Idioms
In every language including English, there are many wise sayings. We use the wise sayings time and again to refer to a certain situation or to offer advice about how to lead a life and sometimes to convey some principles, values, and underlying ideas. These sayings are passed on from generation to generation and depict the values of a certain culture or society. These sayings are called idioms.
However, when these sayings are used for comparison purposes, then they are called proverbs. The sentences are usually incomplete sentences and have a figurative meaning that often works with pictures.
Idioms Definition
It is a group of common words or phrases that have an underlying meaning which is different from the meanings that the composite words suggest. For example โkick the bucketโ in the literal sense means to kick a bucket but the underlying meaning of the idiom is โto die.โ A native speaker would understand both meanings. However, an idiom is different from other figures of speech such as metaphor, simile, hyperbole or even a proverb.
Metaphor- creates an image by applying implicit comparisons such as โthe man of steel.โ
Simile- Creates an image by applying explicit comparisons such as โfaster than a speeding bullet.โ
Hyperbole- It exaggerates an image beyond the actual truth such as โmissed by a mile.โ
Idioms should also not be confused with proverbs. An idiom is a collection of words or phrases together that convey a different meaning from the dictionary definition of individual words whereas proverbs are simple sayings that convey a truth based on practical experiences or common sense.
In other terms, idioms are called as a form of speech or expression of any language that is grammatically correct as that particular phrase or words together, but the individual meanings of the words cannot be understood. There are numerous numbers of idioms originated from different cultures that are at present used in English references and most of these idioms are used in an informal setting.
List of Common Idioms and their meanings
A hot potato
Most talked about the current disputed issue. Discussing an issue (usually current) which many people are discussing and which is most often disputed.
A penny for your thoughts
A manner of asking what the other person is thinking.ย
Actions speak louder than words
A personโs intention can be understood by what they do instead of what they are saying.ย
Add insult to injury
To promote a loss further by mockery or indignity. To intensify and further worsen an unfavourable situation.
At the drop of a hat
Instantly; immediately; without any type of hesitation.
Back to the drawing board
When someone starts all over again after several failed attempts.
Ball is in your court
The decision or the next step is left on the other person.
Barking up the wrong tree
Searching in the wrong place or accusing the wrong individual.
Be glad to see the back of
Happy when a particular person leaves.
Beat around the bush
Avoiding the primary topic. Not talking about the actual issue.
Best of both worlds
Having all the advantages of receiving the best of everything.
Best thing since sliced bread
A very good plan, idea. A unique and good innovation/invention.
Bite off more than you can chew
Take on more tasks than one can handle.
Blessing in disguise
A good thing which is not realized at the moment but later recognized.
Burn the midnight oil
Work very hard, work till late at night, it also refers or suggest to the time before electric lighting.
Canโt judge a book by its cover
Cannot judge something or someone mainly on the basis of appearance.
Caught between two stools
When a person has difficulty in choosing between two things or two alternatives.
Costs an arm and a leg
Very costly, very expensive.ย
Cross that bridge when you come to it
Tackle a problem when it becomes absolutely necessary but not before.
Cry over spilt milk
Complain about something that has happened in the past.
Curiosity killed the cat
Being too curious or inquisitive can lead a person to an unpleasant or bad situation.
Cut corners
When a certain thing is done badly to save money.
Cut the mustard [ may be derived from โcut the musterโ]
To live up to the expectation, to meet the expectations, to perform well, adequate enough to participate or compete in something, to succeed.
Devilโs Advocate
To give counterarguments in a particular situation.
Donโt count your chickens before the eggs have hatched
Donโt plan for something from before because it may not happen.
Donโt give up the day job
When a person is not very good at something or a person is suggesting another to do a work more professionally.
Donโt put all your eggs in one basket
Donโt reveal all your resources, donโt use all resources in one possibility.
Drastic times call for drastic measures
In an emergency or critical situation, one should take drastic actions.
Elvis has left the building
Something is over. The show has come to an end.
Every cloud has a silver lining
Suggest a person to be optimistic in difficult times because difficult times can also lead to better days.
