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English Idioms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush | Appreciate what you have right now |
| A blessing in disguise | a bad thing with unexpected benefits |
| A can of worms | a mess of problems |
| a dark horse | an unexpected contender |
| A dime a dozen | Something common |
| a fish out of water | uncomfortable |
| A hot mess | a spectacular disaster |
| a leopard can't change its spots | people don't change |
| A penny for your thoughts | Tell me what you're thinking |
| A perfect storm | the worst possible situation |
| A picture is worth 1000 words | Better to show than tell |
| A short fuse | easily angered |
| make a mountain out of a molehill | A big fuss about a small problem |
| a watched pot never boils | waiting makes time seem slower |
| a windfall | unexpected money |
| Actions speak louder than words | what you do is more believable than what you say |
| Add insult to injury | To make a bad situation worse |
| An apple a day keeps the doctor away | Fruits and vegetables are healthy for you |
| As right as rain | Perfect |
| back out | change your mind, decline a commitment |
| Back the wrong horse | support something that doesn't succeed |
| Barking up the wrong tree | To be mistaken, to look in the wrong place |
| Be at odds with | be in opposition/ disagree |
| Be on your toes | Be ready/prepared |
| Beat around the bush | Say something indirectly |
| beggars can't be choosers | accept the help that comes to you |
| Best foot forward | make a good first impression |
| Better late than never | tardiness is better than absence |
| between a rock and a hard place | in a difficult situation |
| Birds of a feather flock together | Similar people are often friends |
| Bite off more than you can chew | Take on a project that you cannot finish |
| Bite the bullet | Accept an unpleasant task/situation with fortitude |
| Bolt from the blue | without warning |
| Break a leg | I wish you good luck. |
| Break the ice | Make people feel comfortable |
| Breeze though something | do something quickly and easily |
| Burn bridges | Destroy relationships |
| Butterflies in your stomach | To feel nervous. |
| By the skin of your teeth | Just barely |
| Call it a day | Stop working and go relax |
| Calm before the storm | Something bad is coming, but right now, everything is OK. |
| cat got your tongue | unable to say what you're thinking |
| Climb the walls | have too much nervous energy |
| Close to home | uncomfortably familiar |
| Come rain or shine | No matter what happens |
| apples and oranges | comparing things that can't be compared |
| Costs an arm and a leg | Very expensive |
| Couch potato | lazy |
| Curiosity killed the cat | Stop asking questions |
| Cut corners | Do sloppy work to save time or money. |
| Cut somebody some slack | show mercy |
| That's not going to cut it. | It's not good enough. |
| Dark clouds on the horizon | Trouble is coming |
| Dip your toe in | Cautiously try something |
| at the drop of a hat | spontaneous |
| Don't beat a dead horse | Don't waste effort on unchangeable things. |
| Don't count your chickens before they hatch | Don't depend on uncertainties |
| Don't cry over spilt milk | Stop worrying over the past. |
| Don't give up your day job | You're not very good at this |
| Don't put all your eggs in one basket | What you're doing is risky |
| Don't rock the boat | Don't provoke controversy |
| Easy does it | Slow down, be careful |
| Every cloud has a silver lining | You can find something good, even in bad situations. |
| Every dog has his day | Everyone gets a chance at least once |
| Feeling blue | Feeling sad or depressed. |
| Finding a needle in a haystack | an impossible task |
| Fit as a fiddle | In good health |
| fit the bill | be appropriate for |
| Follow the Golden Rule | Treat people kindly and fairly |
| Get a grip | calm down, think logically |
| Get a second wind | Have renewed energy |
| Get a taste of your own medicine | Karma |
| get back on the horse | don't give up, try again |
| get down to brass tacks | talk about the most important things |
| Get off on the wrong foot | To start something badly or awkwardly |
| Get out of hand | Get out of control |
| Get some shut eye | Sleep. |
| get something off your chest | complain about something that has been bothering you |
| Get something out of your system | Do the thing you want to do so you can move on |
| Get the last laugh | Get revenge/win in the end |
| Get to know | become familiar |
| Get wind of something | Hear news of something secret |
| Get your act together | focus, do the required preparation, or you will fail |
| get your wires crossed | miscommunicate |
| Give someone the benefit of the doubt | Trust what someone says, even if they don't deserve it |
