These English idioms are very normal in everyday conversation. You may hear these in movies and TV shows and can use them to make your English sound more like that of a local speaker.
Every idiom in this lesson has been written with its meaning and usage in sentence. You should use them frequently as they are essential vocabulary for spoken English.
Let’s start learning these idiomatic expressions with a quote by Flula Borg-
The hardest portion of English, I must say it: Idioms.
1. A blessing in disguise
Meaning: a good thing that seems bad at first
Usage: as part of a sentence
Example: I still remember that incident was a blessing in disguise.
2. A dime a dozen
Meaning: something common
Usage: as part of a sentence
Example: At present, this fashion is a dime a dozen.
3. Beat around the bush
Meaning: avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is uncomfortable
Usage: as part of a sentence
Example: Please don’t beat around the bush, tell me what exactly happened that night.
4. Better late than never
Meaning: Better to arrive late than not to come at all
Usage: itself
Example: Lisa: You should not have attended the class so late.
Zohre: Better late than never.
5. Bite the bullet
Meaning: To get something over with because it is inevitable
Usage: as part of a sentence
Example: I know hate going to the doctor, but you’ll just have to bite the bullet.
6. Break a leg
Meaning: Good luck
Usage: by itself
Example: The expression “break a leg” is used to wish an actor good luck.
7. Call it a day
Meaning: Stop working on something
Usage: as part of a sentence
Example: Look, we’re all exhausted – let’s call it a day.
8. Cut somebody some slack
Meaning: Don’t be so critical
Usage: as part of a sentence
Example: Hey, cut me some slack, man, I’m only a few rupees short.
9. Cutting corners
Meaning: Doing something poorly in order to save time or money
Usage: as part of a sentence
Example: One school was accused of cutting corners on the safety of children.
10. Easy does it
Meaning: Slow down
Usage: by itself
Example: Easy does it. Two people can carry this heavy glass sheet if they go slow.
11. Get out of hand
Meaning: Get out of control
Usage: as part of a sentence
Example: Easy does it. Things are getting out of hand for me.
12. Get something
out of your system
Meaning: Do the thing you have been wanting to do so you can move on
Usage: as part of a sentence
Example: My younger brother has been talking about skydiving for so long, I’m just glad he’s finally going to get it out of his system.
13. Get your act together
Meaning: Work better or leave
Usage: by Itself
Example: You need to get your act together if you’re going to find the right plot to build your home..
14. Give someone the benefit of the doubt
Meaning: Trust what someone says
Meaning: Work better or leave
Example: He claimed she wasn’t trying to commit suicide, and doctors gave him the benefit of the doubt.
15 Go back to the drawing board
Meaning: Start over
Usage: as part of a sentence
Example: I told my graphic artists to go back to the drawing board for my new logo design.
16. Hang in there
Meaning: Don’t give up
Usage: by itself
Example:
17. Hit the sack
Meaning: Go to sleep
Usage: as part of a sentence
18. It's not rocket science
Meaning: It’s not complicated
Usage: by itself
19. Let someone off the hook
Meaning: To not hold someone responsible for something
Usage: as part of a sentence
20. Make a long story short
Meaning: Tell something briefly
Usage: as part of a sentence
21. Miss the boat
Meaning: It’s too late
Usage: as part of a sentence
22. No pain, no gain
Meaning: You have to work for what you want
Usage: by itself
23. On the ball
Meaning: Doing a good job
Usage: as part of a sentence
24. Pull someone's leg
Meaning: To joke with someone
Usage: as part of a sentence
25. Pull yourself together
Meaning: Calm down
Usage: by itself
26. So far so good
Meaning: Things are going well so far
Usage: by itself
27. Speak of the devil
Meaning: The person we were just talking about showed up!
Usage: by itself
28. That's the last straw
Meaning: My patience has run out
Usage: by itself
29. The best of both worlds
Meaning: An ideal situation
Usage: as part of a sentence
30. Time flies when you're having fun
Meaning: You don’t notice how long somethings lasts when it’s fun
Usage: by itself
31. To get bent out of shape
Meaning: To get upset
Usage: as part of a sentence
32. To make matters worse
Meaning: Make a problem worse
Usage: as part of a sentence
33. Under the weather
Meaning: Sick
Usage: as part of a sentence
34. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it
Meaning: Let’s not talk about that problem right now
Usage: by itself
35. Wrap your head around something
Meaning: Understand something complicated
Usage: as part of a sentence
36. You can say that again
Meaning: That’s true, I agree
Usage: by itself
37. Your guess is as good as mine
Meaning: I have no idea
Usage: by itself
38. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Meaning: what you have is worth more than what you might have later
Usage: by itself
39. A penny for your thoughts
Meaning: Tell me what you’re thinking
Usage: by itself
40. A penny saved is a penny earned
Meaning: Money you save today you can spend later
Usage: by itself
41. A perfect storm
Meaning: The worst possible situation
Usage: as part of a sentence
42. A picture is worth 1000 words
Meaning: Better to show than tell
Usage: by itself
43. Actions speak louder than words
Meaning: It’s too late
Usage: as part of a sentence
28 Comments
by Pranjal
Very useful I will try to use it in daily work.
Thanks a lot
by Zohre
useful expressions for daily routines, your effort is admirable.
Many thanks for that and wish you luck.
by Lisa
Better late than never is my favourite one! 👌
by Sanjay Kumar
A language can be beautified by using these idioms. Tons of thanks.
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