Idioms in English - with Examples
Idioms are phrases or expressions that have a figurative meaning different from their literal meaning. They are a crucial part of English language and culture, adding color and nuance to communication. Understanding idioms can significantly enhance your language skills, making your speech and writing more engaging and natural.
Idioms are unique expressions that play a significant role in enriching the English language. Here are the key characteristics of idioms, along with examples to illustrate each point:
Idioms have a set structure, meaning the words within the idiom cannot be changed without altering its meaning.
Example:
In the correct usage, “kick the bucket” is understood to mean someone has died. Changing “bucket” to “pail” makes the phrase lose its idiomatic meaning and sound nonsensical.
The meaning of an idiom is figurative, not literal. The words within the idiom do not give a direct clue to its actual meaning.
Example:
If you try to interpret the idiom literally, it doesn’t make sense in most contexts. However, understanding its figurative meaning clarifies its use in revealing secrets.
Idioms often reflect the culture, history, and values of the society in which they are used. They can sometimes be difficult to translate directly into other languages because they are deeply rooted in the cultural context.
Example:
In English-speaking cultures, “breaking the ice” is a common idiom used to describe initiating conversation in an awkward situation. This idiom may not directly translate to cultures that do not have similar historical or cultural references.
Idioms often use metaphors to convey their meanings, making them more expressive and imaginative.
Example:
The idiom creates a vivid picture of someone working hard late into the night, despite the absence of literal oil lamps in modern times.
Idioms can be used in various contexts, from casual conversations to professional and literary settings.
Example:
In both examples, idioms add color and emphasis to the speaker’s point, making the conversation more engaging.
Here are some common idioms that beginners might encounter, along with their meanings and examples:
Break the Ice
Hit the Nail on the Head
Piece of Cake
Under the Weather
Bite the Bullet
Cost an Arm and a Leg
Let the Cat Out of the Bag
Break a Leg
Hit the Books
The Ball is in Your Court
Meaning: To initiate conversation in a social setting.
Example: At the party, Jane told a joke to break the ice and get everyone talking.
Meaning: To endure a painful or unpleasant situation that is unavoidable.
Example: I don’t like going to the dentist, but I’ll just have to bite the bullet.
Meaning: To be exactly right about something.
Example: When John described the problem, he hit the nail on the head.
Meaning: To reveal a secret unintentionally.
Example: Mary let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
Meaning: Something very easy to do.
Example: The test was a piece of cake for me because I studied hard.
Meaning: Something very expensive.
Example: The new iPhone costs an arm and a leg.
Meaning: To disclose secret information.
Example: Who spilled the beans about the surprise trip?
Meaning: To die.
Example: The old man finally kicked the bucket after a long illness.
Meaning: Feeling ill or sick.
Example: I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, so I’m going to rest.
Meaning: To pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action.
Example: If you think I’m the one who broke the vase, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
While idioms are more common in spoken language and informal writing, they can also be used in academic writing to illustrate points, provided they are used appropriately and sparingly.
Idioms are an integral part of the English language, adding richness and depth to communication. For intermediate learners from India, understanding and using idioms can greatly enhance your fluency and cultural understanding. Remember, the key to mastering idioms is practice, context, and usage. Happy learning!
Idiom: Break the ice
Sentence: At the meeting, she told a funny story to break the ice.
Meaning: To initiate conversation in a social setting.
Idiom: Piece of cake
Sentence: The math test was a piece of cake for me.
Meaning: Something very easy to do.
Idiom: Under the weather
Sentence: I couldn’t go to work because I was feeling under the weather.
Meaning: Feeling ill or sick.
Idiom: Spill the beans
Sentence: He accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party.
Meaning: To disclose secret information.
Idiom: Bite the bullet
Sentence: I’ll have to bite the bullet and visit the dentist.
Meaning: To endure a painful or unpleasant situation that is unavoidable.
Idiom: Let the cat out of the bag
Sentence: She let the cat out of the bag about their vacation plans.
Meaning: To reveal a secret unintentionally.
Idiom: Cost an arm and a leg
Sentence: The concert tickets cost an arm and a leg.
Meaning: Something very expensive.
Idiom: Hit the nail on the head
Sentence: When he said we need more staff, he really hit the nail on the head.
Meaning: To be exactly right about something.
Idiom: Barking up the wrong tree
Sentence: If you think I’m to blame, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
Meaning: To pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action.
Idiom: Kick the bucket
Sentence: The character kicked the bucket at the end of the movie.
Meaning: To die.
Idiom: Bite off more than you can chew
Sentence: By accepting two full-time jobs simultaneously, she really bit off more than she could chew.
Meaning: To take on a task that is too big or difficult.
Idiom: Burn the midnight oil
Sentence: He had to burn the midnight oil to finish the project on time.
Meaning: To work late into the night.
Idiom: Caught between a rock and a hard place
Sentence: She was caught between a rock and a hard place when choosing between her career and family.
Meaning: Facing two difficult choices or situations.
Idiom: The ball is in your court
Sentence: I’ve done all I can; now the ball is in your court.
Meaning: It is now your responsibility to take action.
Idiom: Every cloud has a silver lining
Sentence: Losing the job was tough, but he found a better one soon after, proving that every cloud has a silver lining.
Meaning: There is something good in every bad situation.
Idiom: Hit the ground running
Sentence: With her experience, she was able to hit the ground running in her new role.
Meaning: To start a task with energy and enthusiasm.
Idiom: Jump on the bandwagon
Sentence: Many companies jumped on the bandwagon of sustainable practices.
Meaning: To join others in doing something that is currently popular.
Idiom: Leave no stone unturned
Sentence: They promised to leave no stone unturned in their search for the missing child.
Meaning: To make every possible effort to achieve something.
Idiom: Sit on the fence
Sentence: When asked about the policy, the politician sat on the fence and gave a non-committal answer.
Meaning: To remain neutral and not take sides.
Idiom: Throw in the towel
Sentence: After several failed attempts, he decided to throw in the towel and move on to a different project.
Meaning: To give up or quit.
