16
Idioms about everyday life
Idioms are easier to remember when you learn them together with others from the same situation. Here are the 16 idioms on this topic in the English Idioms app, each with its meaning and an example sentence. Choose one to see it in more detail.
- Piece of cakeSomething very easy to do.“The first puzzle was a piece of cake.”
- A blessing in disguiseSomething that seems bad at first but turns out well.“Missing that train was a blessing in disguise.”
- Bite the bulletFace a difficult or unpleasant task bravely.“I had to bite the bullet and make the difficult call.”
- Keep an eye onWatch or check something carefully.“Could you keep an eye on my bag for a moment?”
- A rule of thumbA practical guideline that is useful but not exact.“As a rule of thumb, leave ten minutes between meetings.”
- Better safe than sorryIt is wiser to take precautions than to risk a problem.“I saved a backup before editing: better safe than sorry.”
- In hot waterIn trouble because of something you have done.“He was in hot water after losing the borrowed laptop.”
- Hit the roadLeave a place to start a journey.“We need to hit the road before the traffic gets busy.”
- A stone's throwA very short distance away.“The cafe is a stone's throw from our flat.”
- The tip of the icebergThe small visible part of a much larger problem.“The first complaint was only the tip of the iceberg.”
- Give someone a handHelp someone with a task, especially a practical one.“Could you give me a hand moving this desk?”
- Slip someone's mindBe forgotten unintentionally.“Our meeting slipped my mind, so I forgot to join the call.”
- Easier said than doneSimple to suggest, but difficult to actually do.“Finding a quiet flat in this neighbourhood is easier said than done.”
- Get out of handBecome too difficult to keep under control.“Without clear rules, the discussion can get out of hand.”
- Off the top of your headFrom memory, without first checking the facts.“Off the top of my head, I'd say about thirty people attended.”
- On the tip of your tongueAlmost able to recall a particular word or name.“Her name is on the tip of my tongue, but I can't quite remember it.”