Commonly used Idioms

Idiom: a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers

of a language
Every language has its own collection of wise sayings. They offer advice about how to live and
also transfer some underlying ideas, principles and values of a given culture / society. These
sayings are called "idioms" - or proverbs if they are longer. These combinations of words have
(rarely complete sentences) a "figurative meaning" meaning, they basically work with "pictures".
This List of commonly used idioms and sayings (in everyday conversational English), can help
to speak English by learning English idiomatic expressions. This is a list, which contains exactly
66 of the most commonly used idioms and their meaning.
Definition
An idiom (also called idiomatic expression) is an expression, word, or phrase that has a
figurative meaning conventionally understood by native speakers. This meaning is different
from the literal meaning of the idiom's individual elements. In other words, idioms don't mean
exactly what the words say. They have, however, hidden meaning.
Examples

"Kick the bucket"

"Spill the beans"

The meaning of these expressions is different from the literal meaning or definition of the
words of which they are made. Their meaning are however used figuratively. They mean
respectively:

"to die "

"to tell people secret information"

Notable Idioms In English

Idiom

Source

Definition/Translation

Notes

"A bitter pill"

[7]

"A dime a dozen"

[8]

"Ace in the hole"

[9]

"Achilles' heel"

[10]

A situation or information that is unpleasant but must

be accepted.

Anything that is common, inexpensive, and easy to

get or available any where.

A hidden or secret strength, or unrevealed advantage.

A metaphor for a fatal weakness in spite of overall

strength.

"Actions speak louder

People's intentions can be judged better by what they

than words"

do than by what they say.

"Add insult to injury"

[11]

"All ears"

[12]

"All thumbs"

[13]

an unfavorable situation.

Listening intently; fully focused or awaiting an

explanation.

"An arm and a leg"

"Apple of discord"

To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen

Clumsy, awkward.

Very expensive or costly. A large amount of money.

[14]

Anything causing trouble, discord, or jealousy.

"At the drop of a hat"

Without any hesitation; instantly.

"Back to the drawing

When an attempt fails, and it's time to start planning

board"

all over again.

"Ball is in your court"

It is up to you to make the next decision or step.

"Barking up the wrong

tree"

"Basket case"

[15]

Looking in the wrong place.

One made powerless or ineffective, as by nerves,

panic, or stress.

To treat a topic, but omit its main points, often

"Beat around the bush"

intentionally or to delay or avoid talking about

something difficult or unpleasant.

"Beat a dead horse"

"Bed of roses"

"Best of both worlds"

"Bite off more than one

can chew"

"Bite the bullet"

To uselessly dwell on a subject far beyond its point of

resolution.

A rich person. A very rich family.

A situation wherein someone has the privilege of

enjoying two different opportunities.

To take on more responsibility than one can manage.

To endure a painful or unpleasant situation that is

[note 1]

[note 2]

unavoidable.

"Bite the dust"

Euphemism for dying or death.

"Break a leg"

[16]

"Burn the midnight oil"

[17]

"Bust one's chops"

[18]

"By the seat of one's

[19]

[20]

To say things intended to harass.

To achieve through instinct or do something without

Narrowly; barely. Usually used in regard to a narrow

[21]

To declare the end of a task.

A nap.

[22]

To attribute something to a particular cause.

[23]

To show impatience or frustration when delayed.

"Champ at the
bit" or"Chomp at the
bit"

"Chew the fat"

[note 4]

[note 5]

escape from a disaster.

Cat nap

Chalk up

[note 3]

advance preparation.

teeth"

"Call it a day"

To work late into the night, alluding to the time before

electric lighting.

pants"

"By the skin of one's

A saying from the theatre that means "good luck".

To chat idly or generally waste time talking.

[note 6]

"Chink in one's armor"

[24]

"Clam up"

An area of vulnerability

To become silent; to stop talking.

"Cold shoulder"

[25]

To display aloofness and disdain.

"Couch potato"

[26]

A lazy person.

"Crocodile tears"

Fake tears or drama tears.(fake cry)

"Cut a rug"

To dance

"Cut the cheese"

To fart. Also cut the mustard

"Cut the mustard"

[27]

"Don't have a cow "

[28]

Or to fart.

"Drop a dime "

"For a song"

Don't overreact.

Make a telephone call; to be an informant.

An obvious, pressing issue left unaddressed due to its

"Elephant in the room"

"Fit as a fiddle"

To perform well; to meet expectations.

sensitive nature.

[29]

In good physical health.

Almost free. Very cheap.

[note 7]

"From A to Z"

Covering a complete range; comprehensively.

