English speakers can be hard to understand for so many reasons: they talk fast, they use slang and they also use lots of English idioms.
Every language has its own idioms. Sometimes the idioms in your language might be similar to English ones, other times, theyโre completely different.
In this post, youโll discover 99 English idioms so you can talk about almost anything while sounding more like a native speaker.
Essential English Idioms You Need To Know
This list of 30 idioms contains some of the most common and most well-known English idioms that youโll hear. If you only learn a few English idioms, make sure itโs these ones.
1. A Piece Of Cake
If something is a piece of cake, then itโs easy.
Example: That test was a piece of cake โ Iโm sure Iโll get a good grade.
2. Once In A Blue Moon
If you do something once in a blue moon, you donโt do it often. Itโs rare or infrequent.
Example: We donโt speak that much any more. I hear from him once in a blue moon.
3. When Pigs Fly
English speakers use this expression to talk about something thatโs impossible or highly unlikely.
Example:
A: When do you think youโll get married?
B: When pigs fly!
4. Miss The Boat
If you miss the boat, then you miss the chance or the opportunity to do something you wanted to do, often due to lateness.
Example: Youโve missed the boat unfortunately โ applications for the job closed about an hour ago.
5. Break The Ice
If you break the ice, you help strangers (people who are meeting for the first time) feel more relaxed and comfortable with each other.
Example: English teachers have lots of activities for breaking the ice with new groups of students such as playing โfind someone whoโฆ?โ
6. Beat Around The Bush
This idiom refers to avoiding an important topic or not speaking directly about something.
Example: Time to stop beating around the bush โ we need to focus on the main point of this meeting.
7. The Ball Is In Your Court
Nothing to do with tennis! If someone tells you โthe ball is in your courtโ it means that you have to make a decision or take a step to make progress in a particular situation.
Example: Well, you have all the information you need โ the ballโs in your court now.
8. Cost An Arm And A Leg
This idiom has nothing to do with body parts! You use it to say that something is expensive.
Youโll hear several other idioms that mean the same thing such as:
- Cost a small fortune
- Cost a bomb
- Cost the earth
- Cost a packet
Example: Have you seen the price of petrol these days? It costs an arm and a leg!
9. Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining
An idiom for people who prefer to think positively. It means that we can find some good or something positive even in difficult situations.
Example: Losing your job is tough, but every cloud has a silver lining. Now youโll get to spend more time with your family, like youโve always wanted.
10. Bite The Bullet
If you bite the bullet, then you decide to make yourself do something difficult even though you donโt want to.
Example: Iโm going to have to bite the bullet and tell her that Iโm not in love with her any more.
11. Bury The Hatchet
If people who were arguing or angry at each other decide to bury the hatchet, then they decide to stop fighting and be friends.
Example: You havenโt spoken to your brother for 10 years โ donโt you think itโs time to bury the hatchet?
12. A Blessing In Disguise
Youโll find an important life lesson in this idiom. It refers to a situation which is bad at first but actually turns out to be good later on.
Example: My accident turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it made me realise what wonderful friends and family I have to help me.
13. Actions Speak Louder Than Words
This idiom means that what you do is much more important than what you say.
Example: A lot of governments say they care about the environment and have promised to cut carbon emissions, but actions speak louder than words.
14. At The Drop Of A Hat
If you do something at the drop of a hat, you do it straight away, without hesitating.
Example: I canโt just go on holiday at the drop of a hat โ I have to let my boss know before.
15. A Penny For Your Thoughts
If you havenโt said much and someone else wants to know what youโre thinking, perhaps because theyโre worried about you, they might use this idiom.
Example: Youโve been quiet all afternoon โ a penny for your thoughts?
16. Add Insult To Injury/ Add Fuel To The Fire
Both of these idioms are about the same thing โ making a bad situation worse!
Example: What a day โ I was already late for work and then, to add insult to injury, when I got to the station, my train had been cancelled!
17. Catch Someone Red-Handed
If you catch someone red-handed, you see them doing something bad or illegal.
Example: How can you deny stealing from me โ I caught you red-handed, taking money from my wallet!
18. Back To The Drawing Board
You use this idiom when you need to start something over because itโs not working.
Example: The new product launch was a disaster โ back to the drawing board!
19. Fly Off The Handle
This idiom is used to describe someone who reacts in an angry way to what others say or do, often for no reason. You have to be careful around people who fly off the handle!
Example: I want to quit my job โ my boss flies off the handle whenever something goes wrong.