| Give someone the cold shoulder | Ignore someone / Ghost someone |
| go around in circles | talk and talk without resolving an issue |
| Go back to the drawing board | Start over |
| Go down in flames | Fail spectacularly |
| go down swinging | fight hard, even when you are losing |
| go down the tubes / go to the dogs | ruin something good |
| Go on a wild goose chase | Try really hard to resolve something pointless |
| Go the extra mile | Put in extra effort. |
| a good point | something important to consider |
| Hang in there | Don't give up |
| Haste makes waste | You'll make mistakes if you rush |
| Have a bone to pick | something to argue about |
| have ants in your pants | be unable to sit still |
| Have bigger fish to fry | Have more important things to do than this |
| Have your head in the clouds | not paying attention |
| through the grapevine | gossip |
| Hear it straight from the horse's mouth | Hear something from the person directly involved |
| Hit the nail on the head | Get something exactly right |
| Hit the sack | Go to bed |
| Hit the spot | Be satisfying |
| hold your horses | be patient, wait a minute |
| hotheaded | someone who becomes angry easily |
| I've had it up to here | I have no more patience |
| Ignorance is bliss | It's better if you don't know. |
| in a nutshell, | to summarize, |
| In the dark | unaware |
| In the same boat | In the same situation |
| It ain't over till the fat lady sings | This isn't finished yet |
| It is always darkest before the dawn | don't lose hope, things will improve |
| It takes one to know one | You're just as bad as I am |
| It takes two to tango | Both people involved are responsible |
| a piece of cake | easy |
| It's not rocket science | It's not complicated |
| jump all over someone | aggressively criticize |
| Jump on the bandwagon | do what everyone else is doing |
| keep your head down | don't draw attention to yourself |
| keep your nose out of my business | don't spy on me |
| Kill two birds with one stone | Accomplish two things with a single action |
| Know which way the wind is blowing | Understand the situation |
| Leave no stone unturned | Look everywhere |
| Let sleeping dogs lie | Don't provoke controversy |
| Let someone off the hook | Decide not to punish someone |
| Let the cat out of the bag | reveal a secret |
| Let’s get this show on the road! | Let's begin |
| Like riding a bicycle | Something you never forget how to do |
| like the wind | fast/quick |
| Like two peas in a pod | always together |
| Live and learn | I made a mistake, but I'll do better next time |
| Look before you leap | Investigate before taking a risk |
| Lose your marbles | Go crazy |
| Make a long story short | Tell something briefly |
| Make hay while the sun shines | Take advantage of a good situation |
| Make your blood run cold | scare you |
| Miss the boat | It's too late |
| Murphy's law | if it can go wrong, it will go wrong |
| my bread and butter | my primary source of money |
| neck of the woods | a general location |
| No pain, no gain | You have to work for what you want |
| not playing with a full deck | a little bit crazy or dumb |
| Occam's razor | the simplest answer is usually best |
| off your rocker | crazy |
| On cloud nine | Very happy |
| On the ball | Doing a good job, paying attention |
| On the fence | undecided |
| on the nose | uncomfortably precise |
| on the spot | at an exact moment |
| On thin ice | If you make another mistake, there will be trouble. |
| Once bitten, twice shy | cautious because of past mistakes |
| Once in a blue moon | Rarely |
| Out of the frying pan and into the fire | a worsening situation |
| Play devil's advocate | To argue the opposite position |
| point out | identify/call attention to something |
| Poke the bear | Provoke controversy |
| Poke the hornet's nest | Provoke controversy |
| Pull someone's leg | To joke with someone |
| Pull yourself together | Calm down, get organized |
| Put something on the back burner | Make something less of a priority |
| put something on the line | risk something valuable |
| Put your foot in your mouth | Say something you shouldn’t have. |
| Rain on someone's parade | To spoil something |
| Read between the lines | Detect implied meaning |
| rub someone the wrong way | irritate |
| rule of thumb | a basic principle |
| Run into someone | Meet someone unexpectedly. |
| Saving for a rainy day | Reserving something for later use |
| Shape up or ship out | Improve your behavior, or leave |
| short change | to treat someone unfairly |
| Slow and steady wins the race | Reliability is more important than speed |
| smell a rat | suspect that someone is cheating or lying |
| to snowball | build momentum |
| Snowed under | Busy |
| So far so good | Things are going well so far |
| Speak of the devil | The person we were just talking about is here |
