Idioms in English - Examples of 100+ Commonly Used Idioms and Their Meanings (2024)

If you are a person who loves to watch English movies and series, or if you have the habit of reading books and newspapers, you would have surely come across a number of idioms. There might have been situations where you felt you did not really understand what the characters were saying. Learn what idioms mean and how they are used. Once you do that, try rewatching or re-reading the parts you did not understand initially. You will surely have a good laugh.

Language learning need not always be a compulsive task. What if you can have fun with language? Would you try learning the language? Well, if your answer is yes, then the English language is one such language that lets you have a lot of fun while learning it. In this article, you will get to learn the meaning of idioms, their definition, how to use them, the most common idioms and their meanings. You can also take a look at the examples of idioms taken from movies, TV series and literature for a better understanding.

An idiom is a group of words, or in other words, a phrase that has a meaning different from the literal meaning of the words in it. According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, an idiom is defined as “a group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words”, and according to the Cambridge Dictionary, an idiom is defined as “a group of words in a fixed order that has a particular meaning that is different from the meanings of each word on its own”.

The Collins Dictionary defines an idiom as “a group of words which have a different meaning when used together from the one they would have if you took the meaning of each word separately.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary provides a more elaborate definition. According to them, an idiom is “an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either in having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements (such as up in the air for “undecided”) or in its grammatically atypical use of words (such as give way).”

Idioms can be a powerful linguistic tool only when they are used in the right way in the right places. The only thing that makes learning idioms a time-consuming process is the fact that one cannot depend merely on the meaning of individual words to understand what the entire phrase means.

Idioms are not meant to be used in academic or professional writing. In a lighter context, the use of idioms can make your piece of writing or speech unique. Idioms can also be used to indicate pun or even sarcasm. Like any other components of a language, you have to be careful with the use of idioms as well. The only problem is that it would make no sense or effect to a group of people who do not know the meaning of the idiom you are using. So, always make sure you are using idioms with an audience who would be able to comprehend the meaning.

To make your learning process a lot easier, here is a table with the most common idioms in the English language along with their meanings for your reference.

