Idioms with their meanings! When it comes to mastering a new language, one of the biggest challenges can be understanding all of the idioms. Idioms are expressions that aren’t meant to be taken literally, and they can be tough to decipher if you’re not familiar with them.
To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of 100 popular English idioms and their meanings. Whether you’re just starting to learn English or you’ve been speaking it for years, this guide will come in handy. So without further ado, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
100 Idioms with Their Meanings and Example Sentences
1- Bit the dust
Meaning:
To die, to be destroyed.
Example Sentence:
She bit the dust in her race against the other runners.
Read Also: 10 Most Popular Idioms
2- Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning:
To be very expensive.
Example Sentence:
This car cost an arm and a leg, but it was worth it.
3- Cross that bridge when you come to it
Meaning:
To deal with a problem only when it becomes necessary.
Example Sentence:
I will cross that bridge when I come to it.
4- Dead ringer
Meaning:
A dead ringer is an exact copy of something or someone.
Example Sentence:
He is a dead ringer for his brother.
5- Do a 180
Meaning:
To make a complete change, usually with opinion or behavior.
Example Sentence:
She did a 180 and changed her mind about attending the party.
6- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
Meaning:
The golden rule.
Example Sentence:
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
7- Down the drain
Meaning:
Wasted, lost, or destroyed.
Example Sentence:
His dreams went down the drain when he failed the exam.
8- Easy does it
Meaning:
Take it easy, go slowly, don’t hurry.
Example Sentence:
Easy does it; don’t rush things!
9- Feel under the weather
Meaning:
To feel ill.
Example Sentence:
I’m feeling a bit under the weather today.
10- Get the ball rolling
Meaning:
To start something.
Example Sentence:
Let’s get the ball rolling and start the meeting.
11- Get the picture
Meaning:
To understand what’s happening.
Example Sentence:
Get the picture? We need to leave now.
12- Get your ducks in a row
Meaning:
To get everything organized.
Example Sentence:
Get your ducks in a row before deciding.
13- Give someone the cold shoulder
Meaning:
To intentionally ignore someone.
Example Sentence:
She gave him the cold shoulder at the party.
14- Hang in there
Meaning:
Don’t give up, keep trying.
Example Sentence:
Hang in there, you can do it!
15- Hard to swallow
Meaning:
Difficult to believe or accept.
Example Sentence:
It was hard to swallow, but she accepted her loss.
16- Hit the nail on the head
Meaning:
To do or say something exactly right.
Example Sentence:
You hit the nail on the head with that comment.
17- I’m all ears
Meaning:
I’m listening.
Example Sentence:
I’m all ears; tell me your story.
18- In a nutshell
Meaning:
A very brief summary of something.
Example Sentence:
In a nutshell, that’s what happened.
19- In a pickle
Meaning:
In a difficult situation.
Example Sentence:
She got in a pickle when she couldn’t find her way home.
20- It takes two to tango
Meaning:
Both people are responsible for what has happened.
Example Sentence:
It takes two to tango; both parties must agree.
21- Keep your chin up
Meaning:
To remain positive despite difficulties.
Example Sentence:
Keep your chin up; things will get better.
22- Kiss of death
Meaning:
Something that seemingly helps something but actually causes it to fail.
Example Sentence:
The project quickly became a kiss of death when no one wanted to join.
23- Let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning:
To leave a situation alone that could be made worse if you intervene.
Example Sentence:
Let sleeping dogs lie and don’t ask too many questions.
24- Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning:
To accidentally reveal a secret.
Example Sentence:
He let the cat out of the bag and told everyone about the surprise party.
25- Letter perfect
Meaning:
Perfect, without any mistakes.
Example Sentence:
The report was letter perfect; there were no mistakes.
26- Make hay while the sun shines
Meaning:
To take advantage of a good opportunity while it lasts.
Example Sentence:
Make hay while the sun shines and don’t waste time.
27- Miss the boat
Meaning:
To fail to take advantage of an opportunity because you were too slow.
Example Sentence:
He missed the boat and didn’t attend the meeting.
28- Nose out of joint
Meaning:
Offended, annoyed.
Example Sentence:
Her nose was out of joint when she found out he had been promoted.
29- On cloud nine
Meaning:
To be very happy.
Example Sentence:
She was on cloud nine after winning the competition.
30- On the fence
Meaning:
undecided.
Example Sentence:
I’m still on the fence and can’t decide which course to take.
31- Once in a blue moon
Meaning:
Something that happens very rarely.
Example Sentence:
It only happens once in a blue moon, so don’t miss out this time.
32- Pull someone’s leg
Meaning:
To tease or joke with someone.
Example Sentence:
He was pulling my leg when he said he’d seen me at the mall.
33- Raining cats and dogs
Meaning:
Raining very hard.
Example Sentence:
It was raining cats and dogs outside, so I couldn’t go for a run.
34- Reinvent the wheel
Meaning:
To waste time doing something that has already been done before.
Example Sentence:
Don’t try to reinvent the wheel; just use what we already have.
35- Right as rain
Meaning:
Perfect, just the way it should be.
Example Sentence:
Everything was right as rain after they sorted out their disagreements.