| Spill the beans | Reveal a secret |
| stay in your lane | don't deviate from your established role |
| steal someone's thunder | take attention away from a person |
| step on toes | hurt someone's feelings, subvert someone's work |
| stick your neck out | take a risk (especially for another person's benefit) |
| Sweating bullets | To be very nervous. |
| Tag along | Accompany, go with |
| Take a rain check | Postpone a plan |
| Take five | Rest for a few minutes |
| Take it easy | Relax. |
| Take it with a grain of salt | Don't believe it too seriously |
| take the bull by the horns | show initiative |
| Test the waters | Try something out to see if it will be well received |
| That ship has sailed | It's too late |
| That's the last straw | I have been patient and forgiving, but now, I will give consequences. |
| The ball is in your court | It's your decision/your turn |
| The best of both worlds | An ideal situation |
| The best thing since sliced bread | A really good invention |
| The devil is in the details | quality shows in the little details |
| The early bird gets the worm | The first people who arrive will get the best things |
| The elephant in the room | the problem people are avoiding |
| the eleventh hour | the very last opportunity, the last minute |
| The pot calling the kettle black | Criticizing someone for the same problem you have |
| the underdog | expected to lose, but everyone hopes they will win |
| The whole nine yards | Everything, all the way. |
| There are other fish in the sea | Other opportunities will arise. |
| There's a method to his madness | seemingly crazy, but actually strategically smart |
| There's no such thing as a free lunch | Nothing is entirely without cost |
| third time's a charm | you will succeed the third time you try |
| Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones | Everyone has flaws - including you. |
| Through thick and thin | In good and bad situations |
| Throw caution to the wind | Take a risk |
| til the cows come home | for a long time |
| Time is money | Work quickly |
| To get bent out of shape | To get upset |
| To make matters worse | Worsen an existing problem |
| Under the weather | feeling sick |
| Up to my ears in | overwhelmed by |
| wash your hands of something | abdicate responsibility |
| Waste not, want not | Don't be wasteful, and you'll always have enough |
| We see eye to eye | We agree |
| We'll cross that bridge when we come to it | We will think about that later. |
| Weather the storm | Endure something difficult, survive |
| Well begun is half done | The job will be easier if you are careful at the beginning. |
| When in Rome, do as the Romans | adapt your behavior to the situation |
| When it rains it pours | Everything is going wrong at once |
| Wrap your head around something | Understand a complicated concept |
| You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink | You can't force someone to make the right decision |
| You can say that again | That's true, I agree |
| You can't have your cake and eat it too | You can't have everything |
| You can't judge a book by its cover | don't judge things by how they look |
| You can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs | You have to make sacrifices to succeed. |
| You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar | You'll get what you want by being nice |
| Your guess is as good as mine | I have no idea |
| tied up | busy at the moment |
| swamped | really busy |
| it will blow over | this problem will go away |
| lick your wounds | recover after a loss |
| I'm broke | I have no money |
| a cold day in July | something that will never happen |
| a guinnea pig | the subject of an experiment |
| a day late and a dollar short | tardy and inadequate |
| a leg up | an advantage, assistance |
| a stone's throw | a short distance |
| a lot on your plate | many responsibilities |
| across the board | applicable to everything |
| after the fact | later, too late to be significant |
| against the grain | contrary to expectations |
| all along | the entire time something was happening |
| all ears | paying close attention |
| all in one piece | safely |
| all over the place | in disarray, confusion |
| all roads lead to Rome | there is more than one effective method |
| along the lines of | in general, in keeping with |
| ancient history | something resolved and forgotten long ago |
| at the end of the day | when all the variables are resolved |
| at my wit's end | thoroughly frustrated |
| at each other's throats | aggresively arguing |
| around the clock | constantly |
| to angle | to try to arrange something subversively |
| the nail in the coffin | the thing that finally ended something |
| and counting | the number is still increasing |
| all told | with everything accounted for |
| all it's cracked up to be | as good as advertised |
