Fixed expressions
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 containing and, including its inflections. Clear word filter
cost an arm and a leg
CEFR B1To be extremely expensive.
out and about
CEFR B1away from home and actively going to places or doing ordinary activities
pick and choose
CEFR B1to select only the things you most want, being very selective
rain cats and dogs
CEFR B1to rain very heavily
all talk and no action
CEFR B2full of promises or discussion without doing the things promised
bells and whistles
CEFR B2extra, attractive but non-essential features added to a product
between a rock and a hard place
CEFR B2facing two equally bad options, neither of which can be avoided
blood and guts
CEFR B2graphic violence and gore shown in a film, book, or similar work
go in one ear and out the other
CEFR B2to be heard but immediately forgotten or ignored
have your cake and eat it too
CEFR B2to want two incompatible things at once
jump up and down
CEFR B2to react with strong excitement or anger about something
kicking and screaming
CEFR B2strongly unwilling and protesting while being forced to do something
quick and dirty
CEFR B2done rapidly and roughly, with little care for quality or polish
six of one and half a dozen of the other
CEFR B2two alternatives have no meaningful difference
someone's bread and butter
CEFR B2the main source of someone's income or basic work
this that and the other
CEFR B2various unspecified things
throw it at the wall and see what sticks
CEFR B2to try many ideas quickly, keeping only the ones that work
wake up and smell the coffee
CEFR B2recognize an unpleasant reality that you have been ignoring
weird and wonderful
CEFR B2strange and unusual but in an interesting or impressive way
Bob's your uncle
CEFR C1used after simple instructions to signal that the task is finished or the result achieved
Matching variant: and Bob's your uncle
at sixes and sevens
CEFR C1in a confused, disorganized state
dot the i's and cross the t's
CEFR C1to be extremely careful about every detail, especially paperwork
move fast and break things
CEFR C1a philosophy of shipping quickly and accepting breakage in order to learn faster
put that in your pipe and smoke it
CEFR C1used defiantly to tell someone to accept an unwelcome fact or decision
run it up the flagpole and see who salutes
CEFR C1present an idea tentatively to find out who supports it
smoke and mirrors
CEFR C1a deceptive or illusory presentation that hides what is really going on
swings and roundabouts
CEFR C1a situation where advantages and disadvantages balance out (British)