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50 Most Common English Idioms

• Categories: English Language Language Diversity

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Words: 1574 |

Published: Jan 21, 2020

Words: 1574 | Pages: 3 | 8 min read

What are idioms?

• Add fuel to the flames
• Answer nature’s call
• Accidentally on purposeIt refers to when somebody does something deliberately and then pretends that it was an accident.
• Badger someone
• Balancing act
• Be ones best bet
• Bare your soul
• Binge drinking
• Biting the hand that feeds youIf you are so harsh to someone who a lot to you and they are kind to you then they can say you are biting the hand that feeds you.
• Breathing down someone’s neck
• Clinch a deal
• A done deal
• In black and white
• Gentleman’s agreement
• No strings attached
• With one voice
• Like the back of one’s handWhenever you have a complete knowledge of something it means you know it like the back of your hand.
• Back into shape
• Back on your feet
• Up in armsWhenever somebody is up in arms, they are so angry over something.
• Get off my back
• Bite someone’s head off
• Be in a black mood
• Blow a fuse
• Bone to pick with someone
• Come down to someone like a ton of bricks
• Dressed to kill
• Down at heel
• Face like a bulldog chewing a wasp
• Mutton dressed as a lamb
• Big fish in a small pond
• Bring to heel
• Bulldoze someone into doing something
• Call the shots
• Too many chiefs, not enough Indians
• Crack the whip
• Dancing to someone’s tune
• Drawing a line in the sand
• Force someone’s hand
• At all costs
• Having a bee in your bonnet
• Blood, sweat and tears
• Having something on your brain
• Explore all avenues
• Embarrassment of riches
• on the fence
• Horns of a dilemma
• Come to a bad end

Works Cited

• Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.). Idiom. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/idiom
• Chiu, Y.-L. (2017). The Use of Idioms in English Language Teaching. Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, 9(2), 49–54.
• Crystal, D. (2008). A dictionary of linguistics and phonetics. Wiley-Blackwell.
• Idiomsite. (n.d.). Idioms and Their Meanings. https://www.idiomsite.com/
• Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Idiom. In Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idiom
• Phan, H. (2020). A survey on the use of idioms in English language teaching in Vietnam. Journal of Language and Linguistics Studies, 16(1), 1–13.
• Prithviraj, B. (2017). The role of idioms in enhancing language learners’ language proficiency. Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, 4(2), 39–46.
• Seidl, J., & McMordie, W. (2010). English idioms exercises on phrasal verbs and idioms. Hueber.
• Tirkkonen-Condit, S., & Laukkanen, A.-M. (1996). Idioms in English: A corpus-based study of variation in current English usage. Walter de Gruyter.
• Wray, A. (2002). Formulaic language and the lexicon. Cambridge University Press.

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Writing idioms: Inspiring phrases about writing and writers

Struggling with writer’s block? These writing idioms will get your mind flowing again.

In this list we cover English idioms about writing, writers, letters, and even paper. We have also included a few proverbs on these topics! All of these phrases include a definition and example sentences to help you learn how to use them.

So, pen at the ready, and let’s go!

Writing idioms

Get it in writing.

You’ll hear people use the expression get it in writing when they want to have physical proof of an agreement. They don’t just want to rely on a handshake or verbal agreement.

“Unless you get it in writing, I can’t proceed with the deal.”

Related to this, someone may ask you to put it in writing when you are forming an agreement.

Wet signature

Similar to the expression above, sometimes you are required to sign something with a wet signature (as opposed to an e-signature). This means that you must physically sign with a pen or other writing implement.

“That bank is so old-fashioned; they need a wet signature for me to open an account.”

Handwriting like chicken scratch

Hopefully, no one says you have handwriting like chicken scratch . It’s a way of describing someone’s writing as very messy – even illegible – like the dirt marks chickens make!

“My doctor has handwriting like chichen scratch and the pharmacist couldn’t understand it.”

Yes – doctors are notorious for their bad handwriting, but have you ever wondered why ?

Paper trail

You may hear this phrase in your favorite police drama show. A paper trail is a series of records and documents that can be used to track someone’s activities. When the police are looking for a criminal, they can follow phone records, financial reports, diary entries or even video footage to locate the person.

“We just followed the paper trail and found the missing money.”

Even though these records may be mainly electronic nowadays, we still refer to it as a ‘paper trail’.

Poison-pen letter

A poison-pen letter is not a very nice thing to write or receive. It’s a letter or note that is very mean-spirited, critical or even malicious. It isn’t usually signed by the sender.

“I can’t belive someone left a poison-pen letter on my car.”

To describe someone as an open book is to say that they are easy to get to know. They don’t withhold information or keep secrets, so you can learn a lot about them and their nature.

“Jo at reception is an open book. I find her really easy to get to know.”

We have more expressions about friendship and getting to know people on a separate page.

It’s not worth the paper it’s written/printed on

Sadly, some of these writing idioms are about deception and being tricked. When people describe an agreement, contract signing, guarantee or promise as not (being) worth the paper it’s written on , they are saying that the agreement is worthless.

“This contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. I’m afraid you’re going to lose your money.”

Not worth writing home about

When something is of little interest, rather dull or unremarkable, you could say that it’s not worth writing home about . In other words, there is no exciting news to report.

“My weekend wasn’t worth writing home about. What about you?”

Don’t forget to write

This is one of the more dated idioms about writing. Traditionally, when people went on holiday they would write postcards to friends and family back home. So, as a clichéd farewell, people will remind you, don’t forget to write . There are some more modern travel idioms you can use, too.

“Have a wonderful holiday and don’t forget to write.”

A word of warning: this expression can also be used in a sarcastic way when someone is happy you are leaving!

The oldest trick in the book

The oldest trick in the book is a form of deception or trickery, or a way of solving a problem, that has been done for a long time and still works well.

“Were you really expecting a new iPhone for that price from a guy on the street?! It’s the oldest trick in the book!” “I always go for a run whilst the family are still sleeping. It’s the oldest trick in the book to make sure I still get a run in.”

When this expression is used in reference to some kind of deception, there is also the suggestion that nobody should be naive enough to fall for the trick as it has been around for so long. So, if you do get tricked in this way, it’s your own fault for being gullible.

Don’t judge a book by its cover

This is such a popular phrase and a really great piece of advice. You should never judge a book by its cover as you are basing your opinions of someone or something purely on what you see on the outside.

“I was so shocked when my 92-year-old grandfather started breakdancing at the wedding. Guess you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover!”

Idioms about writing

Put pen to paper.

This idiom about writing could be losing relevance, since most writing nowadays is done electronically. Still, to instruct someone to put pen to paper is to tell them it’s time to start writing.

“Ok boys and girls, the exam has started to it’s time to put pen to paper. Good luck.” “Writing a novel may seem daunting but it just begins with putting pen to paper.”

The writing is on the wall

A lot of these idioms about writing are forms of warning or guidance, and this one is no exception! When there are strong indications that something bad is about to happen, people will warn that the writing is on the wall .

“Our sales are down and they’ve just transfered calls to another team. I guess the writing is on the wall and we’ll be fired soon.”

Did you know this is one of many idioms that come from the Bible ?

Paper over the cracks

In a literal form, to paper over cracks would be to cover defects in a wall by decorating over them. As an idiom, it tells us that someone is trying to hide or gloss over problems, issues, or disagreements.

“Listen, just paper over the cracks and we’ll sort it out after the presentation.”

Take a leaf out of someone’s book

When someone suggests that you take a leaf (or a page) out of someone’s book they are saying that you should do the same as them or follow their example.

“Why don’t you take a leaf out of your brother’s book? He’s just graduated from college.”

There are lots more idioms about books for you to discover here.

Pen pusher / Paper pusher

Writing idioms can be used in so many different ways. This one describes the type of job someone has. A pen pusher or paper pusher is someone who has a low-level administrative job that isn’t very interesting or significant.

It probably involves a lot of form-filling, filing or repetitive paperwork.

“Just ignore Micky, he’s only a paper pusher and has no real say in what happens.”

The pen is mightier than the sword

This is such an inspiring writer idiom, and perhaps an important idiom for kids to learn . The meaning behind the expression the pen is mightier than the sword is that writing is better than fighting.

Why so? Well, when you write something, people will read your words and you can influence or inspire them. Or it could be saying that communicating solves more problems than going to war. Basically, being intellectual is better than being physically aggressive, according to this saying.

“I wrote a letter to the President as I believe that the pen is mightier than the sword.”

Give someone their walking papers

Although there are a few positive idioms about writing, this one isn’t so good. To give someone their walking papers is to fire them from a job or ask them to leave a place or situation.

“Well, that’s that. I was given my walking papers on Friday.”

In British English, you may hear a similar phrase – to give someone their marching orders – which means the same thing.

The ink isn’t even dry yet / the ink’s still wet

You would use the saying the ink isn’t even dry yet or the ink is still wet to comment on something happening immediately after an agreement or legal document is signed.

A good example is someone getting re-married just after signing their divorce papers.

“The ink was still wet on the contract for the new car and he backed it into a wall!” “The ink isn’t even dry on your employment contract and you’re already thinking of leaving?!”

Even if nothing was physically signed, this phrase can be used figuratively.

Write a bum check (cheque)

Have you ever written a check to make a payment? Checks are being phased out in most places, but here is a full explanation of how they used to work.

To write a bum check (or ‘cheque’ in British English) is to issue a check to someone even though there isn’t enough money in the account to cover it. Since it takes a few days for a check to clear, there would be no way for the seller to know that you didn’t have the funds to make the payment. It’s no surprise that other payment methods are taking over!

“Just make sure you don’t write a bum check again.”

Discover some more idioms about money here.

Write someone up / Write someone a ticket

This writing expression is predominantly used with reference to police officers, although you may hear it in a work context too. When you write someone up you are reporting them for a wrong action they have done.

The similar idiom, write someone a ticket , would usually refer to a parking or speeding ticket resulting in a fine.

“Sue, you know you can’t enter here without a permit! I’m going to have to write you up.” “I begged the policeman not to write me a ticket, but he wouldn’t listen.”

Writer’s block

This is a perfect idiom about writing to end on! The reason for this is that when someone suffers from writer’s block they simply can’t think of anything else to write.

“I tried so hard to finish my essay last night but by 11pm I got writer’s block and had to stop.” “Do you have any tips for dealing with writer’s block?”

Hopefully, this list of writing idioms has helped you not only to understand them better but also to be a little more creative in your own writing.

Are there any others you have heard of that we could add to this list? Leave a comment to let us know.

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Essay Idioms: Idioms for Argumentative Essay

Essay Idioms PDF! Below is the list of 50 idioms for argumentative essays, learn a very useful list of idioms for essays with meaning and examples. Download this list of idioms for the essay in an Infographic PDF.

Table of Contents

Essay Idioms in English

List of essay idioms.

Here are some more idioms that can be used in essays:

• A picture is worth a thousand words
• All’s fair in love and war
• Barking up the wrong tree
• Burning the midnight oil
• Cutting corners
• Devil’s advocate
• Don’t judge a book by its cover
• Every cloud has a silver lining
• Fit as a fiddle
• Get the ball rolling
• Hard to swallow
• In a nutshell
• Jump the gun
• Keep your chin up
• Let the cat out of the bag
• Make a long story short
• No pain, no gain
• On the same page
• Practice makes perfect
• Rain on someone’s parade
• Sink or swim
• Time flies when you’re having fun
• Variety is the spice of life
• When in Rome, do as the Romans do
• You can’t judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree.
• Actions speak louder than words
• All bark and no bite
• Beat around the bush
• Better late than never
• Bite the bullet
• Break a leg
• Burn bridges
• By the skin of your teeth
• Cry over spilt milk
• Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
• Elephant in the room
• Face the music
• Give the benefit of the doubt
• Hit the nail on the head
• Ignorance is bliss
• Jump through hoops
• Kill two birds with one stone
• Let sleeping dogs lie
• Misery loves company
• On thin ice
• Penny for your thoughts
• Put all your eggs in one basket
• Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Idioms For Essay Conclusion

Here are some idioms that can be used to conclude an essay:

• All things considered
• At the end of the day
• In conclusion
• To put it simply
• To wrap it up
• On the whole
• By and large
• To cut a long story short
• In the final analysis
• In the grand scheme of things
• In the long run
• Lastly but not least
• To draw a conclusion

Idioms for Argumentative Essay

Here are some idioms that can be used in an argumentative essay:

• To be up in arms about
• To play devil’s advocate
• To fight tooth and nail
• To be a double-edged sword
• To hit the nail on the head
• To be a hot-button issue
• To be a bone of contention
• To stir up a hornet’s nest
• To get to the heart of the matter
• To be in someone’s corner
• To have a dog in the fight
• To hold one’s ground
• To make a case for
• To put one’s foot down
• To stand one’s ground
• To throw down the gauntlet
• To turn the tables
• To weigh the pros and cons
• To see both sides of the coin
• To take a firm stance

Essay Idioms With Meaning and Example Sentences

Below is the list of essay idioms in English:

REST/SIT ON ONE’S LAURELS

Meaning: To be satisfied with one’s achievements

• He retired at the peak of his career and is resting on his laurels.

RISE TO THE OCCASION

Meaning: To be able to do what is required in a crisis

• We should be ready to rise to every occasion.

Meaning: An easy way

• There is no royal road to success.

RUN SHORT OF

Meaning: To be in insufficient supply

• We are running short of fuel.

SAFE AND SOUND

Meaning: Without suffering any loss

• They reached home safe and sound.

SAVE SOMETHING FOR A RAINY DAY

Meaning: Save something for a time of crisis

• Wise persons save something for a rainy day.

Meaning: Free from harm or penalty

• The court let him off scot-free.

SEE EYE TO EYE

Meaning: Agree fully

• Both the husband and the wife see eye to eye in this matter.

SEE HOW THE LAND LIES

Meaning: To find out about a situation

• Let me see how the land lies before we do anything.

SET / PUT IN MOTION

Meaning: To start a process

• Her anger set in motion the events that led to her downfall.

Meaning: To let someone free

• He opened the cage and set the birds free.

SET ONE’S FACE AGAINST

Meaning: To oppose

• Her father set his face Against her becoming an actress.

Meaning: In good order

• well-arranged, neat and clean)

SHOW THE WHITE FEATHER

Meaning: Show cowardice

• The brave never show the white feather in the battlefield.

SIT / BE ON THE FENCE

Meaning: To be neutral

• The judge should always sit on the fence.

Meaning: Polite talk about very unimportant matters

• I do not like to indulge in small talk.

SMELL A RAT

Meaning: To have the feeling that something is bad or wrong

• The thief smells a rat and ran away.

Meaning: A long way

• At is so far to go.

Meaning: As far as

• Try to avoid him, so far as I know him, he is not a good boy.

SOUR GRAPES

Meaning: Fake dislike for something one cannot have

• The poor man said that he did not need money, but that was just sour grapes.

SPEAK ONE’S MIND

Meaning: Express one’s views, feelings, and thoughts

• Everyone should be free to speak his mind

SPEAK VOLUMES

Meaning: To convey a great deal of meaning without using words

• She said nothing but her face spoke volumes.

SPICK AND SPAN

Meaning: Neat and clean, brand new

• She always keeps her house spick and span.

SPLIT HAIRS

Meaning: To make trivial distinctions

• Let us do not split hairs, I will do it as your wish.

SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE

Meaning: Spread rapidly

• The news of his success spread like wildfire.

STAND ON CEREMONY

Meaning: To behave in a formal way

• Please sit down and make yourself comfortable, do not stand on ceremony here.

STEAL A MARCH ON

Meaning: To gain an advantage

• Do not let him steal a march on you.