| all dressed up and nowhere to go | ready for something that doesn't happen |
| add fuel to the fire | intensify something |
| above board | legitimate, honest |
| go above and beyond | do more than is expected |
| have nine lives | be lucky to have survived something |
| ace in the hole | hidden advantage |
| on deck | awaiting the next opportunity/turn |
| keep your head above water | barely manage everything that is required of you |
| a little bird told me | I know something, but I can't reveal my source |
| run a tight ship | be very organized |
| run out of steam | become exhausted |
| tip of the iceberg | a small part of something much bigger |
| small potatoes | insignificant |
| a bit much | excessive |
| a cinch | an easy task |
| a lot | a large quantity |
| a real piece of work | a strange, difficult person |
| a toss-up | uncertain |
| about to | something is going to happen in a moment |
| accidentally on purpose | to intentionally do something, but pretend it was an accident |
| after all | considering everything |
| against the clock | there is limited time |
| ages | a long time |
| all day long | continue without stopping |
| all in all | considering everything |
| all of a sudden | suddenly |
| all the best | I hope that good things happen to you. |
| and so on | et cetera, in addition to other related things |
| As far as | to the extent of something, pervue |
| as for / as to | regarding, in reference to |
| As long as | the duration of a circumstance or time period |
| as simple as that | this is easy to understand |
| As soon as | waiting for a certain event to happen |
| ask out | invite |
| at bay | at a safe distance |
| at odds, at cross purposes | in opposition to |
| at stake | something that can be lost or won |
| at the core | essentially |
| at the same time | simultaneous |
| back to basics | focus on simple and important things |
| be up on | have knowledge about |
| beg to differ | disagree |
| better off | a loss is actually a good thing |
| between you and me | secret, private |
| bide time | wait for an opportunity |
| break up/split up | end a romantic relationship |
| bring forward | to reveal something |
| bring up | to introduce a topic |
| building blocks | basic elements |
| bump into | to meet someone by chance |
| by and by | later |
| by chance | not planned |
| by the way | I have additional information |
| call it | declare an end or outcome |
| call names | to insult someone |
| call on | ask, choose, make use of |
| call the shots | be in charge, give instructions |
| can't stand | cannot endure |
| carry on | continue |
| carry out | to complete or accomplish a task |
| catch up | increase speed/effort until you're level with everyone else |
| come across | to encounter, find |
| come again | please repeat what you just said |
| come clean | disclose, tell the truth |
| come down with | become sick |
| come on | hurry |
| come over | join someone at their house |
| come to think of it | I got an idea while I was speaking |
| come up with | invent, imagine, innovate |
| come what may | whatever happens |
| count on | depend on |
| cut down | reduce |
| deal with | to grapple with a problem |
| deja vu | already seen |
| do the trick | function appropriately |
| do's and don'ts | the rules |
| a doozy | an extreme thing or situation |
| drop by | visit informally |
| end up | become |
| fall for someone | to be attracted romantically |
| to fall out with someone | be so angry you stop being friends |
| figure out | solve |
| for a while | a short period of time |
| from now on | starting now, never stopping |
| get a life | stop being boring |
| get rid of | remove, throw away |
| get there | make progress |
| get through | to endure a situation |
| get to the bottom | find the truth |
| get together | meet |
| give up | to surrender or quit |
| hang on | wait |
| to hang up | end a phone conversation |
| has been around | has existed |
| in a nutshell | summary |
| in a row | consecutively |
| in the long run | over time |
| in the loop | aware |
| in the meantime | between two points of time |
| in touch | in contact |
| just in case | a precaution |
| keep a promise | do what you say you will do |
| Lean in | pay close attention |
| lean toward | have a slight preference |
| look forward | anticipate |
| mad at | angry |
| look over | examine, inspect |
| make it | successfully complete |
| make sense of | understand |
| more or less | neutral, mostly |
| never mind | forget what I said |
| no, not at all | definitely not |
| none of your business | a warning |
| not at all | you're welcome |
| of course | certainly |
| on the other hand | alternatively |
| pardon me | excuse me |
| pass away | die |
| pep talk | motivational speech |
| prone to | having a tendency |
| right away | immediately |
| rule out | eliminate a possibility |
