80
English idioms
An idiom means something different from its words. Here are the 80 idioms in the English Idioms app by topic, each with its meaning and an example sentence.
Feelings 12
- Under the weatherFeeling a little ill.
- Get cold feetBecome nervous and hesitate before doing something.
- The last strawThe final problem that makes a situation unbearable.
- On cloud nineExtremely happy about something.
- Down in the dumpsFeeling sad and discouraged.
- Butterflies in your stomachA nervous feeling in your stomach before an important event.
- At your wits' endSo worried or frustrated that you do not know what to do next.
- A weight off your shouldersA feeling of relief when a worry or responsibility ends.
- See redSuddenly become very angry.
- Keep your fingers crossedHope that something turns out the way you want.
- A change of heartA shift in how you feel or what you decide.
- Add insult to injuryMake a bad experience even worse.
Time and change 10
- Once in a blue moonVery rarely.
- In the long runOver a long period of time.
- When pigs flyNever; the event is extremely unlikely.
- Better late than neverDoing something late is preferable to not doing it at all.
- In the nick of timeJust before it would have been too late.
- Call it a nightEnd an evening activity, usually to go home or sleep.
- Around the clockAll day and all night without stopping.
- Out of the blueUnexpectedly and without warning.
- Sooner or laterAt some time in the future, even if the exact time is unknown.
- Time fliesTime seems to pass surprisingly quickly.
Money and value 7
- Cost an arm and a legBe very expensive.
- Break the bankCost more money than you can comfortably afford.
- Make ends meetHave enough money to pay for basic living costs.
- Save for a rainy dayPut money aside for a future difficulty or unexpected need.
- A rip-offSomething sold for much more than it is worth.
- A dime a dozenVery common and therefore not especially valuable or special.
- Worth every pennyGood enough to fully justify the money spent on it.
Work and decisions 20
- Hit the nail on the headDescribe or identify something exactly right.
- On the same pageAgree or share the same understanding.
- Burn the midnight oilWork or study late into the night.
- Call it a dayStop working for now.
- Get the ball rollingStart an activity or process.
- Go the extra mileMake more effort than expected.
- Back to square oneReturn to the beginning after a failed attempt.
- Learn the ropesLearn how a job or activity works.
- Think outside the boxThink in a new or creative way.
- Cut cornersSave time or money by doing something poorly.
- On the fenceUndecided between two choices or opinions.
- By the bookExactly according to the rules or instructions.
- Have a lot on your plateHave many tasks or responsibilities to deal with.
- The ball is in your courtIt is your turn to decide or take the next step.
- Get the hang ofLearn how to do or use something through practice.
- Miss the boatLose an opportunity by acting too late.
- On the right trackUse an approach that is leading towards a good result.
- A long shotAn attempt that has only a small chance of succeeding.
- Keep an open mindStay willing to consider other ideas before judging.
- Bite off more than you can chewAccept more work or responsibility than you can manage.
Everyday life 16
- Piece of cakeSomething very easy to do.
- A blessing in disguiseSomething that seems bad at first but turns out well.
- Bite the bulletFace a difficult or unpleasant task bravely.
- Keep an eye onWatch or check something carefully.
- A rule of thumbA practical guideline that is useful but not exact.
- Better safe than sorryIt is wiser to take precautions than to risk a problem.
- In hot waterIn trouble because of something you have done.
- Hit the roadLeave a place to start a journey.
- A stone's throwA very short distance away.
- The tip of the icebergThe small visible part of a much larger problem.
- Give someone a handHelp someone with a task, especially a practical one.
- Slip someone's mindBe forgotten unintentionally.
- Easier said than doneSimple to suggest, but difficult to actually do.
- Get out of handBecome too difficult to keep under control.
- Off the top of your headFrom memory, without first checking the facts.
- On the tip of your tongueAlmost able to recall a particular word or name.
Communication 15