20. The Best Of Both Worlds
If you get the best of both worlds thanks to a situation then lucky you โ that means that youโre enjoying the advantages of two things simultaneously.
Example: My cousinโs family lives in a village, but itโs a twenty minute bus ride from a city centre so they get the best of both worlds: the calm of the country and the excitement of the town.
21. Kick The Bucket
This is a rather depressing idiom that simply means to die.
Example: We all have to kick the bucket one day
22. Burn The Midnight Oil
If youโre using this idiom then you must be working a lot as it means to work into the night.
Example: Weโre going to have to burn the midnight oil to get this presentation ready on time.
23. Burn The Candle At Both Ends
Hearing this idiom is a sign you need to take a break as it means that youโre working very hard and not getting enough rest. That might look like working from early in the morning till late at night.
Example: So many students burn the candle at both ends these days because they have to study full-time and work part-time.
24. You Canโt Judge A Book By Its Cover
This idiom means that you canโt really know what someone or something is actually like just based on appearance.
Example: The house looked small and ugly from the outside, but inside the rooms were bright, spacious and comfortable โ you canโt judge a book by its cover.
25. Rub Someone (Up) The Wrong Way
If you rub someone up the wrong way, then you annoy them even though you didnโt intend to.
Example: My best friend rubs my boyfriend (up) the wrong way โ they just donโt get on.
26. Call It A Day
This idiom means that itโs time to stop working on something. You might have done enough or you might not want to continue any more.
Example: You look tired. This meeting has been going since 2pm. Shall we call it a day?
27. Cut Someone Some Slack
If you cut someone some slack, then you judge them less harshly than normal because you know theyโre having problems.
Example: Cut me some slack here โ I didnโt sleep well last night and Iโm really tired.
28. Under The Weather
This idiom means that youโre not feeling well.
Example: Iโm feeling a bit under the weather today so I wonโt be coming to work.
29. Cut Corners
If you cut corners, you do something in a way that saves time or money, but sometimes that means the outcome is not good.
Example: Wow, look how bad the work is on this house โ you can tell that the builders cut corners.
30. Throw The Baby Out With The Bathwater
If you do this, then you lose the good while getting rid of the bad.
Example: Ok so he can be a bit annoying sometimes, but you love each other so donโt throw the baby out with the bathwater by leaving him!
English Idioms About Food And Eating
Different types of food have inspired a variety of colourful English idioms that youโll find below.
31. A Hot Potato
A problem or a situation that no-one wants to talk about because itโs so controversial and causes so many arguments.
Example: I canโt believe that journalist asked the president about immigration โ itโs a hot potato at the moment!
32. Butter Someone Up
If you butter someone up, then youโre very nice to them so that they will do what you want them to do.
Example: She buttered up her teacher so that sheโd get better grades โ she actually hates her!
33. To Be The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread
From a negative idiom to a positive one! If something is the best thing since sliced bread, then itโs very good. You can use it to refer to a person, a thing, or an invention.
Example: In their marketing, they say that their new product is the best thing since sliced bread โ but I tried it and itโs not that good!
34. Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
If you bite off more than you can chew, then you have too much work to do or work thatโs too hard for you.
Example: I thought writing this article would be easy, but Iโve bitten off more than I can chew.
35. Put All Your Eggs In One Basket
Putting all your eggs in one basket can be risky, because it means you depend on just one person or thing for your success
Example: I know youโve always dreamed of working for this company, but donโt put all your eggs in one basket. Apply for some other jobs, just in case.
36. Cry Over Spilt/Spilled Milk
Youโll often hear people saying โitโs no use crying over spilled milkโ as a way to say that itโs not helpful to feel bad about something that happened in the past that you canโt change.
Example: Yes, you failed the exam, but youโll have the chance to re-take it so itโs no use crying over spilt milk. Focus your energy on doing better next time.
37. Cut The Mustard
If someone or something cuts the mustard, then it succeeds or meets expectations.
Example: Iโm afraid that your work just doesnโt cut the mustard.
38. Hear (Something) Through/On The Grapevine
This idiom is about hearing rumours, or getting information informally, by hearing it from someone who heard it from another person.
Example: We heard it through the grapevine that theyโre going to make half their staff redundant โ is it really true?
39. Take Something With A Grain/Pinch Of Salt
If you take what someone says with a grain of salt, you donโt take it too seriously.
Example: Heโs got a reputation for being a bit of a liar so take what he says with a pinch of salt.
English Idioms To Do With Nature, Animals, Plants
The natural world has been a source of many famous English idioms. Youโll find some of the best-known ones below.
