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.
119 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
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a reasonable portion or a substantial amount of something, especially work or difficulties
a fish out of water
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Someone who feels uncomfortable because they are in an unfamiliar situation.
actions speak louder than words
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What you do matters more than what you say.
alive and kicking
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still healthy, active, or functioning despite age or difficulty
anyone's guess
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something whose answer or outcome is completely uncertain
as a rule
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usually or in most situations
back to basics
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returning to the simple, fundamental principles of an activity
bear in mind
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to remember and consider something when making a decision
break the ice
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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
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to ignore an unpleasant reality hoping it will go away
bury the hatchet
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to reconcile with someone and bring a quarrel to an end
catch someone's eye
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to draw someone's notice or interest
come to mind
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to appear in one's thoughts or memory
cry wolf
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to give false warnings so often that a real warning may later be ignored
cut your losses
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to stop investing in a failing venture in order to avoid further loss
domino effect
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a chain reaction in which one event triggers a series of similar events
don't judge a book by its cover
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appearances can be misleading, so assess things properly
drop a hint
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suggest something indirectly instead of saying it openly
drop someone a line
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to get in touch by sending a short note, message, or email
dry run
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a full practice session of a process, done for real except in name
easier said than done
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Something that sounds simple to do but is actually hard.
every cloud has a silver lining
Neutral · CEFR B1
Every difficult situation has some hopeful or positive aspect.
every last
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all members or items in a group, with no exceptions at all
fall in line
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to obey or accept the rules and expectations set by a group or authority
food for thought
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an idea or piece of information worth thinking carefully about
for the time being
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temporarily, until circumstances change
get on someone's nerves
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to repeatedly irritate or annoy someone
get out of hand
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To become impossible to control.
get up to speed
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to become informed or current on a topic, project, or situation
give someone a run for their money
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to compete nearly as well as a much stronger opponent, forcing them to work hard for victory
go downhill
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to become progressively worse in condition, quality, or performance
go the extra mile
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To make more effort than is expected or required.
go with the flow
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To adjust calmly to circumstances or prevailing behavior instead of resisting them.
golden rule
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the most important rule or principle to follow
green light
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official permission to proceed with something
green with envy
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feeling extremely jealous of what another person has
have your hands full
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To be very busy or fully occupied with responsibilities.
hit the ground running
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to start a new job or project with immediate energy and effectiveness, without needing a slow start
hit the jackpot
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To gain a remarkably favorable result, usually unexpectedly or through luck.
hit the mark
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to produce exactly the intended effect or be correct
hit the nail on the head
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To describe or identify something exactly right.
in broad daylight
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openly and where people can clearly see it, especially during the daytime
in the early days
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during the beginning stages of something
in the hands of
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under the control or responsibility of someone
in the long run
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over a long period of time; eventually
in the nick of time
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at the latest moment when success is still possible
in the short run
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over a short period of time; in the near future
keep a low profile
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to avoid notice or publicity by behaving discreetly
keep someone posted
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to keep someone informed of the latest developments
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
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final in order but no less important
leap of faith
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an act of trusting or committing without evidence or guarantees
learn the ropes
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To learn how to do a job or task properly.
lend an ear
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to listen to someone attentively and with sympathy
live and let live
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to accept other people's choices without trying to control them
make ends meet
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To earn just enough money to cover your basic expenses.
make someone's day
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to make someone very happy
make up one's mind
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to reach a decision, especially for oneself rather than following others
mend fences
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to rebuild friendly relations after a dispute
name names
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to identify specific people, especially those linked to wrongdoing or secrecy
no free lunch
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everything has a cost; you cannot get something for nothing
not a pretty sight
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someone or something that looks upsetting, embarrassing, or unpleasant
now or never
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A moment when immediate action is necessary because the opportunity will not return.
on the fence
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to be undecided or avoid choosing between two options or sides
on the one hand
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used to introduce the first of two contrasting points or sides of an argument
on the other hand
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used to introduce a contrasting point of view or alternative
on the same page
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In agreement or sharing the same understanding.
on the same wavelength
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thinking and understanding in the same way; in agreement
on top of the world
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Feeling exceptionally happy and satisfied, especially after a success.
once in a blue moon
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Very rarely, almost never.
once in a while
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occasionally, but not often
one and the same
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exactly the same person or thing, despite appearing to have two identities
out of sight, out of mind
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things not seen are soon forgotten
out of the question
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completely impossible or not permitted
overall picture
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the complete view of a situation, including all the main parts
pave the way
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to make it easier for something else to happen or develop
pick someone's brain
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to seek ideas or guidance from someone with useful expertise
piping hot
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Extremely hot, especially when describing freshly cooked food.
practice makes perfect
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repeated practice leads to mastery
pros and cons
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the advantages and disadvantages of something
put something on the table
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to offer something for consideration in a discussion or negotiation
put two and two together
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to infer a conclusion by connecting the available clues
red flag
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a warning sign that something is wrong
round the clock
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continuously, throughout all twenty-four hours of the day
run in the family
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to be a trait shared by members of a family
save for a rainy day
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to put money aside for future emergencies
see eye to eye
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To agree completely with someone.
seed money
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the initial capital used to start a business
sell like hot cakes
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to be bought rapidly and in great numbers because many people want it
sick and tired
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extremely annoyed with someone or something and unwilling to tolerate it any longer
sign on the dotted line
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to commit yourself formally by signing an agreement
sit tight
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wait where you are without acting until you receive further instructions
sleep on it
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to delay a decision until the next day
slippery slope
Neutral · CEFR B1
a course of action that seems small or harmless but leads, step by step, to a serious or disastrous result