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
All bark and no bite (Commonly Used) | Someone who talks a lot but doesn’t take action. | He threatens to quit every week, but he’s all bark and no bite. | She’s all bark and no bite; she won’t actually confront anyone. |
At the drop of a hat (Commonly Used) | Immediately, without any hesitation. | She’s ready to help at the drop of a hat. | He would leave his job at the drop of a hat if he found something better. |
Apple of discord | A cause of dispute or argument. | The inheritance became an apple of discord among the siblings. | The decision to sell the company was an apple of discord within the board. |
As easy as pie (Commonly Used) | Very simple or easy. | The test was as easy as pie. | Baking this cake is as easy as pie if you follow the instructions. |
All in your head | Imaginary; not real. | Don’t worry so much; it’s all in your head. | Her fears are all in her head; the project is going well. |
Add insult to injury (Commonly Used) | To make a bad situation worse. | First, he was late, and then he added insult to injury by forgetting the meeting materials. | She was fired, and to add insult to injury, they refused to give her a reference. |
All ears (Commonly Used) | Fully listening and paying attention. | Tell me what happened; I’m all ears. | The students were all ears during the exciting lecture. |
At one’s wit’s end | Completely puzzled and perplexed, not knowing what to do. | She’s at her wit’s end trying to figure out how to fix the problem. | He was at his wit’s end with his unruly children. |
Air your dirty laundry | To discuss private matters publicly. | They shouldn’t air their dirty laundry in front of the neighbors. | He tends to air his dirty laundry on social media, which causes a lot of drama. |
Armed to the teeth | Fully equipped or prepared. | The soldiers were armed to the teeth for the mission. | She went into the meeting armed to the teeth with all the data and reports. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Bite the bullet (Commonly Used) | To endure a painful or difficult situation that is unavoidable. | She decided to bite the bullet and accept the job offer in a new city. | He had to bite the bullet and apologize for his mistake. |
Break the ice (Commonly Used) | To initiate conversation in a social setting. | He told a funny joke to break the ice at the party. | The team-building exercises helped break the ice among the new employees. |
Bury the hatchet (Commonly Used) | To make peace and stop arguing or fighting. | After years of rivalry, they decided to bury the hatchet. | Let’s bury the hatchet and work together on this project. |
By the skin of your teeth (Commonly Used) | Just barely; by a very narrow margin. | He escaped the burning building by the skin of his teeth. | She passed the exam by the skin of her teeth. |
Beat a dead horse | To waste time doing something that has already been attempted. | There’s no use in beating a dead horse; we’ve already made our decision. | He kept bringing up the same argument, beating a dead horse. |
Back to square one (Commonly Used) | To start over from the beginning. | When the plan failed, they were back to square one. | We’re back to square one with this project after losing our funding. |
Bend over backwards (Commonly Used) | To make a great effort to help someone. | She bent over backwards to make sure her guests were comfortable. | He’s willing to bend over backwards to get the client’s approval. |
Burn the candle at both ends (Commonly Used) | To overwork yourself by doing too many things, especially staying up late and waking up early. | She’s been burning the candle at both ends studying for her exams. | He burned the candle at both ends trying to juggle his job and his side business. |
Bite the hand that feeds you | To turn against someone who has helped or supported you. | Don’t bite the hand that feeds you by being rude to your boss. | He bit the hand that feeds him by criticizing the company publicly. |
Break even (Commonly Used) | To neither gain nor lose money. | After all the expenses, the business barely broke even this year. | She was relieved that her investment at least broke even. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Catch-22 (Commonly Used) | A no-win situation or a dilemma with no escape. | It’s a catch-22: you need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience. | She found herself in a catch-22 when trying to qualify for a loan. |
Cost an arm and a leg (Commonly Used) | Very expensive. | That designer bag costs an arm and a leg. | The vacation was amazing, but it cost an arm and a leg. |
Cry wolf (Commonly Used) | To raise a false alarm. | If you keep crying wolf, no one will believe you when you’re really in trouble. | She cried wolf so many times that her friends stopped paying attention to her. |
Cut the mustard | To meet expectations or standards. | He didn’t cut the mustard and was let go from the team. | If you want to cut the mustard in this industry, you have to work hard. |
Curiosity killed the cat (Commonly Used) | Being too inquisitive can lead to trouble. | Be careful with your questions; curiosity killed the cat. | He learned the hard way that curiosity killed the cat. |
Clam up | To suddenly stop talking or refuse to speak. | He clammed up when asked about his alibi. | She tends to clam up when she’s nervous. |
Cut the cord | To end a dependency on someone or something. | It’s time to cut the cord and move out of your parents’ house. | She decided to cut the cord and start her own business. |
Chew the scenery | To overact or act in an exaggerated manner. | The actor was known to chew the scenery in every performance. | She chewed the scenery in her dramatic monologue. |
Come hell or high water | No matter what happens. | He promised to be there for her, come hell or high water. | She vowed to finish the project on time, come hell or high water. |
Cross your fingers (Commonly Used) | To hope for good luck. | Cross your fingers that the weather stays nice for the picnic. | We’re crossing our fingers for a positive outcome. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Dark horse (Commonly Used) | A person who keeps their talents and skills hidden, but then surprises others by winning or succeeding. | She’s the dark horse of the competition; no one expected her to win. | He turned out to be the dark horse in the election. |
Dead ringer | A person or thing that looks exactly like another. | She’s a dead ringer for her mother. | That actor is a dead ringer for my cousin. |
Dog-eat-dog (Commonly Used) | A highly competitive situation where people are willing to harm each other to succeed. | The corporate world can be dog-eat-dog. | It’s a dog-eat-dog environment in the sales department. |
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket (Commonly Used) | Don’t risk everything on a single venture. | Diversify your investments; don’t put all your eggs in one basket. | She learned the hard way not to put all her eggs in one basket. |
Dressed to kill | Wearing very fashionable or glamorous clothes intended to attract attention. | She arrived at the party dressed to kill. | He was dressed to kill at the gala. |
Down and out | Without money, a job, or a place to live. | He found himself down and out after losing his job. | They were down and out, but they never gave up hope. |
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch (Commonly Used) | Don’t assume something will happen before it does. | You shouldn’t count your chickens before they hatch; the deal isn’t finalized yet. | He was planning how to spend his bonus, but I told him not to count his chickens before they hatch. |
Drive a hard bargain (Commonly Used) | To be tough in negotiating an agreement. | She drives a hard bargain, but we finally reached a deal. | He’s known for driving a hard bargain in business. |
Dead in the water | Something that has failed and is unlikely to succeed. | The project is dead in the water without additional funding. | His campaign was dead in the water after the scandal. |