Far cry from
Very differentย ย from something
Feel a bit under the weather
Slightly ill or sick, not feeling well.
Give the benefit of the doubt
Try to trust someone without any proof, or having some faith on someone.
Hear it on the grapevine
Hearing rumours about something or someone.
Hit the nail on the head
Answering something accurately, exactly, correctly.
Hit the sack/sheets/hay
To go to bedย
In the heat of the moment
Being overwhelmed in a particular situation and reacting accordingly.
It takes two to tango
Actions or communications require more than one person
Jump on the bandwagon
Join a popular activity, trend, etc.
Keep something at bay
Keep something far and away.
Kill two birds with one stone
To finish two different works at the same time. Accomplishing different goals by a single move.
Last straw
The final step in a series of problems.
Let sleeping dogs lie
Do not irritate or disturb a difficult situation as it can result in problems and complications.
Let the cat out of the bag
To reveal a hidden information.
Make a long story short
Explaining something long in important or key points by leaving out the details.
Method to my madness
It is an assertion that even though an individualโs approach may seem random, there actually is a particular technique and structure to it.
Miss the boat
Missing a particular opportunity
Not a spark of decency
Lack of manners.
Not playing with a full deck
A person lacking intelligence.
On the ball
When a person understands the situation properly.
Once in a blue moon
Rare
A picture paints a thousand words
A visual presentation is explained better than words.
Piece of cake
Easy job or task. Simple
Put wool over other peopleโs eyes
Deceive someone into thinking a certain thing.
See eye to eye
Two or more people agreeing to a particular opinion.
Sit on the fence
When a person does not want to select or make a decision.
Speak of the devil!
When the person in topic arrives when other people have just been talking about that person.
Steal someoneโs thunder
To take someoneโs credit.
Take with a grain of salt
This means not to take what someone says very seriously.
Taste of your own medicine
When something is done to a person or something happens to a person that is done by the same person to someone else.
To hear something straight from the horseโs mouth
To receive the information from an authoritative or actual source.
Whole nine yards
Everything. All of it.
Wouldnโt be caught dead
Would never prefer to do something
Your guess is as good as mine
To be unclear about a situation or to not know about an answer to a situation or a question.
More Idiom Examples with their meanings
โA bitter pillโ
A situation or information that is unpleasant but must be accepted.
โ A dime a dozenโ
Anything that is common, inexpensive, and easy to get or available anywhere.
โAce in the holeโ
A hidden or secret strength, or unrevealed advantage.
โAchillesโ heelโ
A metaphor for a fatal weakness in spite of overall strength.
โAll earsโ
Listening intently; fully focused or awaiting an explanation.
โAll thumbsโ
Clumsy, awkward.
โApple of discordโ
Anything causing trouble, discord, or jealousy.
โBalls to the wall!โ
Full throttle; at maximum speed.
โBasket caseโ
One made powerless or ineffective, as by nerves, panic, or stress.
โBeat a dead horseโ
To uselessly dwell on a subject far beyond its point of resolution.
โBed of rosesโ
Easy and comfortable.
โBite the bulletโ
To endure a painful or unpleasant situation that is unavoidable.
โBite the dustโ
Euphemismย for dying or death.
โBreak a legโ
A saying from theย theatreย that means โgood luckโ.
โBust oneโs chopsโ
To say things intended to harass.
โBy the seat of oneโs pantsโ
To achieve through instinct or do something without advance preparation.
โBy the skin of oneโs teethโ
Narrowly; barely. Usually used in regard to a narrow escape from a disaster.
โCall it a dayโ
To declare the end of a task.
Cat nap
A nap.
Chalk upย orย Chalk it up to
To attribute something to a particular cause.
โChamp at the bitโย orย โChomp at the bitโ
To show impatience or frustration when delayed.
โCheap as chipsโ
Inexpensive or good value
โChew the fatโ
To chat idly or generally waste time talking.
โChink in oneโs armourโ
An area of vulnerability
โClam upโ
To become silent; to stop talking.
โCold shoulderโ
To display aloofness and disdain.