"From scratch / to make

Make from original ingredients; start from the

from scratch"

beginning with no prior preparation

To take offense; to get worked up, aggravated, or

"Get bent out of shape"

annoyed

"Grasp the nettle"

"Have a blast"

To tackle a difficulty boldly.

[30]

To have a good time or to enjoy oneself.

"Have eyes in the back

Someone can perceive things and events that are

of one's head "

outside of their field of vision.

"Hit the road "

To leave.

"Hit the

[31]

sack "/sheets/hay

Life is good when you're naive to the hardships

"Ignorance is bliss "

happening all around

"Let the cat out of the

To reveal a secret.

bag "

"Kick the bucket"

To go to bed to sleep.

[32]

Euphemism for dying or death.

No vested interest in the outcome of a particular

No horse in this race

"Off one's trolley" or

contest or debate

[33]

"Off one's rocker"

"Off the hook"

Crazy, demented, out of one's mind, in a confused or

[34]

To escape a situation of responsibility, obligation, or

(less frequently) danger.

"Piss in one's

To annoy, upset, or disappoint through spiteful or

cornflakes"

irresponsible behavior.

"Pop one's clogs" (UK)

Euphemism for dying or death.

A job, task or other activity that is pleasant or, by

"Piece of cake "

extension, easy or simple.

"Pull somebody's leg"

To tease or to joke by telling a lie.

"Pushing up daisies"

Euphemism for dying or death.

"Put the cat among the

[35]

pigeons"

"Raining cats and

To create a disturbance and cause trouble.

Raining really strong or hard.

dogs"

"Right as rain"

[note 8]

befuddled state of mind, senile.

[36]

Needed, appropriate, essential, or hoped-for and has

come to mean perfect, well, absolutely right.

[note 9]

"screw the pooch"

"Shoot the breeze"

"Shooting fish in a
barrel"

To screw up; to fail in dramatic and ignominious

fashion.

To chat idly or generally waste time talking.

Frivolously performing a simple task.

"Sleep with the fishes"

Euphemism for dying or death.

"Spill the beans"

Reveal someone's secret.

"Spin one's wheels"

Expel much effort for little or no gain.

"Split the whistle"

To arrive just on time.

"Sunny smile"

Very happy.

"Take the biscuit" (UK)

To be particularly bad, objectionable, or egregious.

"Take the cake" (US)

To be especially good or outstanding.

"Throw under the bus"

To betray or sacrifice someone for selfish reasons.

"Through thick and

thin"

In both good and bad times.

[note 10]

"Thumb one's nose"

To express scorn or to disregard.

"Tie one on"

To get drunk.

"To steal someone's

To take credit for something someone else did

thunder"

"Trip the light fantastic"

"Under the weather"

"Whole nine yards"

"Wild goose chase"

"X Marks the spot"

To dance

[37]

Feel sick or poorly

Everything. All of it.

A frustrating or lengthy undertaking that accomplishes

little.

When someone finds something they have been

looking for.

"You can say that

That is very true; expression of wholehearted

again"

agreement

Purposes:

1Narration (narrative writing): Narration is story telling. In many ways it is the easiest kind of
writing because it comes so naturally to most people. Practically everyone enjoys telling and
hearing stories. Narratives usually progress chronologically, and must have a clear beginning,

middle and end. Short stories, novels, personal narratives, anecdotes, and biographies are all
examples of narrative writing.

2Description (descriptive writing): Think of description as painting a picture with words. Of

course, when you use words, you can paint more than what you see, but also what you feel,
hear, smell and taste. The idea of description is to make the thing described seem real to your
readers imagination. Not much writing is purely descriptive; writers typically weave description
into longer narrative works. Some essentially descriptive writing, however, might include
certain forms of advertising, character sketches, and photograph captions.

3Exposition (expository writing): Exposition is writing that explains or informs. It is a

practical kind of writing (the kind you are reading right now!). Examples of expository writing
include encyclopedia entries, news reports, instruction manuals, informative essays, and
research papers.

4Persuasion (persuasive writing): Persuasive writing seeks to convince the reader of a

particular position or opinion. Persuasive writing is in many ways the most difficult to do well
because it requires knowledge of the subject, strong convictions, logical thinking, and
technical skill. Some examples of persuasive writing include literary essays, editorials,
advertisements, and book, music or movie reviews.
Other purposes for writing certainly exist, and more specific sub-purposes can exist within
these four categories. You may write to pass an English class, to express your feelings to a
loved one, to get your money back on a disappointing purchase, or to remind your brother to
take out the trash. Still, just about any kind of writing imaginable fits into one or more of these
four categories, and strong writers master the techniques and strategies required for each.