Double-edged sword (Commonly Used) | Something that has both positive and negative effects. | Fame can be a double-edged sword; it brings attention but also invades privacy. | The new technology is a double-edged sword; it’s efficient but eliminates jobs. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Eager beaver (Commonly Used) | A person who is very enthusiastic and hardworking. | She’s the eager beaver who always arrives at work early. | He’s such an eager beaver, volunteering for every task. |
Elephant in the room (Commonly Used) | An obvious problem or issue that people avoid discussing. | The company’s financial trouble was the elephant in the room during the meeting. | We need to address the elephant in the room and talk about our declining sales. |
Every nook and cranny (Commonly Used) | Every part or aspect of something. | They searched every nook and cranny for the lost keys. | The cleaning crew made sure to clean every nook and cranny of the house. |
Easier said than done (Commonly Used) | Something that is more difficult than it seems. | Quitting smoking is easier said than done. | It’s easier said than done to start a business from scratch. |
Eat like a horse | To eat a lot of food. | He eats like a horse after a workout. | She was so hungry that she ate like a horse at dinner. |
End of the rope (Commonly Used) | To be out of options or patience. | She was at the end of her rope trying to manage the project alone. | After dealing with constant delays, he was at the end of his rope. |
Every dog has its day (Commonly Used) | Everyone gets a chance eventually. | Don’t worry about the rejection; every dog has its day. | He may be struggling now, but every dog has its day. |
Elbow room (Commonly Used) | Enough space to move or work freely. | The small office doesn’t provide much elbow room. | They moved to a bigger house to have more elbow room. |
Eye for an eye (Commonly Used) | Revenge or retribution equal to the original offense. | He believes in an eye for an eye when it comes to justice. | Seeking an eye for an eye will only escalate the conflict. |
Excuse my French | A phrase used to apologize for using offensive language. | Excuse my French, but that was a terrible mistake. | She said, “Excuse my French,” before swearing about the situation. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Faint of heart (Commonly Used) | Someone who is not very brave or lacks courage. | This horror movie is not for the faint of heart. | He knew that starting a business was not for the faint of heart. |
Fish out of water (Commonly Used) | Someone who is uncomfortable in a particular situation. | He felt like a fish out of water at the formal dinner. | When she started her new job, she was a fish out of water. |
Fly by the seat of your pants (Commonly Used) | To do something without planning or preparation. | He didn’t know the script and had to fly by the seat of his pants during the presentation. | She decided to fly by the seat of her pants and make decisions as situations arose. |
Full of hot air | Talking a lot without saying anything of value; boasting or lying. | He’s always full of hot air, making promises he can’t keep. | Don’t listen to her; she’s full of hot air. |
Flash in the pan | Something that is initially impressive but doesn’t last long. | His first book was a bestseller, but it turned out to be a flash in the pan. | The band’s success was just a flash in the pan. |
Fall on deaf ears (Commonly Used) | To be ignored or not noticed by others. | His suggestions often fall on deaf ears during meetings. | The warning fell on deaf ears, and the problem persisted. |
Feather in one’s cap | An achievement to be proud of. | Completing the marathon was a real feather in his cap. | Winning the award was a feather in her cap. |
Fighting tooth and nail (Commonly Used) | To fight very fiercely and determinedly. | They were fighting tooth and nail to win the championship. | She fought tooth and nail to keep her job. |
Fit the bill | To be suitable for a particular purpose. | This new software fits the bill perfectly for our needs. | They were looking for someone with experience, and she fit the bill. |
Feel the pinch | To experience financial difficulty. | With rising prices, many families are starting to feel the pinch. | He began to feel the pinch after losing his job. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Go out on a limb (Commonly Used) | To take a risk. | She went out on a limb to support her friend’s new business idea. | He went out on a limb and predicted a victory for the underdog team. |
Get the hang of (Commonly Used) | To learn how to do something. | It took me a while, but I finally got the hang of skiing. | She’s starting to get the hang of her new job. |
Give the cold shoulder (Commonly Used) | To ignore someone deliberately. | After their argument, she gave him the cold shoulder for days. | He felt hurt when his friends gave him the cold shoulder. |
Go down in flames (Commonly Used) | To fail spectacularly. | His attempt to impress the audience went down in flames. | Their business venture went down in flames due to poor planning. |
Get your act together (Commonly Used) | To start behaving properly or working efficiently. | You need to get your act together if you want to pass this class. | They finally got their act together and completed the project on time. |
Give someone the benefit of the doubt (Commonly Used) | To believe someone is telling the truth even if it’s not certain. | I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt since he has never lied to me before. | She gave her colleague the benefit of the doubt regarding the missed deadline. |
Go for broke | To risk everything in an all-out effort. | He decided to go for broke and invest all his savings in the startup. | They went for broke in their final attempt to win the game. |
Get a second wind | To have a burst of renewed energy after being tired. | After a short break, he got a second wind and continued working. | She seemed exhausted but got a second wind and finished the race. |
Go the extra mile (Commonly Used) | To make an extra effort to achieve something. | She always goes the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction. | If you want to succeed, you need to go the extra mile in your work. |
Grasp at straws (Commonly Used) | To make a desperate attempt to salvage a situation. | They were grasping at straws to find a solution to the problem. | She knew she was grasping at straws, but she had to try something. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Hit the ground running (Commonly Used) | To begin something energetically and successfully. | She hit the ground running on her first day at the new job. | The team hit the ground running after the holiday break. |
Hold your horses (Commonly Used) | To wait and be patient. | Hold your horses, we’re not ready to leave yet. | He needs to hold his horses and think before making decisions. |
Have a chip on your shoulder | To be easily angered or feel resentful about something. | He has a chip on his shoulder about not getting the promotion. | She has a chip on her shoulder because of past injustices. |
Hit the jackpot (Commonly Used) | To have great success or luck. | She hit the jackpot with her new business idea. | They hit the jackpot when they found the rare antique. |
Heart of the matter | The most important or central aspect of a situation. | Let’s get to the heart of the matter and discuss the real issue. | He addressed the heart of the matter during the meeting. |
Hold your tongue | To remain silent or not say something. | She wanted to criticize him but decided to hold her tongue. | He had to hold his tongue during the heated debate. |
Hit below the belt | To act unfairly or attack someone in a cruel way. | Bringing up his past mistakes was hitting below the belt. | Her comment about his family was hitting below the belt. |
Have your head in the clouds | To be unrealistic or daydreaming. | He always has his head in the clouds, thinking about impossible ideas. | She needs to focus on her work and stop having her head in the clouds. |
