword.

Plum job

Meaning: This is a desirable position which is well-paid and considered relatively easy.

Example: This looks like a plum job but it has its own bunch of complications.

Reduce to tears

Meaning: It means getting into tears because of some one’s behaviour.

Example: Greta reduced to tears when her boyfriend stopped seeing her.

Reap the harvest

Meaning: It is among commonly used English idioms which mean benefit or suffer as a direct result of past actions.

Example: When he cleared MS, he reaped the harvest of all his hard work.

Sink your teeth into

Meaning: Do something with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.

Example: Robin immediately sank his teeth into his new job.

Skating on thin ice

Meaning: Do or say something risky or something that could cause trouble.

Example: Don’t say anything that hurts her self esteem or you could be skating on thin ice.

Take a back seat

Meaning: Choose to be less important in a role

Example: He finally decided to take a back seat and let his son run the family business.

Take a nosedive

Meaning: Rapid drop or decrease in value

Example: The share prices took a nosedive when there were rumors of the company’s CEO resigning.

Take the plunge

Meaning: Venture into something of one’s interest despite the risks involved

Example: Jack finally took the plunge and opened a restaurant.

Tricks of the trade

Meaning: Clever way of doing something.

Example: It is among commonly used English idioms which mean being a entrepreneur for 20 years, I know all tricks of the trade.

Weather the storm

Meaning: Succeed in surviving a difficult period of time

Example: Given the current global market conditions, the Indian economy is weathering the storm pretty well.

Waiting in the wings

Meaning: Waiting for an opportunity to take action, mostly to replace someone else in their job.

Example: Dr. Santos is going to retire in next 2 months. Two of his juniors who are waiting in the wings will have a fierce competition.

Wet behind the ears

Meaning: Inexperienced and immature

Example: Instead of a full time job, she should be offered an internship as she is still wet behind the ears.

Wooden spoon

Meaning: This refers to imaginary prize for the last person in a race.

Example: We won a wooden spoon at the fashion show.

Worth one’s salt

Meaning: Good or competent at the job or profession specified

Example: She deserves respect as she is totally worth her salt.

Zero in on something

Meaning: Focus all attention onto one thing

Example: The teacher immediately zeroed in on the weaker students of the class.

Источник

An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning can’t be deduced directly from individual words in that phrase or expression. In other words, idiom is figurative language.

Without further ado, here are 200+ popular idioms, each followed by its meaning and an example sentence (marked ‘S’).

1. Stir up a hornets’ nest

Hornets are the largest eusocial wasps, and their sting can be really painful. Given this, who would want to poke a stick in hornet’s nest and stir it? That would be unnecessary pain and trouble.

S: It’s not that the management is not aware of few false bills here and there, but they don’t call it because it would expose many and stir up a hornet’s nest.

2. An eye for an eye

In ancient Mesopotamia, one of the offences in king Hammurabi’s penal code was damaging someone’s eye. If found guilty of this offence, convict’s eyes used to be damaged in a tit-for-tat punishment. You, of course, don’t live in Hammurabi’s Mesopotamia, but if you smash someone’s windshield because they’ve smashed yours, you’ve just taken an eye for eye.

S: I’ll return damage to my car by damage to his car. An eye for an eye.

3. Back against the wall

Back in the days, when a military unit was in a difficult situation in war, it was said to have its back against the wall. In modern times though, you don’t need to be in military to have your back against the wall.

S: With banks baying for his blood over default in payments, he has his back against the wall.

Write Sentences Like in Newspapers and Books

Step-by-step process. Little grammar. Real-world examples.

4. Barking up the wrong tree

Hunting dog chases a monkey, but the monkey escapes into a tree. The dog, standing underneath the leafy branches, keeps on barking while the monkey quietly slips to the adjoining tree. The dog is now barking up the wrong tree. If someone is barking up the wrong tree, they’re following a wrong course of action.

S: In the initial months of Covid-19, scientists were sometimes barking up the wrong tree in their recommendation on preventive steps.

5. Bite off more than you can chew

It’s difficult to chew food if you bite more than a mouthful, isn’t it? Same holds for taking on a task that is too difficult for you. You’ll struggle to manage it.

S: He has taken more responsibilities as he couldn’t say ‘no’ to his boss. I think he has bitten more than he can chew, and he’ll struggle to handle them all.

6. Pigs might fly

Can pigs fly? No. That’s an impossible thing. Flying of pigs, thus, can be associated with something that’s not going to happen.

S: Tom: I’ll wake up at 5 AM and go for a jog. Mary: And pigs might fly.

7. Upset someone’s applecart

A farmer is merrily hauling up his produce of shiny, juicy apples in his cart. “I’m going to get great price for it. Maybe I’ll use the money to…” Right then few ravenous monkeys pounce and upset the applecart. The apples roll on the road, and some of them are run over. If you upset someone’s applecart, you do something that spoils their plan.

S: The increase in customs duty by the government has upset the applecart of those car companies who were importing most of their car parts.

8. Not enough room to swing a cat

If there isn’t enough room to swing a cat, the place must be pretty cramped. BTW, don’t swing a cat even if the place is spacious.

S: We were jammed in the bus with not enough room to swing a cat.

9. White elephant

The kings of Siam (now, Thailand) used elephants for carrying heavy loads, but they exempted the rare white (albino) elephant from work duties. As the legend goes, one of the kings struck a novel idea to punish a courtier without appearing to be punishing him. He gifted him a white elephant. The poor courtier paid through the nose to feed the elephant but couldn’t put it to work (it was against the rules) to recover the cost. A white elephant is something that costs a lot but doesn’t serve any useful purpose, sometimes even requiring recurring cost.

S: The new Formula 1 race track is proving to be a white elephant for the owners. It is used for just few weeks in the year, but sucks a lot in maintenance.

10. Bounce something off someone

Have you tried bouncing a soft ball on someone? The ball isn’t going to bounce well because bodies, human or not, aren’t rock hard. But you can bounce ideas and plans with someone. Human minds are great for that. If you bounce something off someone, you discuss ideas or plan with someone to get their view on it.

S: X: Can I see you after the office to bounce few ideas off you? Y: Sure. Let’s meet at 6 PM.

11. Keep someone at arm’s length

We high-five our friends, and we hug them. We don’t keep them at arm’s length. If we do, then we’re not friendly with them.

S: I’ve more productive time in the day because I’ve developed this good habit of keeping video games at arm’s length.

12. Cry wolf

A kid once cried ‘wolf’ to prank people, and it worked. People got scared. He tried again. It worked again with some. After few tries, people ignored him whenever he cried ‘wolf’. One day, a wolf actually showed up. Guess what happened? The boy cried ‘wolf’, but no one came to his help. If you cry wolf, you ask for help even when you don’t need it, making people think that you don’t need help even when you do.

S: The pranksters in the class have cried wolf so many times that people won’t believe them in future.

13. Scrape the barrel

If you’ve a barrel full of your favorite food, you’ll dip your fingers and eat whenever you want. But when nothing is left, you’ll be forced to scrape the walls and the bottom to get whatever you can. If you’re scraping the barrel, you’re in a state of deprivation and hence making use of remnants.

S: I was scraping the barrel when I had to stay for six months with my parents after I lost my job.

14. Bend over backwards

Gymnasts bend over backwards to make a living. Otherwise, why would someone take the pain. But some would, not literally but figuratively. If you bend over backwards, you try to please or accommodate someone to an unusual degree.

S: The hotel staff bent over backwards to make the visit of the dignitaries a memorable one.

15. Watch like a hawk

A hawk has such sharp eye that it can spot a tiny mouse from miles up in the sky. So, if someone watches you like a hawk, it’s tough for you to do something bad without getting found.

S: The police watched the procession like a hawk to spot any sign of troublemaking.

16. Blow your own trumpet

In the era of kings and kingdoms, trumpets were blown to herald the king and important dignitaries. Will trumpets be blown if the person is unimportant? No. The person will probably have to ask a friend or blow it himself. If you blow your own trumpet, you tell others about yourself, often in praiseworthy way. It doesn’t look good, does it? If someone else praises, it’s far better.

S: Tom can be so off-putting. He is always blowing his trumpet mentioning his awards and positions in various associations.

17. Once in a blue moon

Moon is silvery, not blue. And if it turns blue as a result of some climactic or celestial phenomenon, it’ll be a rare event. So, if something happens once in a blue moon, it must be an extremely rare event.

S: Many startups turn in a profit once in a blue moon.

18. Burn your boats

On reaching the Mexican shore in 1519 AD, Hernan Cortes, the Spanish general, ordered the boats to be burnt. Without boats, they couldn’t return. The only option left was to fight as hard as they could and win the land. If you burn your boats, you do something that makes it impossible for you to change your plans and go back to the earlier position.

S: I’ve burnt my boats with my previous supervisor by criticizing him publicly.

19. Run with the hare, hunt with the hound

Hound, a hunting dog, commonly hunts hare. If you run with the hare and hunt with the hound, you’re essentially in both the camps, implying that you are friends with two opposing sides. Such stand is frowned upon as being opportunistic and hypocritical.

S: Lawyers can’t represent both the parties in a legal case because they can’t run with the hare and hunt with the hound.

20. Flog a dead horse

Flogging a horse has been an acceptable practice to make it run at higher speed. But will flogging be of any use if the horse is dead? No. If you flog a dead horse, you waste effort where there is no chance of success.

S: Arguing over watching TV in the evening is flogging a dead horse. We’ve already discussed and settled the issue.

21. Take away your breath

You may be so mesmerized on seeing corals the first time that you may skip a breath or two, not literally of course. Something that takes away your breath is spell-binding and astonishing.

S: His diving catch at the crunch moment in the match took my breath away.

22. Sell like hot cakes

Hot cakes sell quickly. So, if something sells like hot cakes, it sells fast.

S: More than five thousand cars sold so far. The new model is selling like hot cakes.

23. Burn the candle at both ends

If you burn a candle at both ends, it’ll deplete fast. What if the candle was your body? If you work very hard, you’ll deplete your strength and energy like the candle burning at both ends.

S: Mitch is burning the candle at both ends. He is working two jobs, one in the evening.

24. Separate the wheat from the chaff

When you separate wheat from its chaff, you separate valuable from less valuable. (Wheat, which can be consumed by humans, is more valuable than chaff, which can be consumed only by livestock.)

S: The new testing procedure to evaluate employees will separate the wheat from the chaff.

25. Change tune

Musical tunes change depending on the type of performance. However, some people also change their behavior (tune) towards others depending on changes in their economic or power status.

S: After he came to know that I’m close to the power in the organization, he changed his tune.

26. Run around in circles

If you run in circle, you’ll reach the same place, but to outsiders you’ll appear busy. Sometimes, we do the same at work. We seem to be working hard at something but, at the end of the day, we’ve nothing to show for result.

S: He ran around in circles trying to bring us on board for the new cause.

27. Armed to the teeth

The idiom seems to have origin among the pirates of Port Jamaica in seventeenth century. While looting ships, they armed themselves with as many guns as possible (the guns in those times didn’t carry many rounds and were not easily reloadable), and on top of that carried a knife between the teeth. If you’re armed to teeth, you’re overly prepared.

S: We were armed to the teeth with data, testimonials, and what not. Little wonder, we won the bid.

28. Bite the bullet

In the nineteenth century, in absence of anesthesia, wounded soldiers were asked to bite the bullet, an unpleasant task, to distract them while being treated. If you bite the bullet, you decide to do an unpleasant task.

S: I’ve to bite the bullet and get my tooth extracted.

29. Head in the clouds

A giant so tall that his head pierces the clouds will have hard time seeing what’s happening on the ground. If your head is in the clouds, you won’t be in touch with ground realities.

S: Many academics have their heads in the clouds.

30. Boil the ocean

Good luck to you if you try boiling the ocean. Impossible, right? If you’re trying to boil the ocean, you’re trying to accomplish something too ambitious.

S: You expect our plant to manufacture 40,000 parts in a week. You’re trying to boil the ocean on this one.

31. Face the music

If you’re a disgraced soldier being removed from your unit, you won’t like the music being played in the background to mark the ceremony. Music here, for a change, symbolizes unpleasant experience. If you face music, you’re at the receiving end of somebody’s criticism or reprimand.

S: You’ll face the music for deliberately reporting inflated sales numbers.

32. A flash in the pan

In the heat of battle in 17^th century, a musketeer (soldier) fires the gun. The gunpowder ignites, creating a flash of light, but the main charge goes untouched. Flash of light, but no fire. A company launches a new product with lot of fanfare, but it fails to tick. Lot of publicity and expectation, but little sales. If you call something flash in the pan, you say it succeeded only briefly, and it won’t repeat.

S: Considering their dismal past record, the win in the last match seems to be a flash in the pan.

33. Hold your horses

If there are horse carriages moving one after the other, you need to sometimes hold your horses to avoid bumping into each other. If you hold your horses, you show patience.

S: Hold your horses! I’m not yet done with my explanation.

34. Drag one’s feet

If a cartwheel gets stuck and drags, instead of rotating, it’ll slow down the cart. If a person drags his feet, instead of walking normally, he’ll walk slowly. If you drag feet, you slow down on a task deliberately.

S: The police is dragging its feet in investigating this case allegedly because influential people are involved in the crime.

35. Worth its weight in gold

There is custom in some parts of the world where, on special occasions such as birthday, a person is weighed on a weighing scale with a precious commodity, showing how valuable they are or how high their net worth is. If the commodity is gold, the person must be very valuable. If someone or something is worth its weight in gold, they’re of high value.

S: The new hire is worth her weight in gold. She has helped us land three big deals this quarter.

36. Jump the gun

Awaiting the gun fire, sprinters are ready to blast off the blocks. But then, just before the gun fire, a sprinter blasts off, forcing the referee to call a false start. If you jump the gun, you do something too soon without proper thought.

S: I jumped the gun by sending the proposal to the client without first showing it to my manager.

37. The tail is wagging the dog

If a tail is wagging the dog, the tail is dictating terms to the dog. A tiny thing controlling an important thing!

S: The fringe group is small but vocal. I fear they’ll control the direction of today’s meeting. Talk about the tail wagging the dog.

38. Test waters

Before jumping into the lake, if you touch water to get a feel of how cold it is, you find out how comfortable (or uncomfortable) the swim would be. If you test waters, you try to find how people will receive your idea or action before actually launching it or telling people.

