English Idioms
What are idioms? Idiom is an expression, word, or
phrase that has a figurative meaning that is comprehended in regard to a common
use of that expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition
of the words of which it is made. (wik)
Test on Meaning of Idioms and Idioms
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Idioms are words, phrases, or expressions that cannot be
translated literally. For example, the idiom "Get
the ball rolling" means "get a process started", but that
meaning is not obvious from the individual words. English language has many
idioms, and they are challenging for esl students to learn. The best way to
understand an idiom is to see it in context. Here is a small dictionary of 100
English idioms and phrases with their meaning.
Click Def link to the left of the idiom to see more idiom examples.
Click Def link to the left of the idiom to see more idiom examples.
Def A blessing in disguise something good that isn't recognized at first
Def A hot potato controversial or sensitive issue
Def A penny for your thoughts asking someone what they are thinking about
Def A piece of cake very easy
Def A slap on the wrist a very mild punishment
Def A Toss-Up a result that is still unclear and can go either way
Def Add insult to injury make a bad situation even worse
Def Against the clock rushed and short on time
Def All Greek to me meaningless and incomprehensible either due to complexity or imprecision
Def All in the same boat when everyone is facing the same challenges
Def All of a sudden something that happens very quickly and unexpectedly
Def An arm and a leg very expensive; a large amount of money
Def An ax to grind to have a dispute with someone
Def At the drop of a hat willing to do something immediately, on the slightest signal or urging
Def Back to square one having to start all over again
Def Back to the drawing board when an attempt fails and it's time to start all over
Def Be sick and tired of to be angry, bored or annoyed with something
Def Beat a dead horse to force an issue that has already ended
Def Beat around the bush avoiding the main topic
Def Bend over backwards do whatever it takes to help
Def Break the ice to break social formality and to initiate conversation
Def Buy a lemon to buy a car that constantly gives problems
Def Call it a night to stop an activity for the rest of the night
Def Catch 22 a situation in which a desired outcome is impossible no matter what choice is made
Def Caught between two stools when it is difficult to choose between two alternatives
Def Come a long way make a lot of progress and improvemen
Def Costs an arm and a leg to be very expensive
Def Cut corners to do something in the fastest or cheapest way
Def Cut it out! stop doing something bad
Def Cut to the chase leave out unnecessary details and just get to the point
Def Devil's advocate one who takes a position just for the sake of argument
Def Down to the wire something that ends at the last minute or last few seconds
Def Draw a line in the sand establish a limit beyond which things will not accepted
Def Feeling a bit under the weather feeling slightly ill
Def For crying out loud! expresses frustration or annoyance with somebody or something
Def From the horse's mouth to hear something from the authoritative or dependable source
Def Get over it to move beyond something that is bothering you
Def Get the ball rolling get a process started
Def Go the extra mile going above and beyond whatever is required for the task at hand
Def Good Samaritan one who helps others when they are in need, with no thought of a reward
Def Gut feeling a personal, intuitive feeling or response, especially when something may not be right
Def Head over heels very excited and/or joyful, especially when in love
Def Hear it on the grapevine receive information indirectly, similar to a rumor
Def High five slapping palms above each others heads as celebration gesture
Def Hit the books to study; prepare for class
Def Hit the nail on the head do something or say something exactly right
Def Hocus pocus in general, a term used in magic or trickery
Def In ages for a very long time
Def In hot water in trouble; in difficulties
Def In the blink of an eye in an extremely short time
Def It's a small world something you say when seeing the same people, events or situations in different places.
Def Jaywalk crossing the street without using the crosswalk
Def Kick the bucket to die
Def Kill two birds with one stone accomplish two tasks with only one effort
Def Learn the ropes to learn the basics
Def Lend a hand to help; to give assistance
Def Let sleeping dogs lie to avoid restarting a conflict
Def Let the cat out of the bag to share a secret that wasn't suppose to be shared
Def Long time, no see! an expression used to greet someone who you have not seen for a long time
Def Long shot highly unlikely
Def Look like a million dollars to be very well dressed; to look great
Def Loose cannon someone whose actions are unpredictable and uncontrollable
Def Lose your head to become upset, confused or overly emotional about something
Def Lose your short to lose all of or most of your money
Def Miss the boat to be too late; lose the opportunity; fail to take action
Def Money talks money has influence and power
Def Mumbo jumbo nonsense or meaningless speech or writing
Def Nest egg savings set aside for future use
Def Off the hook freed from a blame or obligation; having avoided a difficult situation
Def On the ball to understand the situation well
Def Once in a blue moon something that happens very rarely
Def Once in a while sometimes, not very often
Def Out of the blue something that suddenly and unexpectedly occurs
Def Over my dead body when you absolutely will not accept or allow something to happen
Def Over the top very excessive; outrageously overdone
Def Poker face a face with no expression
Def Pull the plug to stop something; to bring something to an end
Def Pulling your leg tricking someone as a joke
Def Rule of thumb a useful principle, basic rule that is usually but not always correct
Def Run out of steam to be completely out of energy
Def Saved by the bell rescued from a danger at the last possible moment
Def Scapegoat someone else who takes the blame
Def See eye to eye be in agreement
Def Sit on the fence undecided about an issue; not able to make a decision
Def Sleep on it wait until the next day before making an important decision
Def Speak of the devil! reference to a person who appears unexpectedly while being talked about
Def Start from scratch to do it all over again from the beginning
Def Take it easy good-bye; calm down; relax
Def Take with a pinch of salt do not completely believe it
Def The ball is in your court your turn to speak or act next
Def The best of both worlds get the benefits and advantages of two different things
Def The last straw the last little burden or problem that causes everything to collapse
Def The whole nine yards everything, all of it
Def Time out stop; take a break; calm down
Def Turn a blind eye to ignore something you know is real and pretend you do not see it
Def Twenty-four/seven all the time; continuous operation
Def Up to the minute the most recent
Def When pigs fly something that will never ever happen
Def You bet! sure, yes, of course
Def Zero Tolerance no crime or law breaking to be overlooked
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