40. A Bed Of Roses
If something is a bed of roses then lucky you, as it refers to an easy or pleasant situation.
Example: So you think my life is a bed of roses do you? Well itโs actually a lot harder than it looks!
41. A Walk In The Park
If you describe something as a walk in the park, then youโre saying itโs easy.
Example: My new job is a walk in the park compared to the old one
42. Curiosity Killed The Cat
If you hear this English idiom, then it means youโre asking too many questions. Consider it a warning โ too much curiosity can create problems!
Example: You ask a lot of questions donโt you โ curiosity killed the cat you know!
43. (Has The) Cat Got Your Tongue?
If you hear this, itโs because the other people are annoyed that youโre not speaking.
Example: You havenโt said much โ has the cat got your tongue?
44. Let The Cat Out Of The Bag
If you let the cat out of the bag, then you reveal a secret, usually by accident. Oops!
Example: We were going to have a surprise party for my parentsโ wedding anniversary but my brother let the cat out of the bag.
45. Barking Up The Wrong Tree
Barking up the wrong tree is a bad sign because it means youโre trying to do something in a way that just wonโt work.
Example: The detective has been barking up the wrong tree by assuming the husband is the number one suspect.
46. Straight From The Horseโs Mouth
If you hear a piece of information straight from the horseโs mouth, then you get it directly from the person who is the source of the information.
Example: It must be true โ I heard it straight from the horseโs mouth.
47. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
This idiom means that you shouldnโt talk about a bad situation that most people have forgotten about.
Example: He seems to have forgotten about why we started arguing in the first place so Iโm going to let sleeping dogs lie and not mention the topic again.
48. Kill Two Birds With One Stone
This idiom means that you manage to do two different things at the same time.
Example: Cycling is an excellent way to get around because you kill two birds with one stone โ you get to your destination and you get some exercise on the way there.
49. Pull The Wool Over Someoneโs Eyes
This idiom means to deceive someone.
Example: Oil companies pulled the wool over peopleโs eyes for years, making us believe that global warming wasnโt happening.
English Idioms About Body Parts
Plenty of English idioms contain words for parts of the body, even if their meanings have nothing to do with bodily functions!
50. Break A Leg
This idiom means โgood luckโ and itโs especially common to hear it before someone goes on stage to perform.
Example:
A: Itโs the first night of the play tonight and Iโm so nervous.
B: Youโll be fine โ break a leg!
51. Let Your Hair Down
If you let your hair down then you give yourself permission to have fun and to relax more than you usually would.
Example: Youโve been working so hard recently โ why donโt you let your hair down a bit this weekend?
52. Turn A Blind Eye
If you turn a blind eye then you ignore behaviour or situations that you know are wrong.
Example: We had to move our children to another school because the teachers turned a blind eye to bullying.
53. The Apple Of Someoneโs Eye
Hereโs a heart-warming idiom. If youโre the apple of someoneโs eye, then good news, that means you're the person they love the most!
Example: Parents shouldnโt have favourites but his daughter is clearly the apple of his eye.
54. See Eye To Eye
When two people see eye to eye itโs good news as it means that they agree.
Example: We donโt see eye to eye on many issues, but we have a lot of respect for each other.
55. Skeleton In The Closet/The Cupboard
If youโve got a skeleton in the closet (or cupboard if youโre British), then youโve got an embarrassing secret.
Example: Oh believe me, itโs nothing to be embarrassed about, Iโve got one or two skeletons in the closet too!
56. See The Back Of Someone/Something
If youโre glad to see the back of someone, then youโre happy about them leaving!
Example: Iโll be glad to see the back of him when he finally leaves!
57. Give Someone The Cold Shoulder
You give someone the cold shoulder when you choose to ignore them or be unkind or unfriendly.
Example: We had a great first date and got on well but then at the second one, he gave me the cold shoulder.
58. Give Someone A Hand
This idiom is all about helping people or doing them a favour.
Example: Youโre good with numbers arenโt you? Could you give me a hand with my taxes?
59. Give Someone A Heads Up
This idiom means that you tell someone whatโs going to happen beforehand.
Example: Could you give me a heads up when youโre ten minutes from the station, so that I can leave in time to come and collect you?
English Idioms With โNeverโ
Several famous English idioms use the adverb of time โneverโ. Hereโs a selection.
60. Better Late Than Never
This idiom means that itโs better for someone to arrive late or do something late than not to arrive or do it at all.
Example:
A: The partyโs almost over but Iโm glad you came.
B: Better late than never right?