S: The Company is testing waters with few products before going full steam.

39. Thorn in your flesh

A thorn in your flesh will be irritating and painful. Won’t it be? A person or thing that constantly troubles you is no less than a thorn in your flesh.

S: Demanding coalition partners have been a thorn in the flesh of the government.

40. Turn the tide

A menacing tidal wave that threatens to cause untold destruction is approaching the shoreline. If you manage to repulse it (or turn the tide), you’ve just turned around an adverse situation.

S: With that goal right at the start of the second half, the home team seems to be turning the tide against their arch rivals.

41. On top of the world

When someone reaches a high mountain peak, they’re ecstatic. They take pictures. They celebrate in whatever way they can. Being on top of the world, even if it’s not Mt. Everest, brings extreme happiness.

S: I was on top of the world after landing the job I so badly wanted.

42. Change hands

Something in your hands implies you own it. If it changes hands, it’ll be owned by someone else. Changing hands means change in ownership.

S: This car has changed hands so many time since its first buy in 2009.

43. Have one’s hands full

If your hands are full, you can’t hold more. It shows that you’re too occupied with existing work to take additional work.

S: Working on two projects, I’ve my hands full.

44. Throw up one’s hands

You reason with a lunatic for over 30 minutes so that he could mend his way. Your arguments are logical and convincing, but are ignored. What do you do? Throw up your hands in exasperation. You throw up hands to express anger or frustration.

S: The manager threw up his hands in despair when nothing concrete emerged even after hours of negotiations.

45. Watch one’s step

You don’t normally watch your steps when you walk. You just walk. But would you watch your steps if you’re walking in a minefield or other treacherous surface. Of course. If you watch your steps, you are careful about how you behave or conduct yourself.

S: Watch your steps at least in the first few months at your new job.

46. Know which way the wind is blowing

If a hunter knows which way the wind is blowing, he would approach the animal from a direction that’s against the wind. If a sailor knows which way the wind is blowing, she will take advantage of wind’s thrust. If a politician knows that an issue finds support with most people, he too will support the issue. If you know which way the wind is blowing, you anticipate how certain situation is likely to develop and act accordingly.

S: Politicians are good at knowing which way the wind is blowing, and they form alliances with other political parties accordingly.

47. Eat like a bird

Do you eat like an elephant or a bird? If you eat like an elephant, you’ve heck of an appetite. But if you eat like a bird, you eat too little.

S: You claim to be eating like a bird for the past three months, but you’ve hardly lost any weight.

48. Kill two birds with one stone

If a hunter kills two birds with one stone, he saves effort. If you finish multiple tasks with the same effort, you save effort.

S: I can kill two birds with a stone by picking up the laundry while going to the college.

49. Shoot oneself in the foot

During World War I, some soldiers would shoot themselves in the foot to avoid going into the battlefield. Such self-sabotage may have saved lives in the battlefield, but now it causes only self-harm.

S: He shot himself in the foot in the interview by disclosing too much personal information.

50. Draw first blood

In a sport such as fencing or boxing, if your swipe draws the blood from your opponent first, you take the first advantage. This can happen in football, tennis, debate (you don’t need to throw mike though), and so on. Blood need not be spilled; only a first winning manoeuvre is enough.

S: Federer drew the first blood by breaking Anderson’s service in the fourth game of the first set.

51. Egg on your face

In the older times, throwing eggs and rotten tomatoes at a bad stage performance wasn’t uncommon. If you’ve egg on your face, you look stupid and embarrassed because of something you’ve done.

S: The case of the minister issuing statement in favor of a convicted person has left the government with egg on its face.

52. Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs

As the story goes, a goose used to lay a golden egg a day. The owner was very happy with the riches coming his way, but he got greedy. One day he killed the goose to get all the eggs at a time. The goose died, and he got nothing. If you kill the goose that lays golden eggs, you destroy something that gives you regular return to get immediate return.

S: Thomas killed the goose that laid the golden eggs when he sold off his business before setting up another.

53. An arm and a leg

Imagine, something is so expensive that you’ve to trade your limbs to buy it. If something costs an arm and a leg, it costs a lot.

S: Two days in the hospital for a minor ailment cost me an arm and a leg.

54. Take a back seat

If you move from the driving seat to the back seat, you’re no longer in control of the vehicle. But in the idiom world, vehicles alone don’t have driving seats. If you take back seat, you choose not to be in a position of responsibility or power.

S: After being in the leadership position for more than a decade, it’ll be tough for him to take a back seat.

55. The pot calling the kettle black

Pot calls the kettle black. Kettle retorts, “Look who is saying. Aren’t you black yourself?” It’s better not to point someone’s fault if you yourself possess it.

S: He called me a cheat – that’s pot calling the kettle black.

56. Make one’s blood boil

When earth erupts and molten lava shoots, we say mother earth is angry. When our blood boils, not literally, we’re angry.

S: An excessive penalty for just one-day delay in payment of the bill made my blood boil.

57. Like a cat on hot tin roof

What will happen if you put a cat on a hot tin roof? It’ll be agitated. It’ll jump around. After all, the tin is hot. If you’re like a cat on hot tin roof, you’re uneasy and agitated.

S: Waiting for the result of my medical tests, I was like a cat on hot tin roof.

58. Like a fish out of water

Fish is at home in water. Out of water, it’s in alien condition and will die. If you find yourself like a fish out of water, you’re in unfamiliar situation, in which you feel awkward.

S: I was like fish out of water when I moved to the capital from my hometown.

59. Turn the clock back

If you turn the clock back to an earlier period, you return to that time.

S: Turning the clock back to our glory days is fruitless. We’ve to work harder and smarter in the present.

60. Against the clock

If you’re working against the clock, you’re working in great hurry.

S: With only half the syllabus studied, I raced against the clock to be ready for the exam on Monday.

61. Break fresh/ new ground

If you break new ground, you’re doing something that has not been done before.

S: Our scientists are breaking new ground in robotics and cancer research.

62. Close the door on someone

If you close the door on someone or something, you no longer deal with it.

S: The country decided to close the door on talks till other outstanding issues are resolved.

63. Burn the midnight oil

To work late in the night

S: I had to burn the midnight oil for nearly three months to write my first book.

64. Chicken and egg situation

If a situation is chicken and egg, it is impossible to decide which of the two came first and caused the other one.

S: I need to have experience to get job, but without job, I can’t have experience. It’s a chicken and egg situation.

65. On cloud nine

If you’re on cloud nine, you’re very happy.

S: I was on cloud nine after receiving the news of my promotion.

66. Under a cloud

If you’re under a cloud, you’re under suspicion or in trouble.

S: The IP for our key technology has been leaked, and many in my team, including the manager, are under a cloud.

67. Small cog in a large wheel

Someone or something that has a small role in a large setup or organization.

S: I work as a sales representative in a Fortune 500 company – just a small cog in a large wheel.

68. The other side of the coin

The other point of view

S: We only see the glamor and money in showbiz. But the other side of the coin is that only one in hundreds reach there.

69. Pay someone back in his /her own coin

If you pay someone back in his/ her own coin, you treat him/ her in the same way he/ she treated you.

S: By refusing to help her colleague, she paid him back in the same coin.

70. Left out in the cold

If you’re left out in the cold, you’re ignored.

S: I was left out in the cold in the annual promotions in the company.

71. Up in arms

If you’re up in arms, you’re angry about something.

S: Media has traditionally been up in arms with the government of the day.

72. Pour cold water on

If you pour cold water on an idea or plan, you criticize it to the extent that people lose enthusiasm to pursue it.

S: The investors poured cold water on the plan to build another factory.

73. Blow hot and cold

If you blow hot and cold, you vacillate.

S: The editor blew hot and cold over the story for few days and then finally decided to publish it.

74. To come to a head

If something comes to a head, it reaches to the point of a crisis.

S: The situation came to a head when he passed a derogatory comment purportedly toward me.

75. Cool your heels

Wait for something, especially when it’s annoying

S: I spent two hours cooling my heels in the waiting room while the CFO was busy in a meeting.

76. Cut corners

If you cut corners, you save money or effort by finding cheaper or easier ways to do things.

S: It you cut corners on this product, it’ll have a lesser lifespan.

77. Run its course

If something runs its course, it continues naturally until it finishes.

S: There is no cure for this infection. You’ll have to let it run its course.

78. Stay the course

If you stay the course, you persevere till the completion of a task, especially a difficult one.

S: Despite an injury, he stayed the course to save the match for his team.

79. Cut someone down to size

If you cut someone down to size, you show them they’re not as important or intelligent as they think.

S: The boss cut that arrogant guy to size in no time.

80. Daylight robbery

Blatant overcharging

S: $5 for a can of juice! This is daylight robbery.

81. Handle with kid gloves

If you handle someone with kid gloves, you treat them with extreme tact and care.

S: The client is hyper sensitive. We need to handle him with kid gloves, or we risk losing the deal.

82. Clear the decks

If you clear the decks for something, you remove all hurdles to get started on that work.

S: By sanctioning the budget and filling in the vacancies, the committee has cleared the decks for our new office.

83. Between the devil and the deep blue sea

If you’re caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, you’re caught between two undesirable alternatives.

S: If you support your son, your business partner will be hurt, and vice versa. You’re caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

84. The luck of the devil

If you’ve the luck of the devil, you’re extremely lucky.

S: X: I’m alive today because I failed to board the plane that crashed yesterday. Y: You really have the luck of the devil.

85. Keep an ear to the ground

Be well informed of current trends, opinions, and happenings

S: One of the main reasons for his success in business is that he keeps an ear to the ground to know what the customers want and why they’re dissatisfied with competing products.

86. Turn a deaf ear

If you turn a deaf ear, you ignore what others are saying.

S: I’ve made the request few times in the past, but it has always fallen on deaf ears.

87. Eat like a horse

If you eat like a horse, you eat a lot.

S: He is lean, but he eats like a horse.

88. Go against the grain

If an idea or action goes against the grain, you don’t do it or accept it because it is against your beliefs or principle.

S: It goes against the grain these days to use polythene bags as carry bags.

89. Stick to your guns

If you stick to your guns in the face of opposition, you stand firm.

S: Despite opposition from his family, he has stuck to his guns in picking his career path.

90. Let one’s hair down

To be relaxed and behave informally

S: Over tea on Sunday, he finally let his hair down and talked about his hobbies and family.

91. Hand in glove

If you work hand in glove with someone, you work closely with them often to accomplish something dishonest.

S: Some of the bank employees have been allegedly working hand in glove with business owners to sanction loans without proper due diligence.

92. Look for needle in a haystack

Looking for something small in a pile of other things or a vast area

S: The gem in my ring fell somewhere on my way to home. Finding it is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

93. Wear your heart on your sleeve

If you wear your heart on your sleeve, you express your sentiments too openly.

S: Wearing your heart on your sleeve can backfire at workplace because you may be seen unprofessional.

94. Move heaven and earth

Make supreme effort

S: I’ll move heaven and earth to finish in top 10 percentile in the exam.

95. Hit the bottle

To drink alcohol to excess

S: He doesn’t hit the bottle often, but when he does, he can be nasty.

96. Hit the book

To study

S: I need to hit the book today or else I’ll fall behind in my exam prep.

97. Hit the sack

To go to bed

S: I hit the sack around 11 PM.

98. Get someone off the hook

If you get someone off the hook, you help them get out of trouble.

S: The government has intervened by infusing billions of dollars to get the banks off the hook.

99. Cut no ice

Fail to influence or make an effect

S: His reason to get leave cut no ice with his manager.

100. On thin ice

If you’re on thin ice, you’re in precarious or delicate situation.

S: You’re falling short on class attendance and you failed to submit the last assignment. You’re walking on thin ice in this semester.

101. Strike while the iron is hot

To act quickly when the opportunity comes by

S: That’s an amazing deal you’re getting. Don’t wait. Strike while the iron is hot, or else it’ll be gone.

102. Hit the jackpot

If you hit the jackpot, you achieve big success, usually through luck.

S: We’ve hit the jackpot with our new product – sales have doubled.

103. Have the last laugh

If you’ve the last laugh in an argument or disagreement, you ultimately succeed from a seemingly losing position.

S: He was dropped from the team, but he had the last laugh when he was recruited by a rival club at a higher fee.

104. See the light of day

When something sees the light of day, it finally happens for the first time.

S: After so many false starts, his book finally saw the light of the day.

105. Light at the end of tunnel

If you see light at the end of tunnel, you see signs of improvement in a situation that has been bad for a long time.

S: The business has started to gain momentum after months of struggle. We finally see light at the end of tunnel.

106. Toe the line

If you toe the line, you behave according to an official rule, especially when you do not agree with it.

S: In this organization, if you don’t toe the line, you’ll be fast eased out.

107. Live on borrowed time

If you live on borrowed time, you continue to exist longer than expected.

S: This 15-year-old car is living on borrowed time.

108. Hold your tongue

To hold your tongue means to not speak

S: “Hold your tongue, son. Be patient,” the old man tried to restrain the agitated man.

109. Make a mountain of a molehill

If you make a mountain of a molehill, you make something unimportant to seem important.

S: One bad interview doesn’t mean you’re struggling to get the job. Don’t make a mountain of a molehill.

110. Cry for the moon

If you cry for the moon, you make a demand that can’t be fulfilled.

S: You want such an expensive gift on your birthday. Well, you’re crying for the moon.

111. Hit the nail on the head

If you hit the nail on the head, you’re exactly right about something.

S: I think the CEO hit the nail on the head when he said that the organization was losing market share because of complacency and security.

112. Nail in someone’s coffin

Nail in someone’s coffin is something that hastens failure of a person or thing

S: The scandal proved to be the final nail in the coffin of the mayor.

113. Pay through the nose

If you pay through the nose, you pay too much for something.

S: We’re paying through the nose for petrol and diesel.

114. Under someone’s nose

If you do something under someone’s nose, you do it openly, although unnoticed.

S: The dog took away the biscuit right under my nose, but I realized it only later.

115. Cast pearls before swine

If you cast pearls before swine, you offer something valuable to someone who does not recognize its worth.

S: To serve an elaborate multi-course dinner to them is like casting pearls before swine.

