Idioms are expressions which have a that means that isn’t instantly apparent from the phrases themselves. Each language has them, and fluent audio system use them casually with out even serious about them. However for younger college students or these studying English as a second language, these phrases will be actually complicated. Share these idiom examples together with your college students to deepen their understanding and use of American English idioms very quickly flat!
We’ve put collectively a listing of among the commonest English idioms, full with meanings and examples. Strive utilizing them for Idiom of the Day classes, posting them across the classroom, or creating an idiom examples bulletin board.
Get a free Google Slides deck of all 110 idioms to make use of together with your college students by filling out the shape on this web page.
A fish out of water
That means: Somebody in an uncomfortable place or state of affairs
Instance: It was Allison’s first day at her new college, and she or he felt like a fish out of water.
Add gas to the hearth
That means: To make issues worse
Instance: Celia added gas to the hearth by accusing the opposing workforce of dishonest.
Add insult to harm
That means: Do one thing to make a foul state of affairs worse
Instance: Studying she failed her science check on the identical day her finest good friend moved away added insult to harm.
All bark and no chew
That means: Full of massive discuss however not keen to take significant motion
Instance: Don’t be afraid of him when he will get mad. He’s all bark and no chew.
All ears
That means: Desirous to take heed to what somebody has to say
Instance: The category was all ears when Ms. Ali talked about a option to earn additional credit score on the check.
Ants in your pants
That means: Can’t sit nonetheless
Instance: “Stop wriggling while I’m braiding your hair!” Kehlani’s mother mentioned. “You have ants in your pants this morning.”
Something however
That means: In no way
Instance: Once they heard concerning the pop quiz, the scholars had been something however excited.
Dangerous egg
That means: An individual who causes bother or is dishonest
Instance: A lot of the group had been form and trustworthy, however a number of dangerous eggs brought on bother for the remainder.
Barking up the incorrect tree
That means: To be searching for solutions within the incorrect place
Instance: James thought Christopher was the one who broke the vase, however he was barking up the incorrect tree.
Be a fly on the wall
That means: To look at one thing occur with out anybody realizing you’re there
Instance: Nico wished he could possibly be a fly on the wall when his sister found the toad he’d left in her shoe!
Beat across the bush
That means: To keep away from saying what you imply, actually because it might be tough or uncomfortable
Instance: Don’t beat across the bush. Simply inform me why you may’t come to my celebration on Friday.
Beef up
That means: To make one thing stronger
Instance: My trainer beneficial I beef up my essay with stronger examples to help my essential level.
Bend over backward
That means: To attempt very laborious to do one thing, even when it causes you issues
Instance: I’ve been bending over backward to plan this celebration on the final minute.
Greater fish to fry
That means: Extra vital issues to do
Instance: Don’t waste my time with foolish little issues in the present day. I’ve bought greater fish to fry.
Chew the bullet
That means: To do one thing that’s uncomfortable or not enjoyable and get it over with
Instance: After placing it off for a number of days, Alex determined to chew the bullet and begin work on the historical past venture.
Blessing in disguise
That means: An apparently dangerous factor that seems to be good not directly
Instance: Dashaun was upset he couldn’t go to the celebration, however after everybody who attended bought meals poisoning, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Bone to choose
That means: To be indignant at somebody about one thing and need to discuss it
Instance: I’ve bought a bone to choose with you! You want to cease leaving your junk throughout my desk.
Bread and butter
That means: An individual’s essential supply of earnings
Instance: Khalil loves taking part in together with his band on the weekends, however giving guitar and piano classes is his bread and butter.
Break a leg
That means: Good luck! Typically used within the theater earlier than a play or efficiency.
Instance: Is your piano recital tonight? Properly, break a leg!
Break the ice
That means: To do or say one thing that can make individuals really feel extra comfy
Instance: OK, since none of us have met earlier than, let’s introduce ourselves and break the ice by sharing our favourite ice cream taste.