| run into | encounter someone you know unexpectedly |
| run out | not have enough of something |
| safe bet | likely |
| sit tight | wait patiently, don't move |
| so and so | somebody's name |
| so so | neutral |
| speak up | increase the volume of your voice |
| stand a chance | have a possibility of success |
| stand out | be prominent or obvious |
| start from scratch | start from the beginning |
| status quo | the existing condition |
| stay up | not sleep until a late hour |
| take effect | to become active |
| take into account | consider |
| take on something | assume responsibility |
| take over | conquer, take control |
| take stock | inventory resources, assess a situation |
| take turns | alternate doing something |
| taken aback | surprised |
| the benefit of the doubt | presumed innocence |
| the bottom line | the final analysis, the thing that matters |
| the following | the information after this statement |
| turn against | withdraw support, betray |
| turn out | end result |
| a turn out | people attending an event |
| turning point | the moment a situation changes |
| up and at 'em | awake, active, energized |
| up in arms | angry, defensive |
| up in the air | uncertain |
| up the ante | increase the risk and reward |
| up to no good | to have an evil or naughty plan |
| ups and downs | good and bad times |
| way around | an alternative, a solution |
| wear off | subside |
| wear out | deteriorate from use |
| year round | continuously during the year |
| you bet/you've got it | of course/certainly |
| you're on | I accept your challenge |
| your call | your decision |
| your take on something | your perspective |
| zip it | be quiet |
| fall out from something | the negative consequences |
| catch up | become reacquainted with an old friend |
| don't mention it | you're welcome |
| Give something away | reveal it |
| fall for something | be tricked/fooled |
| cut and dried | straightforward, unambiguous |
| touch on | mention, briefly discuss |
| a hang up | a hesitation or problem |
| find out | discover |
| chicken out | be too afraid to take a challenge |
| take steps | do specific actions to make progress |
| lay out | organize |
| pushback | opposition |
| go ahead | permission to proceed |
| stick to / stick with | continue |
| what goes around comes around | karma |
| bear with me | be patient with me |
| it's going around | an illness is circulating |
| something is in the air | it feels like something is happening or about to happen |
| the big picture | the whole idea, not just part of it |
| red tape | obstacles, restrictions |
| make fun of | ridicule, tease |
| horse play | rowdy behavior |
| a dumpster fire | a disastrously mishandled situation |
| check yourself | change your behavior before you make an irreversible mistake |
| figure out | solve |
| stab someone in the back | betray them |
| twist someone's arm | convince them |
| lose your touch | decrease in ability |
| pitch in | contribute |
| quit cold turkey | stop doing something addictive without easing off |
| ring a bell | sound familiar |
| blow off steam | exercise to get rid of stress |
| cut to the chase | talk about the vital issues instead of everything else |
| get over something | recover |
| look like a million bucks | look good |
| be born with a silver spoon in your mouth | come from a rich family |
| rags to riches | start with no money and become wealthy |
| pull yourself up by your bootstraps | improve your life with hard work and innovation |
| have sticky fingers | be a thief |
| have butter fingers | be clumsy |
| give someone a run for their money | be a tough competitor |
| pony up | pay what you owe |
| break even | not gain or lose any money |
| break the bank | very expensive |
| have the Midas touch | everything seems to work in your favor |
| make ends meet | figure out a way to pay for everything |
| keep your chin up | don't get discouraged |
| find your footing | become oriented, comfortable |
| hot water | trouble |
| a bad egg/apple | someone who can ruin things for others. Not to be trusted. |
| a lemon/a dud | something that doesn't work |
| a hard nut to crack | someone who is difficult to get to know |
| have a sweet tooth | really like sugary food |
| chasing rainbows | pursuing unrealistic goals |
| tilting at windmills | wasting effort |
| make waves | make a powerful impression/cause trouble |
| go with the flow | relax and accept whatever is happening |
| I'm lost | I'm confused |
| over the moon | very happy |
| down to earth | practical, sensible |
| salt of the earth | an honest, good, reliable person |
| bury your head in the sand | hide from your problems |
| when the dust settles | when the drama has subsided |
| clear as mud | unclear |
| nip something in the bud | stop a potential problem before it grows |
| out of the woods | safe |