116. Put the cat among the pigeons

If you put the cat among the pigeons, you say or do something that makes lot of people angry or uncomfortable.

S: She put the cat among the pigeons by accusing others in the office of misusing organization’s dinner allowance for working late hours.

117. Put someone in his/ her place

If you put people in their place, you let them know that they’re less important than they think.

S: When he exceeded his brief to take charge of the project, the boss put him in his place.

118. Point finger at

If you point finger at someone, you say that s/he should be blamed

S: Why are you pointing finger at me? I’m not the only person responsible for the loss.

119. Pour out one’s heart

If you pour out your heart, you reveal your thoughts or inner feelings.

S: I poured my heart out to my colleague about the mismanagement in the Company.

120. Swallow your pride

If you swallow your pride, you do something even though it hurts your self-respect.

S: I swallowed my pride to do menial tasks for six months till I found a better job.

121. When push comes to shove

When situation turns desperate

S: If push comes to shove, I’ll take loan to finance my education.

122. Raining cats and dogs

If it rains cats and dogs, it rains heavily.

S: It has been raining cats and dogs for the last hour or so. Let’s brace up for the traffic jam.

123. Read between the lines

If you read between the lines, you try to understand someone’s real feelings or intentions from what they say or write.

S: The government says that the economy is robust, but if you look at employment data and read further between the lines, you realize that the situation isn’t that rosy.

124. Beat a retreat

If you beat a retreat, you withdraw from a dangerous or unpleasant situation.

S: Seeing the cops, the arsonists beat a hasty retreat.

125. Take somebody for a ride

If you take somebody for a ride, you deceive them.

S: The placement agency took hundreds of people for a ride by promising non-existent jobs.

126. Go through the roof

To increase beyond all expectations

S: Petrol and diesel prices have gone through the roof.

127. On the ropes

If someone is on the ropes, they’re close to defeat or giving up.

S: High crude oil prices have put many airlines on the ropes.

128. Rub salt into someone’s wounds

To make a bad thing worse

S: I was upset at not getting promoted, but the management really rubbed salt into my wounds when they promoted my junior.

129. Give someone a run for their money

If you give someone a run for their money, you compete well with them.

S: Despite being an underdog, Division B team gave the best team of the tournament run for their money.

130. Shut one’s eyes to

Refuse to see or consider

S: The government can no longer shut its eye to growing pollution arising from stubble burning.

131. In the red (In the black)

Operating at a loss or under debt (Operating at a profit or have surplus)

S: Many airlines across the world are in the red because of increase in oil prices.

132. Allow the dust to settle

To allow a situation to become calm or normal again after a period of excitement or upheaval

S: Farmers are angry because of the low prices at which government agencies are buying their produce. Let’s wait for the dust to settle before we negotiate with them.

133. Take the word out of somebody’s mouth

To say exactly what the other person was about to say

S: X: Why don’t we leave early today to watch the 5 PM show of the latest release? Y: You’ve taken the words out of my mouth. I was about to say the same.

134. Eat your words

If you eat your words, you retract your statement or words.

S: Experts had to eat their words on the impending doom of abc.com when the fledgling ecommerce website turned in an unexpected profit.

135. A shot in the dark

A wild guess

S: Chasing an offender, the policemen took a shot in the dark and turned left on reaching the square.

136. Call the shots

If you calls the shots, you’ve the power and authority.

S: In this ministry, the junior minister calls the shots.

137. Head and shoulders above

Greatly superior to

S: In his prime, Usain Bolt was head and shoulders above his competitors.

138. Put to bed

To help a child sleep

S: I’ll be back in few minutes after putting my son to bed.

139. Put something to sleep

If an animal is put to sleep, it is killed by a veterinarian to relieve it of its pain and suffering.

S: We put the dog to sleep as it was suffering from age-related ailments.

140. By the skin of your teeth

By extremely narrow margin

S: He caught the train by the skin of his teeth.

141. Save your skin

If you save your skin, you save yourself from an unpleasant or dangerous situation without thinking of what happens to others.

S: They lied and tampered with crucial evidence to save their skin.

142. Have a thick skin

To be less affected by criticisms and rebuffs

S: You need to have a thick skin to survive in politics.

143. Start with a clean slate

Make a fresh beginning forgetting what happened, usually bad, in the past

S: Relations have not been great between the two countries, but it’s time to start from a clean slate.

144. No smoke without fire

A suspicion or rumor is not for nothing. It usually has some basis.

S: I’m hearing that the investment company in which I put my money has been running a Ponzi scheme. I’m going to ask for my money back, because where there is smoke there is fire.

145. No strings attached

Free of conditions

S: World Bank rarely gives loans with no strings attached.

146. Throw a spanner in the work

To disrupt or cause problems in an activity or project

S: Last-minute withdrawal of the sponsor threw a spanner in our plans to organize the cultural festival.

147. Wear two/ several hats

To function in more than one capacity

S: He wears two hats in the company – Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Information Officer.

148. Throw one’s weight around

To act in a way that suggests you’ve lot of power or authority

S: The politician tried to throw his weight around with the police, but the police ignored him.

149. Throw caution to the wind

Behave or speak in a rash manner

S: Just to impress others, he threw caution to the wind and climbed the steep rock without any safety gear.

150. Spill the beans

To reveal a secret information unintentionally

S: Someone for sure spilled the beans about the plan of jail inmates to smuggle in weapons. How else could jail authorities know about it?

151. Walk a tightrope

If you walk a tightrope, you do something that allows little room for error.

S: Many educational institutions have to walk a tightrope between charging a high tuition fee and facing criticism, and not charging much and depending on grants.

152. Be in a tight spot

To be in a difficult situation

S: If the government fails to get support from its key ally, it’ll be in a tight spot during the voting tomorrow.

153. Spread yourself thin

To try to do too many things at the same time, implying inadequate time or attention to any of them

S: College students, especially in first year, spread themselves thin by joining multiple elective courses and social activities.

154. Steal the show

If you steal the show, you get lot of attention or credit in an event or show.

S: Chinese participants stole the show on the first day of 2018 Asian Games.

155. Let off steam

To do or say something that helps you release pent-up emotions such as anger or frustration

S: When I get stressed at work, I go on a weekend trek to let off steam.

156. Blow someone’s cover

To reveal someone’s secret identity and what they’re doing

S: The police blew the cover on the plot by tapping kidnappers’ phones.

157. Stick to your guns

To maintain one’s position despite disagreement and opposition from others

S: No matter how much police grills you, you’ve to stick to your guns and state the same story.

158. Leave no stone unturned

To do everything you can to achieve your goal

S: I left no stone unturned to raise money for my company.

159. Set in stone

If something is set in stone, it’s very difficult to change.

S: The contract isn’t set in stone. If the deal is compelling enough, we’re open to change it.

160. Set the record straight

If you set the record straight, you quash misinformation about something by telling the truth.

S: Let me set the record straight on all the talk in the media about my business relationship with the key accused in the scandal.

161. Go on record

If you go on record about something, you say it publicly and officially. (You can’t turn your back on such statement later.)

S: The actors have gone on record describing exploitation of newcomers in the film industry.

162. The last straw (or the straw that broke the camel’s back)

If an event is the last straw, it is the last in a series of unpleasant or undesirable events that exceeds your limit of tolerance.

S: Recent hikes in fuel prices are the last straw for the lower middle class.

163. Bitter pill to swallow

Something such as failure or rejection that is difficult to accept, but has to be accepted

S: Not getting admission to any of the colleges I applied to is a bitter pill to swallow.

164. Laugh all the way to the bank

To earn lot of money by doing something which others thought to be a foolish pursuit

S: Investors dismissed his idea as immature, but he is now laughing all the way to the bank.

165. Show someone the door

To ask someone to leave

S: During my worst period, I was promptly shown the door by very same people who once courted me.

166. Foot in the door

If you get your foot in the door, you succeed in achieving an initial step in an area that is difficult to succeed in.

S: It’s your relationships that help in getting your foot in the door in the initial phase of your business. Otherwise, it can be a grind.

167. In full swing

If something happens in full swing, it happens at the highest speed or level of activity.

S: Our development team is working in full swing to meet the deadline.

168. Turn the tables on somebody

To completely reverse circumstances or gain upper hand on someone who was previously in a stronger position.

S: He turned the tables on his political opponent by reeling off data on how poorly the economy has fared in the last one year.

169. Can’t make head or tail of something

Can’t understand someone or something at all

S: I haven’t been able to make head or tale of the bugs in the software so far.

170. Keep one’s words

To do as promised

S: He always keeps his words. If he has promised to put in a word for you, he will.

171. Lose your temper

If you lose temper, you become very angry.

S: When he started giving excuse for not completing the assignment in time, the teacher lost her temper.

172. Through thick and thin

If you do something through thick and thin, you do it whether circumstances are good or not.

S: He is one of those rare employees who has remained with the organization through thick and thin.

173. Try one’s patience

To test the limit of one’s patience

S: The constant chatter at the back of the class tried the professor’s patience.

174. Twist someone’s arm

Make someone do something by pressurizing them

S: The government brought the rebel leaders to the negotiating table by twisting their arms by launching investigation into their shady business deals.

175. Wash dirty linen in public

If you wash your dirty linen in public, you discuss those matters in public which should have been kept private.

S: The two brothers went public accusing each other of fraud, washing dirty linen in the public in the process.

176. Be off the mark

If something is off the mark, it is incorrect or inaccurate.

S: The meteorology department was quite off the mark in predicting rainfall this week.

177. Wild-goose chase

A search that turns out to be time-wasting and unsuccessful because the thing being searched doesn’t exist or you were given wrong information about its location

S: The treasure hunt to find gold coins expectedly proved to be a wild-goose chase.

178. Have your work cut out

If you’ve your work cut out to do something, you’ve a difficult task at hand.

S: The government has its work cut out in controlling air pollution this winter.

179. Back the wrong horse

To support a person or action that later turns out to be unsuccessful

S: The political party fielded a businessman from the prestigious seat in the national capital, but he lost. They clearly backed the wrong horse.

180. From the horse’s mouth

If you hear from the horse’s mouth, you hear from the original or trustworthy source.

S: We’ve lost the deal we bid for last month. It’s true, because I’ve heard it from the horse’s mouth – my manager.

181. Eat humble pie

Be humiliated by admitting that you are wrong

S: The e-commerce company claimed that they’ll surpass the market leader in two years, but they had to eat humble pie after the latest sales numbers.

182. Have one’s cake and eat it too

To have two good things at the same time that are incompatible and therefore not feasible

S: You don’t want to pay more taxes and still have better services. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

183. Shoot from the hip

To speak bluntly or rashly without thinking carefully

S: If you want to be a spokesperson, you need to avoid your habit of shooting from the hip.

184. In cold blood

If you do something violent and cruel in cold blood, you do it deliberately and in an unemotional way.

S: He was murdered in cold blood.

185. Ace up one’s sleeve

A secret or hidden advantage that you can use when you need it

S: Murali, the mystery bowler whom the opposite team has never played, is an ace up the home team’s sleeve.

186. Play your cards right

To behave or work in a way that gives you an advantage or improves your odds of success.

S: You’ve to play your cards right to cross level 4 in this game.

187. Behind one’s back

If you do something behind someone’s back, you do it secretly without their knowledge (used in negative way).

S: I don’t give a damn to people who say all sorts of things behind my back.

188. Stab someone in the back

Harm someone who trusts you.

S: It’s not uncommon for people to stab colleagues in the back to move ahead in the professional world.

189. Back to the drawing board

If you go back to the drawing board, you make a fresh start or try another idea because the earlier one didn’t succeed.

S: After the new product failed to set the sales number rolling, the team went back to the drawing board.

190. Right off the bat

If you do something right off the bat, you do it immediately.

S: I learnt right off the bat that I need to build good rapport with the marketing team to do well in the organization.

191. Heart misses (skips) a beat

If your heart misses a beat, you feel excited or nervous.

S: My heart skipped few beats while scrolling down the exam result on the notice board.

192. Have your heart in your mouth

If you’ve your heart in mouth, you’re feeling extremely nervous.

S: My heart was in my mouth when he slipped and fell down on the floor.

193. Not the only fish in the sea

Not the only suitable thing or person one can find

S: You shouldn’t be so heartbroken at the rejection by her. Remember, she’s not the only fish in the sea.

194. Not your cup of tea

If you say that someone or something is not your cup of tea, you mean that they’re not the kind of person or thing you like.

S: Sales is not my cup of tea.

195. A piece of cake

If something is a piece of cake, it’s easy to do.

S: Solving such math problems is a piece of cake for me.

196. Call it a day

If you call it a day, you stop what you’re doing because you’re tired of it or you’ve not been successful.

S: Faced with increasing competition and thinning profits, the owner decided to call it a day after twenty years in the business.

197. Call a spade a spade

To speak truth even if it’s unpleasant

S: He doesn’t hold his words and calls a spade a spade.

198. A bolt from the blue

A sudden, unexpected event

S: The resignation of the minister this morning came as a bolt from the blue.

199. In the same boat

If two or more persons are in the same boat, they’re in the same difficult situation.

S: Both of us are in the same boat – without jobs.

200. Miss the boat/ bus

To miss an opportunity

S: He waited far too long to get a good deal. Most good ones are gone now. He missed the boat.

201. Over my dead body

If you say something will happen your dead body, you mean you dislike it and will do everything you can to prevent it.

S: X: We’re selling your old bike to remove the junk that’s gathering in the house. Y: Over my dead body.

202. Bell the cat

To undertake a risky or dangerous task

S: Who’s going to bell the cat and tell the teacher that no one else but her son has pulled off the mischief?

Источник

ThoughtCo / Hilary Allison

Updated on November 21, 2019

Learning English isn’t as easy as some might think. First, grammar muddies the waters (makes things unclear), and idiomatic expressions only add fuel to the fire (make things worse).

If you’re taking the TOEFL or the TOEIC, or just want to know more common idioms, study this list of 40 common idiomatic expressions before you take the test. They may just help your English language acquisition soar (get much better).