STORM IN A TEACUP

Meaning: A big clash on a small matter

• Do not worry about the two ladies quarreling, it is just a storm in a teacup.

STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT

Meaning: To do something at a proper moment

• Wise people always strike while the iron is hot.

SUIT SOMEBODY’S BOOK

Meaning: To fit well into someone’s plans

• We need a male teacher, he suits our book.

TAKE A FANCY TO

Meaning: Begin to love

• He has taken a fancy to that beautiful girl.

TAKE A LEAF FROM/OUT OF SOMEBODY’S BOOK

Meaning: To imitate, to follow someone’s example

• Our country should take a leaf from Japan’s book.

TAKE A LEAP IN THE DARK

Meaning: To do something without worrying about the results

• To start such a big business without experience is like to take leap in the dark.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOMETHING/SOMEBODY

Meaning: To make use of something well

• We took full advantage of the hotel facilities.

TAKE CARE OF

Meaning: To look after

• I take good care of my car.

TAKE FRENCH LEAVE

Meaning: To take time away from your job without asking for permission

• Her boss was angry at her for taking French leave.

Meaning: Gather courage

• Do not get discouraged, just take heart to face the music.

TAKE IT ILL

Meaning: Get offended

• She will take it ill if you refuse to lend her problem.

TAKE ONE’S TIME

Meaning: To use as much time as you need without hurrying

• The judge took his time to decide the case.

TAKE PAINS TO DO SOMETHING/TAKE PAINS WITH/OVER SOMETHING

Meaning: Make a special effort to do something

• Elina takes great pains to do his work.

TAKE SOMETHING/SOMEBODY BY STORM

Meaning: To be very successful in a particular place or with a group of people

• This book has taken the students by storm.

TAKE SOMETHING INTO ACCOUNT/TAKE ACCOUNT OF SOMETHING

Meaning: To consider particular facts while making a decision about something

• The government should take into account the pitiable condition of the poor.

TAKE THE BULL ‘BY THE HORNS

Meaning: To tackle the difficulties boldly

• Brave people always take the bull by the horns.

TAKE TO HEART

Meaning: Feel sad

• He took the death of his mother to heart.

TAKE TO ONE’S HEELS / SHOW A CLEAN PAIR OF HEELS

Meaning: Run away

• Brave warriors never take to their heels from the battlefield.

TAKE TO TASK

Meaning: Rebuke

• The principal took the peon to task for his laziness.

TAKE WITH A GRAIN/PINCH OF SALT

Meaning: To receive with a little doubt

• Take his story with a grain of salt as he is a liar through and through.

Meaning: To talk about your work

• His habit of talking shop is boring for others.

THE MAN IN THE STREET

Meaning: An ordinary man

• The man in the street takes no interest in politics.

THE RED CARPET TREATMENT/WELCOME

Meaning: Great respect and honor given to the guests

• The minister was given a red-carpet welcome when he visited the city.

Must Learn: List of Interesting Idioms & Phrases

Idioms Used in Essays – Infographic

Download the PDF of this list of Idioms for Essays below:

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Last updated on April 20th, 2023 at 11:24 am

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35 Common idioms and their meanings

Masooma Memon

Before I shifted my house, I had a full list of idioms in English that I printed out and referred to whenever I put pen to paper. This was about a decade ago, around the time I finished college. Now, I frequently look up idioms online. If I like an idiomatic phrase in a movie or show, I quickly jot it down in my pocket-sized notebook or a sticky note.

You could say I’m obsessed with idioms. But, it’s a healthy obsession to be honest. Because idioms add life to your writing and help you succinctly explain things, there’s no reason not to use them.

Interested in coloring your writing with idioms? Let’s give a bookmark-worthy list of idioms alongside why you should be as obsessed with idioms.

What is an idiom?

Idioms are phrases or expressions that don’t literally mean what the individual words in the phrase stand for. Idioms emerge from an incident or past story. Overtime, however, they lose their meaning and become figurative.

For example : a piece of cake

The literal meaning of this is cake slice (lava cake, anybody?). But, when you use it as an idiom, you mean something that’s easy to do — that’s this phrase’s figurative meaning . 

With the formal idioms definition out of the way, let’s look at some examples of idioms that you’ve probably already heard or used before:

Fun fact: There are an estimated 25,000 idioms in English language. Talk about variety!

Why do we use idioms?

The short answer is: idioms add life to your writing. But exactly how do these groups of words polish your English ?

Here are five ways idiomatic expressions help you:

1. Idioms paint a visual picture for your readers

Even if it’s plain content that you’re working on – you can up your writing’s description game by using idioms.

Look at this example:

The idiom means having to choose from equally difficult paths. By using it, not only does the sentence sound better, but the particular idiom creates a visual picture in the readers’ mind. They can imagine Mara having to choose between sinking in the dark sea and the devil itself. Either way, Mara’s dead.

2. They add impact to your writing

In the example above, there’s a third favor that this idiom does to the sentence: it adds meaning.

Think of it like this: saying ‘choosing between equally unpleasant scenarios’ is dull and boring, even meh . And, it doesn’t leave much of an impact. But, when you, as a reader, imagine Mara standing between the ‘devil and the deep blue sea,’ you can tell things are gettin’ serious.

3. These expressions add humor to your writing

Besides adding flavor to otherwise dull writing, some idioms can help you brighten your readers’ mood.

Frankly, humor isn’t easy to work into your writing. Unless, you’re a master at cracking jokes. Most of us, however, aren’t good at that. So, instead of making a fool of ourselves, it’s better to pull out an idiom like the one below:

Literally, Sophie isn’t a chicken and, of course, she has her head intact. The idiom just means that like a panicked chicken, Sophie is running around in a haphazard manner. This is a funny, light-hearted way of explaining Sophie’s situation.

4. Idioms make you sound like native speakers

This is another good reason for slipping idioms into your writing. Every language has its own idioms that emerge from its culture. Or, they originate from stories specific to a region.

This means that if you want to impress a Brit English speaker , for example, you should use idioms of British origin. Some of these are:

Meaning: Asking someone to share their thoughts with you.

Meaning: A plan that didn’t work, requiring you to sketch it from the start.

If you’re into novel writing, you can draw on these region-specific idioms to write dialogue for a character from a particular region. So that’s another plus of using idioms.

5. They help you explain complex ideas simply and succinctly

Lastly, idioms can help you simplify ideas. Use an idiom instead of going into unnecessary details. In all the examples you’ve read so far, you’ll note that the idioms make it easy to explain something.

Take the idiom ‘back to the drawing board.’ Using it means you don’t need to rely on tons of words to explain that a plan went bust and now you’ve got to regroup and plan again. You can simply say, let’s go back to the drawing board.

Similarly, when you want someone to get to the point, you can simply say: stop beating about the bush.

Tips on using idioms

Convinced you need to work more idioms into your writing? Cool. We’ll give you a list of common English idioms in the next section to make things easy for you.

Plus, here are some things to keep in mind as you dabble into the use of idioms , an essential part of learning English :

  Don’t overdo them

Some idioms are so over used they turn into clichés . Your writing is always better off without clichés as they’re unoriginal. So use idioms sparingly, where they help you summarize or deliver any of the benefits discussed above.

See if a specific detail would be better

For example, once in a blue moon is a good idiom. But, if you find that your readers can benefit from a detail like ‘someone visited on the third of every month,’ skip the idiom. Be specific instead.

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35 popular idioms and their meaning.

Ready to use idioms? Use this list:

• Beef up: To strengthen or increase something.
• Turn turtle: Turn turtle means to turn upside down or flip the side.
• Eager beaver: Someone who is all charged up or enthusiastic about a job is an eager beaver.
• Spill the beans: To tell something that was supposed to stay hidden or under wraps (yep, another idiom).
• Couch potato: Someone who binge watches Netflix, sitting on a couch all day – popcorn in hand.
• Hit the sack: This idiom is a fancy way of saying that someone’s tired and they’re going to sleep. You can also say hit the hay.
• Bite the bullet: To do something no matter how unpleasant it is.
• In the doldrums: When you’re sad or depressed, you’re in the doldrums. Once out of it, you can write: out of the doldrums.

• In fine fettle: In good health.
• A hot potato: A controversial topic that no one wants to discuss – same as no one wants to hold a hot potato.
• Go bananas: Go bananas is a fun way of saying someone’s excited or angry.
• An arm and a leg: When something’s overpriced, you can say it costs an arm and a leg. Alternatively, you can say: it costs a fortune or it costs a bomb.
• Under the weather: Slightly unwell or feeling low.
• Lose your touch: Literally, that’s losing your sense of touch. But the idiom doesn’t mean that, of course. It means you lose some skill or talent you previously had.
• Twist someone’s arm: To twist someone’s arm is to convince them to do something like a kid twisting their mum’s arm to get ice cream.
• Pie in the sky: Something that’s unlikely, therefore, wishful thinking.
• The ball in your court: Have two or more people or parties deciding on something and one side has made their move? Great, there’s only one party that’s to decide now and a good way to say that is: the ball in their court.
• Curiosity killed the cat: Sometimes prodding too much into a situation or question can get you into trouble. That’s what this idiom means.
• Bark up the wrong tree: Barking up the wrong tree is blaming the wrong person, following a wrong thought/plan, or looking in the wrong place.
• Hit the nail on the head: When you get something done perfectly, you hit the nail on the head. After all, it’s only when you hit the nail on the head that you can drill it in the right spot.
• The elephant in the room: The story behind this idiom is that a man walked into a museum and noticed every tiny thing there except for an elephant. Today, the phrase denotes a chief issue that everyone knows is present, but no one addresses it.
• Taste your own medicine: It’s when someone gets treated the way they’ve been treating others (good time to think of karma, no?).
• Steal someone’s thunder: Taking someone else’s credit or taking the spotlight when you don’t deserve it.
• Stab someone in the back: This one’s a snazzy way of saying you’re backbiting or planning against someone in their absence.
• Kill two birds with one stone: When you get two things done in one shot, you’re killing two birds with one stone. Example, I’m writing this piece and revising idioms too.
• Best thing since sliced bread: The idiom means hyped up enthusiasm in someone, something, or some idea.
• Bite more than you can chew: When you commit to more than you do/deliver, you’ve officially bitten more than you can chew.
• Every cloud has a silver lining: A good result after bad things.
• Look at the bright side: When you choose to see the positive in an overall bad situation (or may I say, shituation).
• You can’t judge a book by its cover: This means you can’t jump to conclusions only by looking at the cover or outward appearance.
• More holes than a Swiss cheese: Seeing holes in a story or plan? Congratulations, Sherlock! Now, voice your concern using this idiom.
• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket: It’s when you put all your resources or hopes (figuratively: eggs) in one source (basket).
• Get up on the wrong side of the bed: When you wake up in a bad mood.
• Everything but the kitchen skin: It means everything imaginable including the unnecessary stuff.
• Pick a bone with someone: To discuss something at length with someone.

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What is an Idiom: A Comprehensive Guide to Unraveling Tricky Phrases

Did you know that many common idioms in English have intriguing origins deeply rooted in history? Take, for example, the phrase 'raining cats and dogs,' which we often use to describe a heavy rainstorm. Its origin is believed to trace back to the 17th century when houses had thatched roofs. During heavy rains, animals seeking shelter, such as cats and dogs, would fall from the roof, giving the impression that it was literally raining them. This peculiar image stuck in people's minds, and the phrase 'raining cats and dogs' became a colorful way to describe a torrential downpour. This fascinating connection between idioms and historical events adds a layer of intrigue to our language, making it not only a means of communication but also a gateway to unraveling the captivating tales behind everyday expressions.

What Is an Idiom: Short Description

In this article, our essay writers online will explore a long list of idioms and their meanings. We'll also take a close look at their different types. So, whether you have a passion for language or simply find yourself curious about how we communicate, we invite you to select your favorite example of an idiom as we uncover the fascinating array of expressions that never cease to amaze and inspire us.

What Is an Idiom: Insight into Figurative Language

The word 'idiom' originates from the Greek word 'idios,' which denotes 'one's own' or 'private.' It is like a hidden treasure chest of language, filled with colorful expressions that add spice and creativity to our everyday conversations. It's a phrase or a group of words that doesn't have a literal meaning but is instead used to convey a figurative or symbolic message. These expressions are unique cultural gems that reflect the rich tapestry of a language.

Imagine someone saying, 'It's raining cats and dogs!' instead of simply stating that it's raining heavily. This peculiar expression captures the intensity of the rain in a whimsical and memorable way. Another fascinating phrase is 'to kick the bucket,' which means to die. Although it might sound strange, this phrase dates back to medieval times when people would stand on buckets to hang themselves.

Fun fact: There are an estimated 25,000 examples of these expressions in the English language, showcasing the incredible variety and creativity that exists within our linguistic heritage. From 'a piece of cake' to 'raining cats and dogs,' idioms make our language more vivid, engaging, and downright fun!

Types of Idioms: An In-Depth Look at Different Categories

Idioms are fascinating examples of figurative language that add color and depth to our conversations and writing. They are expressions that have a figurative meaning that is different from their literal interpretation. In this section, our coursework writing service will explore different categories of idioms and provide examples for each type.

Pure idioms are expressions that have a figurative meaning that cannot be deduced from the individual words used. These idiomatic expressions are so deeply embedded in the language and culture that native speakers inherently understand their meaning.

For example:

• 'Break a leg' means 'good luck' in the performing arts industry.
• 'Bite the bullet' means to face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage.

Binomial Idiom

They are idiomatic expressions that consist of two words or phrases linked by a conjunction such as 'and' or 'or.' These phrases are commonly used in day-to-day conversations to convey messages more vividly.

• 'Back and forth' means to move in a backward and forward motion.
• 'Safe and sound' means to be in a state of safety and without harm.

Partial Idiom

They are expressions that consist of one or more words that are idiomatic, while the rest of the phrase or sentence has a literal meaning. Studying idioms definition and examples is crucial as they often rely on context and cultural knowledge to be correctly understood.

• 'In a pickle' means to be in a difficult or troublesome situation.
• 'Under the weather' means to be feeling unwell or sick.

Prepositional Idiom

They are expressions that consist of a preposition followed by a noun or noun phrase, often having a figurative meaning that cannot be inferred from the individual words used.

• 'On cloud nine' means to be extremely happy or elated.
• 'In the doghouse' means to be in trouble or disfavored.

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Sample Essay with Idioms 

Here's an essay example brimming with idioms to illustrate how seamlessly they can be incorporated into the context of your narrative, enhancing its vividness and beauty.

Why Do We Use Idioms: Exploring the Purpose and Benefits

Why do we use idioms in writing? In short, they add life to your writing. These colorful phrases polish your English by infusing it with creativity, depth, and personality. They are indispensable tools for enhancing your expression. Here are some benefits they offer:

• Expressing Abstract or Complex Ideas

Idioms provide a shortcut to communicate ideas that may be challenging to express directly. In other words, they serve as a linguistic bridge, allowing us to convey nuanced meanings in a succinct and impactful way. Such transition sentences enhance our ability to convey complex thoughts effortlessly.

For example, the expression 'the ball is in your court' is commonly used to indicate that it is someone else's turn to take action or make a decision. While the literal meaning may seem unrelated, this idiomatic expression creates a smooth transition that conveys the idea of responsibility or decision-making being shifted to another person. This idiomatic phrase exemplifies how they contribute to making language richer and more expressive. In essence, they serve as linguistic connectors that enhance our ability to communicate effectively.

• Adding Color and Creativity to Language

They add color and creativity to language, making it more engaging and enjoyable. Through their unusual or imaginative manner, they can captivate listeners or readers. These phrases often have a poetic quality and can evoke emotions or create a sense of imagery.

