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.

Idioms Informal Neutral Formal
145 idioms

Tier 0 · most common (7)

bad news Informal
an unpleasant piece of information; (informal) a person or thing likely to cause trouble
hang on a minute Informal
used to ask someone to wait, or to express surprise or objection
keep an eye on Informal
to watch or look after something or someone carefully
so far so good Informal
used to say that things have gone well up to now
a piece of cake Informal
Something that is very easy to do.
have a sweet tooth Informal
To have a strong liking for sugary food.
keep your fingers crossed Informal
To hope strongly that something good will happen.

Tier 1 · common (41)

at the end of the day Informal
ultimately; when everything is considered
what on earth Informal
an emphatic way of asking 'what', expressing surprise or confusion
on the spot Informal
immediately and at the place where something happens
from scratch Informal
from the very beginning, without using anything prepared earlier
good old days Informal
a time in the past remembered as happier or better
ring a bell Informal
to sound familiar or remind you of something
how on earth Informal
an emphatic way of asking 'how', expressing surprise or disbelief
that's another story Informal
used to say a topic is separate and won't be discussed now
do the job Informal
to be good enough to achieve the desired result
get the picture Informal
to understand a situation, especially after an explanation
on the right track Informal
thinking or acting in a way that is likely to lead to success
in the same boat Informal
in the same difficult situation as other people
end of story Informal
used to say that there is nothing more to add or discuss
pick and choose Informal
to select only the things you most want, being very selective
stretch one's legs Informal
to go for a short walk after sitting for a long time
brain power Informal
intelligence or mental ability used to think and solve problems
happily ever after Informal
living a happy life forever, especially as the end of a story
get a move on Informal
to hurry up
pat on the back Informal
praise or recognition for something done well
have a go Informal
to make an attempt at doing something
under the weather Informal
Feeling slightly ill or unwell.
spill the beans Informal
To reveal a secret, often accidentally.
cost an arm and a leg Informal
To be extremely expensive.
let the cat out of the bag Informal
To reveal a secret, usually by mistake.
on cloud nine Informal
Extremely happy and delighted.
when pigs fly Informal
Used to say that something will never happen.
pull someone's leg Informal
To tease or joke with someone by telling them something untrue in fun.
miss the boat Informal
To lose a chance to do something by being too slow or late.
call it a day Informal
To decide to stop working on something for now.
hit the sack Informal
To go to bed.
in hot water Informal
In trouble or facing difficulty.
break a leg Informal
A way of wishing someone good luck, especially before a performance.
get something off your chest Informal
To finally say something that has been worrying you, so you feel relieved.
keep your chin up Informal
To stay cheerful and brave during a difficult time.
have a soft spot for someone Informal
To feel particular fondness or affection for a person or thing.
hit it off Informal
To like each other and get along well immediately on first meeting.
hold your horses Informal
Used to tell someone to wait or slow down before acting.
ants in your pants Informal
To be unable to keep still because you are restless or excited.
a rip-off Informal
Something that is far too expensive for what it is.
money doesn't grow on trees Informal
Used to remind someone that money is limited and hard to earn.
get the ball rolling Informal
To start an activity or process.

Tier 2 · intermediate (83)