โCouch potatoโ
A lazy person.
โCrocodile tearsโ
Fake tears or drama tears. (fake cry)
โCut a rugโ
Toย dance
โCut the cheeseโ
Toย fart. Also, cut the mustard
โDonโt have a cowย โ
Donโt overreact.
โDrop a dimeย โ
Make a telephone call; to be anย informant.
โElephant in the roomโ
An obvious, pressing issue left unaddressed due to its sensitive nature.
โFit as a fiddleโ
In good physical health.
โFor a songโ
Almost free. Very cheap.
โFrom A to Zโ
Covering a complete range; comprehensively.
โFrom scratch / to make from scratchโ
Make from original ingredients; start from the beginning with no prior preparation
โHe/She is a sandwich short of a picnicโ
The person is lacking intelligence
โGet bent out of shapeโ
To take offense; to get worked up, aggravated, or annoyed
โGrasp the nettleโ
To tackle a problem in a bold manner, despite the difficulty or complexity of doing so; sometimes refers to solving a problem despite short-term adverse consequences.
โgrass is always greener on the other sideโ
A phrase implying that a person is never satisfied with their current situation; they think others have it better.
โHave a blastโ
To have a good time or to enjoy oneself.
โHave eyes in the back of oneโs headย โ
Someone can perceive things and events that are outside of their field of vision.
โHit the roadย โ
To leave.
โI betโ
When you understand why someone has a particular opinion or feels a particular way; โof courseโ, โindeedโ. May also be used sarcastically.
โIgnorance is blissย โ
Life is good when youโre naive to the hardships happening all around
โJump shipย โ
Leave a job, organization, or activity suddenly.
โLook a gift horse in the mouthย โ
To find fault with something that has been received as a gift or favour
No horse in this race
No vested interest in the outcome of a particular contest or debate
โOff oneโs trolleyโย or
โOff oneโs rockerโ
Crazy, demented, out of oneโs mind, in a confused or befuddled state of mind, senile.
โOff the hookโ
To escape a situation of responsibility, obligation, or (less frequently) danger.
โPiss in oneโs cornflakesโ
To annoy, upset, or disappoint through spiteful or irresponsible behaviour.
โPop oneโs clogsโย (UK)
Euphemism for dying or death.
โPreaching to the choirโ
To present a side of a discussion or argument to someone who already agrees with it; essentially, wasting your time.
โPull somebodyโs legโ
To tease or to joke by telling a lie.
โPushing up daisiesโ
Euphemism for dying or death.
โPut the cat among the pigeonsโ
To create a disturbance and cause trouble.
โRaining cats and dogsโ
Raining really strong or hard.
โRight as rainโ
Needed, appropriate, essential, or hoped-for and has come to mean perfect, well, absolutely right.
โscrew the poochโ
To screw up; to fail in dramatic and ignominious fashion.
โShoot the breezeโ
To chat idly or generally waste time talking.
โShooting fish in a barrelโ
Frivolously performing a simple task.
โSleep with the fishesโ
Euphemism for dying or death.
โSpin oneโs wheelsโ
Expel much effort for little or no gain.
โSunny smileโ
Very happy.
โTake the biscuitโย (UK)
To be particularly bad, objectionable, or egregious.
โTake the cakeโย (US)
To be especially good or outstanding.
โThrow under the busโ
To betray or sacrifice someone for selfish reasons.
โThrough thick and thinโ
In both good and bad times.
โThumb oneโs noseโ
To express scorn or to disregard.
โTie one onโ
To get drunk.
โTo steal someoneโs thunderโ
To take credit for something someone else did.
โTrip the light fantasticโ
To dance
โunder my thumbโ
under my control
โWild goose chaseโ
A frustrating or lengthy undertaking that accomplishes little.
โYou betโ
Equivalent to saying โthatโs for sureโ or โof courseโ. May also be used sarcastically.
โX Marks the spotโ
When someone finds something they have been looking for.
โHe/She/They hold(s) the cardsโ
He/She/They controls the situation.
โYou can say that againโ
That is very true;ย expression of wholehearted agreement