For instance, the idiom in English, 'barking up the wrong tree,' is used to suggest that someone is pursuing the wrong course of action or directing their efforts toward an unproductive endeavor. The image of a barking dog at the base of the wrong tree creates a memorable and vivid expression of this concept.

• Enhancing Cultural Understanding

Idioms are deeply rooted in culture, and understanding them can provide insights into a community's values, beliefs, and history. Metaphors and analogies embedded in idiomatic expressions often reflect the cultural context in which they originate, including references to historical events, folklore, or specific traditions.

By studying these figures of speech from different cultures, we gain a deeper understanding of the nuances and subtleties of language. This understanding can foster cross-cultural appreciation and encourage communication between people from different backgrounds.

• Establishing Rapport and Camaraderie

Using idioms in conversation can help establish rapport and camaraderie with others. When two people share an understanding of idiomatic expressions, it creates a sense of connection and mutual understanding. When curious about 'what is an idiom?', remember that it can also serve as a conversation starter or icebreaker, sparking curiosity and engagement.

Furthermore, such sayings can be humorous, and sharing a funny idiom or using one in a lighthearted manner can foster a sense of camaraderie and lighten the mood in a conversation.

How Are Idioms Structured: Exploring the Anatomy of Expressive Phrases

Idioms are expressions or phrases that have figurative meanings that are different from the literal meanings of the individual words. They often reflect the cultural and linguistic nuances of a specific region. While their structure can vary, they typically follow certain patterns or formats within a language or region.

For example, in some regions of the United States, the phrase 'raining cats and dogs' is commonly used to describe heavy rain. The structure of this expression follows a pattern of combining two unrelated objects (cats and dogs) to convey a specific meaning (heavy rain).

However, they can also have unique structures that are specific to a particular region, as mentioned in the previous text. Here's another example:

In the Australian Outback, the idiom 'flat out like a lizard drinking' is used to describe someone who is extremely busy or working very hard. The structure of it includes the comparison of being 'flat out' (meaning very busy) to a lizard drinking (depicting a lizard lying flat on the ground while drinking water).

So, while these figures of speech may have some general patterns in their structure within a language or region, they can also have unique and peculiar structures that reflect the specific cultural context in which they are used.

In the meantime, if you find yourself still struggling with writing in AMA citation format , allow us to take care of the challenging aspects while you delve deeper into exploring idioms!

Tips on Using Idioms

Using idioms in writing can add depth and color to your language. Here are some tips to help you effectively incorporate such phrases into your conversations and writing:

Understand Idiomatic Variations

Idioms can vary in their wording and usage across different regions and cultures. So, next time you wonder how to title an essay with an idiom, be aware of these variations to ensure accurate communication. Some idiomatic expressions may have similar meanings but different phrasing. For example, in American English, the phrase 'kick the bucket' means to die, while in British English, 'pop your clogs' is equivalent.

To broaden your understanding of idiomatic variations, you can explore online resources and language forums or consult native English speakers of different dialects. Understanding these variations will help you communicate more effectively and avoid misunderstandings.

Blend Idioms with Context

While these figures of speech can be powerful tools for expression, it's crucial to use them appropriately in the context. Consider the following when using them:

• Familiarity : Make sure the person or audience you are communicating with is familiar with the idiom you are using. If they don't understand the phrase, it may confuse or alienate them.
• Relevance : Ensure that the saying you choose is suitable for the situation or topic at hand. Using it that doesn't fit the context may create confusion or make your language sound forced.
• Tone : Pay attention to the tone of your communication. Some idioms may be more casual or informal, while others may be more formal. Use those that align with the tone you want to convey.

For example, if you're writing an academic essay, it's best to avoid colloquial idioms and instead focus on using precise and formal language appropriate for the context.

Create Your Own Idioms

Idioms are not set in stone. Feel free to get creative and come up with your own idiomatic expressions. By creating your own sayings, you can add a personal touch to your language and enhance your ability to express unique thoughts or emotions. Just make sure that your phrases are clear and understandable to your intended audience.

For example, instead of saying, 'I'm feeling tired,' you could create your own expression by saying, 'I'm running on fumes.' This expression conveys the idea of extreme fatigue in a more vivid and memorable way.

How to Use Idiom in Essay

When curious about how to start an essay with an idiom, it is important to strike a balance between its appropriate usage and the overall clarity and coherence of your writing. Carefully consider the purpose and target audience of your essay to ensure that idioms enhance rather than hinder your message.

Purposes of Using Idioms in an Essay:

• Expressive Language : Idioms can add color, vividness, and expressiveness to your writing. They help you convey complex ideas or emotions in a concise and impactful manner, making your essay more engaging and memorable.
• Cultural Relevance : They are deeply rooted in a specific language and culture. Including them in your essay can demonstrate your understanding of cultural nuances and enrich your writing, especially when discussing topics related to traditions, customs, or local experiences.
• Enhancing Creativity : They can infuse creativity into your writing by using figurative language. They provide an opportunity to think outside the box and craft imaginative descriptions, allowing your essay to stand out and captivate the reader's attention.
• Communicating Familiarity : They are often used in everyday speech, and incorporating them into your essay can create a sense of familiarity and relatability with your audience. This can help establish a connection and make your writing more approachable.
• Adding Depth and Nuance : These sayings carry underlying meanings that extend beyond their literal interpretations. By utilizing idioms, you can add depth and nuance to your arguments or analysis, contributing to a more sophisticated and nuanced essay.
• Engaging and Memorable : They can make your essay more interesting and memorable by providing distinct and colorful language.
• Cultural Understanding : Utilizing them shows your familiarity with the language and culture, highlighting your appreciation for diverse expressions and perspectives.
• Expressive Communication : They express complex ideas succinctly, allowing for more effective communication of your thoughts and arguments.
• Misinterpretation : Many idioms can be ambiguous and subject to misinterpretation, especially if the reader is unfamiliar with them. This may lead to confusion or a loss of clarity in your essay.
• Inappropriate Usage : Some of them may not be suitable for formal writing or academic contexts. Improper usage can undermine the credibility and professionalism of your essay.
• Language Barriers : Idioms tend to rely heavily on the cultural and linguistic context in which they are used. If your essay targets an international audience, these sayings may pose a barrier to understanding and hinder effective communication.
• Overuse and Clutter : Excessive or forced use of them can clutter your writing, making it sound contrived or distracting the reader from the main points you are trying to convey.

Idioms Examples: Exploring Their Symbolic Meaning

Below, you'll find an exciting list of idioms and their meanings. Brace yourself for a linguistic adventure like no other!

• 'The apple of my eye' - Someone or something cherished or loved deeply. Example: In the movie 'The Lion King,' Mufasa tells Simba, 'You are the apple of my eye, Simba.'
• 'When pigs fly' - Something that is highly unlikely or improbable. Example: In the movie 'Shrek,' Donkey says, 'Yeah, right! Like that's ever gonna happen! When pigs fly!'
• 'Bend over backward' - Making a great effort to accommodate or help someone. Example: In the TV show 'Friends,' Joey says, 'I bent over backward to be nice to her, and she didn't even appreciate it!'
• 'Cold feet' - Feeling nervous or having second thoughts about a decision or commitment. Example: In the movie 'Runaway Bride,' Maggie says, 'I'm getting cold feet. I don't think I can go through with the wedding.'
• 'Like a fish out of water' - Feeling uncomfortable or out of place in a particular situation. Example: In the movie 'The Little Mermaid,' Ariel says, 'I feel like a fish out of water in this human world.'
• 'Walking on eggshells' - Being very cautious or careful about what you say or do to avoid upsetting someone. Example: In the TV show 'The Big Bang Theory,' Sheldon tells Leonard, 'Around Penny, we must tread lightly, like walking on eggshells.'
• 'The straw that broke the camel's back' - The final event or problem that causes a situation to become unbearable or unmanageable. Example: In the movie 'Spider-Man 3,' Peter Parker says, 'The fact that you betrayed me... that's the straw that broke the camel's back.'
• 'In the heat of the moment' - Acting impulsively or without thinking due to strong emotions. Example: In the movie 'Dirty Dancing,' Johnny says, 'I didn't spend all this time dancing with Penny in the kitchen just to get in trouble with the likes of you. This isn't the way it's supposed to be. I'm sorry, but I can't do this anymore.'
• 'The early bird catches the worm' - Taking action or being prepared ahead of time leads to success. Example: In the movie 'Wall Street,' Gordon Gekko says, 'The most valuable commodity I know of is information. Wouldn't you agree? The early bird catches the worm, Gordon.'
• 'Kill two birds with one stone' - Accomplishing two things at once. Example: In the movie 'Ocean's Eleven,' Rusty says, 'We can kill two birds with one stone. In exactly one week, we rob it.'
• 'Actions speak louder than words' - What someone does is more significant than what they say. Example: In the movie 'The Dark Knight,' Batman says, 'Sometimes the truth isn't good enough. Sometimes people deserve more. Sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded... Batman has no limits!'
• 'All bark and no bite' - Someone who talks tough but doesn't follow through with their threats. Example: In the TV show 'Breaking Bad,' Jesse Pinkman says, 'You want me to handle it? I'll handle it. All bark, no bite, man.'
• 'Don't judge a book by its cover' - Not forming an opinion based solely on appearance. Example: In the movie 'Zootopia,' Judy Hopps says, 'You know, I think life's a little bit messy. We all make mistakes. No matter what type of animal you are, change starts with you. We gotta try.'
• 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do' - Adopting the customs or behavior of the people in a particular place. Example: In the movie 'Eat Pray Love,' Richard from Texas says, 'You want to get to the castle, you've got to swim the moat. You want the prize; you've got to build the bridge. And if that bridge ain't long enough, you build it longer.'
• 'Every cloud has a silver lining' - There is something positive or hopeful in every difficult situation. Example: In the movie 'The Pursuit of Happyness,' Chris Gardner says, 'The world is your oyster. It's up to you to find the pearls.'
• 'Let the cat out of the bag' - Accidentally revealing a secret. Example: In the movie 'The Hangover,' Alan says, 'You probably get this a lot. This isn't the real Caesar's Palace, is it? What do you mean? Did, uh, did Caesar live here? No. I didn't think so.'
• 'Putting all your eggs in one basket' - Relying heavily on a single thing or course of action. Example: In the movie 'Apollo 13,' Gene Kranz says, 'I want you all to forget the flight plan. From this moment on, we are improvising a new mission: How do we get our people home?'
• 'The calm before the storm' - A peaceful period before a difficult or turbulent situation occurs. Example: In the movie 'The Fellowship of the Ring,' Gandalf says, 'There is a fell voice on the air, the enemy is moving. We have to draw his eye away from Frodo and Sam.'
• 'Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater' - Not discarding something valuable while getting rid of the undesirable parts. Example: In the movie 'The Sound of Music,' Maria says, 'Darling, haven't you ever heard of a delightful little thing called boarding school?'
• 'The pot calling the kettle black' - Criticizing someone for a fault that you also possess. Example: In the TV show 'The Office,' Dwight says, 'Michael, you are the master of saying things that you think are harmless but that people find insulting or offensive.'

In conclusion, idioms are an integral part of language that add color, depth, and cultural richness to our communication. Understanding them allows us to navigate the intricacies of figurative language, appreciating the unique expressions that convey meaning beyond the literal. Whether we 'break a leg' or 'let the cat out of the bag,' idiom examples encapsulate the beauty and creativity of human expression, reminding us of the power and versatility of language itself.

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When Are Idioms Used?

What are the most popular idioms, related articles.

English Idioms: A Great Way to Write Your Essay Like a Native Speaker

Each language has special phrases native speakers use to express themselves. When you speak with English speakers , you will hear idioms in context. This will help you to use them like a native English speaker. You shouldn’t overuse idioms or use them in the wrong context. Learn and use the simple ones first if you want to connect in a more meaningful way. Using idioms in daily situations will make you sound more like a native speaker. 

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) focuses on how well you use idiomatic language . Knowing idioms and phrases for IELTS shows how well you speak English and helps you to improve your score. Learning how to write in English also involves using idioms in the right context. 

What is an idiom?

An idiom is a group of words that has a meaning different from the literal meanings of the words that make it up. “ I’m feeling under the weather today ” is an example of an idiom. The phrase doesn’t mention illness , but it tells the listener that you aren’t feeling well . There are many idioms in the English language. If you don’t understand and learn common idioms, it is hard to communicate like a native speaker. 

What is the purpose of an idiom?

Using idioms shows you are familiar with the English language . When you want to make your writing sound more informal, you can include idioms. Native writing of English often includes idioms because they add imagery and color to language. Most of them give some kind of advice, such as a good “rule of thumb” is to exercise for 30 minutes every day. A sentence like “ He said it was time for him to have a taste of his own medicine ” is memorable because you can imagine the bad taste. It means the person will get the same bad treatment he has given others. 

Common idioms

When you learn English idioms , you should focus on the ones that you are likely to come across more often. When a professor tells you not to “beat around the bush,” it means he wants you to get to the point. When other students say “ No pain no gain ,” they mean you have to work hard for what you want. I read the lesson word for word, but it is “ Greek to me ,” which means that you didn’t understand it.

Use idioms correctly in essays 

If you’re a non-native English student studying at university, you may find it difficult to use idioms correctly in your essays. Native English speakers can pick this up straight away. You can turn to an essay writing service if you are having difficulties. You can choose a professional writer to write a paper for you in native speaker style. EduBirdie is an essay writing service for students with many professional writers to choose from. It’s reputed and has positive reviews from every user.

More common idioms

To “hit the nail on the head” means to describe exactly what is causing a problem. “ You can’t judge a book by its cover ” means you can’t judge someone based on their outward appearance. To “ let the cat out of the bag ” is to reveal someone’s secret. To “add insult to injury” is to make something worse. “ To cut corners ” is to do something badly or cheaply just to get it done. To “ kill two birds with one stone ” means to solve two problems at once. 

Do idioms fit the subject and the audience?

Can you improve an essay by using idioms ? In a more informal essay, they can create a relaxed tone and add color. Is the audience well versed in English idioms? You don’t want people to take them literally. When you know what your audience prefers, you can decide whether using idioms is appropriate. Using idioms will be more appropriate in some subjects than others. Research the type of writing that is common for your subject.

Keep your writing simple

When writing English essays , it is best to use a clear, simple style. Keep sentences short and say what you want to say in a simple way. If you include idioms, make sure to use them in the right context. Don’t include them in a forced way to try and make the reader think you are fluent in English. Getting a native speaker to check your writing can help you to improve. Practice and more practice is the best way to learn. 

Learning English idioms will help you to better understand native English speakers. The only way to speak English like a native speaker is to keep talking and practicing. Learning how to include idioms in your writing will make it sound more natural. Make sure you understand the idioms you use and include them in the right context to make you sound more like a native English writer.

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ha first comment

I am an English teacher 7-9 grade and I always try to introduce my students to idioms as a way to understand both the language and the culture. I always find a song, a movie, or something to show them whatever I´m teaching. For example, I was teaching the word BREW and and show them the song STRANGE BREW, abviously you can teach many other words or expressions from the lyrics.

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144 Key English Idioms You Should Learn to Sound More Fluent

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

Idioms are phrases with meanings that can be hard to understand from their individual words. They add color and nuance to the language, conveying ideas and emotions in vivid and creative ways.

For example, the idiom “hit the hay” means to go to bed, but the literal interpretation of those words would not convey that meaning at all. After all, no one’s hitting anything and I don’t think anyone has slept on hay (dried grass) for a long, long time.

Idioms are super common in English, so you need to understand them to really understand the language.

Read on to learn 144 of the most common English idioms you can use in conversation to sound more fluent!