Burn your bridges
That means: To do one thing that makes it inconceivable to return to the best way issues had been earlier than
Instance: If you happen to insult your boss if you resign, you’ll burn your bridges with that firm.
Butter up
That means: To flatter or reward somebody to get their assist or help
Instance: Malik is being very nice to me unexpectedly. I feel he’s attempting to butter me up and get me to vote for him for sophistication president.
Name it a day
That means: To cease engaged on one thing and plan to choose it up once more later
Instance: After working for 3 hours on her science truthful venture, Sofia determined to name it a day.
Change of coronary heart
That means: To vary your opinion about one thing
Instance: Ms. Ramirez was once against permitting canines in school, however she’s had a change of coronary heart.
Cherry on prime
That means: To make one thing that’s already good even higher
Instance: We received free tickets to the live performance, however the cherry on prime was studying we’d additionally received backstage passes!
Rooster out
That means: To be too afraid to do one thing
Instance: She stood on the excessive diving board for nearly 10 minutes, however in the long run Dionne chickened out and got here again down the ladder as a substitute of leaping.
Chip off the previous block
That means: An individual who’s much like a mother or father not directly
Instance: Kayden likes to play chess as a lot as his dad does. He’s an actual chip off the previous block.
Cool as a cucumber
That means: Calm and serene, usually in a tough state of affairs
Instance: Whereas everybody else panicked concerning the pop quiz, Inez was cool as a cucumber.
Prices an arm and a leg
That means: To explain one thing that may be very costly
Instance: A brand new PlayStation prices an arm and a leg, so that you’d higher begin saving now if you wish to purchase one.
Crack a window
That means: Open a window barely
Instance: It’s so stuffy in right here. Can somebody please crack a window for some recent air?
Cream of the crop
That means: The easiest of a gaggle
Instance: Everybody is aware of that Harvard and Yale solely settle for the cream of the crop.
Cross your fingers
That means: To want somebody luck or hope for one thing to occur
Instance: Headed to your audition? I’ll cross my fingers that you simply get the half you need!
Cry over spilled milk
That means: To really feel sorry over one thing that has already occurred, despite the fact that it’s not useful
Instance: It’s too dangerous you broke your cellphone, however there’s no use crying over spilled milk.
Cry wolf
That means: To lie about one thing to get consideration or assist
Instance: If you happen to hold crying wolf, nobody will consider you if you’re actually harm.
Minimize any individual some slack
That means: To ease up on somebody, to permit them some leeway or one other probability
Instance: Despite the fact that Jake was late together with his English essay, Ms. Davis determined to chop him some slack since she knew he’d had the abdomen flu.
Chopping corners
That means: To do one thing shortly and badly so as to save time or cash
Instance: Liza reduce corners on her math homework so she might watch TV and ended up getting a lot of the solutions incorrect.
Don’t rely your chickens earlier than they hatch
That means: Don’t rely upon one thing earlier than it occurs
Instance: I do know you’re positive you’re going to get the lead within the spring play, however don’t rely your chickens earlier than they hatch.
Drag your ft
That means: To be reluctant to do one thing
Instance: Rohan knew he wanted to start out his analysis paper, however he simply saved dragging his ft.
Draw a clean
That means: To put out of your mind one thing
Instance: Keiko studied laborious for the check, however when it got here time to reply the query, she drew a clean.
Drop the ball
That means: To make a mistake
Instance: Aisha mentioned she’d make the poster for our venture, however she forgot. She actually dropped the ball on this one.
Eagle eye
That means: Shut or cautious watch on one thing
Instance: Ever since I broke a glass, my mother and father hold an eagle eye on me once I’m washing dishes.
Ear to the bottom
That means: To be effectively knowledgeable or attempt to be taught extra about occasions
Instance: Hold your ear to the bottom and see for those who can be taught extra about their plan.