| an olive branch | an offer of peace or reconciliation |
| a red flag | a signal of problems |
| a white flag | truce |
| amateur hour | incompetence |
| back in the day | years ago when I was younger |
| bells and whistles | extra, fancy accessories |
| bite the hand that feeds you | betray people who have helped you |
| wake on the wrong side of the bed | be grumpy |
| bring a knife to a gunfight | be woefully unprepared |
| a bump in the road | a temporary setback |
| water under the bridge | a resolved conflict |
| bury the hatchet | make peace |
| by all means | certainly |
| call a spade a spade | speak plainly, frankly |
| a catch 22 | an impossible, contradictory situation |
| clear the air | address unresolved issues |
| come clean | confess |
| crash a party | go without being invited |
| cry wolf | raise a false alarm |
| cut to the quick | hurt someone badly, emotionally |
| cut your teeth | gain experience |
| cheap shot | an unfair attack |
| chomp at the bit | be eager to do something |
| dead ringer | someone who looks exactly like someone else |
| dodge a bullet | avoid a problem |
| deep pockets | wealthy |
| down the road | in the future |
| drink the Kool-aid | blindly accept dangerous ideas |
| drop the ball | fail to fulfill your responsibilities |
| dry run | practice |
| eat someone's lunch | thoroughly defeat them |
| eat crow | admit you were wrong |
| elevator pitch | a brief description of an idea |
| fair & square | without cheating, honestly |
| every man for himself | act with self-interest |
| feather in your cap | a great achievement |
| fish or cut bait | make a decision or move on |
| third wheel | an extra. unneeded person in a group |
| fly off the handle | become angry |
| for a song | very inexpensive |
| knock it off | stop what you're doing |
| from the bottom of my heart | sincerely |
| get along with someone | have a good relationship |
| a hail Mary | a desperate attempt |
| if the shoe fits | if it seems appropriate, it probably is |
| have skin in the game | have a personal interest/stake |
| around the corner | happening soon |
| with flying colors | brilliantly |
| play ball | cooperate |
| pull strings | use your personal connections advantageously |
| put up with something | tolerate it |
| set in stone | unchangeable |
| a tough cookie | someone who doesn't break easily |
| just now | a moment ago |
| the other day | the recent past |
| knock on wood | a superstitious attempt to prevent bad luck |
| get off my back | stop nagging me |
| get into it | fight |
| criss cross apple sauce | sit on the floor with your legs crossed |
| We'll see | maybe |
| sleep on it | take time to consider a decision |
| wouldn't hurt a fly | a gentle person |
| go out of your way | accept inconvenience to help someone |
| at arm's length | a safe distance away |
| waiting for my ship to come in | waiting for an opportunity to arise |
| in the scheme of things | in a broader perspective |
| walk away | don't let an argument escalate |
| cheesy | silly |
| flaky | unreliable |
| show up | arrive |
| wrap up | finish something |
| ride shotgun | sit in the front seat of a car |
| a rip-off | overpriced, not worth it |
| busted | caught doing something wrong |
| evesdrop | spy on a conversation |
| scoot over | move a little bit to the side |
| break a twenty | make change for a twenty dollar bill |
| I'm not a fan | I don't like that |
| table something | discuss it later |
| long in the tooth | old |
| a keeper | something good |
| jump the shark | stop being believable |
| tell me about it | I understand, I agree |
| right up your alley | something you would be good at |
| eat it | fall down |
| period! | that's the end of this discussion |
| pick your battles | be strategic |
| I get it | I understand |
| gang up on | attack as a group |
| setbacks | an obstacle to progress |
| read out loud | speak what you read |
| clam up | stop talking |
| bounce back | be resilient |
| hang out | spend time with friends |
| have to | be required to |
| reach out | contact someone |
| get the short end of the stick | be at a disadvantage |
| heads up | pay attention |
| Duck! | move, drop your head before you get hit by something |
| do a 180 | change your behavior, attitude, or direction to the opposite of what it was |
| rough house/horse around (verb) | to play or act in a loud, potentially destructive way |
| split hairs | argue over the smallest details |
| kill time | occupy yourself while you wait for something |
| I blew it | I failed |
| keep it together | stay calm |
| put yourself in someone's shoes | try to understand someone's situation |
| Keep your cool | stay calm |
| psych yourself up | encourage yourself |
| psych yourself out | allow worry to undermine you |
| miss out | not experience something good |
| mess up | make a mistake |