English Idioms About Emotions and Feelings

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, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

1. Hit the hay

If someone says they’re going to hit the hay, it means they are going to bed. It reflects a need for rest, possibly due to emotional exhaustion or weariness.

After a long day at work, I can’t wait to hit the hay and get some good sleep.

2. Bite the bullet

To bite the bullet is to endure a painful or difficult situation with courage and resilience, often involving facing uncomfortable emotions or challenges.

I had to bite the bullet and apologize even though I didn’t think I was wrong.

3. Cry over spilled milk

Crying over spilled milk means to dwell on past mistakes or misfortunes, often implying that it’s unproductive to worry about things that cannot be changed.

There’s no use crying over spilled milk ; let’s focus on finding a solution.

4. Jump on the bandwagon

When someone jumps on the bandwagon, they adopt a popular trend or activity, often influenced by the emotions or opinions of others.

Many people are jumping on the fitness bandwagon this year, inspired by their friends’ healthy lifestyles.

5. Feel under the weather

Feeling under the weather means to be unwell or not in good health, expressing a physical condition that can influence one’s emotional state.

I won’t be able to make it to the party tonight; I’m feeling a bit under the weather .

6. Throw in the towel

If someone throws in the towel, they give up or surrender, often due to emotional exhaustion or the feeling that the effort is no longer worth it.

After hours of trying to fix the computer, I finally threw in the towel and called for professional help.

7. In the same boat

Being in the same boat means sharing a similar situation or predicament with others, usually involving common emotions or challenges.

We’re all in the same boat , dealing with the stress of upcoming exams.

8. On cloud nine

Being on cloud nine indicates a state of extreme happiness or euphoria, often resulting from positive emotions or experiences.

Winning the championship had me on cloud nine for weeks.

9. Burn the midnight oil

Burning the midnight oil means working late into the night, often due to strong determination or intense emotions related to a project or goal.

I had to burn the midnight oil to meet the deadline for my presentation.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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 .

13. 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.

14. 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 .

15. 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!

16. 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 .

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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 .

20. 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 .

Here’s a great video that teaches you 10 must know English idioms in six short minutes:

21. 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.

22. Cutting corners

Cutting corners refers to trying to save money by finding cheaper or quicker ways of doing something, often with the risk of sacrificing quality.

We need to finish this project on time, but let’s be careful not to cut corners and compromise its quality.

23. Break the bank

If something breaks the bank, it means it is extremely expensive or costs more than one can afford.

I’d love to go on a luxury cruise, but the prices for those trips would break the bank .

24. Foot the bill

To foot the bill is to pay for something, usually a substantial expense.

Since it was my idea to eat at the expensive restaurant, I’ll gladly foot the bill .

25. Cash cow

A cash cow is a business or investment that generates a steady and significant income.

Investing in real estate has proven to be a cash cow for many entrepreneurs.

26. Out of pocket

If someone is out of pocket, it means they have spent their own money, usually for work-related expenses.

I had to cover the travel expenses out of pocket, but I’ll be reimbursed later.

27. Pinch pennies

Pinching pennies involves being frugal or saving money by cutting unnecessary expenses.

While in college, I had to pinch pennies to make ends meet on a tight budget.

28. A drop in the bucket

If something is a drop in the bucket, it is a very small amount compared to what is needed or expected.

Donating a few dollars to charity is good, but it’s just a drop in the bucket compared to the overall need.

29. Rolling in dough

Rolling in dough means having a lot of money or being wealthy.

Ever since he started his own business, he’s been rolling in dough .

30. Throw money down the drain

To throw money down the drain is to waste money on something that is not worthwhile or doesn’t bring any value.

Buying that expensive gadget turned out to be throwing money down the drain ; I never use it.

31. 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!

32. 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.

33. 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.

34. 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.

35. 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.

36. 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!

37. 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.

38. 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.

39. 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.

40. 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.

41. 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.

42. 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.

43. 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.

44. 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.

45. 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.

46. 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.

47. 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.

48. 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 .

49. 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 .

50. 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 .

51. 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.

52. 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 .

53. Cost an arm and a leg

If something costs an arm and a leg, it means it is very expensive, potentially causing financial strain and emotional stress.

Going on that luxury vacation would be amazing, but it would cost an arm and a leg .

54. All ears

If someone is all ears, it means they are eagerly listening and paying full attention.

When the teacher mentioned a surprise, the students were all ears .

55. Heart of gold

Having a heart of gold means being kind, generous and compassionate.

Despite facing hardships, she has a heart of gold and always helps those in need.

56. Keep an eye on

To keep an eye on someone or something means to monitor or watch attentively.

The security guard has to keep an eye on the surveillance cameras throughout the night.

57. Head in the clouds

Having your head in the clouds means being dreamy or not paying attention to reality.

Instead of focusing on the lecture, she often has her head in the clouds , daydreaming about her upcoming vacation.

58. Kick the bucket

To kick the bucket is a euphemism for dying or passing away.

He lived a long and fulfilling life before finally kicking the bucket at the age of 95.

59. Under one’s thumb

If someone is under another person’s thumb, it means they are under that person’s control or influence.

Despite being the boss, he keeps his employees under his thumb , making all the decisions himself.

60. Put one’s foot in one’s mouth

Putting one’s foot in one’s mouth means saying something unintentionally embarrassing or tactless.

I really put my foot in my mouth when I accidentally revealed the surprise party before it happened.

61. 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.

62. 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.

63. 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.

64. 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.

65. 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 .

66. 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.

67. 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 .

68. 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 .

69. 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 .

70. 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.

If you want to learn a few more English idioms about the body, see this post:

Idioms about health are very common in English. If you don’t understand them or take them literally, you’ll end up extremely confused. Check out our list of 15 common…

71. 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.

72. 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 .

73. 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 .

74. 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 .

75. 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 .

76. 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.

77. 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 .

78. 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.

79. 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 .

80. 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 .

81. 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.

82. 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.

83. 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.

84. A smart cookie

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

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

85. 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.

86. 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.

87. 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.

88. 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.

89. 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 .

90. 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.

91. 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.

92. Full of beans

If someone is full of beans, they are energetic, lively and enthusiastic.

Despite the long journey, the kids were full of beans when they arrived at the amusement park.

93. In a nutshell

To explain something in a nutshell means to describe it briefly and concisely.

In a nutshell , the new policy aims to streamline the decision-making process.

94. Bring home the bacon

Bringing home the bacon means earning a living or providing financial support for one’s family.

As the sole breadwinner, he works hard to bring home the bacon for his family.

95. The icing on the cake

The icing on the cake refers to something additional that makes a good situation even better.

Winning the championship was great, but getting a scholarship was the icing on the cake .

96. Sell like hotcakes

If a product or item is selling like hotcakes, it means it is selling very quickly and in large quantities.

The new smartphone is selling like hotcakes , with people lining up to get their hands on it.

97. Out of the frying pan into the fire

Moving from one difficult or challenging situation to an even worse one is described as going out of the frying pan into the fire.

Leaving my stressful job only to join a company in financial trouble felt like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire .

98. 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.

99. 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 .

100. 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.

101. 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.

102. 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.

103. 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 .

104. 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 .

105. 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 .

106. 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!

107. 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.

108. Raining cats and dogs

When it’s raining cats and dogs, it’s raining very heavily.

We had to postpone the outdoor event because it started raining cats and dogs .

109. Come rain or shine

No matter the weather conditions, if something happens come rain or shine, it means it will occur without fail.

We’ll have the picnic, come rain or shine ; I’ve been looking forward to it for weeks.

110. Snowed under

Being snowed under means being overwhelmed or inundated with a large amount of work or responsibilities.

I can’t go out this weekend; I’m completely snowed under with work.

111. Break the ice

To break the ice means to initiate a conversation or ease tension in a social situation.

Sharing a funny story helped break the ice at the awkward family reunion.

112. Throw caution to the wind

If someone throws caution to the wind, they take risks without worrying about the consequences.

Feeling adventurous, she decided to throw caution to the wind and take a spontaneous road trip.

113. In the eye of the storm

Being in the eye of the storm means being in the center of a difficult or chaotic situation.

Despite the chaos around her, she remained calm in the eye of the storm .

For even more weather-related English idioms, check out these posts:

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114. 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.

115. 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.

116. 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 .

117. 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.

118. 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!

119. 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.

120. 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 .

121. 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 .

122. 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.

123. Walking on air

Use this if 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.

124. 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 .

125. 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.

126. 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.

127. 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 .

128. 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.

129. 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.

130. 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?

131. 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.

132. 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 .

133. 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 .

134. 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 .

135. 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.

136. 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.

137. 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.

138. 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.

139. 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 .

140. 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.

141. Branch out

To branch out means to diversify or expand into new areas, much like the branches of a tree.

The company decided to branch out into international markets to reach a wider audience.

142. Turn over a new leaf

If someone turns over a new leaf, it means they make a positive change in their behavior or lifestyle.

After the difficult breakup, she decided to turn over a new leaf and focus on self-improvement.

143. The grass is always greener on the other side

This idiom implies that other people’s situations or circumstances often seem better than one’s own.

Don’t be fooled by appearances; the grass is not always greener on the other side .

144. Bear fruit

If a plan or effort bears fruit, it means it becomes successful and produces positive results.

The conservation project has been ongoing for years, and now it’s starting to bear fruit with an increase in wildlife populations.

If you want to learn some more animal-related English idioms, read this post:

Animal idioms in English are useful to know for all learners. See why it’s so much fun to speak English using these 34 wild idioms and expressions that feature animals.…

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.

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

Looking for even more English idioms? You’re in luck! Here you go:

This post has 100 idioms and their meanings in English, along with their pronunciations! Go all out and memorize these English idioms to help you fit in, understand native…

If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials , as you can see here:

If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it.

The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples.

FluentU lets you learn engaging content with world famous celebrities.

For example, when you tap on the word "searching," you see this:

FluentU lets you tap to look up any word.

Learn all the vocabulary in any video with quizzes. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning.

FluentU helps you learn fast with useful questions and multiple examples. Learn more.

The best part? FluentU remembers the vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You have a truly personalized experience.

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30 Idioms for Writing

Writing is more than just stringing words together; it’s about capturing the essence of communication.

One powerful tool in a writer’s arsenal is the use of idioms, expressions that add color and depth to language. In this journey through the vibrant tapestry of idioms, we will explore their meanings, throw them into sentences, and unravel the hidden nuances that make them a joy to use.

Idioms for Writing

Break a leg – good luck.

Meaning: To wish someone good luck, especially before a performance or undertaking.

In a Sentence: As the actor stepped onto the stage, his friend whispered, “Break a leg,” hoping for a stellar performance.

Bite the Bullet – Facing Challenges

Meaning: To endure a painful or difficult situation with courage.

In a Sentence: She knew she had to bite the bullet and confront her fears to overcome the challenges ahead.

Hit the Nail on the Head – Precision and Accuracy

Meaning: To describe something accurately or to solve a problem perfectly.

In a Sentence: Her analysis of the situation hit the nail on the head, identifying the root cause of the issue.

The Ball Is in Your Court – Taking Responsibility

Meaning: It is now your responsibility or turn to act.

In a Sentence: After the team presented their findings, the manager said, “The ball is in your court now; propose a solution.”

The Whole Nine Yards – Everything

Meaning: Refers to the entirety of something, leaving nothing out.

In a Sentence: When planning the surprise party, she went the whole nine yards, from decorations to entertainment.

An Arm and a Leg – A Lot of Money

Meaning: Refers to a high cost or a significant amount of money.

In a Sentence: Owning a luxury car can sometimes cost an arm and a leg in maintenance.

Cost an Arm and a Leg – Being Very Expensive

Meaning: To require a substantial amount of money for purchase or service.

In a Sentence: Renovating the old house ended up costing them an arm and a leg, but the results were worth it.

A Piece of Cake – Something Easy

Meaning: Refers to a task or activity that is very easy to accomplish.

In a Sentence: Completing the puzzle was a piece of cake for the experienced crossword solver.

When Pigs Fly – Something Improbable

Meaning: Refers to something that will never happen or is highly unlikely.

In a Sentence: He promised to be on time for once, but we knew it was just another case of “when pigs fly.”

Let the Cat Out of the Bag – Revealing a Secret

Meaning: To disclose a secret or reveal something that was meant to be kept confidential.

In a Sentence: Sarah accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party, spoiling the whole plan.

In the Heat of the Moment – Acting Impulsively

Meaning: Refers to doing something spontaneously without careful consideration, usually during an emotional situation.

In a Sentence: Apologies are often made in the heat of the moment, but their sincerity is revealed over time.

Curiosity Killed the Cat – Warning Against Curiosity

Meaning: Being too curious can lead to trouble or danger.

In a Sentence: She hesitated before opening the mysterious package, remembering that curiosity killed the cat.

Cut to the Chase – Get to the Main Point Quickly

Meaning: Skipping unnecessary details and focusing on the main topic or point.

In a Sentence: Rather than sharing the entire story, let’s cut to the chase and discuss the solution.

Pulling Your Leg – Joking or Not Being Serious

Meaning: Teasing or joking with someone, often in a playful manner.

In a Sentence: When he claimed to have seen a UFO, we realized he was just pulling our leg.

Bend Over Backwards – Putting in Extra Effort

Meaning: To go out of one’s way or try extremely hard to please or help someone.

In a Sentence: The team was willing to bend over backward to meet the tight deadline.

A Blessing in Disguise – Hidden Positive Aspect

Meaning: Something that seems bad initially but turns out to be beneficial.

In a Sentence: Losing the job turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it led to a more fulfilling career opportunity.

Burning the Midnight Oil – Working Late

Meaning: Working late into the night, often to complete a task or meet a deadline.

In a Sentence: To finish the project on time, they had to start burning the midnight oil.

Adding Fuel to the Fire – Making a Problem Worse

Meaning: Exacerbating a situation or making a problem more intense.

In a Sentence: Bringing up past arguments only added fuel to the fire, escalating the disagreement.

An Elephant in the Room – Ignored Obvious Issue

Meaning: A problem or issue that everyone is aware of but is being deliberately ignored.

In a Sentence: Their strained relationship was the elephant in the room during the family gathering.

The Cream of the Crop – The Best of a Group

Meaning: Refers to the highest quality or the best among a group of things or people.

In a Sentence: The award-winning chef only used the cream of the crop ingredients in his dishes.

Cry Over Spilled Milk – Worrying about the Past

Meaning: To fret about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.

In a Sentence: Regretting the missed opportunity was like crying over spilled milk; there was no way to undo it.

A Drop in the Bucket – Small Amount

Meaning: Refers to a tiny quantity compared to the whole.

In a Sentence: Their contributions were acknowledged, but in the grand scheme, it was just a drop in the bucket.

A Fish Out of Water – Uncomfortable Situation

Meaning: Someone who is in a situation they are not comfortable or familiar with.

In a Sentence: Being at the formal event without any knowledge of etiquette made her feel like a fish out of water.

A Penny for Your Thoughts – Asking for Someone’s Opinion

Meaning: Asking someone what they are thinking about or seeking their opinion.

In a Sentence: Observing his pensive expression, she asked, “A penny for your thoughts?”

A Taste of Your Own Medicine – Experiencing Consequences

Meaning: To experience something that one has previously inflicted on others.

In a Sentence: After years of teasing his younger siblings, he finally got a taste of his own medicine.

On Cloud Nine – Extreme Happiness

Meaning: Feeling elated or extremely happy.

In a Sentence: Winning the championship left her on cloud nine for weeks.

The Icing on the Cake – Enhancing Something Good

Meaning: Something that makes a positive situation even better.

In a Sentence: Getting a promotion was great, and the supportive colleagues were the icing on the cake.