36- See eye to eye
Meaning:
To agree with someone.
Example Sentence:
We finally saw eye to eye on how to move forward with the project.
37- Shot in the dark
Meaning:
A guess, usually based on very little information.
Example Sentence:
It was a shot in the dark, but he guessed correctly on the first try.
38- Showdown
Meaning:
A final contest or test between opponents.
Example Sentence:
The showdown between them was inevitable; there was no way to avoid it.
39- Skin of your teeth
Meaning:
To narrowly avoid disaster.
Example Sentence:
He managed to escape by the skin of his teeth and barely made it out alive.
40- Sleep on it
Meaning:
To wait before deciding.
Example Sentence:
She told him to sleep on it and come back with an answer tomorrow.
41- Snail’s pace
Meaning:
Very slow.
Example Sentence:
The old computer worked at a snail’s pace; it was so slow!
42- Spill the beans
Meaning:
To accidentally reveal a secret.
Example Sentence:
She spilled the beans about her surprise party and ruined the element of surprise.
43- Stroke of luck
Meaning:
A good event or piece of news that happens by chance.
Example Sentence:
He had a stroke of luck when he found out he won the lottery.
44- That’ll be the day
Meaning:
I will never believe that. (used to express disbelief)
Example Sentence:
That’ll be the day when I get up early without an alarm clock!
45- The devil is in the details
Meaning:
Small things can have a big impact.
Example Sentence:
The devil is in the details and we need to review every point before signing.
46- The whole nine yards
Meaning:
Everything, the entire amount.
Example Sentence:
We put in the whole nine yards for this project and it paid off.
47- There’s more than one way to skin a cat
Meaning:
There are many ways to do something.
Example Sentence:
There’s more than one way to skin a cat; it just depends on the situation.
48- Throw in the towel
Meaning:
To give up.
Example Sentence:
After trying his best, he had to throw in the towel and accept defeat.
49- Time will tell
Meaning:
Only time will reveal the outcome or truth of a situation.
Example Sentence:
Only time will tell if our plan works out or not.
50- Touch and go
Meaning:
A situation that is uncertain and could quickly turn into a disaster.
Example Sentence:
It was touch and go for a while but we managed to make it through.
51- Under the weather
Meaning:
Not feeling well.
Example Sentence:
She was feeling a bit under the weather so she decided to rest for the day.
52- Up in the air
Meaning:
undecided, not yet settled.
Example Sentence:
Her job offer is still up in the air and we don’t know if it will be finalized or not.
53- Wait and see
Meaning:
To wait before taking any action, to have time to assess a situation.
Example Sentence:
Let’s wait and see; there could be more surprises ahead.
54- Washed up
Meaning:
No longer successful or relevant.
Example Sentence:
His career as a musician has been washed up for quite some time.
55- Watch your step
Meaning:
Be careful.
Example Sentence:
Watch your step when you’re walking on that slippery surface.
56- Wet behind the ears
Meaning:
Too inexperienced.
Example Sentence:
She’s still wet behind the ears and hasn’t had much experience in this field yet.
57- Wet blanket
Meaning:
A person who makes everything less fun.
Example Sentence:
He’s such a wet blanket; he never wants to join us in any activity.
58- When pigs fly
Meaning:
Never going to happen.
Example Sentence:
When pigs fly is a fun way to say something that will never happen.
59- Worm’s eye view
Meaning:
A very low perspective, looking up at something.
Example Sentence:
He only sees things from a worm’s eye view and doesn’t think of the bigger picture.
60- Your guess is as good as mine
Meaning:
I have no idea.
Example Sentence:
Your guess is as good as mine; I don’t know what the answer could be either.
61- Wet behind the ears
Meaning:
inexperienced
Example Sentence:
He’s wet behind the ears and needs some guidance.
62- No pain, no gain
Meaning:
You need to work hard or take risks to achieve something.
Example Sentence:
I know it will be difficult but we have to just accept that no pain, no gain.
63- Piece of cake
Meaning:
An easy task.
Example Sentence:
I thought it would be a difficult exam, but it was a piece of cake!
64- Hang your head in shame
Meaning:
To feel guilty or embarrassed about something you have done.
Example Sentence:
He hung his head in shame after being caught cheating on his exam.
65- Wild goose chase
Meaning:
A futile search for something that is impossible to find.
Example Sentence:
I’ve been on a wild goose chase trying to find the perfect gift for my wife.
66- Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning:
To take the wrong approach or pursue a mistaken belief.
Example Sentence:
The police thought the suspect was from a different state, but they were barking up the wrong tree.
67- Take with a grain of salt
Meaning:
To be skeptical about something you have heard and not accept it as true without further consideration.
Example Sentence:
I heard that she got a promotion, so take it with a grain of salt until it’s been officially announced.
68- Cut to the chase
Meaning:
To get to the point without wasting time on unnecessary details.
Example Sentence:
Can we cut to the chase and just talk about what needs to be done?
69- Third time’s a charm
Meaning:
The third attempt at something is more likely to be successful than the first two attempts.
Example Sentence:
I have failed my driving test twice, but I’m sure third time’s a charm.