Common English Idioms

24/7: Twenty-four hours a day; seven days a week; all the time; constantly. My little sister irritates me 24/7!
A short fuse: A quick temper. Jamie is known for his short fuse; just a few days ago he screamed at his coach for not letting him play.
A taste of your own medicine: Bad treatment deservedly received for treating other people badly. After constantly being prank-called, Julian decided to give Juan a taste of his own medicine and ordered twenty-seven pizzas to be delivered to Juan’s house.
Butterflies in my stomach: To be nervous. Liam had butterflies in his stomach before he went on stage to play the violin.
By the skin of your teeth: To just barely get by or make it. Lester made the dance team by the skin of his teeth; you can tell he hasn’t been dancing jazz for very long.
Cat got your tongue?: Can’t you speak? (Usually said to embarrass the other person). I just saw you kissing my boyfriend. What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?
Crying wolf: To ask for help when you don’t need it. You have cried wolf so many times that no one believes you when you’re really hurt.

Cut someone some slack: To not judge someone too harshly. Hey. Cut me some slack. I was really busy with my frog hunting business last week and forgot to call. I’m sorry!
Down for the count: Tired; giving up; unable or unwilling to participate any longer. No, you can’t take my dog for a walk—she’s down for the count after chasing cats all day.
Draw the line: To stop; to know the point where something goes from okay to not okay. Now I draw the line at speaking in front of 34,000 people.
Easier said than done: Not as easy as it appears to be. You want me to come to work at 6:00 AM? Easier said than done!
Every cloud has a silver lining: You can find good in every bad situation. Even though you just got fired, remember that every cloud has a silver lining—at least you don’t have to work for that grouchy boss anymore!
Finding a needle in a haystack: Virtually impossible to find. Trying to get a new job these days is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
Fish out of water: To be out of place. Tom felt like a fish out of water at the Star Trek convention his new girlfriend begged him to attend.

Get something off your chest: To talk about something that has been bothering you for a long time; to admit something you have done wrong. I have to get this off my chest—I copied your answers on the SAT. Thanks for the 15th percentile score, by the way.
Give it a whirl: To try something. I’ve never gone kite-boarding, but I’m prepared to give it a whirl!
Go down in flames: To fail suddenly and spectacularly. The football player’s career went down in flames after the media learned he’d been losing on purpose to settle gambling debts.
Go the extra mile: To make an extra effort. My dentist always goes the extra mile, offering free back massages at the end of a stressful tooth extraction.
Hang in there: Be patient. Wait it out. I know you’re struggling right now in school but just hang in there. It’ll get easier. I promise.
In the fast lane: A life filled with excitement. When Curtis turned forty, he decided he needed to live life in the fast lane, so he quit his job as a dentist and decided to tour Europe by motorcycle.

In the nick of time: Almost too late. You gave me that main idea help in the nick of time—my teacher just gave us a quiz on that reading skill and I passed it!
Let the cat out of the bag: Tell a secret. Brady’s surprise party is going to be great if you don’t let the cat out of the bag.
Let the chips fall where they may: To let something happen, no matter if it’s good or bad. Look. I’m going to just try out for the cheerleading squad and let the chips fall where they may.
Lose your marbles: To go crazy; insane. Mom has really lost her marbles; she’s making me practice writing the ACT Essay seven times this week!
Once in a blue moon: Rarely. In Florida, the temperature drops below freezing only once in a blue moon.
Plain as day: Obvious; clear. It’s plain as day that you’re in love with her, so just admit it.
Play second fiddle: To be less important. I hate playing second fiddle to my sister; she always does things better than I do!
Put your foot in your mouth: Saying something you shouldn’t have. Jessica really put her foot in her mouth when she asked about John’s job right after he lost it.

Pull yourself together: Calm down and behave normally. Pull yourself together, man! Sure, your girlfriend just dumped you and then you got hit by a car, but you can’t let those things get you down.
Sick and tired: To be bothered or annoyed by. She is sick and tired of her dog chewing up her shoes every day.
Sleep on it: To think about something for a while before making a decision. Don’t tell me whether you’ll move to Texas with me or not today. Sleep on it, and get back to me tomorrow.
Snug as a bug in a rug: Warm and cozy; content. That baby looks as snug as a bug in a rug cuddled up next to his mother.
Step up your game: To start performing better. Listen, Jen. You’d better step up your game if you want to get all A’s in Miss Finch’s Physics class. She isn’t easy!
Stick your nose into something: To interfere. Sharon always sticks her nose into everyone else’s business.
Straight from the horse’s mouth: Directly from the person involved. Listen to the news straight from the horse’s mouth; we’re all getting bonuses this week!

Take it easy: Relax. I know you’re not feeling well, so try to take it easy today.
Tip of the iceberg: The small easily visible part of a larger problem. The fact that Carrie is dating a member of the mafia is just the tip of the iceberg; she’s also smuggling contraband into the country.
To not see the wood for the trees: To be so involved with the details that you don’t get the most important facts. She always argues about the silliest things; it’s like she can’t see the wood for the trees.
Up a creek without a paddle: In an unlucky/bad situation. If you don’t have any money to pay for the repairs we just made to your car, I guess you’re up a creek without a paddle because you can’t have your car back.
You rock!: You are great. Dude. You rock. Thanks for offering to watch my pet iguana all week.

These are just a few of the thousands of idioms in the English language. Get your feet wet (start) with these, and then move on to the idioms that will knock your socks off (astound you).

Источник

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Quick intro

An idiom is a phrase or group of words that, when taken together, has a meaning that is different from that of each individual word. To put it another way: idioms cannot be understood literally.

For example, ‘Once in a blue moon’ means ‘when something happens rarely’. So the example sentence: ‘I eat McDonalds once in a blue moon’ doesn’t make any sense when the words are taken literally (you only eat McDonalds when there is a blue moon?!). But when you understand the meaning of the idiom, the sentence makes perfect sense (you don’t often eat McDonalds).

Idioms are very important when learning English because they are used a lot in everyday communication and can help you sound more like a native. To speak and understand conversational English better, learning the correct use of idioms is essential. Idioms also help give character to the language; making it more colourful and interesting.

In this study guide, we’re going to walk you through the most common 150 English idioms used today, with their meanings and example sentences. We will also highlight a few outdated idioms that you should avoid, and give you some exercises to practise your understanding.

1. A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

Something that appears bad at first but ends up having good results
Missing that plane turned out to be a blessing in disguise because I got to spend more time with my family.

2. A SANDWICH SHORT OF A PICNIC

A humorous way of saying someone is stupid or is a bit mad
He brought only shorts and t-shirts when he went to Sweden in the winter – I think he might be a sandwich short of a picnic!

3. A STONE’S THROW

Something is very close or near
Luckily the wedding is just a stone’s throw from our hotel so we can walk there.

4. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

What you do is more important than what you say; someone’s words may not be trustworthy
Person A: “John keeps saying he wants to take me out for dinner, but then he never does!”
Person B: “Actions speak louder than words.“

5. ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE

When someone does something to make a bad situation worse
When Sarah started laughing during the argument, it really added fuel to the fire!

6. ADD INSULT TO INJURY

To make a bad situation worse
As if breaking my arm isn’t bad enough, to add insult to injury I have to pay £1,000 in hospital fees as I didn’t have travel insurance!

7. ALL EARS

To be eagerly waiting to hear about something
Person A: “I have to tell you about what happened on our trip to Spain…”
Person B: “I’m all ears!”

8. AT A CROSSROADS

To be at a point in your life when you need to make an important decision
I was at a crossroads when I was offered a job in the US, but my boyfriend wanted to stay in London.

9. BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE

To be wrong or misguided about the reason for something
He thinks the company’s problems can be solved just by firing the sales team, but he’s barking up the wrong tree.

10. BEAT ABOUT THE BUSH

To talk about unimportant things because you’re avoiding a particular topic
Stop beating about the bush! Are you planning to quit university, or not?

11. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

It’s better to do something late than not at all
Person A: “Sorry I missed your birthday! There’s a card in the post.”
Person B: “Don’t worry. Better late than never!”

12. BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

To be in a difficult situation where both options are bad
Person A: “If I go to the wedding mum will be upset, but if I don’t go then I’ll be letting down the rest of the family!”
Person B: “Sounds like you’re caught between a rock and a hard place.”

13. BITE OFF MORE THAN ONE CAN CHEW

To do too much or take something on that is too difficult
Person A: “I’m going to start that weekend job at the museum on top of my full-time job because I really need the money.”
Person B: “Sounds like a lot of work! Don’t bite off more than you can chew.”

14. BITE THE BULLET

To decide to do something that is difficult or unpleasant, but necessary
You’re going to have to bite the bullet and tell your ex-(girlfriend) that you need the apartment back.

15. BLOW OFF STEAM

To do something that helps you get rid of stress, energy or anger
After my meeting with the boss, I went for a run to blow off steam.

16. BOB’S YOUR UNCLE

To say that a set of instructions or task is simple or easy
To make the salad dressing, you just put oil, vinegar, honey and mustard into a bowl, mix them together and bob’s your uncle!

17. BOG-STANDARD

Something that is very ordinary or basic, nothing special
Despite the excellent reviews, we thought the restaurant was just bog-standard.

When learning idioms in English, you need to watch out for old-fashioned expressions. For example, you probably know the idiom ‘It’s raining cats and dogs’. However, most Brits would never use this expression now. It is outdated. Instead we say: ‘It’s bucketing it down!’, ‘It’s chucking it down!’ or ‘It’s pi*sing it down!’.

18. BOTCH/BODGE JOB

Work that has been done badly, in a clumsy, lazy way
The original builders did such a bodge job of our kitchen that we had to get it completely redone.

19. BUDGE UP

An informal way of asking someone to move to make room for you
Could you budge up a bit so I can sit down?

20. BUILDER’S TEA

Strongly-brewed English breakfast tea with milk
I’ll have a builder’s tea, please.

21.BURY ONE’S HEAD IN THE SAND

To refuse to think about or confront serious issues or situations
Martin just buries his head in the sand when it comes to his financial problems.

22. BUST ONE’S CHOPS

To work very hard on something, or to harass someone
I was busting my chops all night to get that report finished!
Stop busting my chops! I’ll mow the lawn later.

Note: In British English slang, the word ‘chops’ is used to mean ‘mouth’. So the idiom above literally means ‘punch in the mouth’.

23. BY THE SKIN OF ONE’S TEETH

To narrowly succeed in doing something
The traffic was terrible so we only made the plane by the skin of our teeth!

24. CALL A SPADE A SPADE

To state the truth about something even if it’s unpopular or unpleasant
I know he’s your brother, but let’s call a spade a spade: he’s pretty lazy.

25. CALL IT A DAY

To stop working on something
It’s almost 9pm. I think we should call it a day and finish the report tomorrow.

26. CHEAP AS CHIPS

When something is inexpensive or good value for money
It doesn’t look it, but our new sofa was (as) cheap as chips!

27. CHINESE WHISPERS

Information or rumours that have been passed on by many people and are no longer reliable
John and Maggie from the office haven’t actually announced they’re getting a divorce. It’s probably just Chinese whispers.

28. CHIP ON ONE’S SHOULDER

To hold a grudge/be angry about something that happened in the past, or to be arrogant and think too highly of oneself
Whenever we mention his childhood, he gets really angry. He’s got a chip on his shoulder about it.
The new sales guy at the office has a real chip on his shoulder. He’s not even that good!

29. CLAM UP

To become silent or stop talking
When Bill came into the room, Jenny just seemed to clam up. I think she likes him!

30. COLD FEET

To get nervous or to have second thoughts about doing something
He’s getting cold feet about the wedding, but I told him that was perfectly normal.

31. (THE) COLD SHOULDER

To deliberately ignore someone
I got the cold shoulder from Anna at the party. I guess she’s still annoyed with me.

32. COST A BOMB

When something is very expensive
That Italian meal cost a bomb! We won’t be going back there, unless we win the lottery!

33. COST AN ARM AND A LEG

When something is very expensive
The new bar in town was really fancy, but my drink cost an arm and a leg!

34. COUCH POTATO

A lazy person who doesn’t do much exercise and spends a lot of time on the sofa watching television
My husband has turned into a couch potato since he lost his job.

35. COULDN’T CARE LESS

To show indifference to something or a total lack of interest
I couldn’t care less if Harry comes out tonight or not! I don’t really like the guy.

36. CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT

A warning that being inquisitive or curious can get you into trouble
Person A: “Where are you going at this time of night?”
Person B: “Curiosity killed the cat!”

37. CUT A LONG STORY SHORT

To get to the point, to not include unnecessary detail
To cut a long story short, she has to move back to the US until her new visa comes through.

38. CUT CORNERS

To do something in the easiest way possible (usually not very well) in order to save time or money
We had to cut corners to get the project done within our budget and by January.

39. CUT SOMEONE SOME SLACK

To avoid being critical or judgmental of someone (even if they deserve it)
Person A: “Hannah’s late for the second time this week!”
Person B: “Cut her some slack! The traffic’s awful this morning.”

40. CUT TO THE CHASE

To get directly to the point when speaking, to not give unnecessary detail
I have to leave in a minute so can you cut to the chase? What exactly do you want me to do?

41. DIG ONE’S HEELS IN

To refuse to do something or change your mind, especially when people are trying to persuade you
I wanted to go on the earlier train, but Mary dug her heels in so we had to get the later one.

42. DOG EAT DOG (ALSO ‘CUT THROAT’)

A situation that is very competitive, where people are willing to harm each other’s interests to get ahead
The music industry is dog eat dog these days.
I’d stay out of the legal sector. It can be a cut throat business.

43. DON’T GIVE UP THE DAY JOB

Used in a humorous way to tell someone they’re not very good at something
Person A: “What do you think of the haircut I gave Hannah?”
Person B: “Don’t give up the day job, mate!”

44. DON’T PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET

A warning not to put all your resources or efforts into just one thing
Although you’ve made an offer on this house, I would still visit some others. You don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket.

45. DON’T RUN BEFORE YOU CAN WALK

A warning not to try something difficult before you understand the basics
If you’re not very good at swimming, I’d stay in the shallow end and keep close to the side. You don’t want to run before you can walk.

46. DESPERATE TIMES CALL FOR DESPERATE MEASURES

In a very challenging situation you need to take extreme actions
She moved to Australia after she found out about her husband’s affair. I suppose desperate times call for desperate measures!

47. EASY DOES IT

To slow down or do something slowly/carefully
Easy does it! Those boxes you’re holding are very fragile.

48.EAT A HORSE

To be extremely hungry
I am so hungry I could eat a horse.