Each cloud has a silver lining
That means: Regardless of how dangerous one thing appears, there’s often a superb facet to it as effectively
Instance: Jamal was upset that his soccer sport was canceled, however it gave him time to go to the flicks together with his pals, and his mother identified that each cloud has a silver lining.
For the birds
That means: Nugatory or no good
Instance: These low-cost pens are for the birds; they barely work in any respect.
Get off my again
That means: Used to ask somebody to cease bugging you about one thing
Instance: I advised you I’d mow the garden this weekend—now get off my again!
Get out of hand
That means: To turn out to be tough to manage
Instance: Ms. Rodriguez advised her college students they may chat whereas they labored, so long as the noise degree didn’t get out of hand.
Get one thing out of your system
That means: Do the factor you’ve been wanting to take action you may transfer on
Instance: Mr. Patel knew his college students had been wanting to check out the brand new playground gear, so he advised them to go forward and get it out of their system earlier than they began class.
Get your act collectively
That means: Behave correctly, or set up your ideas so you are able to do one thing efficiently
Instance: After the third time he was late to class, Connor’s trainer advised him he wanted to get his act collectively and begin exhibiting up on time.
Get your geese in a row
That means: To get issues organized or make plans
Instance: I’ve so many issues to get executed in the present day! I have to get my geese in a row earlier than I get began.
Get your ft moist
That means: To take a small step in an effort to be taught or do one thing new
Instance: Earlier than becoming a member of the cross-country workforce, Melanie bought her ft moist by working a number of native 5K races.
Give it a whirl
That means: To attempt one thing
Instance: I’ve by no means made a cake from scratch, however I’m keen to provide it a whirl.
Give somebody the advantage of the doubt
That means: To belief what somebody says, even for those who’re not completely positive what they’re saying is true
Instance: Charlotte wasn’t positive Amelia was actually late as a result of she missed the bus, however determined to provide her the advantage of the doubt.
Give somebody the chilly shoulder
That means: To disregard somebody, often since you’re upset or indignant with them
Instance: Will and Jessica had been mad at Emma, so that they determined to provide her the chilly shoulder till she apologized.
Return to the drafting board
That means: To start out one thing over once more with a totally new concept
Instance: When her science experiment failed fully, Hailey knew it was time to return to the drafting board.
Go the additional mile
That means: To do greater than you’re required to do
Instance: Minh went the additional mile and actually impressed the choice committee.
Intestine feeling
That means: A response primarily based on an emotional response as a substitute of motive
Instance: I need this venture to work out, however I’ve bought a intestine feeling we’re doing issues the incorrect manner.
Hold in there
That means: Don’t hand over, carry on attempting
Instance: “I’m sorry you’re having a rough day,” Lucas advised Olivia. “Hang in there. I’m sure things will be better tomorrow.”
Pleased as a clam
That means: Very content material with a state of affairs
Instance: Give her a ebook, some scorching chocolate, and a heat blanket, and she or he’s completely satisfied as a clam.
Hit-or-miss
That means: One thing that is perhaps good typically and dangerous different occasions
Instance: Anna was a bit hit-or-miss when it got here to remembering to take out the trash on Thursdays.
Hit the sack/hit the hay
That means: To go to mattress
Instance: “Nine o’clock!” mentioned Mia’s dad. “It’s time to turn off the TV and hit the sack.”
Maintain your horses
That means: Decelerate, cease and take into consideration what you’re doing
Instance: “Hold your horses!” their dad mentioned. “You can’t go swimming until you put on sunscreen.”
Hook, line, and sinker
That means: Fully tricked or deceived
Instance: I advised my trainer the canine ate my homework, and she or he fell for it hook, line, and sinker.
In the identical boat
That means: To be in the identical dangerous state of affairs as different individuals
Instance: We’re all in the identical boat right here; let’s assist one another out and repair the issue.