Jumping the Gun – Acting Prematurely

Meaning: To do something too early or before it is appropriate.

In a Sentence: Announcing the project completion before final approval was like jumping the gun.

Knee-Deep in Something – Deeply Involved

Meaning: Being heavily engaged or deeply involved in a situation or project.

In a Sentence: With multiple deadlines approaching, she found herself knee-deep in work.

A Needle in a Haystack – Something Hard to Find

Meaning: Refers to something challenging to locate due to its scarcity among similar things.

In a Sentence: Finding a reliable antique in the cluttered flea market was like finding a needle in a haystack.

Idioms are the spice that turns ordinary language into a flavorful linguistic experience. Each phrase carries with it a history, a story, and a unique way of expressing ideas.

Related Posts

30 idioms for kids, 30 idioms for kid.

100 Idioms: Meanings & Examples

Let’s learn idioms + examples of how they are used!

Here are 100 common English idioms with meanings and example sentences:

Download this lesson

1. A blessing in disguise

• Meaning: Something that seems bad or unlucky at first but turns out to be good.
• Example: Losing that job was a blessing in disguise because it pushed me to start my own business.

2. A dime a dozen

• Meaning: Very common and easy to find.
• Example: Those souvenir keychains are a dime a dozen at the tourist shops.

“Those souvenir keychains are a dime a dozen.” = very common

3. All ears

• Meaning: Fully listening and paying attention.
• Example: Go ahead, I’m all ears. Tell me what’s been on your mind.

4. All in the same boat

• Meaning: In the same situation or predicament.
• Example: Everybody on staff got a pay cut – we’re all in the same boat.

5. Barking up the wrong tree

• Meaning: Accusing or blaming the wrong person.
• Example: If you think I took your book, you’re barking up the wrong tree . I haven’t seen it.

6. Beat around the bush

• Meaning: Avoiding the main topic or being indirect.
• Example: Stop beating around the bush and tell me why you didn’t show up to my birthday party.

7. Bite the bullet

• Meaning: To face a difficult or unpleasant situation bravely.
• Example: I have to bite the bullet and tell him the truth, even though it might hurt him.

8.Bury the hatchet

• Meaning: To reconcile or make peace after a conflict.
• Example: After years of not speaking to each other, they finally decided to bury the hatchet and become friends again.

After years of not speaking, they finally decided to bury the hatchet.

9. By the skin of your teeth

• Meaning: Just barely or narrowly escaping a difficult situation.
• Example: I passed the exam by the skin of my teeth ; I got the minimum required score.

10. Call it a day

• Meaning: To stop working or to end an activity.
• Example: We’ve been painting all afternoon; let’s call it a day and continue tomorrow.

11. Cold feet

• Meaning: Feeling nervous or hesitant about doing something.
• Example: I was going to ask her out, but I got cold feet at the last moment.

“I was going to ask her out, but I got cold feet.” = got nervous and didn’t do it

12. Cost an arm and a leg

• Meaning: To be very expensive.
• Example: That luxury car must have cost him an arm and a leg.

13. Cry over spilled milk

• Meaning: To worry or complain about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
• Example: Yes, we made a mistake, but there’s no use crying over spilled milk. Let’s focus on finding a solution.

14. Cut corners

• Meaning: To do something quickly or take shortcuts, often sacrificing quality.
• Example: Don’t cut corners on this project; it needs to be excellent to impress the new client.

15. Drive someone up the wall

• Meaning: To irritate or annoy someone greatly.
• Example: Her constant humming drives me up the wall; I can’t concentrate with that noise.

16. Silver lining

• Meaning: something positive in a difficult situation.
• Example: Losing my job was tough, but the silver lining was that I found a new career opportunity.

17. Face the music

• Meaning: To confront the consequences of one’s actions.
• Example: You made a mistake, and now you have to face the music and accept the criticism.

18. Get a taste of your own medicine

• Meaning: Experience the same negative treatment you have given to others.
• Example: After constantly making fun of others, he finally got a taste of his own medicine when they started teasing him.

19. Get the ball rolling

• Meaning: To start a process or activity.
• Example: Let’s get the ball rolling on this project and assign tasks to the team members.

“get the ball rolling” = start a process

20. Give someone the benefit of the doubt

• Meaning: To believe someone’s statement or excuse without being too suspicious.
• Example: I don’t have any evidence, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and trust his explanation.

21. Go the extra mile

• Meaning: To put in extra effort or do more than what is expected.
• Example: If you want to succeed in this competitive industry, you need to go the extra mile.

22. Hit the nail on the head

• Meaning: To identify or describe something accurately.
• Example: She hit the nail on the head when she said that our team needs better communication.

“hit the nail on the head” = say something exactly right

23. In the heat of the moment

• Meaning: In a moment of intense emotion, when we act or speak impulsively without thinking.
• Example: I didn’t mean to say those hurtful words; I said them in the heat of the moment.

24. It’s a piece of cake

• Meaning: Something is very easy or simple to do.
• Example: Don’t worry about the test; it’s a piece of cake . You’ll do fine.

25. Keep your chin up

• Meaning: To remain positive and optimistic during difficult times.
• Example: Even though he faced many rejections, he kept his chin up and continued to pursue his dream.

“keep your chin up” = stay positive even in a difficult situation

26. Kill two birds with one stone

• Meaning: Accomplish two things at the same time with a single action.
• Example: By taking the train instead of driving, she kills two birds with one stone – saves money and helps the environment.

27. Let the cat out of the bag

• Meaning: To reveal a secret or confidential information.
• Example: She accidentally let the cat out of the bag and spoiled the surprise party.

28. Like a fish out of water

• Meaning: Feeling uncomfortable or out of place in a particular situation.
• Example: As a city person, I feel like a fish out of water when I visit rural areas.

29. Make a long story short

• Meaning: To give a brief summary or conclusion.
• Example: He rambled on about his trip, but to make a long story short , he had an amazing time.

30. Miss the boat

• Meaning: To miss an opportunity or chance.
• Example: I didn’t apply for the scholarship on time, so I missed the boat.

31. Not my cup of tea

• Meaning: Something that is not to your liking or preference.
• Example: I tried skiing, but it’s not my cup of tea – I don’t enjoy the cold.

It’s not my cup of tea = I don’t like it

32. On cloud nine

• Meaning: Feeling extremely happy or joyful.
• Example: When she got the job offer, she was on cloud nine; it was her dream job.

33. Once in a blue moon

• Meaning: Happens very rarely.
• Example: We eat at home most of the time; we go to restaurants once in a blue moon – for special occasions.

34. Out of the blue

• Meaning: Unexpectedly or without any warning.
• Example: I hadn’t spoken to her in years, and then out of the blue, she called me yesterday.

35. Over the moon

• Meaning: Delighted or extremely happy.
• Example: She was over the moon when she received her acceptance letter from the university.

Over the moon = extremely happy

36. Pull someone’s leg

• Meaning: To tease or joke with someone.
• Example: He’s just pulling your leg ; he doesn’t really mean what he said.

37. Put the cart before the horse

• Meaning: Doing things in the wrong order.
• Example: You’re putting the cart before the horse by buying furniture before finding a place to live.

38. Raining cats and dogs

• Meaning: Raining heavily.
• Example: We can’t go outside; it’s raining cats and dogs.

Raining cats and dogs = raining very heavily

39. Not ring a bell

• Meaning: Not sound familiar or trigger a vague memory.
• Example: I don’t think I know him – his name doesn’t ring a bell.

40. Rule of thumb

• Meaning: A general principle or guideline.
• Example: As a rule of thumb, it’s better to arrive early for meetings.

41. Shoot yourself in the foot

• Meaning: To do something that harms oneself unintentionally.
• Example: He shot himself in the foot by quitting his job without having another one lined up.

42. On the fence

• Meaning: To remain neutral or undecided in a dispute or issue.
• Example: I can’t decide which car to buy, so I’m on the fence for now.

Sitting on the fence = undecided

43. Skeletons in the closet

• Meaning: Hidden or embarrassing secrets from the past.
• Example: The journalist investigated the famous singer, trying to find some skeletons in the closet.

44. Take a rain check

• Meaning: To postpone or reschedule a plan or invitation.
• Example: I’m sorry, I can’t make it to the concert tonight. Can I take a rain check?

45. The ball is in your court

• Meaning: It’s your turn to take action or make a decision.
• Example: I’ve given you all the information; now the ball is in your court.

46. The best of both worlds

• Meaning: Enjoying the benefits of two different things at the same time.
• Example: Working part-time allows me to have a career and spend time with my family. It’s the best of both worlds.

47. Show someone the ropes

• Meaning: teach someone the details of a task or procedure
• During my first week on the job, my co-workers showed me the ropes.

48. The whole nine yards

• Meaning: Everything, or the full extent of something.
• Example: I’ll make sure you have everything you need—equipment, resources, the whole nine yards.

49. Through thick and thin

• Meaning: Supporting or being loyal to someone during good times and bad times.
• Example: We’ve been friends for over 20 years, through thick and thin.

50. Throw in the towel

• Meaning: To give up or surrender.
• Example: After struggling with the homework for hours, he finally threw in the towel.

51. Turn a blind eye

• Meaning: To ignore or pretend not to notice something.
• Example: The teacher turned a blind eye to the students whispering during the exam.

52. Under the weather

• Meaning: Feeling sick.
• Example: I won’t be able to come to work today; I’m feeling under the weather.

Under the weather = Feeling sick

53. Off The Hook

• Meaning: Freed from an obligation
• Example: I was going to give a class on Saturday, but they found another teacher to do it, so I’m off the hook.

54. Up in the air

• Meaning: Uncertain or not confirmed.
• Example: The date for the meeting is still up in the air; we need to schedule it.

55. When it rains, it pours

• Meaning: Bad things often happen in clusters or all at once.
• Example: First, my car broke down, then I lost my wallet. When it rains, it pours!

56. Wrap your head around something

• Meaning: To understand or comprehend something complex or difficult.
• Example: It took me a while to wrap my head around the new software, but now I understand how to use it.

57. Throw someone for a loop

• Meaning: Distract, confuse, or surprise someone suddenly.
• Example: I think I answered all the questions in the job interview pretty well – except for the random one about my personal life. I wasn’t expecting it, so it threw me for a loop.

58. At the drop of a hat

• Meaning: Immediately or without hesitation.
• Example: He’s always ready to help at the drop of a hat.

At the drop of a hat = immediately

59. At the end of your rope

• Meaning: Completely annoyed, exhausted, or desperate, with no more patience or energy.
• Example: After dealing with two disobedient kids all day, I was at the end of my rope. 

60. Pipe down!

• Meaning: Be quiet!
• Example: Hey kids, pipe down! This is a library and people are trying to study.

61. Cross that bridge when you come to it

• Meaning: To deal with a problem or worry about something when it actually happens.
• Example: I’m not sure what to do if I fail the test, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

62. Drop the ball

• Meaning: To make a mistake or fail to do something properly.
• Example: He dropped the ball by forgetting to send the important email on time.

63. Elephant in the room

• Meaning: An obvious problem or issue that no one wants to address.
• Example: We need to talk about the budget cuts; it’s the elephant in the room.

64. Get off on the wrong foot

• Meaning: To start a relationship or situation poorly or with a misunderstanding.
• Example: We got off on the wrong foot, but we can still work things out and improve our communication.

65. Go down in flames

• Meaning: To fail spectacularly or experience a significant defeat or failure.
• Example: Their new product launch went down in flames, and they lost a lot of money.

Go down in flames = Fail spectacularly

66. Go with the flow

• Meaning: To adapt to a situation or accept things as they come.
• Example: I don’t have a specific plan for the weekend; I’ll just go with the flow and see what happens.

67. Hang in there

• Meaning: To persevere or keep going despite difficulties or challenges.
• Example: I know it’s tough, but hang in there; things will get better.

68. In hot water

• Meaning: In trouble or facing difficulties due to a mistake or wrongdoing.
• Example: He found himself in hot water after missing an important deadline.

69. Jump on the bandwagon

• Meaning: To join or support something that is currently popular or successful.
• Example: Everyone is using that new social media platform, so I decided to jump on the bandwagon.

70. Kick the bucket

• Meaning: Die (very informal)
• Example: I’d love to visit Jamaica someday before I kick the bucket.

Kick the bucket = die (very informal/casual)

71. Swallow something hook, line, and sinker

• Meaning: To believe something completely – usually something that is not true.
• Example: When I got back late from the party, I told my mom I had been studying for a final exam at a friend’s house. She swallowed it hook, line, and sinker.

72. Show your true colors

• Meaning: Reveal the true nature of your character
• Example: When things get stressful, that’s when people start to show their true colors

73. On thin ice

• Meaning: In a dangerous situation.
• Example: He’s on thin ice with his boss after making multiple mistakes.

74. Play it by ear

• Meaning: To decide or act based on the situation as it develops, rather than having a fixed plan.
• Example: We don’t have a specific itinerary; we’ll just play it by ear and see what we feel like doing.

75. Save your breath

• Meaning: To stop wasting your time and effort saying things that won’t have any effect.
• Example: Trying to convince him to change his mind is pointless; save your breath.

76. Steal the show

• Meaning: To attract the most attention or praise.
• Example: Her performance was incredible; she stole the show with her singing and dancing.

77. Take it with a grain of salt

• Meaning: To receive/consider information with skepticism or doubt.
• Example: I heard a rumor, but I took it with a grain of salt until I had more information.

Take it with a grain of salt = Not completely believe it

78. clear as mud

• Meaning: information or communication is NOT clear at all.
• Example: My friend tried to explain how to get to his house, but his directions were as clear as mud and we got lost.

79. jump the gun

• Meaning: Do something too early, before the appropriate time
• Example: She jumped the gun and announced the winner before the final results were officially declared.

80. get your wires crossed

• Meaning: Have a miscommunication
• Example: We must have gotten our wires crossed – I wanted you to come at 7 PM, not 7 AM.

Get your wires crossed = Have a miscommunication or misunderstanding

81. Throw caution to the wind

• Meaning: To take a risk or act without considering the potential consequences.
• Example: Despite her friends’ warnings, she decided to throw caution to the wind and quit her job to pursue her passion.

82. Lose your touch

• Meaning: To lose the skill or ability that one once had.
• Example: After years of not playing the piano, he realized he had lost his touch and struggled to play a simple melody.

83. Off the chain

• Meaning: Refers to something that is exciting, exceptional, or out of control.
• Example: The concert last night was off the chain! The energy in the crowd was unbelievable.

84. Eyeball it

• Meaning: To estimate or measure something by using one’s judgment or visual assessment.
• Example: We didn’t have a ruler, so we had to eyeball the length of the table and hope it would fit in the room.

85. Spice things up

• Meaning: To add excitement or variety to a situation or relationship.
• Example: Let’s try a new restaurant tonight to spice things up.

86. Bring home the bacon

• Meaning: To earn a living or provide financial support for one’s family.
• Example: She works two jobs to bring home the bacon and support her children.

Bring home the bacon = Earn money to support a family

87. Nip something in the bud

• Meaning: To stop or prevent a problem or situation from developing further.
• Example: My 5-year-old started telling lies; we had to discipline her to nip that habit in the bud.

88. The last straw

• Meaning: The final event or action that makes a situation unbearable or prompts a strong reaction.
• Example: When he forgot their anniversary, it was the last straw for her, and she decided to end the relationship.

89. A whole new ballgame

• Meaning: A completely different situation or set of circumstances.
• Example: We had to change our lifestyle after we had kids – it was a whole new ballgame.

90. Burn the midnight oil

• Meaning: To work or study late into the night.
• Example: I’m exhausted because I was burning the midnight oil yesterday.