49. (The) ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

An important and obvious topic that everyone knows needs to be discussed, but that isn’t brought up or mentioned
David leaving the company was the elephant in the room during that meeting – no one wanted to bring it up!

50. EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING (often just: EVERY CLOUD…)

Even a bad situation may have a positive aspect to it
I might have lost my job, but at least I don’t have that awful journey into work every day. Every cloud…!

51. FACE THE MUSIC

To accept responsibility for something bad you have done
I’m meeting Hannah tonight and it’s the first time I’ll have seen her since our argument. I guess I’ll finally have to face the music.

52. FIND ONE’S FEET

To adjust or settle into a new environment or situation
I’ve only been at the new company for a month so I’m still finding my feet.

53. FINGER IN EVERY PIE

To be involved or have influence in many things (often has a negative association)
Person A: “Steve offered to sell me some secondhand TVs and holiday to Spain!”
Person B: “That guy’s got a finger in every pie!”

54. (A) FISH OUT OF WATER

When someone is (or feels) out of place in a situation
Judy was like a fish out of water at the kids’ party. I don’t think she likes children at all!

55. FIT AS A FIDDLE

To be in good physical health
He’s in his 90’s, but he’s fit as a fiddle!

56. FOLLOW IN SOMEONE’S FOOTSTEPS

To do the same as someone else did before you (often a family member)
All the men in my family are doctors so I’ll probably follow in their footsteps and go into medicine too.

57. FREAK OUT

To become very angry, scared or excited (can be negative or positive)
I freaked out when I saw The Rolling Stones perform. I’d wanted to see them my whole life!
That Goth at the club freaked me out a bit because he was dressed like a vampire!

58. FULL OF BEANS

Someone who is energetic, lively or enthusiastic
You’re full of beans this evening! You must have had a good day at work.

59. GET OFF ONE’S BACK

When someone won’t stop criticising, bothering or telling you what to do
I wish she would get off my back about the meeting! I know I have to send the agenda out, but I’ll do it in my own time.

60. GET OUT OF HAND

To become difficult to control
The protest got out of hand and the police had to intervene when some demonstrators broke down a fence.

61. GET OVER SOMETHING

To overcome or move on from a difficult situation
Moving out of the city for a while might help you get over Harry. (This could be the breakup of a personal relationship/marriage, or the person’s death)

62. GET SOMETHING OUT OF ONE’S SYSTEM

Do something you have wanted to do so that you can then move on from it
I don’t drink much anymore; I got it out of my system when I was at university!

63. GET UP/OUT ON THE WRONG SIDE OF BED

To wake up in a grumpy or bad mood for no obvious reason
You’re very argumentative today! Did you get up on the wrong side of bed, or something?

64. GET ONE’S ACT/SH*T TOGETHER

To take action in order to be more effective
I haven’t got any work done this morning – I really need to get my act together!

65. GIVE SOMEONE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT

To believe or trust what someone tells you (even though it might not be true)
Hannah said she missed the exam because her car broke down. I’m not sure that was the case, but let’s give her the benefit of the doubt.

66. GLAD TO SEE THE BACK OF

To be happy that you no longer have to deal with someone
I was very glad to see the back of John because he made the atmosphere in the office so uncomfortable.

67. GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD

Start planning something again because earlier attempts were unsuccessful
The client didn’t like our original concept so let’s go back to the drawing board!

68. GO COLD TURKEY

To suddenly and completely stop using an addictive substance
I gave up smoking by going cold turkey; it was difficult but it was also the only thing that worked for me.

69. GO DOWN THAT ROAD

To take a particular course of action, both literally and figuratively
Let’s not go down that road again! It always leads to an argument.

70. GO THE EXTRA MILE

To make more effort than is expected or necessary
Frank is a great asset to our team as he always goes the extra mile.

71. (The) GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER (ON THE OTHER SIDE)

To mean a person is never satisfied with their own situation, they always think others have it better
I always think the countryside looks nicer than the city, but I guess the grass is always greener…!

72. GREEN FINGERS

To be good at gardening, able to make plants grow
I’ve heard you have green fingers – we’ll have to get your advice about our garden!

73. HANG IN THERE

To persist with something, to not give up
Hang in there! I know it’s tough but you’re almost halfway through the course.

74. HAVE EYES IN THE BACK OF ONE’S HEAD

To be able to see or sense what’s going on all around you, when you can’t physically see everyhing
You need eyes in the back of your head when you have two small children!

75. HEAD OVER HEELS (IN LOVE)

To be extremely in love with someone
They’re head over heels in love with each other!

76. HEARD IT ON THE GRAPEVINE

To hear news about something from someone else, not directly
I heard (it) on the grapevine that you and Alex are splitting up. Is that true?

77. HIT THE BOOKS

To start studying seriously
After dinner I’m really going to hit the books. Not much time left before my exams!

78.HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD

To be completely right or correct about something
I think Lucy hit the nail on the head when she said there’s no such thing as an ideal school. There are pros and cons to all of them.

79. HIT THE ROAD

To leave somewhere or start a journey
It’s getting late so I’m going to hit the road.

80. HIT THE SACK

To go to bed in order to sleep
It’s been a long day so I’m going to hit the sack. Night night!

81. HOLD YOUR HORSES

Another way of saying ‘Wait a moment’ or ‘don’t rush’
Person A: ‘The train’s at 9. Grab the bags, find your shoes and call a taxi!’
Person B: ‘Hold your horses! We’ve got plenty of time.’

In English, there are many ways to say ‘Wait a moment’. Next time you want to express this idea, try one of the following expressions: ‘Wait a sec’ (second), ‘Hang on a tick’ (like of a clock), ‘Give us a mo’ (moment).

82. IGNORANCE IS BLISS

Sometimes it’s better not to know all the facts about something
Person A: “Did you know that cake you just ate was 600 calories?”
Person B: “I didn’t…ignorance is bliss!”

83. IT’S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE

To say something isn’t very complicated
You just need to fill in the form and you’ll get an e-ticket. It’s not rocket science!

84. JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON

To join an activity, trend or opinion that has become popular
Everyone thinks Boris is going to win the election so they’ve jumped on the bandwagon.

85. JUMP SHIP

To leave or abandon a difficult situation
I don’t think the company is going to survive. We should probably jump ship!

86. KEEP ONE’S CHIN UP

To encourage someone to stay positive in a difficult situation
It’s been a difficult month for you but keep your chin up! It will get easier.

87. KILL TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE

To achieve two things at once
I could pick up the dry cleaning on my way the doctors. That way we’d be killing two birds with one stone.

88. LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED

To do everything you can to achieve something
During firm’s the financial audit they left no stone unturned.

89. LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE (often just: LET IT LIE)

To leave a situation as it is, in order to not make it worse
Don’t bring up what happened at Alison’s party again. You should just let it lie.

90. LET SOMEONE OFF THE HOOK

To avoid being punished for something or to avoid doing something
It was my turn to do the washing-up, but mum let me off the hook because I wasn’t feeling well.

91. LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG

To reveal a secret by accident
Their engagement was meant to be a secret, but Adam let the cat out of the bag!

92. LOOK LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS

To look very good, often due to what you’re wearing
You look like a million dollars in that black dress!

93. LOSE ONE’S TOUCH

No longer able to do something as well as you could before
I tried to chat a girl up at the bar the other night, but she just ignored me. I must be losing my touch!

94. MISS THE BOAT

To be slow and not take an opportunity when it’s offered to you
I would call the company back now about the job and not wait until the morning. You don’t want to miss the boat!

95. NIP (SOMETHING) IN THE BUD

To stop something at an early stage, before it has a chance to develop
I’ve noticed that people are starting to arrive late for work. I think we need to have a meeting about it and nip this in the bud before it becomes a real problem.

96. NO PAIN, NO GAIN

You need to suffer or work hard to get what you want or deserve
Person A: “That gym class was so hard I thought I was going to pass out!”
Person B: “No pain, no gain!”

97. NO-BRAINER

An easy decision, something you don’t need to think too hard about
Person A: “Do you think I should get travel insurance before I go to Nigeria?” Person B: “That’s a no-brainer. Of course you should!”

98. NOT ONE’S CUP OF TEA

Something you don’t like or are not interested in
She’s a great cook, but the meal she made really wasn’t my cup of tea. It was far too spicy.

99. OFF ONE’S TROLLEY/ROCKER/NUT/HEAD

Someone who acts very strangely, seems crazy or insane
You must be off your trolley if you think I’m going to climb up there! It’s way too high!

100. OFF THE TOP OF ONE’S HEAD

From memory, without a lot of thought or consideration
Off the top of my head I think we’re expecting about 18 guests for the party, but I’ll check to make sure.

101. ON THE BALL

To be alert, quick to understand and react to things
You really need to be on the ball in this job because it’s fast-paced with lots happening all the time.

102. ON THE PULL

To go out with the intention of finding someone to have sex with
Those lads on the dance floor look like they’re on the pull tonight!

103. ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW

To live in a way that is honest and moral, to stay out of trouble
He was very wild for many years, but he seems to have grown up and he’s on the straight and narrow now.

104.ONCE IN A BLUE MOON

Something that happens rarely
I eat McDonalds once in a blue moon, when I feel like a treat!

105. PIECE OF CAKE

Something that is very easy
My English exam was a piece of cake.

106. (AND) PIGS MIGHT FLY

Something that will never happen or is very unlikely
Person A: “I’m going to play tennis at Wimbledon one day!”
Person B: “And pigs might fly!”

107. PITCH IN

To join in, contribute or help with something
If we all pitch in we can get Charlie a really nice birthday present.

108. PLAY IT BY EAR

To plan something in an improvised way (instead of planning ahead), deciding what to do as the plan develops
Person A: “Shall we have dinner before or after the cinema on Friday?”
Person B: “Perhaps we should just play it by ear – we don’t know how hungry we’ll be.”

109. PULL SOMEONE’S LEG

Tease or joke with someone by saying something that’s not true
You’re pulling my leg! I don’t believe you met Elton John at the pub!

110. PULL ONESELF TOGETHER

To regain control of your emotions after you’ve been upset, to calm down
You need to pull yourself together! Stop worrying about work so much.

111. RAISE ONE’S GAME

To make an effort to improve at something or perform better
You’ll need to raise your game if you’re planning on beating Anna’s time in the half marathon.

112. RING A BELL

When something seems familiar or you’ve heard it before
Person A: “Do you know Hannah Stewart?”
Person B: “That name does ring a bell, but I can’t think why.”

113. ROCK THE BOAT

To do or say something that could cause a problem or disturbance
The kids are all getting along fine at the moment so let’s not rock the boat.

114. RULE OF THUMB

Judging a situation by experience rather than an exact assessment
As a rule of thumb, you should use two cups of water for one cup of rice.

115.SCRATCH SOMEONE’S BACK

To do someone a favour in the hope that it will be returned, can relate to corruption (commonly used as: You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours)
My boss got caught taking free holidays from a company client! I think it was a case of “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours”.

116. SEE EYE TO EYE

To agree with someone
We don’t see eye to eye when it comes to politics, but I do like her as a person.

117. SHED LIGHT ON (SOMETHING)

To reveal information about something or to clarify something
You were in the office on Tuesday when the incident took place so perhaps you could shed some light on it for us?

118. SHOOT FROM THE HIP

To speak honestly and directly or to react to a situation very quickly without thinking it through
Person A: “What do you think we should do about Harry’s poor sales this quarter?”
Person B: “If I can shoot from the hip, I’d say he probably needs to leave.”

119. SIT ON THE FENCE

To adopt a position of compromise, take neither stance on an issue, not yes or no
There are a lot of people still sitting on the fence over Brexit.

120. SIT TIGHT

To wait patiently
Sit tight! The nurse will be with you in just a moment.

121. SLEEP ON IT

To delay making a decision for a short period of time
You don’t have to decide straight away. Why don’t you sleep on it and let us know in the morning?

122. SMELL A RAT

To suspect someone is a traitor, behaving illegally or is up to no good
I thought I could smell a rat when john refused to give me a straight answer about his sales figures! Now we know he’s been stealing from the company.

123. SO FAR, SO GOOD

To express satisfaction with how a situation is progressing
Person A: “How is the building work going?”
Person B: “So far, so good…the house is still standing!”

124. (A) SPANNER IN THE WORKS

Something that prevents or disrupts an event from happening
We had invited everyone round for a BBQ today, but the rain has really thrown a spanner in the works!

125.SPEAK OF THE DEVIL

Said when the person you are talking about appears unexpectedly
Did you hear about what happened to Michael? …Oh speak of the devil, here he is!

126.SPILL THE BEANS

To reveal information that was secret
We are throwing David a surprise birthday party, but please don’t spill the beans!

127.SPLASH OUT

To spend a lot of money on something
We splashed out on new phones for the whole family.

128.STAB SOMEONE IN THE BACK

To betray or hurt someone who trusts you
This industry is so competitive; it’s easy to get stabbed in the back by your closest colleagues.

129.STEAL SOMEONE’S THUNDER

To take attention or praise away from someone else’s accomplishments by outdoing them with your own
My sister is always stealing my thunder – I announce I’m getting married and she tells everyone she’s pregnant!

130.STICK TO ONE’S GUNS

To refuse to change your mind or beliefs about something
I really respect Sarah. She always sticks to her guns, even if others disagree.

131.STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH

Information straight from the person who saw, heard or experienced the event
Person A: “Are you sure Andy is quitting his job?”
Person B: “Positive. I heard it straight from the horse’s mouth!”

132.TAKE THE MICKEY (or TAKE THE PI*S)

To make fun of someone, or to take liberties
Dave’s a laugh, but he always taking the mickey out of you down the pub.
£4 for a cup of coffee? They must be taking the pi*s!

133.TAKE (SOMETHING) WITH A PINCH OF SALT

To doubt the accuracy of what someone is telling you
I would take Sam’s motoring advice with a pinch of salt. He doesn’t actually know much about cars.

134. (A) TASTE OF ONE’S OWN MEDICINE

When someone does something unpleasant and the same is wished on him/her
My boss is a real bully. Someone should give her a taste of her own medicine!

135.THE BALL IS IN YOUR COURT

It is up to you to take the initiative or make the next move
I’ve told you how I feel about the wedding so the ball’s in your court now.

