Idioms
English fixed expressions — phrases whose meaning isn't obvious from the individual words. Each entry shows the meaning, an example sentence, and its register.
199 idioms
a blessing in disguise
Neutral · CEFR B1
Something that seems bad at first but turns out to have a good outcome.
a fair share
Neutral · CEFR B1
a reasonable portion or a substantial amount of something, especially work or difficulties
a fish out of water
Neutral · CEFR B1
Someone who feels uncomfortable because they are in an unfamiliar situation.
a rip-off
Informal · CEFR B1
Something that is far too expensive for what it is.
actions speak louder than words
Neutral · CEFR B1
What you do matters more than what you say.
alive and kicking
Neutral · CEFR B1
still healthy, active, or functioning despite age or difficulty
ants in your pants
Informal · CEFR B1
To be unable to keep still because you are restless or excited.
anyone's guess
Neutral · CEFR B1
something whose answer or outcome is completely uncertain
as a rule
Neutral · CEFR B1
usually or in most situations
at the end of the day
Informal · CEFR B1
ultimately; when everything is considered
back against the wall
Informal · CEFR B1
in a desperate situation with few options left
back to basics
Neutral · CEFR B1
returning to the simple, fundamental principles of an activity
ballpark figure
Informal · CEFR B1
a rough estimate, not an exact number
bang for your buck
Informal · CEFR B1
the value or impact you get for the money or effort spent
bear in mind
Neutral · CEFR B1
to remember and consider something when making a decision
blow off steam
Informal · CEFR B1
to release pent-up energy or emotion through some activity
brain power
Informal · CEFR B1
intelligence or mental ability used to think and solve problems
break a leg
Informal · CEFR B1
A way of wishing someone good luck, especially before a performance.
break the ice
Neutral · CEFR B1
To do or say something that eases tension and gets people talking comfortably in an unfamiliar social situation.
bury one's head in the sand
Neutral · CEFR B1
to ignore an unpleasant reality hoping it will go away
bury the hatchet
Neutral · CEFR B1
to reconcile with someone and bring a quarrel to an end
call it a day
Informal · CEFR B1
To decide to stop working on something for now.
can of worms
Informal · CEFR B1
a complicated problem that causes trouble the moment it is touched
catch someone's eye
Neutral · CEFR B1
to draw someone's notice or interest
circle back
Informal · CEFR B1
to return to a topic or person later, after other things have happened
come to mind
Neutral · CEFR B1
to appear in one's thoughts or memory
cost an arm and a leg
Informal · CEFR B1
To be extremely expensive.
cry wolf
Neutral · CEFR B1
to give false warnings so often that a real warning may later be ignored
cut loose
Informal · CEFR B1
to abandon restraint and behave freely or wildly
cut your losses
Neutral · CEFR B1
to stop investing in a failing venture in order to avoid further loss
do the job
Informal · CEFR B1
to be good enough to achieve the desired result
do the trick
Informal · CEFR B1
to achieve the desired result or solve a problem
domino effect
Neutral · CEFR B1
a chain reaction in which one event triggers a series of similar events
don't judge a book by its cover
Neutral · CEFR B1
appearances can be misleading, so assess things properly
drive someone up the wall
Informal · CEFR B1
to make someone feel extremely annoyed or frustrated
drop a hint
Neutral · CEFR B1
suggest something indirectly instead of saying it openly
drop someone a line
Neutral · CEFR B1
to get in touch by sending a short note, message, or email
dry run
Neutral · CEFR B1
a full practice session of a process, done for real except in name
easier said than done
Neutral · CEFR B1
Something that sounds simple to do but is actually hard.
end of story
Informal · CEFR B1
used to say that there is nothing more to add or discuss
every cloud has a silver lining
Neutral · CEFR B1
Every difficult situation has some hopeful or positive aspect.
every last
Neutral · CEFR B1
all members or items in a group, with no exceptions at all
every which way
Informal · CEFR B1
in every direction, often in a scattered or disorderly way
everything but the kitchen sink
Informal · CEFR B1
an excessive collection of things; nearly everything imaginable, included without restraint
fall in line
Neutral · CEFR B1
to obey or accept the rules and expectations set by a group or authority
food for thought
Neutral · CEFR B1
an idea or piece of information worth thinking carefully about
for the time being
Neutral · CEFR B1
temporarily, until circumstances change
from scratch
Informal · CEFR B1
from the very beginning, without using anything prepared earlier
get a move on
Informal · CEFR B1
to hurry up
get on someone's nerves
Neutral · CEFR B1
to repeatedly irritate or annoy someone
get out of hand
Neutral · CEFR B1
To become impossible to control.