Hang by a thread | To be in a very precarious or uncertain state. | His job is hanging by a thread after the recent layoffs. | Their relationship was hanging by a thread after the argument. |
Hot under the collar | To be angry or annoyed. | He got hot under the collar when they accused him of cheating. | She was hot under the collar after the heated discussion. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
In the driver’s seat (Commonly Used) | To be in control of a situation. | With the promotion, she is now in the driver’s seat at the company. | He likes being in the driver’s seat and making all the decisions. |
In hot water (Commonly Used) | In trouble or in a difficult situation. | He found himself in hot water after missing the deadline. | She’s in hot water with her boss for not completing the report on time. |
In the limelight (Commonly Used) | Attracting a lot of attention, often in a public context. | She has been in the limelight since winning the award. | He enjoys being in the limelight and speaking at conferences. |
In a nutshell (Commonly Used) | To summarize briefly. | In a nutshell, we need more funding to continue the project. | The report explained the issue in a nutshell. |
In over your head (Commonly Used) | Involved in something that is too difficult to handle. | She realized she was in over her head when the project became too complex. | He’s in over his head with this new job. |
It takes two to tango (Commonly Used) | Both parties involved in a situation are responsible for it. | Don’t blame him alone for the argument; it takes two to tango. | Remember, it takes two to tango in any relationship problem. |
If looks could kill | Used to describe a very angry or disapproving look someone gives another person. | She gave him a glare that said, “if looks could kill.” | He walked into the room and received a stare that felt like, “if looks could kill.” |
In the same boat (Commonly Used) | In the same situation, usually a bad or difficult one. | We’re all in the same boat, trying to make ends meet during the recession. | Don’t worry, you’re not alone; we’re in the same boat. |
In the nick of time (Commonly Used) | Just in time; at the last possible moment. | We finished the project in the nick of time. | The firefighters arrived in the nick of time to save the building. |
In the bag | Certain to be won or achieved. | With their best player back, the game is in the bag. | She felt confident that the promotion was in the bag. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Jump the gun (Commonly Used) | To start something too soon or ahead of the proper time. | They jumped the gun by announcing the product before it was ready. | She jumped the gun and started decorating before finalizing the theme. |
Jack of all trades (Commonly Used) | A person who can do many different types of work. | He’s a jack of all trades but master of none. | Being a jack of all trades, she can handle any task that comes her way. |
Jump through hoops (Commonly Used) | To go through a lot of effort or difficulties to achieve something. | He had to jump through hoops to get the visa. | The application process is complex, requiring you to jump through many hoops. |
Juggle multiple tasks (Commonly Used) | To handle several tasks at once. | She’s juggling multiple tasks at work and finding it stressful. | He had to juggle multiple tasks to meet the deadline. |
Jump on the bandwagon (Commonly Used) | To join others in doing something that is currently popular or fashionable. | Many companies are jumping on the bandwagon of eco-friendly products. | She jumped on the bandwagon and started a TikTok account. |
Join forces (Commonly Used) | To work together with someone to achieve a common goal. | They joined forces to tackle the community issue. | The two companies joined forces to create a new product. |
Just what the doctor ordered (Commonly Used) | Exactly what is needed or wanted. | This vacation is just what the doctor ordered. | The hot soup was just what the doctor ordered on a cold day. |
Jog your memory (Commonly Used) | To help someone remember something. | Looking at old photos can jog your memory about past events. | Let me jog your memory: we met at last year’s conference. |
Jet set | Wealthy and fashionable people who travel frequently. | The jet set often spend their weekends in exotic locations. | He enjoys the lifestyle of the jet set, always flying to new destinations. |
Jump off the page | To be very noticeable and attract immediate attention. | Her talent jumps off the page; you can see she’s a natural. | His creative ideas really jump off the page. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Keep an eye on (Commonly Used) | To watch or monitor something or someone carefully. | Can you keep an eye on the soup while I answer the phone? | We need to keep an eye on our spending to stay within budget. |
Kick the bucket | To die. | The old man kicked the bucket after a long illness. | When I’m gone, I hope I don’t just kick the bucket unnoticed. |
Keep your chin up (Commonly Used) | To remain cheerful in a difficult situation. | Keep your chin up, things will get better soon. | Despite the setbacks, he kept his chin up and continued working hard. |
Kill two birds with one stone (Commonly Used) | To achieve two things with a single action. | By taking the job, she killed two birds with one stone: she gained experience and earned money. | We can kill two birds with one stone by visiting the museum and the park since they are close to each other. |
Keep your nose to the grindstone | To work hard and continuously. | If you keep your nose to the grindstone, you’ll finish the project on time. | He kept his nose to the grindstone and finally got the promotion he wanted. |
Kick up a fuss | To create a disturbance or complain loudly. | She kicked up a fuss when her order was wrong. | If they don’t improve the service, customers will kick up a fuss. |
Keep up appearances | To maintain an outward show of prosperity or well-being despite facing difficulties. | They struggled financially but tried to keep up appearances. | She kept up appearances even though she was feeling miserable. |
Know the ropes (Commonly Used) | To be familiar with the details or procedures of a task. | It takes a few weeks to really know the ropes at a new job. | She knows the ropes, so ask her if you have any questions. |
Keep a low profile | To avoid attracting attention to oneself. | After the scandal, he decided to keep a low profile. | She kept a low profile during the investigation. |
Kick into high gear | To start working or functioning at a faster or more intense level. | The project kicked into high gear as the deadline approached. | She kicked into high gear to finish the preparations for the event. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Let sleeping dogs lie (Commonly Used) | To avoid stirring up trouble by leaving a situation as it is. | We decided to let sleeping dogs lie and not bring up the past argument. | He knew it was better to let sleeping dogs lie rather than confront his boss. |
Live and learn (Commonly Used) | To learn from one’s experiences, often after making a mistake. | I didn’t know that before, but you live and learn. | She made a mistake but realized you live and learn. |
Look before you leap (Commonly Used) | To consider the consequences before taking action. | Make sure to look before you leap when making such a big decision. | He didn’t look before he leaped and now he’s in trouble. |
Lend an ear (Commonly Used) | To listen carefully and sympathetically. | She’s always there to lend an ear when you need to talk. | He lent an ear to his friend who was going through a tough time. |
Lay it on thick | To exaggerate or overstate something. | He laid it on thick, praising her cooking as the best he’d ever had. | She laid it on thick about how much she missed him. |
Leave no stone unturned (Commonly Used) | To do everything possible to achieve a goal. | The detectives left no stone unturned in their search for clues. | We need to leave no stone unturned to find the best candidate for the job. |