61. Never Hear The End Of It
This is a funny English idiom that means having to listen to someone for a long time talking about something embarrassing or annoying.
Example: Did he get the new job? Oh no, weโll never hear the end of it!
62. Never Live Something Down
If something happens that youโll never be able to live down, that means it was really embarrassing and you feel like youโll never stop feeling that way.
Example: If I say something stupid to the boss on the first day, Iโll never live it down.
63. Never Look Back
This idiom is a positive one. You use it when you continue to be successful after an initial good result.
Example: After her first hit song came out, she never looked back.
64. Never Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth
This idiom means that if someone offers you something good, then donโt refuse it.
Example: You should accept her offer to help โ never look a gift horse in the mouth!
English Idioms With โDonโtโ
These idioms with โdonโtโ might seem negative at first, but donโt judge a book by its cover!
65. Donโt Give Up The Day Job
You can use this idiom as a funny way to tell someone theyโre not very good at something.
Example:
A: What did you think of my acting skills?
B: Donโt give up the day job!
66. Donโt Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch
This idiom is a warning. It means that you shouldnโt make plans that depend on something good happening before that thing has actually happened.
Example: Youโve bought a new car ! But you havenโt finished your trial period at work or even been paid yet โ donโt count your chickens before they hatch.
67. Donโt Be A Stranger
Telling someone โdonโt be a strangerโ means that, even though theyโre leaving, you want to keep in touch with them or see them again one day.
Example: Weโre going to miss you so much โ donโt be a stranger though, come in and have a cup of tea with us now and again.
68. Donโt Bet On It
This idiom as well as the expression โI wouldnโt bet on itโ mean that something is unlikely to happen.
Example:
A: Do you think heโll come to the party tonight?
B: I wouldnโt bet on it.
69. Donโt Even Go There
When you see or hear this idiom, then a subject is so difficult that you canโt even talk about it.
Example:
A: So is your boss still making your life difficult?
B: Donโt even go there.
70. Donโt Get Me Wrong
You use this English idiom if youโre worried that someone might be upset by what you say or misunderstand you.
Example: Donโt get me wrong โ I think sheโs a lovely person, Iโm just not interested in her romantically.
English Idioms With The Verb โGiveโ
Lots of English idioms have the verb โgiveโ in them. Here are a few that will be useful for your to learn.
71. Give As Good As You Get
This English idiom means that youโre tough enough to treat people how they treat you, especially in a fight.
Example: She teases me a lot, but donโt worry, I know how to give as good as I get.
72. Give Someone A Hard Time
If you give someone a hard time, then you make life difficult for them.
Example: My boss is giving me a hard time โ I donโt think he likes me very much.
73. Give Someone The Benefit Of The Doubt
If you do this, then you decide to believe that someone is innocent until proven otherwise.
Example: He could be lying but I prefer to give him the benefit of the doubt.
74. Give Someone A Taste Of Their Own Medicine
If you do this, then you treat someone as badly as they have treated you.
Example: Bullies hate it when someone gives them a taste of their own medicine.
75. Give Someone A Break
If you do this, then you stop criticising someone or being angry with them.
Example: Give the guy a break โ heโs only been working here a week. You canโt expect him to know how to do the job well after such a short amount of time!
76. Give Someone A Piece Of Your Mind
If you give someone a piece of your mind, you tell them why youโre angry with them.
Example: I canโt believe what she's done โ I'll give her a piece of my mind the next time I see her!
77. Give Someone A Bell/Buzz
This idiom means to phone someone.
Example: I have to go now, but Iโll give you a bell tomorrow so we can talk more.
78. Give Someone A Run For Their Money
If you do this then you donโt let an opponent or a rival win easily. It can also mean that youโre just as good at something as someone highly talented.
Example: I might be the younger and less experienced candidate, but Iโll give our current president a run for her money.
79. Give Someone A Shout
This idiom simply means to tell someone something.
Example: Well I think Iโve explained everything so why donโt you try and give me a shout if you have any problems.
80. Give Someone Hell
This idiom means to criticise someone harshly or to cause them pain.
Example: I think my new boss has an anger problem โ she gave me hell for arriving five minutes late yesterday!
English Idioms With The Verb โHitโ
A surprising number of English idioms contain the verb โhitโ. Here are some of the most common ones.
81. Hit The Nail On The Head
If you hit the nail on the head, congratulations โ this means youโve identified the cause of a problem. Or youโre exactly right about something.
Example: Youโve hit the nail on the head โ I do need to learn to say โnoโ to people more often. That way I'll be less stressed.