70- Keep it under wraps
Meaning:
To keep information secret and not disclose it to anyone.
Example Sentence:
Let’s keep the surprise party under wraps until the day of the event.
71- Keep it under your hat
Meaning:
To keep information secret and not disclose it to anyone.
Example Sentence:
We need to keep this deal under our hats until both parties have agreed.
72- Speak of the devil
Meaning:
Used when someone appears unexpectedly after being talked about.
Example Sentence:
We were just talking about you! Speak of the devil!
73- Put two and two together
Meaning:
To draw conclusions from available facts or evidence.
Example Sentence:
I could tell something was wrong when I put two and two together.
74- Play second fiddle
Meaning:
To take a subordinate role in comparison to someone else.
Example Sentence:
I don’t mind playing second fiddle and letting him take the lead.
75- Strike while the iron is hot
Meaning:
To seize a timely opportunity.
Example Sentence:
We need to strike while the iron is hot and take advantage of this offer.
76- A blessing in disguise
Meaning:
Something that appears to be bad or negative at first, but turns out to be beneficial in the end.
Example Sentence:
Losing my job was a blessing in disguise because it allowed me to pursue my dream career.
77- Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
Meaning:
To not assume that something will happen without first making sure it will happen.
Example Sentence:
I’m planning on getting the job, but I’m not counting my chickens before they hatch.
78- As the crow flies
Meaning:
A direct route from one point to another, ignoring any obstacles in the way.
Example Sentence:
The quickest route is across the field – as the crow flies it’s only a few miles away.
79- Take it with a pinch of salt
Meaning:
To not believe something completely as it may be exaggerated or false.
Example Sentence:
I heard he makes a million dollars a year – take it with a pinch of salt.
80- Burn the midnight oil
Meaning:
To work very late into the night.
Example Sentence:
We need to finish this project by tomorrow, so we’ll have to burn the midnight oil.
81- Call it a day
Meaning:
To stop working for the day.
Example Sentence:
We’ve been working all day, let’s call it a day and go home.
82- Once bitten, twice shy
Meaning:
To be cautious after being hurt in the past.
Example Sentence:
I was cheated by a friend, so I’m twice shy about trusting people now.
83- Nothing to write home about
Meaning:
Something not worth mentioning or is of average quality.
Example Sentence:
His performance was nothing to write home about – it was just okay.
84- Beat around the bush
Meaning:
To avoid discussing the main issue or topic.
Example Sentence:
Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think.
85- The best of both worlds
Meaning:
A situation where one can enjoy two different opportunities at the same time.
Example Sentence:
I get to work from home and make a good salary – it’s the best of both worlds!
86- The Last Straw
Meaning:
The final insult or incident that is the limit of one’s patience.
Example Sentence:
When he forgot my birthday, it was the last straw and I ended the relationship.
87- Off the hook
Meaning:
To be released from a difficult or problematic situation.
Example Sentence:
He was able to prove his innocence and get off the hook.
88- No ifs, ands or buts
Meaning:
No exceptions; no excuses.
Example Sentence:
I expect the job to be finished by tomorrow – no ifs, ands or buts!
89- Don’t rock the boat
Meaning:
Avoid upsetting the status quo; accept things as they are.
Example Sentence:
We just need to go with the flow and not rock the boat.
90- At the drop of a hat
Meaning:
Immediately; without hesitation.
Example Sentence:
She left her job at the drop of a hat when she heard about the amazing opportunity abroad.
91- Out of left field
Meaning:
To come from an unexpected direction or source.
Example Sentence:
His proposal came completely out of left field and no one saw it coming.
92- Change of heart
Meaning:
A reversal of opinion or attitude.
Example Sentence:
After some reflection, he had a change of heart about the situation.
93- A dime a dozen
Meaning:
Abundant; common; cheap.
Example Sentence:
There are so many pizzerias around here that they are practically a dime a dozen.
94- Take it or leave it
Meaning:
This is my final offer, accept it or reject it.
Example Sentence:
The landlord offered the apartment for $500 – take it or leave it.
95- Put your foot down
Meaning:
To make a clear stand on an issue; to be firm and uncompromising.
Example Sentence:
She had to put her foot down and set some boundaries in order for her children to understand what was acceptable.
96- What goes around comes around
Meaning:
A moral lesson; people will eventually be rewarded or punished according to their actions.
Example Sentence:
Don’t do wrong, because what goes around comes around – you’ll get yours in the end.
97- Turn the tables
Meaning:
To reverse a situation; to gain the upper hand.
Example Sentence:
After an impressive debate performance, he was able to turn the tables and win the argument.
98- Bite the bullet
Meaning:
To accept something unpleasant but necessary.
Example Sentence:
I had to bite the bullet and go to the dentist even though I was terrified.
99- Cut to the quick
Meaning:
To hurt someone deeply; to wound their pride or feelings.
Example Sentence:
His sarcastic remarks cut me to the quick and I felt humiliated.
100- More than one way to skin a cat
Meaning:
There are multiple approaches or solutions to a situation.
Example Sentence:
He was struggling to find a solution to his problem, but he eventually remembered – there’s more than one way to skin a cat.
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