English-language idioms


An idiom is a common word or phrase with a culturally understood meaning that differs from what its composite words' denotations would suggest; i.e. the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words. By another definition, an idiom is a speech form or an expression of a given language that is peculiar to itself grammatically or cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its elements. For example, an English speaker would understand the phrase "kick the bucket" to mean "to die" and also to actually kick a bucket. Furthermore, they would understand when each meaning is being used in context.
Idioms should not be confused with other figures of speech such as metaphors, which evoke an image by use of implicit comparisons ; similes, which evoke an image by use of explicit comparisons ; or hyperbole, which exaggerates an image beyond truthfulness. Idioms are also not to be confused with proverbs, which are simple sayings that express a truth based on common sense or practical experience.

Notable idioms in English

IdiomDefinition/TranslationNotesSource
A situation or information that is unpleasant but must be accepted
Anything that is common, inexpensive, and easy to get or available anywhere.
A controversial issue or situation that is awkward or unpleasant to deal with
a sandwich short of a picnicLacking intelligence
A hidden or secret strength; an unrevealed advantage
A small but fatal weakness in spite of overall strength.
Listening intently; fully focused or awaiting an explanation.
Clumsy, awkward.
an arm and a legVery expensive or costly; a large amount of money
Anything causing trouble, discord, or jealousy.
Without any hesitation; instantly
back to the drawing boardRevising something from the beginning, typically after it has failed.
ball is in his/her/your courtIt is up to him/her/you to make the next decision or step.
Full throttle; at maximum speed.
Looking in the wrong place.
One made powerless or ineffective, as by nerves, panic, or stress.
beating a dead horseTo uselessly dwell on a subject far beyond its point of resolution.
To treat a topic but omit its main points, often intentionally or to delay or avoid talking about something difficult or unpleasant.
bed of rosesA situation or activity that is comfortable or easy.
Something or someone outstandingly good, excellent, or wonderful.
A person who is not too smart; a person who acts stupid.
To take on more responsibility than one can manage.
bite the bulletTo endure a painful or unpleasant situation that is unavoidable.
A euphemism for dying or death.
bought the farmA euphemism for dying or death.
break a legA saying from the theatre that means "good luck".
To work late into the night.
To exert oneself.
you are emphasizing that it happens everywhere in that place.
To achieve through instinct or to do something without advance preparation.
Narrowly; barely. Usually used in regard to a narrow escape from a disaster.
To speak the truth, even to the point of being blunt and rude.
To declare the end of a task.
or To show impatience or frustration when delayed.
cheap as chipsInexpensive; a good bargain.
To chat idly or generally waste time talking.
chink in one's armorAn area of vulnerability.
To become silent; to stop talking.
To display aloofness and disdain.
A lazy person.
Fake tears or drama tears; fake crying.
cut off your nose to spite your faceTo pursue revenge in a way that would damage oneself more than the object of one's anger.
To dance.
To fart.
To perform well; to meet expectations.
On genuine objection to some process or action or motion, actually to stop or oppose it strongly.
Don't make plans for something that may not happen; alternatively, don't make an assumption about something that does not have a definitively predetermined outcome.
Don't overreact.
To make a telephone call; to be an informant.
An obvious, pressing issue left unaddressed due to its sensitive nature.
In good physical health.
Almost free; very cheap.
fly in the ointmentA minor drawback or imperfection, especially one that was not at first apparent, that detracts from something positive, spoils something valuable, or is a source of annoyance.
Covering a complete range; comprehensively.
To make from original ingredients; to start from the beginning with no prior preparation.
To take offense; to get worked up, aggravated, or annoyed.
get one's ducks in a rowto become well prepared for a desired outcome.
get your goatTo irritate someone.
gone southhaving an unforeseen or chaotic result
To tackle a problem in a bold manner, despite the difficulty or complexity of doing so; to solve a problem despite short-term adverse consequences.
have a blastTo have a good time; to enjoy oneself.
To have asked for or taken more of something than one is actually capable of handling.
To be able to perceive things and events that are outside of one's field of vision.
Be smitten, infatuated.
To have learned something through gossip, hearsay, or a rumor.
hit the ceilingTo become enraged, possibly in an overreaction
1. To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem; 2. To do or say exactly the right thing or to find the exact answer; 3. To do something in the most effective and efficient way; 4. To be accurate or correct about something.
To leave; start a journey
/sheets/hayTo go to bed; to go to sleep.
To be particularly pleasing or appropriate; to be just right.
hold all the cardsTo control a situation; to be the one making the decisions.
To be completely fooled by a deception.
To leave a job, organization, or activity suddenly.
kick the bucketA euphemism for dying or death.
kick the habitTo stop engaging in a habitual practice
To accomplish two different tasks at the same time and/or with a single action
let the cat out of the bagTo reveal a secret
like pulling hens' teethhaving difficulty in getting a person or item to act in a desired fashion; reference to an impossible task
To find fault with something that has been received as a gift or favor
Despite one's seemingly random approach, there is actually orderly structure or logic to it
My two cents one's opinion on the subject
To stop something at an early stage, before it can develop into something of more significance.
or No vested interest in the outcome of a particular contest or debate.
off one's trolley or
off one's rocker		Crazy, demented, out of one's mind, in a confused or befuddled state of mind, senile.
To escape a situation of responsibility or obligation, or, less frequently, danger.
Occurring very rarely.
To do something accidentally negative against yourself or your own team.
The attribute of being an integral or essential component of another object.
A euphemism for dying or death.
the pot calling the kettle blackUsed when someone making an accusation is equally as guilty as those being accused.
A job, task or other activity that is pleasant – or, by extension, easy or simple.
To present a side of a discussion or argument to someone who already agrees with it; essentially, wasting your time.
To tease or joke by telling a lie.
To approach, extend, or go beyond the limits of what is possible; to pioneer.
A euphemism for dying or death.
To create a disturbance and cause trouble.
Raining very hard or strongly.
right as rainNeeded, appropriate, essential, or hoped-for; also has come to mean perfect, well, or absolutely right.
rock the boatTo do or say something that will upset people or cause problems.
To chat idly or casually, without any serious topic of conversation.
Frivolously performing a simple task.
calm your horsesCalm down
To deliver beyond expectations.
To screw up; to fail in dramatic and ignominious fashion.
A euphemism for dying or death.
To reveal someone's secret.
spin one's wheelsTo expel much effort for little or no gain.
straw that broke the camel's backThe last in a line of unacceptable occurrences; the final tipping point in a sensitive situation.
To be particularly bad, objectionable, or egregious.
To deal bravely and decisively with a difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant situation; to deal with a matter in a direct manner, especially to confront a difficulty rather than avoid it.
To be especially good or outstanding. Alternatively To be particularly bad, objectionable, or egregious.
To not take what someone says too seriously; to treat someone's words with a degree of scepticism.
throw stones in glass housesOne who is vulnerable to criticism regarding a certain issue should not criticize others about the same issue.
To discard, especially inadvertently, something valuable while in the process of removing or rejecting something unwanted.
throw under the busTo betray or sacrifice someone for selfish reasons.
In both good and bad times.
To express scorn or disregard.
To get drunk.
to steal someone's thunderTo take credit for something someone else did.
To dance.
Cheap or common.
under my thumbUnder my control.
Feeling sick or poorly.
the whole nine yardsEverything; all the way.
A frustrating or lengthy undertaking that accomplishes little.
That is very true; an expression of wholehearted agreement.