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

Usageas 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

Usageas 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

Usageitself

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

Usageas 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

Usageby 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

Usageas 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

Usageas 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

Usageas part of a sentence

Example: One school was accused of cutting corners on the safety of children.

10. Easy does it

Meaning: Slow down

Usageby 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 

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