It’s not rocket science
That means: Used to explain one thing that isn’t sophisticated or tough
Instance: All it’s a must to do is put the books again on the best shelf. It’s not rocket science!
It’s raining cats and canines
That means: To rain very laborious
Instance: I hope you introduced your umbrella. It’s raining cats and canines on the market!
Let somebody off the hook
That means: To not maintain somebody answerable for one thing
Instance: Logan was caught working within the hallway, however Ms. Walker let him off the hook as a result of she knew he was late for the bus.
Miss the boat
That means: To be too late for one thing that’s already began or is over
Instance: Sarah wished to hitch the lacrosse workforce, however she was too late to enroll and missed the boat.
On cloud 9
That means: Extraordinarily completely satisfied about one thing
Instance: When Wyatt discovered he’d gotten an ideal rating on each his math and science checks, he was on cloud 9 for the remainder of the day.
On the ball
That means: To be fast and alert, coping with issues immediately
Instance: Alice bought all her homework executed and practiced her clarinet earlier than dinner. She’s actually on the ball in the present day!
On the identical web page
That means: To agree with somebody
Instance: I feel you and I are on the identical web page; we each agree that recycling is vital.
On skinny ice
That means: In a dangerous state of affairs or place
Instance: When Mrs. Chen needed to ask Ava and Noah to cease speaking for the fourth time that day, she warned them each that they had been on skinny ice.
Out of the blue
That means: Abruptly and with out warning
Instance: All the things was going high-quality when out of the blue, Joey mentioned they had been actually mad about one thing.
Out on a limb
That means: To take a threat for somebody or one thing
Instance: I’m going to exit on a limb and provides them the additional funding they’re asking for.
Piece of cake
That means: Extraordinarily simple
Instance: Placing the brand new desk collectively was a bit of cake.
Pig out
That means: To eat an entire lot suddenly
Instance: Come over for dinner and we’ll pig out on pizza and ice cream.
Play it by ear
That means: To determine issues out as you go
Instance: We didn’t get a schedule upfront, so we’ll simply need to play it by ear because the day goes alongside.
Happy as punch
That means: Extraordinarily completely satisfied about one thing
Instance: Tia is happy as punch about going to Hawaii for spring break.
Pull somebody’s leg
That means: To tease somebody or attempt to idiot them
Instance: No, the cafeteria isn’t actually giving freely free ice cream. I used to be simply pulling your leg!
Pull your self collectively
That means: To calm your self down if you’re very upset
Instance: I do know you’re upset that your workforce misplaced the sport, however you want to pull your self collectively and go congratulate the winners.
Run in circles
That means: To attempt very laborious however have little or no success
Instance: We’re simply working in circles right here; we want a plan earlier than we do any extra work.
Second wind
That means: A recent burst of vitality
Instance: Quinn thought she was too drained to go to the celebration after taking part in soccer all afternoon, however then she bought a second wind.
See eye to eye
That means: Agree with somebody about one thing
Instance: Regardless of how lengthy they argued, they couldn’t appear to see eye to eye about portray the room orange.
Promote like hotcakes
That means: To promote shortly and in massive quantities
Instance: The newest iPhone mannequin is promoting like hotcakes!
Sleep like a log
That means: Sleep very soundly with out waking
Instance: After a protracted day on the seaside, Jayma slept like a log that night time.
Slip your thoughts
That means: To overlook one thing
Instance: I meant to do the laundry, however it completely slipped my thoughts.
Spill the beans
That means: To offer away a secret
Instance: Isabella’s shock celebration was ruined when Sarah spilled the beans a number of days earlier than.
Begin off on the incorrect foot
That means: To start out a relationship or exercise badly
Instance: After beginning off on the incorrect foot, Robin and Hayden lastly discovered the best way to work collectively.
Take a rain test
That means: To postpone a plan till one other time
Instance: I’d like to play basketball after college, however I’ve bought to go residence to mow the garden. Can I take a rain test?