Burn the midnight oil = Stay up very late, usually working or studying

91. Between a rock and a hard place

• Meaning: Trapped in a difficult or impossible situation, having to choose between two unfavorable options.
• Example: She was between a rock and a hard place when both job offers required her to relocate.

92. Play devil’s advocate

• Meaning: Argue an opposing perspective in order to generate critical thinking or debate.
• Example: I know everyone’s in favor of this plan, but let me play devil’s advocate – what will we do if it all goes wrong?

93. Put your foot in your mouth

• Meaning: To say something embarrassing, inappropriate, or offensive by accident.
• Example: I put my foot in my mouth when I asked her if she was pregnant, but she wasn’t.

94. Get a grip

• Meaning: To regain control over one’s emotions or behavior.
• Example: He needs to get a grip and stop letting his anger affect his relationships.

95. Piece of work

• Meaning: Used to describe someone who is difficult, eccentric, or challenging to deal with.
• Example: I love my cousin, but she’s a real piece of work – she gets offended over the slightest things.

96. Put someone on the spot

• Meaning: To ask someone a difficult question or request an immediate response, often in a public or challenging situation.
• Example: During the meeting, the boss put him on the spot by asking him to present his idea without any preparation.

Put someone on the spot = ask someone a difficult question in front of others

97. a night owl

• Meaning: Someone who likes to stay up late.
• Example: My son’s a night owl – he never goes to bed before 2 AM.

98. has seen better days

• Meaning: Something is old and in not-so-great condition.
• Example: I’ve had this car for over fifteen years… it’s seen better days.

99. get bent out of shape

• Meaning: Become angry, upset or offended, especially about something which in your opinion doesn’t justify such a reaction.
• Example: My roommate is a neat freak, and he gets bent out of shape if I leave a single spoon on the kitchen counter.

100. Play your cards right

• Meaning: Use your resources in a way that leads to success.
• Example: Your supervisor really likes you. If you play your cards right , you could get promoted soon.

Now you know 100 common idiomatic expressions and their meanings. I hope these idioms + examples are helpful!

• Learn more: List of idioms with their definitions

You’ll learn lots more idioms & examples in my 300+ Idioms Course !

This course is an EFFECTIVE way to learn and practice common idiomatic expressions in the English language. It’s not just a list of idioms – instead, each lesson helps you learn the expressions more actively.

The lessons start by showing you examples of idioms in sentences, and you’ll try to guess what they mean from the context. Then, you can watch a video where I teach the idioms’ meanings. Next, try a quiz to see how well you remember the idiomatic expressions. Finally, there are short-answer questions to help you practice using these common idioms yourself – and you can get feedback and correction from an Espresso English teacher!

More Espresso English Lessons:

About the author.

Shayna Oliveira

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Writing with Idioms

Writing with idioms is a great way to teach students how to use them correctly. After you’ve used the secret sauce to teaching idioms , it’s time for practice! Writing a story with idioms develops three important skills while having fun with language. 

Table of Contents

• Writing with coherence. This means making sure the writing stays on topic and the idioms are applicable to the story or essay.
• Students who write with idioms gain a better understanding of the expression than if they simply draw a picture or review it on a worksheet.
• Understanding the culture connected to the idiom. If this sounds a bit vague, this is what I mean.

Each language has its own idioms. Some of these translate, and some do not. Idioms are a reflection of culture, and have come into use based on the common experiences of people in that culture. Therefore, idioms vary across languages. 

For example, in English we often say, “It’s raining cats and dogs.” There is no saying that translates literally to this in Spanish. In Spanish, they might say, “Llueve cántaros,” which translates to “It’s raining buckets.” It has the same meaning, but the idiom isn’t exactly equal.

Another example is “a piece of cake.” It means something is so easy. In Spanish they say, “pan comido.” This idiom means the same thing, something is super easy, but it literally translates as “eaten bread.” If you’re anything like me, eating bread is one of the easiest things to do! 

The point I’m making here is that you can teach writing with idioms in an English class, a French class, a Spanish class or in any language class. It’s a fun way to ingrain the figurative language in a student’s expressive writing and speaking.

Writing with Idioms Lesson Plan

Now that you’ve decided when and how to teach idioms , it’s time to explore writing with idioms. This can be one of the most powerful ways to ingrain idiomatic expressions into a student’s vocabulary and daily writing.

Here are some ideas to get you started with having your students use idiomatic expressions in their writing. Hold on until the end because I have a sweet surprise for you!

Choosing Idioms to Use in Writing

Some idioms lend themselves better to writing than others. Student writers should understand them well and possibly have even heard them before. Therefore, you’ll want to choose from the common, everyday idioms. Pick the “cream of the crop” for your students to practice.[click_to_tweet tweet=”Writing stories that use idioms can be a powerful method to master understanding of these expressions. Ideas how to do this are on the blog post, ‘Writing with Idioms.'” quote=”Writing stories that use idioms can be a powerful method to master understanding of these expressions.” theme=”style3″]

Have Students Choose their Favorite Idioms

Student choice is a huge motivator in getting them engaged in any assignment. Give a selection of idioms from which students can choose the most meaningful to them. They’ll choose the ones that make the most sense, or that spark that creative idea for a story.

Don’t worry if several students choose the same idiom, or if two or three besties decide to write the same type of story with the same idiom. Since each child is unique in their thinking, even though they start out with the same idiom to use, their writing will be different. Their stories or essays might follow the same plot and reasoning, but the end product will still be their own.

Short Story Writing with Idioms

Idioms are perfect ways to spark story ideas and allow students to play with language. Who doesn’t love the book, “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” by Judi Barrett? It’s a bit of a riff on the idiom, “raining cats and dogs.” If a professional author can write a bestselling book based on an idiomatic expression, who knows what your students will be able to do?[click_to_tweet tweet=”Story ideas based on idioms can be a way for students to play with language.” quote=”Story ideas based on idioms can be a way for students to play with language.” theme=”style3″]

To begin the lesson plan, reading this book might be a great way to introduce the concept. Even if you teach upper elementary, they’ll love to hear an old favorite again. Have the students pick out humorous expressions the author uses. For example, the town is named “Chew and Swallow.” The clouds are “sunny side up eggs.” It rains mashed potatoes.

There are two ways to approach this writing lesson.

• Have the students create an original story based on an idiom.
• Have the students write a short story or essay on a topic of their choice. Require that they include one or two idioms in their writing.

Idioms for a Writing Activity

Here is a list of ten common idioms that could lead the way down the creative writing path.

• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. (What happens when the basket falls?)
• Leave no stone unturned. (A mystery of a missing object.)
• When pigs fly. (A humorous story of animals doing unusual things.)
• Zip your lip. (What would happen if robots had lips that zipped? Or people?)
• The skeleton in the closet. (A great prompt for a Halloween story.)
• Spill the beans. (This idiom reminds me of Strega Nona stories by Tomie de Paola.)
• Once in a blue moon. (This could become a fantasy story or a science fiction story.)
• Break the ice. Or do an icebreaker. (Students could write about their favorite icebreaker activity from the beginning of the school year.
• Red handed. (What if robbers’ hands turned red after they committed a crime?)
• Bad egg. (This was famously used in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.)

If none of these idioms float your boat, you can find a gold mine of idioms in this bundled set of idioms worksheets.

Click on the image to see all of the products included. You can watch a video of the product pages. You can choose any one or all of them. It’s a growing bundle, which means that as time goes by and I add more categories and idioms activities, you’ll get them at NO EXTRA COST.

You can find even more at The Idioms website. They have them divided into categories to help in your search.

Now that you’ve conquered idioms in your classroom, you could start with some easy and brilliant ways to teach what is an Onomatopoeia . If you want to dive deeper, What is Literary Devices? An Amazing Writing Tool, Quickly Explained will take you on that journey.

True story: The first time my principal visited my class for an informal observation, when I was a brand new teacher, I was teaching about onomatopoeia. She looked at the board with a strange expression.

After my lesson she pulled me aside and said, “I think you may have misspelled onomatopoeia.”

ACK! Thankfully she had a fabulous sense of humor and was able to laugh about it. Thank you, Greta!

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50 Most Common English Idioms and Phrases (With Examples)

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

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.  

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!

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 ______________.

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.

Is it necessary to use idioms while speaking English?

Idioms make your vocabulary wider and show that you have a deep knowledge of the language.

Is it possible to understand the meaning of the idiom without a dictionary?

If you have a context, you may grasp the meaning, but most of the idioms should be checked in the dictionary.

Do native speakers frequently use idioms?

There are many idioms that are well known and frequently used among the native speakers, but some of them become old and rarely used.

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40 Common English Idioms

ThoughtCo / Hilary Allison

• Pronunciation & Conversation
• Writing Skills
• Reading Comprehension
• Business English
• Resources for Teachers

• B.A., English, University of Michigan

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. E ven 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).

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501+ Best Idioms with Examples and Meanings for Everyday Usage [Download PDF]

• Updated on  
• Feb 13, 2024

Idioms with Examples: 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 .” However, students often confuse proverbs with idioms.

But, one should know that proverbs are well-known for stating a piece of advice or general fact. For example, a picture worth a thousand words is a proverb – a general truth . Now, let us consider the idiom ‘ bite off more than you can chew ‘. What you meant is that you are trying to do something too hard for you.

For students looking to explore more about idioms in their essays,  Essaypay.com  can be a great resource. You can even order essays online for in-depth insights into various idioms. In the meantime, read this blog to learn more than 501 useful and common idioms with examples and meanings.

This Blog Includes:

What is an idiom – meaning and definition, why use idioms in sentences, download 100+ idioms with examples & meanings pdf, 79+ idioms & phrases with meaning for advance vocabulary, 20 more idioms with examples to improve vocabulary, 35 more idioms for competitive exams – ssc cgl preparation, 30 most popular idioms with examples for students, 5 best idioms with examples for happiness, 10 best idioms for money you should know, 7+ idioms for great things or ideas, most popular idioms for kids with example.

Also Read: Essay on Peer Pressure

A set of words, or, to put it another way, a phrase, that has a meaning beyond the words’ literal meanings are known as idioms . 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 Merriam-Webster dictionary defines 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).

Idioms and their Meanings Quiz

Your answer:

Correct answer:

Your Answers

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.

The only issue is that it would be meaningless or have no impact on 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.

Also Read: Idioms for IELTS

List of 20 Common Idioms with Examples for Everyday Usage

Have to come across commonly used idioms in English while watching TV shows or movies? 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!

So, here’s a list of the top 100 common idioms with their meanings and sentence examples:

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.

Idioms are used as figurative language, i.e. the use of words imaginatively and unusually. Take a look at more idioms with examples.

1. 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 dedicated he was. 

2. 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 was better than two in the bush.

3. 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 .

4. 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.

5. 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 . ”

6. 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 ?

7. 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. 

8. 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. 

9. 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?

10. A black sheep

Meaning: Being a disgrace to the family. Example: They don’t talk about Olive anymore, turns out he was the Black sheep for the family, and he married someone else while he was still married to his fiancé. 

11. 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 .

12. Looking to your laurels

Meaning: Do not be lost in your achievements and lose sight of what is supposed to happen. Example: Look on your laurels but do not rest on them. 

13. Bear a grudge

Meaning: To continue to feel angry or unfriendly toward someone or something because of a particular past incident. Example: I Bear a grudge against him for not taking me into confidence.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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. 

18. 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 .

19. 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.

20. Give it a whirl

Meaning: To give something a try. Example: I am terrified of skydiving, but I think once in my life, I will give it a whirl.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. Go the extra mile

Meaning: To make an extra effort. Example: He was willing to go the extra mile for the love of his life, Mia.

24. 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.

25. Step up your game

Meaning: To start performing better Example: Jennifer better step up her game if she wants to make big in Basketball.

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!

26. 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 .

27. 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. 

28. 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. 

29. Crying Wolf

Meaning: To ask for help when you don’t need it. Example: You have been a crying Wolf so many times that no one believes you now.

30. Palm off

Meaning: Pass off something as genuine when it is spurious. Example: This shopkeeper always palms off old stock to the customers.

31. 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 .

32. 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, and the shares may grow.

33. On thin ice

Meaning: In a precarious or risky situation. Example: Andy played hooky from work for a week saying he was sick, and now his boss said that he is on thin ice .

34. 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.

35. Rain on someone’s parade

Meaning: To spoil a moment. Example: He told his wife that he didn’t want to rain on her parade , but they had to shift their vacation dates.

36. 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 .

37. 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 . 

38. Like a cakewalk

Meaning: So easy task. Example: Everyone took hours to write the code but Adam did it like a cakewalk.

39. Throw caution to the wind

Meaning: Take a risk. Example: The caretaker threw caution to the wind by taking a sick baby outside. 

40. 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 throws a big party. He is indeed penny-wise and pound-foolish.

41. 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.

42. The best thing since sliced bread

Meaning: A really good invention. Example: Bluetooth is officially the best thing since sliced bread . 

43. Bite off more than you can chew

Meaning: Take on difficult work that is beyond your capabilities.  Example: Andrew told his boss that he would triple the sales but in reality, he bit off more than he can chew and now all of us are in trouble.

44. Play by the ear

Meaning: To improvise. Example: I just went to Canada and did everything playing by the ear , no itinerary, no schedules.

45. 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. 

46. Put something on ice

Meaning: To put something on hold. Example: As per the boss’ order, Michael has put his personal matters on ice.

47. You can say that again

Meaning: That’s absolutely true. Example: “The Earth is bleeding”, you can say that again, pal .

48. 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 .

49. 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.

50. Call it a day

Meaning: Stop working on something. Example: Ah! So if we didn’t complete the puzzle today, let’s call it a day and come back again tomorrow.

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:

51. 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 .

52. Be in a Tight Corner

Meaning: Being in a difficult situation. Example: Radha’s low grades despite her constant efforts have put her in a very tight corner .

53. 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 .

54. 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.

55. 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.

56. Bury the Hatchet

Meaning: Ending a quarrel to make peace. Example: My father buried the hatchet by equally dividing the pasta between me and my sister.

57. To Bell the Cat

Meaning: To face a risk. Example: He belled the cat when he was trying to escape the prison.

58. Turn a deaf ear

Meaning: To ignore what someone is saying. Example: Whenever her mother complained of her excessive use of her mobile phone, Anu turned a deaf ear.

Meaning: Confused Example: I was at sea while choosing a lehenga for my sister’s wedding at Manish Malhotra’s store.

60. 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 .

61. 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. 

62. Twist someone’s arm

Meaning: To convince someone Example: I was not planning to come to the party but by reminding me of all the good food you twisted my arm !

63. Stab someone in the back

Meaning: To betray a close person Example: My uncle trusted his driver so much but he stabbed him in the back when he saw all the money bags.

64. 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 had diabetes. 

65. Ring a bell

Meaning: Sounds familiar Example: Why does this name ring a bell in my head? Was this girl in my school?

66. Cut to the chase

Meaning: Getting to the important point Example: As the submissions were to be made tonight, the boss cut to the chase and asked us to start working. 

67. 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 her mother. 

68. 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!

69. To have sticky fingers

Meaning: Thief Example: The cashier had a sticky finger , he stole around $2000 and ran away from the bank. 

70. Break the bank

Meaning: To be very expensive Example: I had to break the bank to buy these shoes!

71. 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 !

72. 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 .

73. 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 told me the time.

74. Wear your heart on your sleeve

Meaning : Expressing yourself too openly Example : She wears her heart on her sleeve and often gets hurt.

75. Cut no ice

Meaning : Fail to make an impact Example : Your poetry cuts no ice with me

76. Light at the end of the 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

77. Through thick and thin

Meaning : Through good and bad times Example : Books and music stay by your side through thick and thin .

