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.
80 idioms
a rip-off
Informal · CEFR B1
Something that is far too expensive for what it is.
ants in your pants
Informal · CEFR B1
To be unable to keep still because you are restless or excited.
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
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
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.
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
circle back
Informal · CEFR B1
to return to a topic or person later, after other things have happened
cost an arm and a leg
Informal · CEFR B1
To be extremely expensive.
cut loose
Informal · CEFR B1
to abandon restraint and behave freely or wildly
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
drive someone up the wall
Informal · CEFR B1
to make someone feel extremely annoyed or frustrated
end of story
Informal · CEFR B1
used to say that there is nothing more to add or discuss
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
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 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
go bananas
Informal · CEFR B1
to become wildly excited, angry, or otherwise out of control
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
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.
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 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 hot water
Informal · CEFR B1
In trouble or facing difficulty.
in the same boat
Informal · CEFR B1
in the same difficult situation as other people
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
lend a hand
Informal · CEFR B1
to give someone practical help
let the cat out of the bag
Informal · CEFR B1
To reveal a secret, usually by mistake.
live it up
Informal · CEFR B1
to celebrate or indulge freely, usually by spending more than usual
miss the boat
Informal · CEFR B1
To lose a chance to do something by being too slow or late.
money doesn't grow on trees
Informal · CEFR B1
Used to remind someone that money is limited and hard to earn.
not on your life
Informal · CEFR B1
used to refuse a suggestion in the strongest possible terms
not rocket science
Informal · CEFR B1
not difficult to understand or do
on cloud nine
Informal · CEFR B1
Extremely happy and delighted.
on the right track
Informal · CEFR B1
thinking or acting in a way that is likely to lead to success
on the spot
Informal · CEFR B1
immediately and at the place where something happens
out and about
Informal · CEFR B1
away from home and actively going to places or doing ordinary activities
over the moon
Informal · CEFR B1
extremely happy or delighted
pat on the back
Informal · CEFR B1
praise or recognition for something done well
pick and choose
Informal · CEFR B1
to select only the things you most want, being very selective
pull someone's leg
Informal · CEFR B1
To tease or joke with someone by telling them something untrue in fun.
pull the plug
Informal · CEFR B1
to stop funding or supporting something, ending it abruptly
pull the trigger
Informal · CEFR B1
to finally make a decision and act on it
put out fires
Informal · CEFR B1
to deal with urgent problems instead of doing planned work
rain cats and dogs
Informal · CEFR B1
to rain very heavily
raise the roof
Informal · CEFR B1
to create an extremely loud commotion through celebration or protest
rat race
Informal · CEFR B1
the exhausting, competitive struggle to keep up at work and get ahead
read the room
Informal · CEFR B1
to sense the mood, expectations, and dynamics of the people present
ring a bell
Informal · CEFR B1
to sound familiar or remind you of something
ship it
Informal · CEFR B1
to release the product or feature now, as an imperative; to ship
spill the beans
Informal · CEFR B1
To reveal a secret, often accidentally.
stretch one's legs
Informal · CEFR B1
to go for a short walk after sitting for a long time
take it easy
Informal · CEFR B1
to relax and avoid strain
that's another story
Informal · CEFR B1
used to say a topic is separate and won't be discussed now
the more the merrier
Informal · CEFR B1
more people make an event more enjoyable
the name of the game
Informal · CEFR B1
the central, most important aspect of a situation
touch base
Informal · CEFR B1
to make brief contact with someone, usually to update them or stay connected
under the weather
Informal · CEFR B1
Feeling slightly ill or unwell.
up to no good
Informal · CEFR B1
engaged in behavior that is mischievous, dishonest, or otherwise wrong
wear many hats
Informal · CEFR B1
to perform many different roles, especially in a small organization
what on earth
Informal · CEFR B1
an emphatic way of asking 'what', expressing surprise or confusion
when pigs fly
Informal · CEFR B1
Used to say that something will never happen.
wrap up
Informal · CEFR B1
to finish or summarize an activity or meeting