Idiom

Meaning

Sentence Example

Under the weatherFeeling ill / Getting a coldMy mom was feeling a bit under the weather. Cold feetBecoming nervousIt was her chance to speak and she was getting cold feet.Apple of my eyeUsed to refer to someone whom you are very fond of or likeMy younger brother is the apple of my eye.Set the record straightTo reveal the truth / To clarifyIn order to set the record straight, the umpires checked the camera to review the previous shot.Kill two birds with a stoneAchieve two results by doing one thingNone of us understood that he was trying to kill two birds with a stone when he joined the military forces.Snowed underTo be busyMy father seems to have been snowed under for the last few weeks.To break someone’s bubbleTo do or say something that proves someone else’s beliefs are not trueGlint just broke my bubble when he said that he was a part of it.Walk on eggshellsTo be very careful with your actions and wordsTalking to my mom about my grades made me feel like I was walking on eggshells.Bite the bulletFinish something no matter how unsatisfying or unpleasant it is / Get something over withDanny had been putting off discussing the financial management of the company but decided to bite the bullet and talk to Sid today.Make two ends meetTo have just enough money for all your needsHarry and Hani are finding it really difficult to make two ends meet.To be at loggerheads with someoneTo quarrel or disagreeJithin’s parents seem to be at loggerheads over something or the other all the time.Pretty pennyExpensiveThe dress she wants for her birthday will cost a pretty penny.Break a legUsed instead of good luckThe teacher asked us to break a leg at the annual day dance.Through thick and thinAt all times – both good and badMy friends are always there for me – through thick and thin. Beat around the bushNot saying directlyJason’s neighbour kept beating around the bush and did not give a direct answer.Hang in thereStay strong in a difficult situationHang in there! Everything will be okay before you know it.Cut cornersPurchase something in the least expensive way or do something easily / reduce expensesI often cut corners in order to buy something for my brother.Steal someone’s thunderDirecting the attention and doing something to gain praise and preventing another person from gaining praiseMonica claimed that Rachel tried to steal her thunder. Call it a dayTo stop doing somethingAfter the movie, we had planned to go to the beach, but we decided to call it a day as everyone was tired.Better late than neverTo do something rather than not doingWell, we thought it was better late than never, but where are the others?Stick to your gunsStay morally strong or be firm in decisions especially when being opposedThe lawyer asked Rakesh to stick to his guns if he wants to win the case.Leave no stone unturnedTo look everywhere without missing a spot or to take every effort possible to achieve somethingThe police were determined not to leave any stone unturned. Clouds on the horizonProblems/ TroubleVishnu sensed that there were multiple clouds on the horizon.A blessing in disguiseSomething that you think is bad but turns out to be a blessingMe catching a cold was a blessing in disguise. Blue in the faceTo be exhausted due to strain or angerUsha looked blue in the face after the marathon.Make a long story shortTo say something in simple words in a brief mannerWe decided to cut the long story short and tell them what actually happened at the mall.Cup of teaNot something that a person would doCooking has never been Rachel’s cup of tea. Beating a dead horseOverdoing something or an action that is pointlessShe was just beating a dead horse in thinking she could change his mind.Speak of the devilA phrase used to refer to a person who appears as soon as they are being mentionedSpeak of the devil! Here he comes.Let sleeping dogs lieTo stop discussing something that is already over or sorted outThe police had warned us to let sleeping dogs lie and move ahead with our lives.Let the cat out of the bagReveal a secret carelesslyAdharsh just let the cat out of the bag by revealing the gender of the baby.Elephant in the roomA controversial problem or a major issueWe had to identify the elephant in the room before we made a decision.To say in a nutshellTo sum up the points and be briefThe teacher asked us to quote the findings in a nutshell. Worth its weight in goldTo be highly valuableEvery word of what you say is worth its weight in gold. To weather the stormTo go through something difficultMy mom taught me how to stand strong and weather the storm. A piece of cakeAn easy taskSolving the Wordle everyday was just a piece of cake. Get your act togetherTo stop fooling around and do something in the way it should be doneIt is time you get your act together and do something useful.Cost an arm and a legUsed to refer to something that is extremely expensiveI think it will cost an arm and a leg to get the car my brother wants.On top of the worldA state of extreme happinessNiya seemed to be on top of the world since she heard the news of her son’s promotion.Time is moneyTo work quickly in the time that is leftThe manager encouraged the employees to realise that time is money and work harder.Get out of handNot in one’s control anymoreThe situation has gotten out of hand and there is nothing anyone here can do to help.Like two peas in a podBe together alwaysMy cousin and I