78. 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!

79. 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

80. Don’t give up a day’s job

Meaning: You are not very good at something or you could not do it professionally Example : I love painting, but I shouldn’t give up a day’s job just yet.

Here are the most common 20 idioms with their meanings and sentences:

81 . 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.

82 . Once in a blue moon Meaning: Not very often Example : I visit her place once in a blue moon

83 . Call a spade a spade Meaning: Talking frankly Example: I will not lie about it and call a spade a spade.

84 . Flesh and blood Meaning: Referring to someone in the family or human nature Example: It’s flesh and blood to feel such strong emotions at this time.

85 . Jam on the brakes Meaning : Press brakes of a vehicle suddenly Example: I had to jam on the brakes when I saw the deer.

86 . Notch up Meaning : To win or create a record Example: One Direction notched up the finale with their amazing voice!

87 . 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.

88 . Knee Jerk Reaction Meaning : A quick response Example : The statement was just a knee-jerk reaction.

89 . Once bitten, twice shy Meaning : Afraid of doing something again Example : Once bitten twice shy, he can’t ski.

90 . Forty winks Meaning: A short nap Example: I will be just in for forty winks, I promise.

91 . Up for grabs Meaning : Available for everyone Example : This pizza slice is up for grabs!

92 . Old as the hills Meaning : Someone very old Example : The man looks as old as the hills.

93 . Back to square one Meaning: Start all over again Example: Your mistake brought us back to square one.

94 . Round the bend Meaning : Crazy Example: My neighbour is around the bend, don’t try to mess with her.

95 . Against the clock Meaning : Rushed Example : I have to hurry for the meeting, I am against the clock.

96 . Black and blue Meaning : Something bruised Example : What happened? Your eyes look black and blue .

97 . Have the blues Meaning : Sad Example : After meeting her, I am feeling the blues.

98 . Be glad to see the back of Meaning : Happy when someone leaves Example : Tomorrow, I will be glad to see the back of her.

99 . Blackout Meaning : Faint Example : I blacked out after two drinks.

100 . 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.

55 Best Idioms & Phrases for Competitive Exams

1 . At First Blush – First sight Example: At first blush, the proposal seems promising, but upon closer examination, its flaws become apparent.

2 . A wet blanket – A person who discourages enjoyment or enthusiasm Example: Sarah’s constant pessimism and negative comments about potential challenges threw a wet blanket on their celebration.

3 . Your Guess is as Good as Mine – To have no idea about anything Example: “Will this flight reach on time?” “Your guess is as good as mine.”

4. Tuck in – To put something in a secure place, to start eating, or to encourage someone to start eating something. Example: Mother cooked some delicious food and asked us to tuck in.

5 . Speak of the Devil – The person you’re talking about shows up at the exact time Example : I hope he doesn’t show up to the office today – oh, speak of the devil, here he comes.

6 . Not a spark of decency – No manners Example: The class showed not a spark of decency by refusing to stand up when their principal entered the classroom.

7. In the heat of the Moment – Overwhelmed by what is happening at the moment Example: I’m afraid I was very arrogant; I was caught up in the heat of the moment.

8 . Hear it on the grapevine – To hear rumours Example: I heard on the grapevine that my brother-in-law got the promotion, but I really don’t know much about it.”

9. To cook the books – To alter facts and figures Example: Their accountant was charged with cooking the books, and now he’s in jail.

10 . Devil’s Advocate – A person who advocates an unpopular cause for the sake of an argument. Example: I don’t really believe all that – I was just playing devil’s advocate.

11. A cash cow – A product or service that generates a lot of revenue for a company. Example: A singer deemed a  cash cow  for the record label.

12. Burn the midnight oil – Work or study hard Example: I have a big exam tomorrow, so I’ll be burning the midnight oil to review all the material.”

13. By fits and starts – In short periods, not regularly Example: The project progressed in fits and starts, with periods of intense productivity followed by long periods of inactivity.

14 . Under his thumb – Under his control Example: I feel like I’m always under his thumb.

15 . Out of the way – Strange Example: Alex realized they were in a tight corner when the client demanded a lower price.

16 . Be in a tight corner – In a very difficult situation

17 . Keep one’s fingers crossed – The anxiety in which you hope that nothing will upset your plans Example: I have a job interview tomorrow, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it goes well and I get the position.

18 . The gift of the gab – Talent for speaking Example: With his natural charisma and the gift of the gab, he could effortlessly captivate any audience with his storytelling.

19 . Cost an Arm and a Leg – Be very expensive Example: The vintage car restoration ended up costing me an arm and a leg, but it was worth it to see it gleaming again.

20 . Smell a rat – Suspect something foul Example: After seeing how eager he was to sell his car for such a low price, I began to smell a rat and suspected that there might be something wrong.

21 . By hook or by crook – By fair or foul means Example: She was willing to do whatever it took—by hook or by crook—to meet the deadline.

22 . Spread like a wildfire – Spread quickly Example: The news of the new product launch spread like wildfire through social media, garnering attention and excitement from users around the world.

23 . Out of gear – Disturb the work Example: The sudden power outage threw the entire production process out of gear, causing delays and disruptions.

24 . Die in harness – Die while in service Example: Even in his old age, he continued to teach and inspire his students until he eventually died in harness, doing what he loved most.

25 . To be snowed under – To be very busy Example: I can’t go out tonight, I’m snowed under with work and deadlines

26 . To get the sack – To be dismissed from your job Example: After consistently showing up late for work, he eventually got sacked from his job

27 . To cook the books – To modify financial statements

28 . To balance the books – To make certain that the amount of money spent is not more than the amount of money received Example: The company was accused of balancing the books to inflate its profits and deceive investors.

29 . A ballpark figure – A general financial figure Example: The project manager gave us a ballpark figure for the budget, estimating it to be around $50,000, but the actual costs could vary.

30 . Yellow press – Newspapers that publish sensational and unscrupulous stories and exaggerate the news to attract readers. Example: Don’t believe everything you read in the yellow press. They often exaggerate stories for sensationalism

31 . A nine day’s Wonder – An event which relates a sensation for a time but is soon forgotten Example: The new gadget was a nine-day wonder, capturing everyone’s attention for a short time before they moved on to the next big thing.

32 . One swallow does not make a summer – It is unreliable to base one’s conclusions on only a single test or incident Example: Just because John aced one test doesn’t mean he’ll excel in the whole course. Remember, one swallow does not make a summer.

33 . To move heaven and earth – To exert all efforts Example: Sarah was determined to move heaven and earth to ensure her project’s success.

34 . A miss is as good as a mile – Comes nowhere near the target Example: She didn’t win the race, but her coach reminded her that in the end, a miss is as good as a mile.

35 . Lock, stock and barrel – The whole of everything Example: After years of negotiations, they finally decided to buy the company lock, stock, and barrel.

36 . Make hay while the sun shines – Take advantage of all opportunities Example: You should go and make hay while the sun shines, as this could be your chance to secure a great job.

37 . All that glitters is not gold – Things that appear attractive or valuable on the surface may not always be as good as they seem. Example: She realized that all that glitters is not gold and that a high-paying job isn’t always worth sacrificing her happiness and health.

38 . To jump from a frying pan into the fire – To come out of one trouble and get into a worse Example: He ended up jumping from the frying pan into the fire when he started his new job at a company.

39 . Foul play – Cheating Example: The police suspected foul play in the sudden disappearance of the valuable painting from the museum.

40 . A fish out of water – Anyone in an awkward Example: Sarah felt like a fish out of water at the fancy gala, surrounded by wealthy socialites and unfamiliar customs.

41 . A burnt child dreads the fire – One who has had a previous unpleasant experience is always scared of situations where such experiences are likely to be repeated Example: After getting food poisoning from a street vendor, she never ate street food again; a burnt child dreads the fire.

42 . To set the Thames on fire – To do something sensational or remarkable Example: It’s clear that he thinks he’s going to set the Thames on fire with his revolutionary ideas.

43 . A white elephant – A useless possession which is extremely expensive to keep Example: He was getting a great deal when he bought that antique vase, but it turned out to be a real white elephant.

44 . To throw dust in one’s eyes – To try to deceive someone or mislead someone Example: The company’s CEO tried to throw dust in everyone’s eyes by giving a carefully crafted speech.

45 . Every dog has his day – Sooner or later, everyone has his share of good fortune Example: When he unexpectedly won the Employee of the Month award, he proved that every dog has his day.

46 . Give a dog a bad name and hang him – Once a person loses his reputation Example: They’re just trying to give a dog a bad name and hang him, without any concrete evidence to support their claims.

47 . Go to the devil – Be off Example: After enduring his rude comments for far too long, Jane finally had enough and told him to go to the devil.

48 . To step into a dead man’s shoes – To come into an inheritance Example: Jane found herself having to step into the dead man’s shoes and lead the company through these challenging times.

49 . Halcyon Days – Refers to a period of peace, tranquillity, and happiness Example: She would often talk about the halcyon days she spent at her grandparents’ farm.

50 . Evil days – A period of misfortune Example: Many families struggled to make ends meet and faced evil days as they navigated through job losses and financial instability.

51 . Cut and dried – Readymade Example: Sarah was cut and dried, as she had consistently outperformed her colleagues and had the most experience in the department.

52 . Too many cooks spoil the broth – There are more workers than necessary leading to disappointment Example: Everyone had their own ideas for the project, but too many cooks spoiled the broth, and the final result ended up being confusing and ineffective.

53 . To commit to memory – To learn by heart Example: I spent hours studying the poem so that I could learn it by heart and recite it perfectly during the poetry recitation competition.

54 . To throw cold water upon anything – To discourage efforts Example: The manager threw cold water on their ambitious ideas by pointing out the potential budget constraints.

55 . A cock and bull story – A foolishly incredible story His explanation for why he was late to the meeting was a foolishly incredible story about being abducted by aliens.

56 . Close-fisted – To be mean Example: As known for being close-fisted when it came to lending money to his friends.

57 . To square the circle – To attempt something impossible Example: Trying to convince her strict parents to let her go on a solo backpacking trip was like trying to square the circle.

58 . The ball is in your court – Refers to the fact that it’s time for action now Example: She did her best and the ball is now in your court.

59 . To pick and choose – To make a careful selection Example: She can’t just pick and choose which tasks she wants to do.

60 . Clean Bill of Health – A person or a system or organisation has been examined and found in good condition, without facing any significant problems or issues. Example: The company’s financial statements and issued a clean bill of health.

61 . Stress out – Means to become extremely anxious, overwhelmed, or mentally strained Example: She’s been really stressed out lately because of her heavy workload.

62 . She is no chicken – She is older than she says Example: Despite her age, she is no chicken when it comes to taking on challenging tasks and responsibilities.

63 . Clean Swipe – Winning without facing any defeat. Example: The ruling party made a clean sweep in the election, winning all the seats in the parliament.

64 . To Catch One’s Eye – To attract attention Example: Her vibrant red dress and confident demeanour were enough to catch anyone’s eye as she walked into the room.

65 . Care killed the cat – Don’t fret and worry yourself to death Example: She couldn’t resist opening the mysterious package despite the warning label and care killed the cat.

66 . To burn the candle at both ends – Expend energy in two directions at the same time Example: Seems like he’s been burning the candle at both ends, trying to balance his responsibilities.

67 . Good wine needs no bush – no need to advertise something good Example: Handcrafted wines spread far and wide, proving that good wine needs no bush.

68 . To kick the bucket – To die Example: He was truly prepared to kick the bucket on his feet rather than live on his knees.

69 . If the cap fits, wear it – If the remarks refer to you, then accept the criticism Example: Well, if the cap fits, wear it. You’ve been known to misplace things too.

70 . To make bricks without straw – To do something without proper materials Example: Trying to complete this project with such limited resources feels like trying to make bricks without straw.

71 . A Bolt from the Blue – Something completely unexpected that surprises you Example: Getting a job offer from that prestigious company was like a bolt from the blue.

72 . In Cold Blood – Deliberately Example: In cold blood, she betrayed her closest friend, revealing all of their secrets to the world without a hint of remorse.

73 . To bite the dust – To be defeated in battle Example: The ambitious project eventually bit the dust due to a lack of funding and support.

74 . Behind the scenes – In private Example: Behind the scenes, the dedicated team of engineers worked tirelessly to ensure the flawless execution of the event.

75 . To cause bad blood – To create feelings of resentment, hostility, or animosity Example: Spreading rumours about others eventually caused bad blood between her and the rest of the office.

76 . To backbite a person – To speak negatively about someone in their absence Example: Sarah often backbites her colleagues, spreading rumours about them when they are not around.

77 . Bag and baggage – The idiom is used to indicate the entirety of someone’s belongings Example: They left nothing behind, departing with their bag and baggage.

78 . To have no backbone – Used to describe someone who lacks courage Example: He never takes any action to improve his situation; it’s clear that he has no backbone.

79 . To take up arms – To prepare for battle or engage in a conflict Example: The labor union decided to take up arms against unfair working conditions.

80 . On pins and needles – To be anxious or agitated She was on pins and needles when I went on for the first time.

81 . Below the belt – To pass a disrespectful, insulting or unethical comment Example: One candidate resorted to personal attacks and hit below the belt by bringing up his opponent’s family issues.

82 . Roll up your sleeves – To prepare for hard work, mainly physical task Example: She rolled up her sleeves and helped the team instantly.

83 . The other side of the coin – To look at different aspects of a situation Example: Teams might elevate the sales rate but the other side of the coin is overburdening the employees.

84 . Rock the boat – Doing something that causes problems Example: We already have too much homework; let’s not rock the boat and get more!

85 . Take with a pinch of salt – When someone tells you something based on their opinion, rather than facts or evidence. Take his advice with a pinch of salt, he is not very experienced in this field.

86 . Call it a night – Halt your evening or nighttime activities. Probably best to call it a night for today!

87 . Clean as a whistle – Meaning is free from dirt Example: Like a fresh start, everything was clean as a whistle.

88 . Two heads are better than one – Refers to the idea that having more than one person participate in an activity improves the quality. Example: Since two heads are better than one when it comes to solving problems.

89 . A Rising tide lifts all boats – It is associated with economic growth, wealth, and prosperity. Example: How a rising tide lifts all boats, as it helps the major corporate sector employees save money.

90 . Like a cat on hot tin roof – 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.

Also Read:  Idioms for Beginners

Here are the most common 30 idioms with their meanings and sentences:

1 . 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

2. 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.

3. 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. 

4 . 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Behind one’s back Meaning : If you do something behind someone’s back, you do it secretly without their knowledge (used negatively). Example: My colleague is nice to me but I don’t trust him because I know he talks negatively about me behind my back

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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

16. Have your heart in your mouth Meaning: If you’ve your heart in your mouth, you’re feeling extremely nervous. Example :  You sure don’t seem relaxed—in fact, it seems like your heart is in your mouth.

17. 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.

18. 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. Halfway through the movie, I concluded that its humour was not my cup of tea.

19 . 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.

20 . 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.

21. The pot calling the kettle black Meaning: Accusing someone of faults that you 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.

22. Call a spade a spade Meaning: To speak the 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 . 

23. 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.

24 . 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.

25. Miss the boat/ bus Meaning: To miss an opportunity Example: He missed the boat when he did not apply for the job in time. 

26 . Over my dead body Meaning : If you say something will happen to 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. 

27 . 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.

28. 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?

29. 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.

30. 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.

Sometimes it’s difficult to express yourself, so idioms help you to express your feelings in a better and more sophisticated way. There are a lot of idioms you can use to express happiness, some of them are mentioned below.