Learn the ropes | To learn how to do a particular job or activity. | It took him a few months to learn the ropes at his new job. | She’s still learning the ropes but is doing well. |
Let the cat out of the bag (Commonly Used) | To reveal a secret or surprise by accident. | He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party. | I accidentally let the cat out of the bag when I told her about the trip. |
Look down your nose at | To regard with disdain or contempt. | She looks down her nose at people who don’t have a college degree. | He tends to look down his nose at anyone who disagrees with him. |
Lose your marbles | To go insane or act irrationally. | He’s been acting so strangely lately, I think he’s losing his marbles. | She thought she was losing her marbles when she couldn’t find her keys. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Make a mountain out of a molehill (Commonly Used) | To exaggerate a minor problem into something big. | She’s making a mountain out of a molehill by overreacting to that comment. | Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill; it’s just a minor mistake. |
Mend fences (Commonly Used) | To repair a relationship. | After years of disagreement, they decided to mend fences. | He’s trying to mend fences with his old friend. |
Make ends meet (Commonly Used) | To manage financially. | With the rising costs, it’s hard for many families to make ends meet. | She took a second job to make ends meet. |
Method to the madness | A reason for strange behavior. | His desk looks chaotic, but there’s a method to his madness. | You might not understand her way of doing things, but there’s a method to her madness. |
Miss the boat (Commonly Used) | To miss an opportunity. | He missed the boat on that investment deal. | I wanted to join the team, but I missed the boat and now they’re full. |
Mum’s the word (Commonly Used) | To keep something a secret. | I won’t tell anyone about your surprise party; mum’s the word. | She told him to keep mum’s the word about their plans. |
Make waves (Commonly Used) | To cause trouble or controversy. | He likes to make waves at meetings with his bold ideas. | She didn’t want to make waves, so she stayed quiet. |
Mouth-watering (Commonly Used) | Very delicious or appetizing. | The smell of the baking cookies was mouth-watering. | She prepared a mouth-watering feast for the guests. |
My cup of tea | Something one likes or is good at. | Horror movies are not my cup of tea. | She enjoys hiking, but it’s not my cup of tea. |
Move heaven and earth (Commonly Used) | To do everything possible to achieve something. | He’ll move heaven and earth to get the job done. | She moved heaven and earth to make sure her children had a good education. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Nail in the coffin (Commonly Used) | An event that leads to the failure or end of something. | The final nail in the coffin was the company’s bankruptcy. | His constant lateness was the nail in the coffin for his job. |
Nip in the bud (Commonly Used) | To stop something at an early stage. | We need to nip this problem in the bud before it gets worse. | He decided to nip the rumors in the bud by addressing them directly. |
No stone unturned (Commonly Used) | To do everything possible to achieve something. | The detectives left no stone unturned in their search for the suspect. | We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to find the missing child. |
No-brainer (Commonly Used) | Something that is very obvious or easy to decide. | Taking the job offer was a no-brainer; it was exactly what he wanted. | Choosing the cheaper option was a no-brainer for us. |
New kid on the block (Commonly Used) | Someone who is new in a place or organization. | As the new kid on the block, she was eager to make friends. | He felt like the new kid on the block at his new job. |
Nose to the grindstone (Commonly Used) | To work very hard and continuously. | He kept his nose to the grindstone to meet the deadline. | If you want to succeed, keep your nose to the grindstone. |
Not out of the woods yet (Commonly Used) | Not yet free from difficulties or problems. | The project is going well, but we’re not out of the woods yet. | She’s feeling better, but she’s not out of the woods yet. |
Neck of the woods (Commonly Used) | A neighborhood or region. | How are things in your neck of the woods? | We’re visiting their neck of the woods next week. |
Nest egg (Commonly Used) | Savings set aside for future use. | They have a nest egg saved up for their retirement. | She started building a nest egg for her children’s education. |
Nutty as a fruitcake | Crazy or eccentric. | He’s nutty as a fruitcake, always talking to himself. | Her ideas seemed nutty as a fruitcake, but they often worked. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
On the ball (Commonly Used) | To be alert and aware of things. | She’s really on the ball and always knows what’s going on. | You need to be on the ball if you want to succeed in this fast-paced environment. |
Off the beaten path | Unusual; not well known or frequently traveled. | They found a charming restaurant off the beaten path. | He enjoys hiking off the beaten path, away from the crowds. |
On thin ice (Commonly Used) | In a risky or precarious situation. | He’s on thin ice with his boss after missing the deadline. | You’re on thin ice if you continue to break the rules. |
Out of the frying pan and into the fire (Commonly Used) | To go from a bad situation to an even worse one. | When he changed jobs, he went out of the frying pan and into the fire. | She left one bad relationship only to jump out of the frying pan and into the fire. |
Once in a blue moon (Commonly Used) | Something that happens very rarely. | He visits his relatives once in a blue moon. | They only go to the beach once in a blue moon. |
Over the hill | Past one’s prime; too old. | He thinks he’s over the hill, but he still has a lot to offer. | She felt over the hill when she turned fifty. |
Out of the loop (Commonly Used) | Not informed or up-to-date. | I’ve been out of the loop since I was on vacation. | She felt out of the loop during the meeting. |
On cloud nine (Commonly Used) | Extremely happy. | She’s been on cloud nine since she got the job offer. | Winning the competition left him on cloud nine. |
Open a can of worms (Commonly Used) | To create a situation that will cause trouble or be unpleasant. | Bringing up that topic at the meeting will open a can of worms. | He avoided discussing the issue to not open a can of worms. |
Out on a limb | In a risky or precarious position. | He went out on a limb to defend his controversial opinion. | She’s out on a limb with this investment, but it might pay off. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Put your foot in your mouth (Commonly Used) | To say something embarrassing or inappropriate. | He put his foot in his mouth by commenting on her weight. | She realized she had put her foot in her mouth when she mentioned the surprise party. |
Pull the wool over someone’s eyes (Commonly Used) | To deceive or trick someone. | He tried to pull the wool over her eyes, but she saw through his lies. | Don’t let them pull the wool over your eyes with those fake promises. |
Paint the town red | To go out and have a lively, enjoyable time. | After their exams, they decided to paint the town red. | They painted the town red to celebrate their anniversary. |
Pass the buck (Commonly Used) | To shift responsibility to someone else. | He’s always trying to pass the buck instead of taking responsibility. | The manager was known to pass the buck when things went wrong. |
Put the pedal to the metal | To go faster or work harder. | We need to put the pedal to the metal to meet the deadline. | She put the pedal to the metal and finished the project ahead of schedule. |
Preaching to the choir | To try to convince someone who already agrees with you. | You’re preaching to the choir; we all support the new policy. | He was preaching to the choir when he talked about the benefits of exercise to the fitness club members. |