The ball is in your court docket
That means: The choice or subsequent step is as much as you
Instance: Nick’s mother advised him he might both be part of the basketball workforce or join karate class, so he had to decide on one. “The ball is in your court,” she mentioned.
The early hen will get the worm
That means: Those that arrive first have the perfect probability for fulfillment or obtain the perfect issues
Instance: Grayson and Jayden confirmed as much as discover the perfect seats within the room already taken. “The early bird gets the worm!” mentioned Maya with a smile.
The elephant within the room
That means: A big, apparent difficulty or downside that individuals are avoiding mentioning or coping with
Instance: After ready for Joseph to clarify his bright-green hair all by dinner, his mother lastly determined it was time to deal with the elephant within the room.
The icing on the cake
That means: One thing that makes a superb state of affairs even higher
Instance: The band was excited to be taught they’d earned a spot within the regional competitors. Discovering out it might happen at Disney World was the icing on the cake.
The final straw
That means: The final in a collection of occasions that causes somebody to expire of persistence
Instance: “That’s the last straw!” mentioned Elena after her little brother’s ball landed in her cereal bowl. “Go play outside!”
The entire 9 yards
That means: All the things, all the best way
Instance: Grace and Nora went the entire 9 yards to verify Hannah’s celebration was actually particular.
Suppose in your ft
That means: To react shortly in a difficult or fast-moving state of affairs
Instance: Dani excels at basketball as a result of she’s so good at pondering on her ft.
By means of thick and skinny
That means: When issues are good and likewise once they’re dangerous
Instance: Sophie and Chloe had been finest pals since first grade, sticking collectively by thick and skinny.
Time flies if you’re having enjoyable
That means: Once you’re having a superb time, you don’t discover how shortly the time is passing
Instance: “Recess is over already?” mentioned Ben. “I guess time flies when you’re having fun!”
To get bent out of practice
That means: To get upset about one thing
Instance: I didn’t imply to step in your foot—there’s no have to get bent out of practice about it.
To make a protracted story brief
That means: To offer the essential information about one thing as a substitute of a protracted clarification
Instance: To make a protracted story brief, Liam tripped over his shoelace and that’s how he broke his wrist.
Underneath the desk
That means: To do one thing secretly, usually used to consult with working for pay unofficially (and illegally)
Instance: Gabi knew she shouldn’t, however she took a job working beneath the desk so she didn’t have to fret about paying taxes.
Underneath the climate
That means: To be sick
Instance: Miguel received’t be on the Scout assembly in the present day as a result of he’s feeling slightly beneath the climate.
Up in arms
That means: Very indignant about one thing
Instance: Once they heard the plans to chop down the previous oak tree, the townspeople had been up in arms.
Up within the air
That means: Unsure or unsettled
Instance: Till we all know if it’s going to rain or not, our weekend plans are up within the air.
We’ll cross that bridge once we come to it
That means: If that downside comes up, we’ll cope with it then, not proper now
Instance: We would have a snow day on Monday, however we’ll cross that bridge once we come to it.
When pigs fly
That means: One thing that can in all probability by no means occur
Instance: Would I ever go sky-diving? When pigs fly!
Wild goose chase
That means: A mindless or hopeless try to do one thing
Instance: They regarded throughout for a replica of the brand new online game, however in the long run it turned out to be a wild goose chase.
Wrap your head round one thing
That means: To grasp one thing sophisticated or shocking
Instance: It’s laborious to wrap your head round simply how huge the universe is.
You possibly can say that once more
That means: I fully agree with what you simply mentioned
Instance: “This pizza is the best food I ever ate!” exclaimed Mateo. “You can say that again!” Dylan agreed.
Your guess is pretty much as good as mine
That means: When you haven’t any concept what the reply is to a query or downside
Instance: “Do you know how to solve number four in our math homework?” Maria requested. “Your guess is as good as mine,” David replied, shrugging his shoulders.
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