An idiom is a phrase, or a combination of words, that has developed a figurative meaning through frequency of use. Idioms are a staple in many different languages, and are often shared across languages through numerous translations. They can be useful and even fun to use, but are also bound to confuse any new speaker of a language who isn’t familiar with the phrase’s cultural relevance.
For instance, what does it mean to “spill the beans,” and why is everyone making such a fuss over someone doing it? Why are they telling that person to “break a leg” on stage? It doesn’t look like that person has a “chip on their shoulder.”
This guide will go over a large list of common American English idioms and their meanings, along with examples to help you better understand the context you need to use them in. Before you start to focus too much on silly phrases like idioms, it’d be worth it to work on your English language fluency with a course like this.
Idioms Are a Piece of Cake!
Perhaps even more embarrassing than not understanding an idiom is misusing it. Because of how nonsensical the phrases can be – piece of cake? – you don’t want to get caught using them in an incorrect context. Take the idiom used in the header above: “Idioms are a piece of cake.” When you refer to something as a “piece of cake,” you’re calling it easy. In this context, the header is saying that idioms are easy to understand and use.
While it might seem like idioms are definitely not a piece of cake, to someone first learning about them, I can assure you, the more of them you hear and study, the easier they’ll be to accept as just a natural part of the English language! Let’s take a look at some examples.
List of Idioms and Their Meanings
The following list of idioms will be in alphabetical order, with an explanation and contextual example provided for easier comprehension.
actions speak louder than words
- Definition: Refers to the idea that it’s better to do something than just talk about it.
- Example: “He always tells his girlfriend that he loves her, but he never actually does anything nice for her. Someone should teach him that actions speak louder than words.”
- Definition: Something that worsens an already bad situation.
- Example: “I wanted to intervene when they were yelling at each other, but that would have just added fuel to the fire.”
- Definition: Being verbally threatening, but unwilling to do anything significant.
- Example: “He keeps threatening to shut down our paper after we ran that article about him, but I don’t think he will. In my opinion, he’s all bark and no bite.”
- Definition: A willingness to do something right away.
- Example: “Our boss expects us to show up in her office at the drop of a hat, even when we’re in a meeting with clients.”
- Definition: Avoiding the main issue.
- Example: “I kept trying to steer the conversation back to his alibi, but he wouldn’t stop beating around the bush, bringing up things totally off-topic.”
- Definition: It’s better to have a small, secured advantage than the possibility of a bigger one. It’s better to stick with what you have than risk it for something greater.
- Example: “Someone offered me $100 to buy my old TV. I was hoping to sell it for $200, but I have a feeling this is the best offer I’ll get for a while, and I need that money now. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, right?”
- Definition: Something good and beneficial that did not initially seem that way.
- Example: “It was raining so hard that our cab was late, and we were late to our reservation at the restaurant. Turns out everyone who ate there that night got food poisoning. I guess the bad weather was a blessing in disguise!”
- Definition: Something you say to someone you want to wish luck on.
- Example: “Is tonight your big performance? Break a leg!”
- Definition: When someone is upset about something that happened a while ago.
- Example: “He has a chip on his shoulder from years of being bullied as a kid.”
- Definition: Possible obstacles in your path.
- Example: “I promise you, come hell or high water, we are going to make it to your party tonight!”
- Definition: Complaining about a loss or failure from the past.
- Example: “She was mad that he broke her vase, but it was an accident, and there’s no use crying over spilt milk anyway, so she forgave him.”
- Definition: Skip the irrelevant parts, and go straight to the main point.
- Example: “Why don’t you just cut to the chase, and tell me where you hid my phone!”
- Definition: Do or say exactly the correct thing.
- Example: “I really hit the nail on the head when I guessed they were getting married.”
- Definition: Something that is easy to understand or accomplish.
- Example: “My math homework last night was a piece of cake! I finished it ten minutes.”
- Definition: A mild punishment, such as a scolding.
- Example: “The cop pulled me over for speeding, but it was my first time so she just gave me a slap on the wrist.”
- Definition: Tell a secret.
- Example: “My three-year-old spilled the beans about the surprise birthday party we were planning.”
- Definition: When someone receives the same treatment, usually negative, that they gave someone else.