Pull strings (Commonly Used) | To use influence to get something done. | He managed to pull some strings to get his son a job at the company. | She had to pull strings to get a reservation at the exclusive restaurant. |
Put your money where your mouth is | To back up your words with action or proof. | If you think you can do it better, put your money where your mouth is. | He needs to put his money where his mouth is and show us the results. |
Put a sock in it | To tell someone to stop talking. | They were being so loud that she told them to put a sock in it. | He told his noisy neighbor to put a sock in it. |
Push the envelope | To go beyond the limits of what is considered usual or possible. | The company is known for pushing the envelope with its innovative designs. | She always pushes the envelope with her creative ideas. |
Idioms (1 to 6) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Quick on the draw (Commonly Used) | To be quick in understanding or reacting to a situation. | You need to be quick on the draw in this fast-paced job. | She’s quick on the draw when it comes to solving problems. |
Queer the pitch | To spoil someone’s plans. | His interference queered the pitch for our negotiations. | They accused her of queering the pitch by revealing their strategy. |
Quicker than a New York minute | Very fast. | She finished the project quicker than a New York minute. | He agreed to the proposal quicker than a New York minute. |
Quid pro quo | A favor or advantage granted in return for something. | They agreed to a quid pro quo arrangement. | It was a quid pro quo deal where each party got what they wanted. |
Quiet as a mouse (Commonly Used) | Very quiet. | The children were as quiet as mice during the movie. | He entered the room as quiet as a mouse. |
Quit cold turkey (Commonly Used) | To stop doing something abruptly and completely. | He quit smoking cold turkey and hasn’t had a cigarette since. | She decided to quit drinking cold turkey. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Rain on someone’s parade (Commonly Used) | To spoil someone’s plans or celebration. | I hate to rain on your parade, but the event has been canceled. | He always seems to rain on my parade with his negative comments. |
Red tape (Commonly Used) | Excessive bureaucracy or adherence to rules and formalities. | We faced a lot of red tape while trying to start our business. | The project was delayed due to government red tape. |
Riding high (Commonly Used) | To be very successful or confident. | The company has been riding high since the launch of their new product. | She’s riding high after winning the award. |
Rock the boat (Commonly Used) | To do something that causes trouble or disturbs a stable situation. | He didn’t want to rock the boat by bringing up the controversial issue. | She tends to rock the boat with her bold ideas. |
Roll with the punches (Commonly Used) | To adapt to and cope with difficulties. | He learned to roll with the punches when his plans didn’t work out. | She’s good at rolling with the punches and staying positive. |
Rough around the edges | Not polished or refined. | The new employee is a bit rough around the edges, but he has potential. | The house is rough around the edges but has a lot of character. |
Run circles around someone (Commonly Used) | To be much better or more efficient than someone. | She can run circles around her colleagues when it comes to coding. | The younger team ran circles around the older players. |
Raise eyebrows (Commonly Used) | To cause surprise or shock. | His unconventional methods raised a few eyebrows. | The proposal raised eyebrows among the board members. |
Read someone like a book (Commonly Used) | To understand someone’s thoughts or feelings very well. | She can read him like a book and knows when he’s upset. | He thought he could fool her, but she read him like a book. |
Rub elbows with | To associate or mingle with. | He enjoys rubbing elbows with celebrities at parties. | She had the chance to rub elbows with influential people at the event. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Shape up or ship out | Improve your behavior or performance, or leave. | The new manager told the team to shape up or ship out. | If you don’t start meeting your deadlines, you’ll have to shape up or ship out. |
Spill the beans (Commonly Used) | To reveal a secret. | She spilled the beans about the surprise party. | He accidentally spilled the beans during the conversation. |
Sit on the fence (Commonly Used) | To be undecided or not to take sides in a dispute. | He’s sitting on the fence and hasn’t decided which team to support. | She sat on the fence during the debate, not wanting to offend anyone. |
Steal someone’s thunder (Commonly Used) | To take attention away from someone else’s achievements. | She stole his thunder by announcing her promotion just before he could share his news. | He felt like his colleague stole his thunder during the presentation. |
Straight from the horse’s mouth (Commonly Used) | Information directly from the original source. | I heard it straight from the horse’s mouth that they’re planning to merge. | She got the news straight from the horse’s mouth. |
Swim against the tide | To go against the prevailing opinion or tendency. | He often swims against the tide with his unconventional views. | They decided to swim against the tide and invest in the unpopular project. |
Stir the pot | To cause trouble or controversy. | He loves to stir the pot with his provocative statements. | She stirred the pot by bringing up a contentious issue during the meeting. |
Slow and steady wins the race | Consistent, steady progress leads to success. | He believes that slow and steady wins the race in his approach to business. | She reminded herself that slow and steady wins the race while studying for her exams. |
Speak volumes | To provide a lot of information indirectly. | His actions speak volumes about his character. | The empty parking lot spoke volumes about the popularity of the event. |
Storm in a teacup (Commonly Used) | A lot of fuss over something unimportant. | Their argument was just a storm in a teacup. | Don’t worry about their quarrel; it’s just a storm in a teacup. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Take a rain check | To postpone an invitation or offer. | I can’t join you for dinner tonight, but can I take a rain check? | She asked to take a rain check on their meeting due to a prior commitment. |
Throw in the towel (Commonly Used) | To give up or admit defeat. | After trying for years, they finally threw in the towel. | He decided to throw in the towel after facing numerous obstacles. |
Turn a blind eye (Commonly Used) | To ignore something and pretend not to see it. | The manager turned a blind eye to the minor infractions. | He decided to turn a blind eye to his friend’s mistake. |
Take the plunge | To commit oneself to a course of action that is momentous or challenging. | They decided to take the plunge and start their own business. | She took the plunge and moved to a new city for her job. |
Throw caution to the wind (Commonly Used) | To take a risk and act recklessly. | She decided to throw caution to the wind and invest in the new startup. | They threw caution to the wind and went on an impromptu trip. |
The ball is in your court (Commonly Used) | It’s your decision or responsibility to take action. | I’ve done all I can; now the ball is in your court. | The offer is on the table, so the ball is in your court. |
Taste of your own medicine | To experience the same bad treatment one has given to others. | After years of being a bully, he finally got a taste of his own medicine. | She always ignores my calls, so I gave her a taste of her own medicine by not responding. |
Tip of the iceberg (Commonly Used) | A small part of a much larger problem. | The issues we’ve discussed are just the tip of the iceberg. | The visible symptoms are just the tip of the iceberg of the underlying disease. |
Throw your weight around | To use one’s influence or authority in an aggressive manner. | He tends to throw his weight around in meetings to get his way. | She threw her weight around to ensure the project was approved. |