sit on the fence Informal
to avoid choosing between two sides of an argument or decision
down the line Informal
at a later point in time; in the future
over the top Informal
excessive or exaggerated
go through the roof Informal
to rise very quickly to a very high level; or to become extremely angry
get one's head (a)round Informal
to manage to understand something difficult or surprising
out of the blue Informal
suddenly and unexpectedly
play ball Informal
to cooperate or agree to do what someone wants
get something straight Informal
to make sure something is clearly understood or correct
on the back burner Informal
given low priority and left for later
move the goalposts Informal
to unfairly change the rules or aims after something has started
it's early days Informal
it is too soon to know how something will turn out
have a stab at Informal
to make an attempt at doing something, often something you're unsure about
kicking and screaming Informal
strongly unwilling and protesting while being forced to do something
hot spots Informal
places of intense activity, danger, or popularity
put your finger on Informal
to identify exactly what is wrong or what something is
get a handle on Informal
to gain understanding or control of a situation
shut up shop Informal
to stop working for the day or to close a business permanently
go in one ear and out the other Informal
to be heard but immediately forgotten or ignored
boil down to Informal
to be summarized as or reduced to the most essential point
have up one's sleeve Informal
to have a secret plan or advantage kept ready for later use
get one's act together Informal
to become organized and start performing effectively
have a life of its own Informal
to develop or grow in a way that is no longer controlled by anyone
fall into place Informal
to become clear or to work out well after a period of confusion
win win Informal
a situation that is good or advantageous for everyone involved
in a rut Informal
stuck in a boring, unchanging routine
off the top of one's head Informal
from memory, without checking or thinking carefully
go back to square one Informal
to return to the very beginning after a failed attempt
in the driving seat Informal
in control of a situation
drag one's feet Informal
to do something slowly or delay because you don't want to do it
quote somebody on something Informal
to repeat what someone said, attributing the words to them
hand on heart Informal
used to stress that you are being completely honest
in a nutshell Informal
expressed in a very brief and simple way
on the side Informal
in addition to one's main job or activity, often secretly
get carried away Informal
to become so excited or involved that you lose control
jump up and down Informal
to react with strong excitement or anger about something
get someone on board Informal
to persuade someone to join or support a plan or project
dig one's heels in Informal
to refuse stubbornly to change your mind or do what others want
tick the boxes Informal
to meet all the required conditions or do things just to satisfy rules
get one's thoughts together Informal
to calm down and organize your thinking before acting or speaking
weird and wonderful Informal
strange and unusual but in an interesting or impressive way
cover one's bases Informal
to prepare for all the possible problems or outcomes
throw somebody in at the deep end Informal
to make someone start a difficult task with little preparation or help
shift gears Informal
to change your approach, activity, or pace
deliver the goods Informal
to do what is expected or promised; to produce good results
someone's bread and butter Informal
the main source of someone's income or basic work
give the game away Informal
to accidentally reveal a secret or plan
have a crack at Informal
to make an attempt at doing something
give someone a shout Informal
to contact or tell someone, especially when you need them
get cracking Informal
to start doing something quickly and energetically
this that and the other Informal
various unspecified things
watch this space Informal
used to say that more news or developments will come soon
sit on one's hands Informal
to do nothing when action is needed
in the same ballpark Informal
roughly similar in amount, size, or quality
barking up the wrong tree Informal
To pursue a mistaken or misguided line of thought or action.
speak of the devil Informal
Said when a person you were just talking about suddenly appears.
a hot potato Informal
A controversial or awkward issue that no one wants to deal with.
beat around the bush Informal
To avoid talking about the main point directly.
a dime a dozen Informal
So common as to be of little value.
give someone a piece of your mind Informal
To tell someone angrily what you really think of them.
give someone the cold shoulder Informal
To deliberately ignore or be unfriendly toward someone.
throw in the towel Informal
To give up or admit defeat.
cry over spilled milk Informal
To waste time being upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
bend over backwards Informal
To try extremely hard to help or please someone.
cut to the chase Informal
To get to the important point without wasting time.
get cold feet Informal
To suddenly become too nervous to do something you had planned.
pull yourself together Informal
To regain control of your emotions and calm down.
rain on someone's parade Informal
To spoil someone's plans or happiness.
a taste of your own medicine Informal
The same unpleasant treatment that you have given to others.
wrap your head around something Informal
To fully understand something complicated.
play it by ear Informal
To deal with a situation as it develops rather than following a fixed plan.
jump the gun Informal
To do something too soon, before the right time.
a whole new ball game Informal
A completely different situation from before.
pay through the nose Informal
To pay a far higher price for something than it is really worth.
get under someone's skin Informal
To irritate or annoy someone deeply.
by the skin of your teeth Informal
By the narrowest possible margin; only just barely.
rack your brains Informal
To think very hard in an effort to remember or solve something.
stick your neck out Informal
To take a risk by saying or doing something that others might criticize.
get on like a house on fire Informal
To get along extremely well and quickly become close.
let your hair down Informal
To relax completely and enjoy yourself without worrying about behaving formally.
have bigger fish to fry Informal
To have more important matters to deal with.
smell a rat Informal
To suspect that something is wrong or that someone is being dishonest.
bring home the bacon Informal
To earn the money that supports a household.
break the bank Informal
To cost so much that it uses up all your money.

Tier 3 · advanced (14)

touchy-feely Informal
showing emotions or physical affection openly, sometimes in a way that seems excessive
call the cavalry Informal
to ask for extra help or reinforcements in a difficult situation
bog standard Informal
completely ordinary, with no special features (British, informal)
joe public Informal
the ordinary, average member of the public
swings and roundabouts Informal
a situation where advantages and disadvantages balance out (British)
tail end Charlie Informal
the last person or thing in a group or sequence (British, informal)
get down to the nitty gritty Informal
to deal with the most important or practical details of something
beat/get the hell out of something Informal
to leave a place very quickly (get); or to defeat or hit something severely (beat)
the whole nine yards Informal
Everything possible; the full extent.
go down in flames Informal
To fail suddenly and completely.
a chip on your shoulder Informal
A persistent feeling of resentment or grievance, often about being treated unfairly.
a penny for your thoughts Informal
A friendly way of asking what someone is quietly thinking about.
have a chip on your shoulder Informal
To be resentful or touchy because you feel you have been treated unfairly.
let the cat among the pigeons Informal
To say or do something that causes sudden trouble or excitement.

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