82. Hit The Sack/The Sheets/The Hay
This idiom means that itโs time for bed!
Example: Wow, itโs already after midnight โ time to hit the sack!
83. Hit The Books
If itโs time to hit the books, then itโs time to study.
Example: Iโve got my final exams in a couple of weeks so Iโm hitting the books hard at the moment.
84. Hit The Jackpot
This English idiom can refer to winning the top prize in a competition or even winning the lottery. It can also mean to be successful or to find the exact thing you needed.
Example: People buy lottery tickets thinking theyโre going to hit the jackpot, but itโs so unlikely to ever happen!
85. Hit The Road
If itโs time to leave a place or start a journey that means itโs time to hit the road.
Example: Wow, itโs late โ time to hit the road.
86. Hit The Roof/Ceiling
You use this idiom to talk about someone who is extremely angry.
Example: When my parents found out I had a party while they were away, they hit the roof!
87. Hit The Ground Running
If you hit the ground running then lucky you as this means that youโre enthusiastic and successful at a new activity. This idiom can also mean that youโre ready to start a new activity.
Example: Iโm going to look at this information my new boss sent me so that I can hit the ground running on Monday.
88. Hit The Headlines
If you hit the headlines, then you get a lot of attention in the press.
Example: The Karsashians have hit the headlines again with the latest scandal.
89. Hit The Spot
If something hits the spot then itโs perfect, itโs just what you needed.
Example: That coffee was delicious โ it really hit the spot!
90. Hit A/The Wall
You hit a wall when exercising or playing sports, meaning that youโre so tired that you feel as if you canโt continue.
Example: Itโs a well-known fact that most marathon runners hit the wall around mile 20.
91. Hit Your Stride/Get Into Your Stride
Hitting your stride means getting familiar and comfortable with something new that youโve started doing.
Example: I know itโs hard and stressful learning all the skills you need for your new role, but donโt be discouraged โ youโll hit your stride soon, I know it.
English Idioms To Do With Endings
Weโre coming to the end of this list of amazing English idioms. So to finish off, letโs take a look at some idioms to do with endings.
92. To Come To An End
A common idiom that you may have spotted in the introduction to this section, โto come to an endโ, simply means to stop or to end.
Example: A lot of people were sad when the TV show โGame of Thronesโ came to an end.
93. All Good Things (Must) Come To An End
This idiom shows an acceptance of the fact that even good things have to end eventually.
Example: I canโt believe tomorrowโs the last day of our holiday โ I suppose all good things must come to an end.
94. To Come To A Full Stop
This idiom also means to end or to stop, but usually due to problems.
Example: Her business came to a full stop when her biggest client went bankrupt.
95. All's Well That Ends Well
This idiom is actually the name of a play by William Shakespeare. You use it to talk about a bad situation that ended well, meaning you can forget about the difficult parts.
Example: Our flight was delayed and the airline lost our luggage but weโre here now โ allโs well that ends well.
96. No End In Sight
You use this idiom when you donโt know when something will end. Alternatively, if the end is sight, that means that youโre getting close to finishing.
Example: I need a break โ Iโve been working for hours with no end in sight.
97. The Beginning Of The End
This idiom refers to the moment where something starts to go bad and then gradually gets worse until it ends.
Example: When he lost his job, it was the beginning of the end of their relationship.
98. It Isnโt Over Until The Fat Lady Sings
This idiom means that even though it looks like itโs the end or that things will conclude a certain way, the situation can still change.
Example: It looks like the current president will win, but votes are still being counted and it isnโt over until the fat lady signs.
99. The X To End All Xs
So technically this idiom isnโt about endings but I thought it would be a great way to finish โ you can use this idiom to say that something is the best one of its kind.
Example: That was the list of English idioms to end all lists of English idioms!
English Idioms Are Everywhere
Wow! Well done if youโve made it to the end of this list of incredible English idioms!
That was a lot, but English, like other languages, is full of idiomatic expressions. This list is a great foundation, but idioms are the type of expression you can spend a lifetime learning, because there are just so many.
Whatโs the best way to learn English idioms? Well, here at StoryLearning, you learn languages by reading and listening to stories, not by memorising rules or lists.
So apply that technique as you learn English. English can be hard to learn, so you need to make it fun so that you stay motivated to learn the world's lingua franca.
Read and listen to material that interests you. And because idioms are everywhere, the more you read and listen, the more idioms youโll learn.
FREE StoryLearning Kit!
Join my email newsletter and get FREE access to your StoryLearning Kit โ discover how to learn languages through the power of story!