Take it with a grain of salt (Commonly Used) | To not take something too seriously. | Take his advice with a grain of salt; he doesn’t always get things right. | She told me the story, but I took it with a grain of salt. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Under the weather (Commonly Used) | Feeling sick or unwell. | She’s feeling under the weather, so she won’t be coming to work today. | He’s a bit under the weather and decided to stay home and rest. |
Up in the air (Commonly Used) | Uncertain or undecided. | Our vacation plans are still up in the air. | Everything is up in the air until we get the final approval. |
Use your noodle (Commonly Used) | To think or use your brain. | Come on, use your noodle and solve this puzzle. | You need to use your noodle to figure out the answer. |
Under the radar (Commonly Used) | Not getting noticed or not attracting attention. | He kept his project under the radar until it was ready to be presented. | They tried to stay under the radar to avoid any scrutiny. |
Until the cows come home (Commonly Used) | For a very long time. | You can argue until the cows come home, but I won’t change my mind. | He can talk about his favorite sports team until the cows come home. |
Upset the apple cart (Commonly Used) | To cause trouble or spoil plans. | Let’s not upset the apple cart by changing the schedule now. | She upset the apple cart by revealing the surprise too early. |
Under one’s breath (Commonly Used) | To speak quietly so that others cannot hear. | He muttered something under his breath as he walked away. | She complained under her breath, not wanting to cause a scene. |
Up the ante (Commonly Used) | To increase the stakes or demands in a situation. | The company decided to up the ante by offering a better deal. | They upped the ante in the competition by adding a cash prize. |
Under wraps (Commonly Used) | Kept secret or hidden. | The details of the project are still under wraps. | They kept the new product design under wraps until the official launch. |
Upper hand (Commonly Used) | To have an advantage or control over a situation. | She has the upper hand in the negotiations. | He gained the upper hand by learning all the details of the deal. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Variety is the spice of life (Commonly Used) | Differences and changes make life interesting. | Try something new; variety is the spice of life. | They say variety is the spice of life, so I’m learning a new language. |
Vanishing act | To disappear or go missing suddenly. | He pulled a vanishing act right before the bill arrived. | She did a vanishing act as soon as the work got tough. |
Vent one’s spleen | To express anger. | He vented his spleen after the frustrating meeting. | She vented her spleen by yelling at her computer. |
Vicious circle (Commonly Used) | A complex problem where one trouble leads to another, creating a loop. | Poverty can lead to poor education, which in turn leads to poverty – it’s a vicious circle. | Breaking out of the vicious circle of debt is challenging. |
Voice of reason (Commonly Used) | Someone who offers rational advice or opinions in a situation. | She was the voice of reason in the heated discussion. | During the crisis, his calm demeanor made him the voice of reason. |
Vote of confidence (Commonly Used) | An expression of support or approval. | The manager gave him a vote of confidence by promoting him. | She received a vote of confidence from her colleagues. |
Vanish into thin air (Commonly Used) | To disappear completely and without a trace. | The magician made the rabbit vanish into thin air. | The documents seem to have vanished into thin air. |
Value for money | Something well worth the money spent. | This new smartphone offers great value for money. | We chose this hotel because it provides the best value for money. |
Volte-face | A complete change of opinion or position. | His sudden volte-face on the issue surprised everyone. | The company’s volte-face regarding the policy was unexpected. |
Vis-à-vis | In relation to; compared with. | He spoke about the advantages vis-à-vis the disadvantages of the new system. | Her performance this year vis-à-vis last year has shown great improvement. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Wake-up call (Commonly Used) | An event that alerts people to a problem and prompts them to take action. | The accident was a wake-up call for the need for better safety measures. | Her health scare was a wake-up call to start living a healthier lifestyle. |
Water under the bridge (Commonly Used) | Something that happened in the past and is no longer important. | We had our disagreements, but that’s water under the bridge now. | Let’s not dwell on past mistakes; it’s all water under the bridge. |
Whole nine yards (Commonly Used) | Everything possible or available. | They went the whole nine yards with their wedding preparations. | When he cooks, he goes the whole nine yards, making everything from scratch. |
Worth its weight in gold (Commonly Used) | Extremely valuable or useful. | Her advice was worth its weight in gold. | In a crisis, a reliable friend is worth their weight in gold. |
Whet your appetite | To stimulate interest in something. | The short film whetted my appetite for the full movie. | The appetizer was enough to whet our appetite for the main course. |
Word of mouth (Commonly Used) | Information spread by people talking to each other. | The restaurant became popular through word of mouth. | Word of mouth can be a powerful marketing tool. |
Wade through | To get through something with difficulty. | I had to wade through a lot of paperwork to find the information. | She waded through the crowd to reach the front of the stage. |
Wear many hats (Commonly Used) | To have many jobs or roles. | She wears many hats in the company, from manager to accountant. | As a small business owner, he wears many hats. |
Wipe the slate clean (Commonly Used) | To forget past disagreements or mistakes and start fresh. | They decided to wipe the slate clean and rebuild their friendship. | Let’s wipe the slate clean and move forward without any grudges. |
Wild goose chase (Commonly Used) | A futile or hopeless pursuit. | Trying to find that old document was like a wild goose chase. | He sent us on a wild goose chase, looking for information that didn’t exist. |
Idioms (1 to 5) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
X marks the spot | The exact location. | The treasure map showed that X marks the spot. | Follow the directions until you reach the place where X marks the spot. |
X factor | A noteworthy special talent or quality. | Her singing has that X factor that makes her stand out. | The candidate had the X factor that the company was looking for. |
X-rated | Not suitable for children; explicit content. | The movie was X-rated and not appropriate for a younger audience. | Some scenes were cut to avoid an X-rated classification. |
X-ray vision | The ability to see through objects, often used metaphorically. | She has X-ray vision when it comes to spotting mistakes. | His attention to detail is like having X-ray vision. |
Cross-examine | To question someone in detail, often to verify facts. | The lawyer cross-examined the witness during the trial. | She felt like she was being cross-examined during the interview. |
Idioms (1 to 10) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Yellow-bellied | Cowardly. | He’s too yellow-bellied to confront his boss. | Don’t be so yellow-bellied; stand up for yourself. |
You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink (Commonly Used) | You can offer someone an opportunity, but you can’t force them to take it. | I gave him the job lead, but he didn’t follow up; you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. | She provided all the resources, but they didn’t use them; you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. |
Yank someone’s chain | To tease or fool someone. | Stop yanking my chain; I know you’re joking. | He likes to yank her chain just to see her reaction. |