are always like two peas in a pod.Know which way the wind blowsTo understand what is happeningAs a detective, you are always obliged to learn which way the wind blows and then make a statement.Hit the nail on the headTo do something the exact way in which it should be done / Also refers to giving a direct answerHarish hit the nail on the head with his decision to buy this piece of land.Catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegarGetting what you want by being niceIf you ask politely, you may be able to catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.Let someone off the hookReleasing someone or letting someone goThe court decided to let the guy off the hook as there was no evidence proving his crime.Like riding a bicycleA skill that you learn and will never forgetLearning a language is like riding a bicycle; you will never forget it.Blame one’s toolsBlaming something on someone elseWhen he understood he had no way out of the problem, he blamed his tools.It’s not rocket scienceNot that difficult to comprehendCooking sambar is easy; I will figure it out. After all, it is not rocket science.Spill the beansReveal a secretRemya spilled the beans about her sister coming to her mom.Get the show on the roadStart something or begin an enterpriseThe circus company had completed its trail run and was ready to get the show on the road. Pull the last strawThe final point in a series of unfortunate events when you feel you cannot take it anymoreSheetal decided to pull the last straw and inform the manager about what was happening in the office.That ship has sailedIt is too late to do somethingNorah said that she won’t be performing live anymore as she announced to the press, “That ship has sailed”.It is always the darkest before dawnSomething good is coming / Things will get betterDo not be worried about what is going on in your life right now; it is always the darkest before dawn. Have one’s head in the cloudsTo have no concentration at allI knew that you had your head in the clouds throughout the ceremony. What happened to you?On thin iceUsed to refer to a sensitive scenario or a person who is in troubleZeke was on thin ice; he had to figure out a way to help his brother.Give a cold shoulderAct rudely to someoneNobody knows why Dias gave Rayon a cold shoulder.Cannot make an omelette without breaking some eggsEverything has a cost to payYou just have to understand that you cannot make an omelette without breaking some eggs.Once bitten, twice shyBeing extremely cautious as you have been hurt alreadyNitheesh has been extremely careful with making new friends. After all, once bitten, twice shy right?Bolt from the blueSomething that happens unexpectedly or without a warningThe news of my friend’s pregnancy was a bolt from the blue. When it rains, it poursWhen everything goes wrong at onceThey not only left home late but also got stuck in traffic. When it rains, it pours. Miss the boatTo act too slowly and miss an opportunityYou will miss the boat if you wait any longer.Pull someone’s legTo make fun of someoneKevin’s friends kept pulling his leg all evening.No pain no gainSuffering or making efforts is required to achieve somethingIt is better you start learning now. It will be difficult but no pain, no gain. See eye to eyeHave the same opinion or have the same point of viewIt is highly required that you both see eye to eye if you want this resolved.Wear your heart on your sleeveTo be extremely open about what you feel and thinkDivya wears her heart on her sleeve; she tends to get hurt very often.Takes two to tangoTwo persons are equally responsible for what is happening or has happenedIt is not possible Sandhya is the only one involved. After all, it takes two to tango. Come rain or shineNo matter what happensCome rain or shine, I will be there for you.So far so goodMeans that everything has turned out well until that pointEverything so far has been so good. Comparing apples to orangesTo compare two things that are completely different and cannot be comparedComparing a doctor’s profession to a teacher’s profession is like comparing apples to oranges.When pigs flyWhen something uncanny or impossible happensPigs would fly if you cooked.Curiosity killed the catAsking too many questions or involving too much in other people’s affairs will get you into troubleIt is better we don’t dig more into this case; curiosity killed the cat. The best of both worldsGood in every wayHaving my best friend is the best of both worlds. Burn bridgesDo something to spoil relationshipsSusan did not realise she would be burning bridges when she took up the job.The whole nine yardsRefer to everything that is thereHe has to sell the whole nine yards if he wants to buy that house.Grass is greener on the other sideNever being satisfied with what one getsFor her, grass is always greener on the other side.Every dog has its dayEveryone gets a chanceDo not worry about it. Every dog has his day. Today, it is his.Counting your chickens before they hatchExpecting good results before something is doneShe started counting her chickens before they hatched. That will only disappoint her; I hope she understands.Go down in flamesTo fail terriblyEverything went down in flames when we lost the lottery.Adding fuel to the fireAggravating the problemShe was just adding fuel to the fire telling Tom’s mom about his health.Wrap your head around somethingTry to make sense about what is going