get something off your chest
Informal · CEFR B1
To finally say something that has been worrying you, so you feel relieved.
get the ball rolling
Informal · CEFR B1
To start an activity or process.
get the picture
Informal · CEFR B1
to understand a situation, especially after an explanation
get up to speed
Neutral · CEFR B1
to become informed or current on a topic, project, or situation
give someone a run for their money
Neutral · CEFR B1
to compete nearly as well as a much stronger opponent, forcing them to work hard for victory
go bananas
Informal · CEFR B1
to become wildly excited, angry, or otherwise out of control
go downhill
Neutral · CEFR B1
to become progressively worse in condition, quality, or performance
go the extra mile
Neutral · CEFR B1
To make more effort than is expected or required.
go with the flow
Neutral · CEFR B1
To adjust calmly to circumstances or prevailing behavior instead of resisting them.
golden rule
Neutral · CEFR B1
the most important rule or principle to follow
good old days
Informal · CEFR B1
a time in the past remembered as happier or better
great minds think alike
Informal · CEFR B1
said when two people have the same idea at the same time
green light
Neutral · CEFR B1
official permission to proceed with something
green with envy
Neutral · CEFR B1
feeling extremely jealous of what another person has
hang in there
Informal · CEFR B1
to persevere and not give up despite difficulty
happily ever after
Informal · CEFR B1
living a happy life forever, especially as the end of a story
have a go
Informal · CEFR B1
to make an attempt at doing something
have a soft spot for someone
Informal · CEFR B1
To feel particular fondness or affection for a person or thing.
have your hands full
Neutral · CEFR B1
To be very busy or fully occupied with responsibilities.
hit it off
Informal · CEFR B1
To like each other and get along well immediately on first meeting.
hit the books
Informal · CEFR B1
to study hard, especially before an exam
hit the ground running
Neutral · CEFR B1
to start a new job or project with immediate energy and effectiveness, without needing a slow start
hit the jackpot
Neutral · CEFR B1
To gain a remarkably favorable result, usually unexpectedly or through luck.
hit the mark
Neutral · CEFR B1
to produce exactly the intended effect or be correct
hit the nail on the head
Neutral · CEFR B1
To describe or identify something exactly right.
hit the sack
Informal · CEFR B1
To go to bed.
hold your horses
Informal · CEFR B1
Used to tell someone to wait or slow down before acting.
how on earth
Informal · CEFR B1
an emphatic way of asking 'how', expressing surprise or disbelief
in a tight spot
Informal · CEFR B1
in a difficult or dangerous situation
in broad daylight
Neutral · CEFR B1
openly and where people can clearly see it, especially during the daytime
in hot water
Informal · CEFR B1
In trouble or facing difficulty.
in the early days
Neutral · CEFR B1
during the beginning stages of something
in the hands of
Neutral · CEFR B1
under the control or responsibility of someone
in the long run
Neutral · CEFR B1
over a long period of time; eventually
in the nick of time
Neutral · CEFR B1
at the latest moment when success is still possible
in the same boat
Informal · CEFR B1
in the same difficult situation as other people
in the short run
Neutral · CEFR B1
over a short period of time; in the near future
keep a low profile
Neutral · CEFR B1
to avoid notice or publicity by behaving discreetly
keep someone posted
Neutral · CEFR B1
to keep someone informed of the latest developments
keep your chin up
Informal · CEFR B1
To stay cheerful and brave during a difficult time.
kick off
Informal · CEFR B1
to begin an event, meeting, or project
kick the tires
Informal · CEFR B1
to inspect or test something before committing to it
kill two birds with one stone
Neutral · CEFR B1
To accomplish two tasks with a single effort or action.
kiss and make up
Neutral · CEFR B1
to reconcile and become friendly again after an argument
last but not least
Neutral · CEFR B1
final in order but no less important