Yes-man | A person who agrees with everything someone says. | He’s just a yes-man, always agreeing with the boss. | She needs someone with their own ideas, not a yes-man. |
Young at heart | Having a youthful outlook. | Even at 70, she’s still young at heart. | He’s 50 but very young at heart, always trying new things. |
Yoke around one’s neck | A burden or something that oppresses. | The debt was a yoke around his neck for years. | She felt the yoke around her neck lift after paying off her loans. |
Year in, year out | Continuously for many years. | Year in, year out, they follow the same routine. | He’s been working hard year in, year out without a break. |
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks (Commonly Used) | It’s hard to change someone’s habits or ways. | My grandfather refuses to use a smartphone; you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. | She’s set in her ways; you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. |
Your guess is as good as mine (Commonly Used) | I have no idea; I know as little as you do. | When will the train arrive? Your guess is as good as mine. | As for why she left, your guess is as good as mine. |
You’re on thin ice (Commonly Used) | You’re in a risky or dangerous situation. | After that mistake, you’re on thin ice with the boss. | She’s on thin ice after coming late to work multiple times. |
Idioms (1 to 6) | Meaning | Sentence Example 1 | Sentence Example 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Zero in on (Commonly Used) | To focus closely on something. | The researchers zeroed in on the cause of the disease. | Let’s zero in on the main issues during the meeting. |
Zip your lip (Commonly Used) | To stop talking; to keep quiet. | He told me to zip my lip during the negotiation. | Zip your lip about the surprise party! |
Zigzag path | A route that is not straight or direct. | His career has followed a zigzag path with many changes in direction. | The hike followed a zigzag path up the mountain. |
Zoned out (Commonly Used) | To lose focus or attention. | I zoned out during the long lecture. | She tends to zone out when she’s tired. |
Zeal of the convert | Intense enthusiasm for something new, typically from someone newly introduced to it. | She approached her new fitness routine with the zeal of the convert. | His newfound interest in chess was pursued with the zeal of the convert. |
Zero tolerance (Commonly Used) | No acceptance of certain behavior or actions. | The school has a zero tolerance policy for bullying. | The company practices zero tolerance for workplace harassment. |
What does the idiom “break the ice” mean? a) To shatter something b) To start a conversation c) To cool down d) To feel nervous
Correct Answer: b) To start a conversation
What does “piece of cake” imply? a) Something delicious b) A reward c) Something very easy d) A small part
Correct Answer: c) Something very easy
If someone is “under the weather,” how are they feeling? a) Excited b) Ill c) Happy d) Nervous
Correct Answer: b) Ill
What does it mean to “spill the beans”? a) Make a mess b) Cook dinner c) Disclose a secret d) Plant seeds
Correct Answer: c) Disclose a secret
If someone needs to “bite the bullet,” what must they do? a) Eat something quickly b) Endure something painful c) Make a quick decision d) Apologize
Correct Answer: b) Endure something painful
What does “let the cat out of the bag” mean? a) Release a pet b) Reveal a secret c) Lose something valuable d) Get angry
Correct Answer: b) Reveal a secret
When something “costs an arm and a leg,” it is: a) Very cheap b) Very expensive c) A good bargain d) Free
Correct Answer: b) Very expensive
To “hit the nail on the head” means to: a) Be very precise b) Make a mistake c) Create something d) Work hard
Correct Answer: a) Be very precise
If someone is “barking up the wrong tree,” they are: a) Correct in their assumption b) Mistaken in their approach c) Talking to the wrong person d) Asking for help
Correct Answer: b) Mistaken in their approach
When someone “kicks the bucket,” it means they: a) Go on vacation b) Start a new project c) Die d) Achieve a goal
Correct Answer: c) Die
What does the idiom “burn the midnight oil” mean? a) To work very late b) To waste time c) To light a fire d) To wake up early
Correct Answer: a) To work very late
What does “caught between a rock and a hard place” imply? a) Being in a comfortable situation b) Having to make a tough decision c) Being lost d) Having plenty of options
Correct Answer: b) Having to make a tough decision
If the “ball is in your court,” what does it mean? a) You are in control of the situation b) You are playing a sport c) You are being watched d) You are making a mistake
Correct Answer: a) You are in control of the situation
What does “every cloud has a silver lining” mean? a) Bad weather is approaching b) Good things can come from bad situations c) Clouds are valuable d) Rain is beneficial
Correct Answer: b) Good things can come from bad situations
If someone “hits the ground running,” they: a) Start something with lots of energy b) Fall down while running c) Stop quickly d) Are very tired
Correct Answer: a) Start something with lots of energy
What does it mean to “jump on the bandwagon”? a) To join others in doing something popular b) To drive a vehicle c) To avoid something d) To play a musical instrument
Correct Answer: a) To join others in doing something popular
If you “leave no stone unturned,” you: a) Are very thorough in your search b) Ignore details c) Avoid hard work d) Give up easily
Correct Answer: a) Are very thorough in your search
What does “sit on the fence” mean? a) To take a firm stance b) To remain neutral c) To be indecisive d) To argue with someone
Correct Answer: b) To remain neutral
If someone “throws in the towel,” they: a) Give up b) Finish a task c) Start a new job d) Clean up
Correct Answer: a) Give up
What does “bite off more than you can chew” mean? a) To eat quickly b) To take on a task that is too difficult c) To avoid responsibilities d) To chew loudly
Correct Answer: b) To take on a task that is too difficult
What does the idiom “bend over backwards” mean? a) To exercise rigorously b) To make a great effort to help someone c) To change your mind frequently d) To fall down
Correct Answer: b) To make a great effort to help someone
If someone “takes the bull by the horns,” what are they doing? a) Avoiding a situation b) Confronting a difficult situation boldly c) Ignoring advice d) Engaging in a dangerous sport
Correct Answer: b) Confronting a difficult situation boldly
What does “cut to the chase” imply? a) To avoid talking about important issues b) To get to the point quickly c) To delay a decision d) To prepare for an event
Correct Answer: b) To get to the point quickly
What does “let sleeping dogs lie” mean? a) To not disturb a situation as it is b) To wake someone up c) To ignore responsibilities d) To lie down and rest
Correct Answer: a) To not disturb a situation as it is
If someone is “sitting pretty,” they are: a) In a difficult position b) In a favorable or advantageous situation c) Pretending to be happy d) Sitting in a fancy chair
Correct Answer: b) In a favorable or advantageous situation
What does “beat around the bush” mean? a) To be very direct b) To avoid the main topic c) To prepare for a trip d) To clean the garden
Correct Answer: b) To avoid the main topic
If someone “catches someone red-handed,” they: a) Find them with evidence of wrongdoing b) Surprise them with a gift c) Help them with a task d) Meet them unexpectedly
Correct Answer: a) Find them with evidence of wrongdoing
What does “pull someone’s leg” mean? a) To help someone b) To tease or joke with someone c) To hurt someone d) To ignore someone
Correct Answer: b) To tease or joke with someone
What does “burn the candle at both ends” imply? a) To conserve energy b) To overwork oneself by doing too much c) To start a fire d) To light two candles
Correct Answer: b) To overwork oneself by doing too much
If someone is “in hot water,” they are: a) In a comfortable situation b) In trouble c) Relaxing d) Preparing a meal
Correct Answer: b) In trouble