136.THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Where you can enjoy the advantages of two different things at the same time – an ideal situation
He lives in England during the summer and lives in Australia during the winter months so he gets the best of both worlds.

137.THE LAST/FINAL STRAW

The last in a series of bad things to happen, when your patience has run out
When the dog destroyed their antique furniture it really was the final straw. After that, they decided to give poor Rex away.

138.THROUGH THICK AND THIN

To continue to support someone even during difficult times
John and Chloe have stayed together through thick and thin.

139.TIME FLIES WHEN YOU’RE HAVING FUN

When you’re enjoying something time seems to move faster and you don’t notice the passing of time
I can’t believe it’s 10pm already! Time flies when you’re having fun!

140.TWIST SOMEONE’S ARM

To convince someone to do what you want them to
I didn’t want to go out tonight, but Ruth twisted my arm!

141.UNDER THE WEATHER

Not feeling very well, a little sick
Sarah’s not going to come out tonight. She’s had a busy week and is feeling under the weather.

142.UP IN THE AIR

A decision or plan is uncertain or unsure
Person A: “Are they still getting married?”
Person B: “We don’t know as it’s all up in the air at the moment.”

143. WASTE NOT, WANT NOT

If you use what you have to the full, then you won’t desire or need more
Person A: “Are you going to finish those carrots on your plate?”
Person B: “If not, I’ll have them. Waste not, want not!”

144.WE’LL CROSS THAT BRIDGE WHEN WE COME TO IT

To deal with something when it happens rather than worrying about it before
Person A: “What if there’s bad traffic on the motorway?”
Person B: “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it“.

145.WILD GOOSE CHASE

A hopeless pursuit, something that is unattainable
We were told that if we searched the library archives we might get some answers, but it turned out to be a wild goose chase.

146.WOULDN’T BE CAUGHT DEAD

Dislike or would never do something
I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing those shoes – they’re so ugly!

147.WRAP ONE’S HEAD AROUND SOMETHING

To understand something that is complicated or shocking
I can’t wrap my head around why Megan would leave London for Rotherham!

148.YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN

To agree with someone
Person A: “It’s absolutely boiling in here!”
Person B: “You can say that again!”

149.YOU CAN’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

Warning not to judge someone or something just based on appearance
Person A: “I’ve only met Richard a couple of times, but he seems a bit shy.”
Person B: “You can’t always judge a book by its cover. He’s actually a really outgoing guy once you get to know him!”

150.YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS MINE

To have no idea about something
Person A: “Do you think Ivan is going to remember all 150 idioms in this guide?!”
Person B: “Your guess is as good as mine!”

Practice exercises: A-Z of English Idioms

Task A

Choose the correct option that best expresses the meaning of the idioms below.
Watch out because in one of the exercises two answers are possible!

Actions speak louder than words means that what someone does is more important than what they…
1. Think
2. Say
3. Believe

If you’re beating about the bush you’re…
1. talking about unimportant things because you want to avoid talking about something important
2. being aggressive when you’re speaking and not listening to the other person
3. lying to someone or being dishonest

If someone is let off the hook he/she…
1. gets into trouble for something
2. is not punished for something
3. avoids doing something

If you sleep on it you…
1. delay making a decision in order to think about it
2. protect something important
3. keep a secret

If you cut corners you…
1. remove unnecessary details from something
2. are very fit and healthy
3. take the easiest, quickest or cheapest route to something

Task B

Fill in the blanks for these animal idioms from the options a-e below:
1. Straight from the _______’s mouth
2. Dog eat ______
3. Curiosity killed the _______
4. And _______s might fly
5. The _______ in the room
1. Dog
2. Horse
3. Elephant
4. Cat
5. Pig

Match the animal idioms in (1) to their definitions:
1. Something that will never happen or is very unlikely
2. You hear information about something from the person who has direct knowledge of it
3. A situation that is very competitive, where people are willing to harm each other’s interests
4. An important and obvious topic that everyone knows needs to be discussed but which isn’t brought up or mentioned
5. Being inquisitive can get you into trouble

Task C

Choose the appropriate idiomatic expression for the sentences below:

She is very good friends with Martin so perhaps she can ____________ his behavior.
1. Let the cat out of the bag
2. Throw some light on
3. Leave no stone unturned
4. Heard it on the grapevine
5. Hit the nail on the head

I have a big exam next week so I’m going to ____________
1. Eating a horse
2. On the ball
3. No-brainer
4. Hitting the books
5. Finding my feet

I ________________ going to that club – It’s awful!
1. Wouldn’t be caught dead
2. Stab someone in the back
3. Sit tight
4. Pitch in
5. Miss the boat

I’m sure I’ve met you somewhere before, your face really _________
1. See eye to eye
2. Clam up
3. Rings a bell
4. Bob’s your uncle
5. Barking up the wrong tree

I’d love to __________ and buy the whole family a really nice holiday somewhere!
1. Cost a bomb
2. Piece of cake
3. Cheap as chips
4. Splash out
5. Cut to the chase

Answers

Task A

b
a
b and c
a
c

Task B. I

Task B. II

Task C

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Alex Jude —
ESL Specialist & CEO at Online Teachers UK.

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Difference Between: Just vs. Only

Just (dʒʌs) and only (oʊnli) are adverbs (words that change the meaning of a word or phrase). We can use just and only interchangeably when they mean ‘not more than or a small quantity of something’ – e.g. I just have 2 meals a day or I only have 2 meals a day. However, there are some situations where we have to use one word and not the other. Let’s take a look! Continue reading →

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Common Idioms: Language is an essential aspect regarding learning, for example, considering the behaviour of idioms. Idiomatic expressions are intrinsic to natural languages.

Most teaching and reference materials on English idioms are primarily intuition-based. Idiomatic Expressions refers to a symbolic meaning which is well-mastered by native speakers in one particular culture.

Generally, we refer to the etymology of idioms; to understand their idiomatic meaning, a list of idioms will be explored. 50 idiomatic expressions with meaning and examples are discussed below.

Enrich your Vocabulary by practicing the English Idioms that are commonly used in everyday conversations and understand their actual meaning.

Meaning and Examples of some commonly used Common Idioms

List of Common Idioms

Back against the wall
Once in a blue moon
On cloud nine
The other side of the coin
Cut corners
Get a grip of yourself
Look on the bright side
Speak volumes
Eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth
A penny for your thoughts
Beat around the bush
Don’t judge a book by its cover
Cry over spilt milk
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
Out on a limb
Every cloud has a silver lining
Curiosity killed the cat
Raining cats and dogs
Taste of one’s own medicine
Out of the blue
Kill two birds with one stone
Ball is in your court
Let the cat out of the bag
Off the record
Roll up one’s sleeves
Wrap one’s brain around
Reap the harvest
Hit the jackpot
Let slip through fingers
Wild goose chase
Blow up in face
Nail in someone’s coffin
Hold your tongue
Whistle in the dark
Skating on thin ice
Fish out of water
Lump in your throat
In the heat of the moment
Read between the lines
Light at the end of tunnel
Make a long story short
Go bananas
Weak in the knees
Look for needle in a haystack
Keep an ear to the ground
Hear through the grapevine
Tongue-tied –
Rub salt into someone’s wounds
No strings attached

Meaning and Examples of Some Commonly Used Common Idioms

Back against the wall

Meaning: Someone who is in a difficult situation and from where escaping is difficult.

Example: She wished to help her bedridden colleague, but her back was against the wall.

Once in a blue moon

Meaning: Any particular thing that occurs rarely.

Example: Shalini texts in the WhatsApp group once in a blue moon whenever she confronts any trouble.

On cloud nine

Meaning: Someone who is in cloud nine is very happy.

Example: She was on cloud nine after receiving her first job for content writing.

The other side of the coin

Meaning: The point of view given by some other person.

Example: Many people have lost their jobs, but on the other side of the coin, the firms might hire more workers.

Cut corners

Meaning: If someone is cutting corners, they are saving money or effort by finding cheaper or easier ways to do things.

Example: If you cut corners on this product, it’ll have a lesser lifespan.

Get a grip of yourself

Meaning: Controlling feelings to deal with a situation.

Example: Reema, seeing her jewelry missing from the box, initially got a shock, but after a while, she got a grip on herself and summoned the police.

Look on the bright side

Meaning: Someone who is viewing any unpleasant situation in a positive light.

Example: You met with an accident, but look on the bright side – you managed to get away just with some bruises.

Speak volumes

Meaning: Expressing something for example any reaction without words,

Example: The outcome of this research will be of speak volumes.

Foot in the door

Meaning: To achieve an initial step towards a goal.

Example: once I get my foot in the door with an appointment, I think I could do well in the interview.

Eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth

Meaning: It means that a person doing something wrong, should be punished with the same thing is being done to them.

Example: In chess, a queen exchange is a perfect example of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

A penny for your thoughts

Meaning: A way to ask what an individual is thinking.

Example: After few minutes of silence, he gently lifted her chin and asked, “A penny for your thoughts, Mona.”

Beat around the bush

Meaning: To avoid answering a question; not addressing the issue directly.

Example: Please stop beating around the bush and come to the point!

Don’t judge a book by its cover

Meaning: not to judge something primarily by its appearance.

Example: She: He doesn’t look intelligent, but then again you can’t judge a book by its cover.

Cry over spilt milk

Meaning: To repent about something that cannot be undone.

Example: You already lost your phone, nobody can help you, stop crying over spilt milk.

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

Meaning: Don’t plan for something, that may not take place.

Example: You may not win the prize, but you’ve already spent so much, from now onwards, stop counting your chickens before they hatch.

Out on a limb

Meaning: Do some risky things that others might not support.

Example: They was out on a limb with their assignment – still nobody helped them.

Every cloud has a silver lining

Meaning: to be an optimistic person, even during difficult times.

Example: I’m sorry to hear about your loss; I’ll suggest you to remember the thing about clouds having a silver lining.

Curiosity killed the cat

Meaning: Being too curious is not good, you might welcome trouble.

Example: The undercover agent had to pay with his life, forgoing deep into enemy territory. Curiosity killed the cat.

Raining cats and dogs

Meaning: When it is raining heavily.

Example: I think we have to cancel the plan; it has started raining cats and dogs

Taste of one’s own medicine

Meaning: Treating people the same way they treat others.

Example: People disregarding other people in every matter should be given a taste of their own medicine.

Out of the blue

Meaning: Occurring without any reason.

Example: Right when I had given up all her aspirations, out of the blue I received a call from Harvard.

Kill two birds with one stone

Meaning: Solving two problems at a time with just one solution.

Example: John practiced his words while peeling the potatoes to kill two birds with one stone.

Ball is in your court

Meaning: It depends upon you to take the next step.

Example: I’ve taken my decision, and now the ball is in your court.

Let the cat out of the bag

Meaning: To reveal a secret or to share certain concealed information.

Example: It’s our little secret, please don’t let the cat out of the bag.

Off the record

Meaning: Not making any statement that is officially accepted.

Example: He made himself clear before sitting for the meeting, that his interview was strictly off the record.

Roll up one’s sleeves

Meaning: to gear up for some tedious work.

Example: Our class teacher instructed us to roll up our sleeves as our exams are knocking at the door.

Wrap one’s brain around

Meaning: Concentrate on something particular in order to understand.

Example: It’s high time to wrap my brain around this concept before the exam begins.

Reap the harvest

Meaning: Benefitting or suffering as a direct result of our past actions.

Example: When he cracked IIT-JEE, he reaped the harvest of all his hard work of the last few months.

Hit the jackpot

Meaning: If someone hits the jackpot, they achieve significant success, usually through luck.

Example: I think we’ve hit the jackpot with our new product – the sales have doubled now.

Let slip through fingers

Meaning – One failing to obtain or keep up a golden opportunity.

Example – This particular opportunity can be your breakthrough in the industry, so don’t let it slip through your fingers.

Wild goose chase

Meaning: Wasting time looking for something that has a slight chance of being found.

Example: She made all effort to find out who the anonymous caller was, but alas, it turned into a wild goose chase.

Blow up in face

Meaning – It refers to a situation when a plan or project fails all of a sudden.

Example – Little did he knew that a casual remark to a stranger would blow up in his face.

Nail in someone’s coffin

Meaning: Nail in someone’s coffin is something that makes it more likely to be destroyed soon.

Example: Every sip of alcohol you consume, is another nail to your coffin.

Hold your tongue

Meaning: To hold your tongue means that asking the person not to speak anymore.

Example: When I saw Ishan blatantly lying about yesterday’s incident, somehow, I had to hold my tongue.

Whistle in the dark

Meaning: Someone pretending to be brave in a situation that is scary.

Example: Even after being attacked, she blew a whistle in the dark which left her attackers at surprise.

Skating on thin ice

Meaning: Do or say something which might be risky or cause trouble.

Example: Don’t utter a word that will hurt her self-esteem or you could be skating on thin ice.

Fish out of water

Meaning – Someone who is feeling uncomfortable in known surroundings.

Example – Being an Indian, I felt like a fish out of water amongst the other groups of several countries.

Lump in your throat

Meaning – It refers to any tight feeling in our throat because of any emotion like sadness or gratitude.

Example – After all the hardships, when I caught sight of myself; I felt the lump in my throat.

In the heat of the moment

Meaning: Any situation that is overwhelming by what’s happening at the particular moment.

Example: He doesn’t really hate you, yesterday he just said that in the heat of the moment.

Read between the lines

Meaning: Reading between the lines means trying to understand someone’s real motive or intentions from what they say or write.

Example: The government says that the economic condition of the country has worsen, but carefully looking at employment data sheets and reading further between the lines, one will realize that the situation isn’t that rosy.

Light at the end of tunnel

Meaning: a ray of hope in utter darkness.

Example: The business has just started to gain momentum after so many months of struggle, we saw an ample light at the end of the tunnel.

Make a long story short

Meaning: Cutting down to the point by leaving out the details.

Example: Just to make the long story short – I never received the money I had lend him during his emergency.

Go bananas

Meaning – This refers to somebody who behaves in a crazy manner out of emotions.

Example – Your decision for going abroad for a year will make your parents go bananas.

Weak in the knees

Meaning: Not being able to stand due to emotion, fear or any illness.

Example: The news of my grandmother’s death made me go weak in the knees.