- Example: “That kid is always beating up other kids on the playground. I wish someone would give him a taste of his own medicine.
SOME other idioms
Example - I practiced hard at the dance sessions but the acid test will come when the master will assess our solo performances.Acid Test:
Meaning - Acid test proves the effectiveness of something.
2. Cut the ground from under feet :
Meaning - When you cut the ground from under someone's feet, you do something which weakens their position.
Example - When team India hit more than 350 runs in the ODI, they cut the ground from under the opponent's feet.
3. Chase your tail:
Meaning - Spending a lot of time and energy doing a lot of things but actually achieving too little.
Example - He's been chasing his tail all week collecting data but the report is still not ready
4. Whole bag of tricks -
Meaning - Means trying all the clever means to achieve something.
Example - It was really difficult to find the information even after applying the whole bag of tricks.
5. Deliver the goods -
Meaning - Do what is expected or promised.
Example - I have given my car to a new mechanic for repair, hope he delivers the goods.
6. Fine-tooth comb -
Meaning - Examining something carefully to not miss out any details.
Example - The boss examined my report with a fine tooth comb before submitting it to the senior management.
7. Explore all avenues
Meaning - Trying out every possibility to get a result.
Example - It is a difficult thing to do but if we really want it done, we must explore all avenues.
8. Fast track something -
Meaning - Rating something higher on your priority list to achieve the desired result.
Example - In view of the seriousness of the crime, the civil society is pressing up on a fast track decision from the court.
9 . Get ducks in a row -
Meaning - Getting your things well organized.
Example - To ensure a successful product launch, we must get our ducks in a row.
10. Get the show on the road -
Meaning - Putting up a plan or idea into action.
Example - Now that we have compeleted all the legal formalities, let's get the show on the road.
11. Keep your fingers on the pulse -
Meaning - Being constantly aware of the most recent developments.
Example - An entrepreneur must keep his fingers on the pulse of the market to be successful.
12. Mean business -
Meaning - Being serious about what you announce.
Example - Now that all our policies about work are put up on intranet, we mean business.
13. Think on your feet -
Meaning - Adjusting quickly to changes and making fast decisions.
Example - A good sales man must be able to think on his feet to close the deal.
14. Sail through something -
Meaning - Being successful in doing something without difficulty.
Example - The presentation at the national conference was extremely important for the company. We sailed through it.
15. Tricks of the trade :
Meaning - Clever or expert way of doing something.
Example - Being into the construction business for last 10 years, I know all tricks of the trade.
16. Not let grass grow under feet -
Meaning - Don't delay in getting something done.
Example - As soon as he finished all the registration formalities, he put the house on sale. He doesn't let the grass grow under his feet.
17. Work like a charm -
Meaning - Works very well or has the desired effect.
Example - I had cloves from my sore throat and they worked like a charm.
18. Back-room boys -
Meaning - People who perform important work but have no contact with the public.
Example - Our back room boys deserve an applause for the success of this advertisement.
19. Dead wood -
Meaning - People or things which are no longer useful or necessary.
Example - The company bought in a lot of new computers. They no longer want the dead woods.
20. Get the axe -
Meaning - lose the job.
Example - The projects team was undergoing a major restructuring, recruitment executives were the first to get the axe.
21. Plum job -
Meaning - Desirable position which is well-paid and considered relatively easy .
Example - This looks like a plum job but it has its own bunch of complications.
22. Shape up or ship out -
Meaning - This expression is used to warn someone that if they do not improvetheir ways, they will have to leave their job.
Example - When Tom started neglecting the customers, he was told to shape up or ship out.
23. Golden handshake -
Meaning - Big sum of money given to a person when they leave a company or retire.
Example - The management of various PSUs wanted to cut down on the man power. They offered a golden hand shake to many of their aged employees.
24. Separate sheep from goats -
Meaning - Examining a group of people and deciding their suitability
Example - Audition test was conducted by the director to separate sheep from goats.
25. Waiting in the wings -
Meaning - Waiting for an opportunity to take action, mostly to replace someone else in their job.
Example - The senior manager is going to retire in next 2 months. Two of his juniors who are waiting in the wings will have a fierce competition.
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