• On Top of The World : She was on top of the world after he agreed to marry him.
• In Seventh Heaven : I was in seventh heaven when I saw my appraisal letter.
• Over The Moon : When she sent me chocolates and a note, I was over the moon.
• Walking on Air : He’s been walking on air ever since he got the job.
• On Cloud Nine: She was on cloud nine when she saw her result.

Also Read:   Top 10 Idioms For Excitement That You Should Know!

Here are the top 10 idioms related to money, along with their meanings and examples:

• Break the Bank : To spend a lot of money or exceed one’s budget.
• Rolling in Dough: To be very wealthy or have a lot of money.
• Penny-Pincher ; Someone who is extremely frugal and careful with their money.
• Cash Cow : A consistent and reliable source of income or profits.
• Broke the Bank : To deplete all available funds; to spend more than expected or affordable.
• Cost an Arm and a Leg : Something that is very expensive.
• In the Black : To be financially successful
• On a Shoestring Budget : Operating with very limited funds or resources.
• Money Talks : The power and influence that come with having a lot of money.
• Rob Peter to Pay Paul : To take from one source to pay off another, often resulting in a cycle of debt or financial instability.

Also Read: 9+ Best Idioms for Angry You Should Know

Here are 10 idioms that convey the idea of greatness, along with their meanings and examples:

• The Bee’s Knees : Her performance in the play was simply the bee’s knees
• The Cream of the Crop : Only the cream of the crop made it to the final round of the quiz.
• A Cut Above the Rest : His culinary skills were a cut above the rest, making him the top chef in town.
• Have the World at One’s Feet : After winning the championship, he seemed to have the world at his feet.
• In a League of One’s Own : Her dedication to her craft put her in a league of her own among her peers.
• Rise Above the Crowd : Her ability to stay focused helped her rise above the crowd and achieve her goals.
• Second to None : The quality of their customer service is second to none in the industry.
• Stand Head and Shoulders Above : Her innovative approach to problem-solving allowed her to stand head and shoulders above her colleagues

Also Read: Top 9 Idioms for Expensive You Should Know!

Here are some of the best idioms that every kid should know:

• A Piece of Cake : The math test was a piece of cake for me.
• Break a Leg : Break a leg on your performance tonight.
• Cat Got Your Tongue : Why aren’t you answering my call? Cat got your tongue?
• Cry over Spilled Milk : Don’t cry over spilt milk, let’s just clean it up.

Explore more exciting reads on idioms here!

It’s raining cats and dogs is an idiom, that means it is raining very hard.

Idioms are expressions that are difficult to understand by examining the meanings of their constituent words alone. We frequently utilize colloquial language. Your friend is avoiding having a frank conversation with you if they are “beating around the bush.”

It’s a doddle, it means there’s nothing to it.

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

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.

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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22 comments

Good collection of idioms

Thank you, Ashok!

Very impressive I like to read this such a very nice

Thank you, Vaishnavi!

It should be exam oriented

To learn idioms and their meanings

awesomely explained idioms with examples and meanings. Really HELPFUL !!!!!

Thank you for the comment!

Very useful

very super idioms but it is average next time do it well

Thankyou for the suggestion.

I would really like to use idioms more often when communicating in English please send more with examples

We’ll surely add more of these in this blog as per your suggestion. Thank you for reading!

I am very impressed with your website. I get such invaluable material form it. Thank you so much

Hi Ruth, We are delighted that you found our blog interesting to read and helpful. Here are some more interesting and useful reads for you to have a look upon: 1. https://leverageedu.com/blog/english-vocabulary/ 2. https://leverageedu.com/blog/50-difficult-words-with-meanings/ 3. https://leverageedu.com/blog/daily-used-english-words/ 4. https://leverageedu.com/blog/idioms-with-examples/

This website is the best to learn idioms through examples & meaning.I extremely love this website .

Hey! Thank you for your feedback.

You can also read our grammar blogs on- https://leverageedu.com/blog/adjectives/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/grammar-for-class-10/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/metaphors/

I love this article it is well detailed.

Thankyou for such a positive feedback 🙂

So Interesting

Hi, Thanks for your valuable feedback!

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6 facts about americans and tiktok.

Increasing shares of U.S. adults are turning to the short-form video sharing platform TikTok in general and for news .

Pew Research Center conducted this analysis to better understand Americans’ use and perceptions of TikTok. The data for this analysis comes from several Center surveys conducted in 2023.

More information about the surveys and their methodologies, including the sample sizes and field dates, can be found at the links in the text.

Pew Research Center is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts, its primary funder. This is the latest analysis in Pew Research Center’s ongoing investigation of the state of news, information and journalism in the digital age, a research program funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, with generous support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

This analysis draws from several Pew Research Center reports on Americans’ use of and attitudes about social media, based on surveys conducted in 2023. For more information, read:

Americans’ Social Media Use

How u.s. adults use tiktok.

• Social Media and News Fact Sheet
• Teens, Social Media and Technology 2023

At the same time, some Americans have concerns about the Chinese-owned platform’s approach to data privacy and its potential impact on national security. Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill that, if passed in the Senate and signed into law, would restrict TikTok’s ability to operate in the United States.

Here are six key facts about Americans and TikTok, drawn from Pew Research Center surveys.

A third of U.S. adults – including a majority of adults under 30 – use TikTok. Around six-in-ten U.S. adults under 30 (62%) say they use TikTok, compared with 39% of those ages 30 to 49, 24% of those 50 to 64, and 10% of those 65 and older.

In a 2023 Center survey , TikTok stood out from other platforms we asked about for the rapid growth of its user base. Just two years earlier, 21% of U.S. adults used the platform.

A majority of U.S. teens use TikTok. About six-in-ten teens ages 13 to 17 (63%) say they use the platform. More than half of teens (58%) use it daily, including 17% who say they’re on it “almost constantly.”

A higher share of teen girls than teen boys say they use TikTok almost constantly (22% vs. 12%). Hispanic teens also stand out: Around a third (32%) say they’re on TikTok almost constantly, compared with 20% of Black teens and 10% of White teens.

In fall 2023, support for a U.S. TikTok ban had declined. Around four-in-ten Americans (38%) said that they would support the U.S. government banning TikTok, down from 50% in March 2023. A slightly smaller share (27%) said they would oppose a ban, while 35% were not sure. This question was asked before the House of Representatives passed the bill that could ban the app.

Republicans and Republican-leaning independents were far more likely than Democrats and Democratic leaners to support a TikTok ban (50% vs. 29%), but support had declined across both parties since earlier in the year.

Adults under 30 were less likely to support a ban than their older counterparts. About three-in-ten adults under 30 (29%) supported a ban, compared with 36% of those ages 30 to 49, 39% of those ages 50 to 64, and 49% of those ages 65 and older.

In a separate fall 2023 survey, only 18% of U.S. teens said they supported a ban. 

A relatively small share of users produce most of TikTok’s content. About half of U.S. adult TikTok users (52%) have ever posted a video on the platform. In fact, of all the TikTok content posted by American adults, 98% of publicly accessible videos come from the most active 25% of users .

Those who have posted TikTok content are more active on the site overall. These users follow more accounts, have more followers and are more likely to have filled out an account bio.

Although younger U.S. adults are more likely to use TikTok, their posting behaviors don’t look much different from those of older age groups.

About four-in-ten U.S. TikTok users (43%) say they regularly get news there. While news consumption on other social media sites has declined or remained stagnant in recent years, the share of U.S. TikTok users who get news on the site has doubled since 2020, when 22% got news there.

Related: Social Media and News Fact Sheet

TikTok news consumers are especially likely to be:

• Young. The vast majority of U.S. adults who regularly get news on TikTok are under 50: 44% are ages 18 to 29 and 38% are 30 to 49. Just 4% of TikTok news consumers are ages 65 and older.
• Women. A majority of regular TikTok news consumers in the U.S. are women (58%), while 39% are men. These gender differences are similar to those among news consumers on Instagram and Facebook.
• Democrats. Six-in-ten regular news consumers on TikTok are Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents, while a third are Republicans or GOP leaners.
• Hispanic or Black. Three-in-ten regular TikTok news users in the U.S. are Hispanic, while 19% are Black. Both shares are higher than these groups’ share of the adult population. Around four-in-ten (39%) TikTok news consumers are White, although this group makes up 59% of U.S. adults overall .

A majority of Americans (59%) see TikTok as a major or minor threat to U.S. national security, including 29% who see the app as a major threat. Our May 2023 survey also found that opinions vary across several groups:

• About four-in-ten Republicans (41%) see TikTok as a major threat to national security, compared with 19% of Democrats.
• Older adults are more likely to see TikTok as a major threat: 46% of Americans ages 65 and older say this, compared with 13% of those ages 18 to 29.
• U.S. adults who do not use TikTok are far more likely than TikTok users to believe TikTok is a major threat (36% vs. 9%).

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About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts .

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Artists’ AI dilemma: can artificial intelligence make intelligent art?

Pierre Huyghe’s uncanny machine-human hybrids in Venice are the latest attempt to find deeper meaning in a technology that leaves many creatives playing catch-up

T wo people dressed in black are kneeling on the floor, so still that they must surely be in pain. If they are grimacing, there would be no way to know – their features are obscured by oversized, smooth gold masks, as though they have buried their faces in half an Easter egg.

Their stillness makes them seem like sculptures, and only by checking for the subtle rise and fall of their chests can you confirm they are indeed human. Which is fitting, really – because they aren’t actually human, at least not totally. They’re human-machine hybrids, “Idioms”, created by French artist Pierre Huyghe for his largest ever exhibition, Liminal, at the Punta della Dogana in Venice.

Idioms are wandering the exhibition for its run between March and November. Sensors in their masks monitor the rooms they sit in and visitors they encounter, and artificial intelligence will gradually convert this information into a brand new language. Slowly, for example, the Idioms’ masks will come up with the words for “door” or “humans” or “writing” – building a dictionary until they will even be able to communicate with one another. Every day, their knowledge will accumulate; Huyghe wonders what they might be able to say in 20 years’ time.

On a crisp March day, shortly before the exhibition opens to the public, two Idioms kneel in a darkened room opposite a large black box suspended from the ceiling – this is a “self-generating instrument” (also loaded with environmental sensors), producing ambient music and crisscrossing beams of light. In response to the artwork in front of them, the Idioms appear to have only generated a few syllables, repeated intermittently over and over again as the LED screens on their foreheads glow gold. Their words are a hissing whisper. It sounds a lot like, “What’s this?”

It’s a fair question to ask. The dilemma facing any artist who tries to tackle a subject as paradigm-changing and era-defining as artificial intelligence is that the real magic is often happening on some hard drives behind the scenes. While there is a blinking server on show at Liminal, Huyghe himself conceded at a press conference three days before opening that it might be hard for a casual visitor to understand that the language coming from the Idioms’ masks is AI-generated; he worried that visitors would assume that the people wearing the masks are the ones whispering.

For contemporary artists, there is a clear pressure to tackle and engage with the buzzy technology that has rapidly disrupted everything from homework to journalism since ChatGPT’s debut in 2022.

Like Huyghe, creatives from German film-maker Hito Steyerl to British conceptualist Gillian Wearing have used AI to make or enhance their art. Shortly after Liminal’s first run closes, an ostensibly “fully AI-driven” multimedia exhibition of French artist Philippe Parreno’s historical works will open at Haus der Kunst in Munich.

Whether artists are using the technology in an interesting and challenging way or simply hoping to hop on the hype bandwagon is not always easy to discern. From a preliminary press release of the Munich show, it’s unclear exactly which elements of Parreno’s exhibition will be artificially intelligent, and it’s easy to see how AI could cynically be slapped on to an exhibition like an Instagram filter, a shiny veneer that makes old work seem new.

AI is already all around us, autocompleting our emails, suggesting a new show to watch on Netflix, and reading the weather forecast in the voice of Amazon’s Alexa. In recent years, chatbots have revolutionised writing – responding to prompts to write cover letters, code, plays, poems, and essays – while text-to-image models such as DALL.E and Midjourney allow anyone to create “art” by typing in a few words.

But as the technology becomes more prominent in our everyday lives, artists’ use of AI risks feeling trite. Crowds have allegedly been “transfixed for an hour or more” by Turkish artist Refik Anadol’s “live paintings” currently being displayed at the Serpentine Gallery in London. AI was fed imagery of rainforests and coral reefs to generate Anadol’s exhibition, Echoes of the Earth: Living Archive , which features immersive “artificial realities” that visitors can wander through. While crowds may be transfixed, critics have said that Anadol’s previous AI-generated work is over-hyped.

“The whole thing looks like a massive techno lava lamp,” New York Magazine’s Jerry Saltz wrote of Anadol’s Unsupervised, a 24ft screen that used AI to continuously generate images at the Museum of Modern Art between 2022 and 2023. Saltz found the work to be pointless and mediocre – good at entertaining you briefly but ultimately “not disturbing anything inside you”. In short, he felt the work had nothing to say.

Saltz argued that “if AI is to create meaningful art, it will have to provide its own vision and vocabulary”. On a literal level, this is exactly what Huyghe’s Idioms are doing. Watching them is oddly mesmerising – as a viewer, it is interesting to be confronted not with a finite state of “artificial intelligence”, but an ongoing process of “artificial learning”.

Here, Huyghe’s use of AI takes the art out of the artist’s control, which is exciting – not least because of the possibility that things could go wrong. The Idioms could fail to produce a language or produce one that is discordant and offensive to our ears. They could be unduly influenced by rowdy exhibition-goers or rebel in some way, repeating the same words over and over again.

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It would undoubtedly be fascinating to return day after day and see how the Idioms have responded to the art around them. As Huyghe intended, these strange masked beings provoke questions about the relationship between the human and the non-human (even if my first thought was, “I bet their knees hurt from all that kneeling”).

Less thought-provoking is the use of AI in his work Camata. Robotic limbs surround a skeleton in one of the world’s driest deserts, performing a mysterious ritual. Though the footage is not live, the film is edited in real time, with artificially intelligent “editors” gathering data from a large brass telephone-pole-like sensor near the opening of the exhibition. This sensor monitors everything from the number of guests in the gallery to the weather outside, and the Camata footage is edited accordingly.

Yet curator Anne Stenne clarifies that this isn’t a simple case of “x” leading to “y” – for example, if only one person was in the exhibition, it wouldn’t be the case that the AI editors would automatically, say, choose footage shot at night. This means that while the endless editing process is fascinating – you could, after all, sit there for the exhibition’s entire run and never see the same sequence twice – it’s hard to understand as a layperson why AI was a necessary element. Would the work be any different if the editing was randomly generated? As a casual viewer, it’s very hard to know.

Indeed, those who attend these exhibitions simply have to trust that something fantastical is occurring behind the scenes. While Huyghe’s sensors are visible throughout the exhibition, the artist is unwilling to share the details of the program that processes this information and exactly how it runs. A representative says, “Pierre doesn’t want to focus on the technical parameters of his works. He wants to concentrate on the visitor’s experience.” Audiences may find this troubling in a world where companies have been found to be using “pseudo-AI” that is actually run by hidden humans behind the scenes.

AI art works best when it does something that the artist alone could not, as is the case with Huyghe’s self-generating language. Anything else risks feeling at best gimmicky and at worst pointless. Regardless, the AI trend will continue to sweep galleries, and soon enough the tool will be commonplace enough that questioning it will be like questioning a pen or a pencil.

In the 1960s, “computer art” swept the globe, with exhibits from London to Stuttgart to Zagreb to Las Vegas. One contemporary writer said “perhaps a computer will never produce a painting all by itself”, and noted with caution that “at least one expert thinks such art represents a genuine new art form”. One day, undoubtedly, discussions of AI’s place in art will sound this archaic.

• Installation
• Artificial intelligence (AI)

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