Look for needle in a haystack

Meaning: Looking for something tiny in a pile of other things or in a large area

Example: The diamond in my ring had fallen somewhere on my way back home and now searching for it is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Keep an ear to the ground

Meaning: Keeping a track of current trends, opinions, and happenings in the environment.

Example: The main reason for his success is that he keeps an ear to the ground to know what the customers want and why they’re dissatisfied with competing products.

Hear through the grapevine

Meaning: To hear news from someone who also listened to that news from somebody else.

Example: I heard through the grapevine that she’s pregnant and gave birth to a girl child.

Tongue-tied

Meaning – Difficulty in expressing oneself, due to nervousness or embarrassment.

Example – As her time of interview approached, she was utterly tongue-tied Infront of the teachers.

Rub salt into someone’s wounds

Meaning: To make a bad thing worse.

Example: By then I was already upset at not getting promoted, on the top, management really rubbed salt into my wounds by promoting my junior.

No strings attached

Meaning: Free of terms and conditions

Example: World Bank rarely provides you loans with no strings attached.

Improve your English Grammar Skills and never make any mistakes in english concepts like parts of speech, tenses, English phrases and a lot more by making the most of our English Grammar Notes.

Источник

What is an idiom? An idiom is an expression or phrase whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words “Idioms mean something different than the individual words.” Students often confuse idioms with proverbs. However, these are two different things. Proverbs are well-known for stating a piece of advice or general fact. For example, a picture is worth a thousand words is a proverb – a general truth. Let us consider the idiom ‘bite off more than you can chew‘. What you meant is that you are trying to do something that is too hard for you. Read this blog to know 100 useful and common idioms with examples and meanings.

This Blog Includes:

What is an Idiom? – Idioms and Phrases
Why Use Idioms in Sentences?
100 Common Idioms with Examples- Idioms and their Meaning
Learn the 100 Common Idioms with their Meanings
20 Idioms with their Meanings and Sentences
30 Idioms Examples and their Meaning for Students
FAQs

Idioms and their Meanings Quiz

What is an Idiom? – Idioms and Phrases

A set of words, or, to put it another way, a phrase, that has a meaning beyond the words’ literal meanings is known as an idiom. The Cambridge Dictionary defines an idiom as “a group of words in a fixed order that has a particular meaning that is different from the meanings of each word on its own,” while the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines an idiom as “a group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words.”

A set of words that have a different meaning when used collectively than when each word is used individually is referred to as an idiom, according to the Collins Dictionary. A more detailed definition may be found in the Merriam-Webster dictionary. They define an idiom as “a statement in the usage of a language that is distinctive to itself either in having a meaning that cannot be deduced from the conjoined meanings of its constituents” (e.g., up in the air for “undecided”) or in its grammatically unconventional word usage (e.g., give way).

Source: Linguamarina

Why Use Idioms in Sentences?

Only when they are utilized correctly and in the appropriate contexts can idioms be an effective language tool. The fact that one cannot just rely on the meaning of individual words to grasp what the full phrase means is the sole thing that makes studying idioms a time-consuming process.

Idioms should not be utilised in writing for academic or professional purposes. In a more lighthearted setting, idioms may add personality to your work or speaking. Idioms can also be used to convey sarcasm or puns. You need to utilise idioms carefully, just like you would with any other language feature. The only issue is that it would be meaningless or have no impact to a group of individuals who are unfamiliar with the idiom you are employing. Therefore, you should always make sure that the audience you are utilising idioms with can understand their meaning.

100 Common Idioms with Examples- Idioms and their Meaning

Have to come across commonly used idioms in English while watching American TV series or movies? English expressions, proverbs and idioms play an important role in everyday English both written and spoken. As idioms do not always make literal sense, students should be familiar with their meanings and how to use them. This may appear to be a lot of work, but idioms are fun! It is often called a manner of speaking that sounds more native, so it’s really useful to master some of these expressions.

So, here’s a list of the top 100 common idioms with their meanings and sentence examples:

Idiom	Idioms Meaning
Beat around the bush	To avoid talking about what’s important
Get your act together	Get organized and do things effectively
Hit the sack	Go to sleep
Your guess is as good as mine	I do not know
Good things come to those who wait	To have patience
Back against the wall	Stuck in a difficult circumstance with no escape
Up in arms	Being grumpy or angry about something
Scrape the barrel	Making the most of the worst situations or things because you can’t do anything about it
Burn your boats/bridges	Doing something that makes it impossible to go back to the original state.
Break fresh/ new ground	Doing something that has never been done before
Sell like hot cakes	Quick sellout
Run around in circles	Putting efforts into something that is not a worthwhile result
On cloud nine	Being very happy
Left out in the cold	Being ignored
Blow hot and cold	Alternate inconsistently between moods and actions
Cut corners	Doing something in an easier and least expensive manner
Boil the ocean	Taking up an almost impossible or overly ambitious project
Keep an ear to the ground	Staying informed and updated about everything
Eat like a horse	Eating too excessively
A snowball effect	The aspect of momentum in every event and how they build upon each other

Important Tip to Learn Idioms with Examples and their meanings:
It is comparatively easier to remember words unlike idioms because idioms (phrases) contain 3 or more words. And, remembering a chain of words and then speaking them in the correct sequence is not easy. But, one thing you can do is to repeat the idiom and its meaning a few times loudly and then use it in 2 to 3 different sentences.

21. In for a penny, in for a pound

Meaning: That someone is intentionally investing his time or money for a particular project or task.
Example: When Athlead was booming, Jim was in for a penny and in for a pound, that’s how much dedicated he was.

22. A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush

Meaning: An opportunity in hand, currently, is better than a prospect in the future, because time never repeats itself.
Example: The detective apprehended 3 criminals and saw another one running but didn’t chase him, because she knew a bird in one hand is better than two in the bush.

23. Chip off the old block

Meaning: A person is similar in behaviour or actions to his parents.
Example: When grandmother saw her grandson collecting coins like her son used to do, she knew he was a Chip off the old block.

24. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

Meaning: Treat people the same way you want to be treated.
Example: I felt Peter was a little cold today towards that homeless man, he should do unto others as he would have them do unto him, because who knows about time.

25. Don’t cry over spilt milk

Meaning: Don’t cry over what has happened as it can not be fixed.
Example: Walter failed his examination but his dad came and said just one thing, “Son, Don’t cry over spilt milk.”

26. Every cloud has a silver lining

Meaning: Bad things one day eventually lead to good things.
Example: See, yesterday you were so morose as your phone was stolen but look at you today, you got a promotion. Is it rightly said that every cloud has a silver lining.

27. Beside yourself with joy

Meaning: To be extremely happy.
Example: I can see that you are beside yourself with joy on being selected for the job, congratulations.

28. Fair and square

Meaning: Being direct or fair.
Example: To tell you fair and square, I did everything that I was meant to do, but I still feel unfulfilled.

29. Having an Ace up the sleeve

Meaning: Have an advantage that is currently being withheld for future purposes.
Example: Brian kept quiet at the board meeting, who knew he had an Ace hidden up his sleeve the whole time.

30. A black sheep

Meaning: Being a disgrace for the family.
Example: They don’t talk about Olive anymore, turns out he was the Black sheep for the family, he married someone else while he was still arranged to his fiancé.

31. Hook, line and sinker

Meaning: Doing something or trying to achieve something with thoroughness and passion.
Example: I have set my mind to go through the spreadsheets by Monday and I am working for it Hook, line and sinker.

32. Looking to your laurels

Meaning: Not be lost in your achievements and losing the sight of what is supposed to happen.
Example: Look to your laurels but do not rest on it.

33. Bear a grudge

Meaning: To continue to feel angry or unfriendly for someone or something because of a particular past incident.
Example: I Bear a grudge against him for not taking me into confidence.

34. By the skin of your teeth

Meaning: To just barely get by or make it.
Example: Lester made the dance team By the skin of his teeth, you see the audition gates were about to get closed.

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35. Down for the count

Meaning: Tired; giving up.
Example: My pet dog is down for the count after playing the whole day with the frisbee.

36. Draw the line

Meaning: To stop before a point where something okay gets not okay.
Example: Hey buddy, that’s enough, Draw the line before someone comes and beats you to a pulp.

37. Easier said than done

Meaning: Not as easy as it appears to be.
Example: Listen, losing weight is easier said than done, many people lack commitment.

38. Break a leg

Meaning: Saying good luck to someone.
Example: Hey Barry, it’s time for you to get on the stage and present your monologue, break a leg.

39. Up a creek without a paddle

Meaning: In an unlucky situation.
Example: Dan tried to dine and dash yesterday at a Chinese place but he was stopped by the waiters, guess he was up a creek without a paddle yesterday.

40. Give it a whirl

Meaning: To give something a try.
Example: I am absolutely terrified of skydiving, but I think once in my life, I will give it a whirl.

41. Fish out of water

Meaning: To be out of your comfort zone.
Example: Tom felt like a fish out of water when his girlfriend took him to a Star Wars convention in LA.

42. In the fast lane

Meaning: A life filled with excitement.
Example: When Chris turned forty, he decided to live his life in the fast lane and quit his job for his hobbies.

Meaning: To make an extra effort.
Example: He was willing to go the extra mile for the love of his life, Mia.

44. Snug as a bug in a rug

Meaning: Warm and cosy.
Meaning: The baby looks as snug as a bug in a rug next to her mother.

45. Step up your game

Meaning: To start performing better
Example: Jennifer better step up her game if she wants to make big in Basketball.

Idioms are used as a figurative language, i.e. the use of words in an imaginative and unusual manner. Take a look at more idioms with examples.

46. To not see the wood for the trees

Meaning: To be so involved in trivial matters that you don’t get the important facts.
Example: He always argues on the silliest topics, it’s like he can’t see wood for the trees.

47. Lose your marbles

Meaning: To go insane.
Example: Our mailman has lost his marbles, every day he drops Mr. Smith’s mail on our door.

48. Straight from the Horse’s mouth

Meaning: Directly from the person involved.
Example: Listen to the news straight from the horse’s mouth, his factory burned down right in front of his eyes.

49. Crying Wolf

Meaning: To ask for help when you don’t need it.
Example: You have cried Wolf so many times that no one believes you now.

50. Palm off

Meaning: Pass off something as genuine when it is spurious.
Example: This shopkeeper always palms off old stock to the customers.

51. Has bigger fish to fry

Meaning: Has more important work to do.
Example: Please don’t bother me today with any calls, I have bigger fish to fry.

52. Look before you leap

Meaning: Calculate the risks before advancing towards a possibility.
Example: You can’t just sell all of your shares when the market is low, look before you leap, Trump is coming tomorrow, it is possible the shares will grow.

53. On thin ice

Meaning: In a precarious or risky situation.
Example: Andy played hooky from work for a week saying he was sick, now his boss said that he is on very thin ice.

54. Play devil’s advocate

Meaning: To argue, just for the sake of it.
Example: He was not agreeing to back off, as if he was playing devil’s advocate.

Besides, knowing about various idioms with examples, a good vocabulary can take you to places in competitive exams as well as in life. Here’s our blog on 50 difficult words with meanings for you to master your speaking skills now!

55. Rain on someone’s parade

Meaning: To spoil a moment.
Example: He told his wife that he doesn’t want to rain on her parade, but they had to shift their vacation dates.

56. Take a rain check

Meaning: Postpone a plan.
Example: He asked me whether I would like to have dinner with his family, but I had a thing so I said, rain check.

57. Take it with a grain of salt

Meaning: Don’t take it too seriously.
Example: She tells great tales but we take whatever she says with a grain of salt.

58. Like a cakewalk

Meaning: So easy task.
Example: Everyone took hours to write the code but Adam did it like a cakewalk.

59. Throw caution to the wind

Meaning: Take a risk.
Example: The caretaker threw caution to the wind by taking a sick baby outside.

60. Penny-wise and Pound foolish

Meaning: Careful in trivial matters but wasteful or extravagant in large matters.
Example: That man eats Ramen noodles daily for dinner but for his dog, he threw a big party. He is indeed penny-wise and pound-foolish.

61. The whole nine yards

Meaning: Everything, all the way.
Example: I want to know everything there is to know about this merger, the whole nine yards of the deal.

62. The best thing since sliced bread

Meaning: A really good invention.
Example: Bluetooth is officially the best thing since sliced bread.

Source: Pinterest

It is important to note that idioms themselves do not create complete sentences and they require additional context to give them a sense. Take a look at some more idioms with examples and their meanings:

63. Bite off more than you can chew

Meaning: Take on a difficult work that is beyond your capabilities.
Example: Andrew told his boss that he will triple the sales but in reality, he bit off more than he can chew and now all of us are in trouble.

64. Play by the ear

Meaning: To improvise.
Example: I just went to Canada and did everything by the ear, no itinerary, no schedules.

65. Ignorance is bliss

Meaning: You are better off not knowing some things.
Example: His wife always asked him what it was he did late at night, turned out, he was insider trading. But she knew nothing about this so she won’t be convicted, sometimes ignorance is bliss.

66. Put something on ice

Meaning: To put something on hold.
Example: As per the boss’ order, Michael has put his personal matters on ice.

67. You can say that again

Meaning: That’s absolutely true.
Example: “The Earth is bleeding”, you can say that again, pal.

68. Bite the bullet

Meaning: To get something over with because it is inevitable.
Example: Vik was diagnosed with second stage cancer but he didn’t want to get chemotherapy. By the will of his wife, he bit the bullet.

69. Go back to the drawing board

Meaning: Start over.
Example: It is not too late to go back to the drawing board and assess your mistakes.

70. Call it a day

Meaning: Stop working on something.
Example: Ah! So what we didn’t complete the puzzle today, let’s call it a day and come back again tomorrow.

71. Beating Around the Bush

Meaning: To talk about unnecessary things.
Example: When I asked my secretary about the missing file and documents, she was beating around the bush.

72. Be in a Tight Corner.

Meaning: Being in a difficult situation.
Example: Radha’s low grades despite her constant efforts has put her in a very tight corner.

73. At the 11th Hour

Meaning: At the last moment.
Example: While leaving for Shimla, Harshit kept his mobile phone charger in the bag at the 11th hour.

74. Swan Song

Meaning: The last piece of work of an artist before his/her death.
Example: This painting was M.F Hussain’s swan song.