onMy mom was finding it hard to wrap her head around the fact that I am getting married tomorrow.Cut the mustardDo a perfectly good jobThe police cut the mustard in finding the gang that robbed the bank.Jump from the frying pan into the fireRefers to a situation becoming worseHe did not know he was jumping off the frying pan into the fire when he decided to speak about the problems at work.Cry over spilt milkWorrying or complaining about something that cannot be fixed/rectifiedThere is no use crying over spilt milk; you just have to move on with your life.Have a method to one’s madnessSeeming to be crazy but in fact, cleverEveryone thinks he is crazy, but he sure has a method to his madness.Do something at the drop of a hatDo something unplannedHe can plan a whole trip at the drop of a hat.Get wind of somethingTo have information about something secretIt is so hard to get wind of what is going on here.Hear it from the horse’s mouthTo know something from the person involvedWe finally heard it from the horse’s mouth. Fit as a fiddleTo be in good healthMy great grandmother is surprisingly fit as a fiddle.Take everything with a pinch of saltRefers to being sceptic and not believing blindlyMy mom always asks to believe everyone with a pinch of salt.A pain in the neckRefers to a person who is annoyingRayana was a constant pain in the neck. The best thing since sliced breadA good and useful inventionThe smartphone is the best thing since sliced bread.Walk in the other’s shoesTo understand what the other is going throughYou will not understand unless you walk in their shoes.Break the iceTo make people feel comfortable with those who are unfamiliar to themThe communication trainer conducted an activity to break the ice.Having a monkey on your backTo have a problem that you cannot solve or get rid off easilyNot completing my degree is a monkey on my back. Go on a wild goose chaseDoing something pointlessFinding the red and black dress I saw online felt like going on a wild goose chase. Rain cats and dogsRaining heavilyIt has been raining cats and dogs since yesterday.Once in a blue moonVery rarelyWe met each other only once in a blue moon.Bark up the wrong treeFollowing a misguided or mistaken thought or actionHe did not know he was barking up the wrong tree.Have the ball in one’s courtOne can make a call / decide on their ownRahul finally had the ball in his court.Devil quoting the BibleGood things being twisted for selfish and evil purposesMephistopheles speaking about going to heaven is like the devil quoting the Bible.The devil is in the detailsRefers to something that seems to be good only from a distanceHaven’t you heard the devil’s in the details?Other fish in the seaMore opportunitiesMy father told me not to worry about the competition as there would be other fish in the sea.A snowball’s chance in hellNo chance at all at survivingYou will require a snowball’s chance in hell to clear this exam.Something ain’t over until the fat lady singsIt is not over yet / there is more to the situationFor all we know, this will not end until the fat lady sings.Bounce off the wallsTo be extremely excited and energeticThe children were bouncing off the walls the moment they heard about going to an amusem*nt park this weekend.As right as rainSomething is perfectI don’t know about the others, but I feel that your decision is as right as rain. To get bent out of shapeTo be upset, to take offence, to be angryMy cousins have been bent out of shape after my uncle passed away.Every cloud has a silver liningThere is always some good in every thing that happens / Something good will happen after something badDo not be worried about your current situation; after all, every cloud has a silver lining. Play the devil’s advocateTo argue or fight over something just for the sake of itWe had no idea why he was playing the devil’s advocate when he knew what had happened.Cross that bridge when we get to itDeal with the problem when it happensI know there are decisions to be made about the selling of the house but we will cross that bridge when we get to it. As of now, let us focus on this.Throw caution to the windTo take a riskGaurav threw caution to the wind in trying to save me from the accident.A penny for your thoughtsUsed to ask someone what they are thinkingI would like to give a penny for your thoughts. Bite off more than you can chewTo do more than you canMy mom thinks that my brother is biting off more than he can chew by taking up a night job and a day job.Judging a book by its coverJudge or form an opinion on someone based on appearancesPeople are known to always judge a book by its cover. Rain on one’s paradeTo spoil someone’s moment of praise / To spoil somethingRachel did not really think she was raining on Monica’s parade when she announced about her new job.By the skin of your teethBy a very narrow margin, the slightest if chancesThe doctors said that Manu had escaped serious injuries by the skin of his teeth.Put all your eggs in one basketDoing something riskyRounak’s parents think that he is putting all his eggs in one basket.Put something on iceTo hold off somethingWe decided to put the case on ice until we had some clue of what had happened.Cannot have a cake and eat it tooCannot have everything for yourselfIt is not at all that you have the cake and eat it too.

Now, take a look at some of the most common and funniest examples from various movies, TV series and books.