75. Wild Goose Chase

Meaning: Futile Chase
Example: Catching the two thieves together on a jam-packed road was no less than a wild goose chase for the policeman.

76. Bury the Hatchet

Meaning: Ending a quarrel to make peace.
Example: My father buried the hatchet by equally diving the pasta between me and my sister.

77. To Bell the Cat

Meaning: To face a risk.
Example: He belled the cat when he was trying to escape the prison.

78. Turn a deaf ear

Meaning: To ignore what someone is saying.
Example: Whenever her mother complained of her excessive use of mobile phone, Anu turned a deaf ear.

79. At Sea

Meaning: Confused
Example: I was at sea while choosing a lehenga for my sister’s wedding at Manish Malhotra’s store.

80. To be in the doldrums

Meaning: To be in a low spirit
Example: When I got to know about the increasing cases of COVID 19 in my area, I was in the doldrums.

81. Hit the books

Meaning: Going to study
Example: I won’t be able to come for dinner as I have to hit the books for my half-yearly examinations.

82. Twist someone’s arm

Meaning: To convince someone
Example: I was not planning to come to the party but by remaining me of all the good food you twisted my arm!

83. Stab someone in the back

Meaning: To betray a close person
Example: My uncle trusted his driver so much but he stabbed him at the back when he saw all the money bags.

84. Go cold turkey

Meaning: To quit or stop addictive or dangerous behaviour
Example: No one could believe that my father left eating sweets! He went cold turkey when the doctors told him that he has diabetes.

85. Ring a bell

Meaning: Sounds familiar
Example: Why does this name ring a bell in my head? Was this girl in my school?

86. Cut to the chase

Meaning: Getting to the important point
Example: As the submissions were to be made tonight, boss cut to the chase and asked us to start working.

87. Blow off steam

Meaning: Experiencing strong feelings like anger or stress
Example: Shina went running to blow off steam as she had a huge fight with mother.

88. Face the music

Meaning: Face the reality
Example: Shikha asked her husband to not run away from the problem and just face the music once!

89. To have sticky fingers

Meaning: Thief
Example: The cashier had a sticky finger, he stole around $2000 and ran away from the bank.

90. Break the bank

Meaning: To be very expensive
Example: I had to break the bank to but these shoes!

91. Face the music

Meaning: Confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions.
Example: We have done it and now it’s time to face the music!

92. It is always darkest before the dawn

Meaning: Things will get better
Example: I know you have gone through the worst, but remember it is always darkest before the dawn.

93. Jump the gun

Meaning: To act on something promptly before the right time
Example: I think I jumped the gun by sending the e-mail before they tell the time.

94. Wear your heart on your sleeve

Meaning: Expressing yourself too openly
Example: She wears her heart on her sleeve and often gets hurt.

95. Cut no ice

Meaning: Fail to make an impact
Example: Your poetry cuts no ice with me.

96. Light at the end of tunnel

Meaning: Seeing signs of improvement in the future
Example: I see the light at the end of the tunnel for my relationship with her.

97. Through thick and thin

Meaning: Through good and bad times
Example: Books and music stay by your side through thick and thin.

98. Cry for the moon

Meaning: To ask for something that is rather difficult
Example: You are crying for the moon for this concert’s tickets!

99. Read between the lines

Meaning: Understanding the real message behind something
Example: If you try to read between the lines, her song is actually about nizagara

100. Pour out one’s heart

Meaning: To express openly
Example: I can’t pour my heart out to you if you are too distracted by everything around you.

Learn the 100 Common Idioms with their Meanings

Credits: Lucy with Examples

Courtesy: Pinterest

20 Idioms with their Meanings and Sentences

Here are the most common 20 idioms with their meanings and sentences:

A left-handed compliment
Meaning: Saying something insulting in the form of appreciative words.
Example: Her words on my blog seem like a left-handed compliment.
Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Not very often
Example: I visit her place once in a blue moon.
Call a spade a spade
Meaning: Talking frankly
Example: I will not lie about it and call a spade a spade.
Flesh and blood
Meaning: Referring to someone in family or human nature
Example: It’s flesh and blood to feel such strong emotions at this time.
Jam on the brakes
Meaning: Press brakes of a vehicle suddenly
Example: I had to jam on the brakes when I saw the deer.
Notch up
Meaning: To win or create a record
Example: One Direction notched up the finale with their amazing voice!
A slap on the wrist
Meaning: Just a small punishment
Example: You will get a slap on the wrist for painting this wall but don’t dare to do it again.
Knee Jerk Reaction
Meaning: A quick response
Example: The statement was just a knee jerk reaction.
Once bitten, twice shy
Meaning: Afraid of doing something again
Example: Once bitten twice shy, he can’t ski.
Forty winks
Meaning: A short nap
Example: I will be just in for forty winks, I promise.
Up for grabs
Meaning: Available for everyone
Example: This pizza slice is up for grabs!
Old as the hills
Meaning: Someone very old
Example: The man looks as old as the hills.
Back to square one
Meaning: Start all over again
Example: Your mistake brought us back to square one.
Round the bend
Meaning: Crazy
Example: My neighbour is round the bend, don’t try to mess with her.
Against the clock
Meaning: Rushed
Example: I have to hurry for the meeting, I am against the clock.
Black and blue
Meaning: Something bruised
Example: What happened? Your eyes look black and blue.
Have the blues
Meaning: Sad
Example: After meeting her, I am feeling the blues.
Be glad to see the back of
Meaning: Happy when someone leaves
Example: Tomorrow, I will be glad to see the back of her.
Black out
Meaning: Faint
Example: I blacked out after two drinks.
Get in Shape
Meaning: To become strong or fit
Example: I need to make a proper schedule to get in shape before the graduation ceremony.

30 Idioms Examples and their Meaning for Students

Here are the most common 30 idioms with their meanings and sentences:

Shoot from the hip
Meaning: To speak bluntly or rashly without thinking carefully
Example: Don’t feel bad about what he said. He has a habit of shooting from the hip, but he means no harm
Shoot oneself in the foot
Meaning: To harm one’s own cause inadvertently
Example: Foolishly harm one’s own cause, as in He really shot himself in the foot, telling the interviewer all about the others who were applying for the job he wanted.
In cold blood
Meaning: If you do something violent and cruel in cold blood, you do it deliberately and in an unemotional way.
Example: In a purposely ruthless and unfeeling manner, as in The whole family was murdered in cold blood.
Draw first blood
Meaning: If you draw first blood, you cause the first damage to an opponent in a conflict or contest.
Example: To be the first to gain an advantage or score against an opponent. I drew first blood in the tournament and quickly dispatched my opponent.
Ace up one’s sleeve
Meaning: A secret or hidden advantage that you can use when you need it
Example: Cheating at a card game by hiding a favourable card up one’s sleeve. I have an ace up my sleeve for this race—my stamina.
Play your cards right
Meaning: To behave or work in a way that gives you an advantage or improves your odds of success.
Example: Play your cards right in college and you’ll get a great job after you graduate
Egg on your face
Meaning: If you’ve egg on your face, you look stupid and face embarrassment because of something you’ve done.
Example: Terry had an egg on his face after boasting that the examinations were really easy, but ended up failing most of his papers.
Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs
Meaning: To destroy something that gives you a lot of money to get immediate returns
Example: Tearing down the top attraction in the theme park, “The Haunted House”, would be akin to killing the goose that lays the golden egg.
An arm and a leg
Meaning: If something costs an arm and a leg, it costs a lot.
Example: I want to buy a house by the beach, but it may cost me an arm and a leg.
Behind one’s back
Meaning: If you do something behind someone’s back, you do it secretly without their knowledge (used in negative way).
Example: My colleague is really nice to me but I don’t trust him because I know he talks negatively about me behind my back
Stab someone in the back
Meaning: Harm someone who trusts you.
Example: Don’t trust George; he’s been known to stab his friends in the back
Take a back seat
Meaning: If you take a back seat, you choose not to be in a position of responsibility or power.
Example: The founder of the company decided to take a back seat and let the board members run the business.
Back to the drawing board
Meaning: If you go back to the drawing board, you make a fresh start or try another idea because the earlier one didn’t succeed.
Example: It looks like my plans to kill the weeds in the garden failed. Back to the drawing board
Right off the bat
Meaning: If you do something right off the bat, you do it immediately.
Example: Nathan was in the mood for a cheeseburger, so he hopped into his car and bought some fast food. After unwrapping the burger, he took a bite and right off the bat he knew that something was wrong; it didn’t taste right.
Heart misses (skips) a beat
Meaning: If your heart misses a beat, you feel excited or nervous.
Example: Her heart missed a beat when she heard her name called out in the list of finalists, or When the bear appeared in front of us, my heart skipped a beat, or My heart stands still at the very thought of flying through a thunderstorm
Have your heart in your mouth
Meaning: If you’ve your heart in mouth, you’re feeling extremely nervous.
Example: You sure don’t seem relaxed—in fact, it seems like your heart is in your mouth.
Not the only fish in the sea
Meaning: Not the only suitable thing or person one can find
Example: When Bob walked out on Sally, all we could tell her was that he was not the only fish in the sea , or Bill knew she wasn’t the only pebble on the beach but he was determined to win her over.
Not your cup of tea
Meaning: If you say that someone or something is not your cup of tea, you mean that they’re not the kind of person or thing you like.
Example: We couldn’t decide which movie to watch, so we ended up settling on a comedy. Half-way through the movie, I concluded that its humor was not my cup of tea.
A piece of cake
Meaning: If something is a piece of cake, it’s easy to do.
Example: The boy found the project to be a piece of cake because it was incredibly easy.
Call it a day
Meaning: If you call it a day, you stop what you’re doing because you’re tired of it or you’ve not been successful.
Example: I think we have done enough work today, I am feeling tired now, let’s call it a day.
The pot calling the kettle black
Meaning: Accusing someone of faults that you yourself have
Example: I can’t believe that you are upset because I was late. That is the pot calling the kettle black. Peter called me a liar! That is the pot calling the kettle black.
Call a spade a spade
Meaning: To speak truth even if it’s unpleasant
Example: That dress made her look fat, let’s call a spade a spade before she goes out wearing it and embarrasses herself.
A bolt from the blue
Meaning: A sudden, unexpected event
Example: Let us hope the pandemic disappears. It came as a bolt from the blue in 2020.
In the same boat
Meaning: If two or more persons are in the same boat, they’re in the same difficult situation.
Example: If you lose your job, I’ll lose mine. We are both in the same boat.
Miss the boat/ bus
Meaning: To miss an opportunity
Example: He missed the boat when he did not apply for the job in time.
Over my dead body
Meaning: If you say something will happen your dead body, you mean you dislike it and will do everything you can to prevent it.
Example: I told John that he could shave his head, over my dead body.
Make one’s blood boil
Meaning: To make someone extremely angry
Example: When I hear stories of cruelty to animals, it makes my blood boil.
Bounce something off someone
Meaning: If you bounce something off someone, you discuss ideas or plan with someone to get their view on it.
Example: I caught the rubber ball when it bounced off the wall. The light bouncing off of that mirror is blinding me—can we close the curtains?
Bell the cat
Meaning: To undertake a risky or dangerous task.
Example: Someone has to bell the cat and tell the commissioner that his own started the violence
Like a cat on hot tin roof
Meaning: In an uneasy or nervous state
Example: She’s waiting for the doctor to call with her test results, so she’s been like a cat on a hot tin roof all day

idiom

Source: Pintrest

IELTS Speaking – 7 Idioms for a Band 9 Score

FAQs

Suggests some Idioms for Kids

It’s raining cats and dogs is an idiom, it means it is raining very hard.

What is easy Idiom in English?

It’s a doddle, it means there’s nothing to it.

What is Idioms and phrases with examples?

Get your act together, it means you need to improve your behaviour/work
Pull yourself together, it means calm down
I’m feeling under the weather, it means I’m sick
It’s a piece of cake, it means it’s easy
Break a leg, it means good luck

What is an Idiom?

A set of words, or, to put it another way, a phrase, that has a meaning beyond the words’ literal meanings is known as an idiom.

Where to not use any idiom?

Idioms should not be utilised in writing for academic or professional purposes.

Learning idioms with examples and their meaning is the best way to master them and make your writing more engaging. Try to practice idioms with examples of your own. If you wish to seek further guidance on your English-language proficiency test preparation like TOEFL or IELTS and your career, you can check out Leverage Edu today and schedule a free consultation session now.

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Contents

English Idioms with Common Verbs

1. Hit the books

2. Hit the sack

3. Twist someone’s arm

4. Stab someone in the back

5. Lose your touch

6. Sit tight

7. Pitch in

8. Go cold turkey

9. Face the music

10. Ring a bell

11. Blow off steam

12. Cut to the chase

English Idioms with Common Prepositions

13. Up in the air

14. On the ball

15. Get over something

16. Over the hill

17. Through thick and thin

18. Off the chain

English Idioms About Money

19. Look like a million bucks

20. Born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth

21. To go from rags to riches

22. Pay an arm and a leg for something

23. To have sticky fingers

24. To give someone a run for their money

25. To pony up

26. To ante up

27. To up the ante

28. Break even

29. Break the bank

30. To be close-fisted

31. To go Dutch

32. Shell out money

33. Midas touch

34. Receive a kickback

35. Living hand to mouth

36. To be loaded

37. Make ends meet

38. As genuine as a three-dollar bill

39. In the red

40. In the black

English Idioms with Body Parts

41. Eyeball it

42. Rule of thumb

43. Keep your chin up

44. Find your feet

45. Play it by ear

46. Knuckle down

English Idioms About Food

47. Spice things up

48. A piece of cake

49. Cool as a cucumber

50. A couch potato

51. Bring home the bacon

52. In hot water

53. Compare apples and oranges

54. Not one’s cup of tea

55. Eat like a bird

56. Eat like a horse

57. Butter someone up

58. Food for thought

59. A smart cookie

60. Packed like sardines

61. Spill the beans

62. A bad apple

63. Bread and butter

64. Buy a lemon

65. A hard nut to crack

66. Have a sweet tooth

English Idioms About Weather

67. Under the weather

68. A storm is brewing

69. Calm before the storm

70. Weather a storm

71. When it rains, it pours

72. Chasing rainbows

73. Rain or shine