Imagine you’re in a conversation with a native English speaker who says, “She has a chip on her shoulder.” Do you understand that idiom? Idioms can add color and expressiveness to our conversations, and knowing them can help us understand and engage in English conversations more naturally. But what is an idiom? It’s a group of words that have a meaning not deducible from the individual words. For example, “raining cats and dogs” doesn’t mean animals are falling from the sky, right?
So, let’s jump into our exciting list of 27 popular English idioms that you can use for better conversations.
1. The ball is in your court – It is up to you to make the next decision or step.
Example: I’ve done all I can; now, the ball is in your court.
2. Bite the bullet – To face a difficult situation courageously.
Example: I hated to do it, but I bit the bullet and paid the bills.
3. Break a leg – A way to wish good luck, especially before a performance.
Example: You’re going on stage soon, break a leg!
4. Burning the midnight oil – Working late into the night.
Example: She was burning the midnight oil to finish her project.
5. Costs an arm and a leg – Something is very expensive.
Example: That designer dress costs an arm and a leg.
6. Cutting corners – Doing something poorly to save time or money.
Example: Cutting corners when building a house can lead to serious problems.
7. Hit the nail on the head – Do or say something exactly right.
Example: Jill hit the nail on the head when she said people need to listen more.
8. Let the cat out of the bag – Accidentally reveal a secret.
Example: I let the cat out of the bag about their wedding plans.
9. Once in a blue moon – Something that happens very rarely.
Example: I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon.
10. Piece of cake – Something that’s easy to understand or do.
Example: The test was a piece of cake.
11. See eye to eye – Agreeing with someone.
Example: We see eye to eye on the issue of gun control.
12. Sitting on the fence – Avoid making a decision or choice.
Example: It’s time you stopped sitting on the fence and made a decision.
13. Steal someone’s thunder – Take the attention away from someone else.
Example: I didn’t mean to steal your thunder when I announced my engagement.
14. Take with a grain of salt – Don’t take what someone says too seriously.
Example: I took his advice with a grain of salt.
15. Throw in the towel – Give up.
Example: After trying for years, he finally threw in the towel.
16. Under the weather – Not feeling well.
Example: I’m feeling a bit under the weather today.
17. Kill two birds with one stone – Achieve two goals with a single action.
Example: I killed two birds with one stone by going to the bank on my way to the grocery store.
18. Barking up the wrong tree – Making a false assumption or mistake.
Example: You’re barking up the wrong tree if you think I stole your laptop.
19. Beat around the bush – Avoid saying what one means directly.
Example: Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you want.
20. Bite off more than you can chew – Take on a task that is too big.
Example: He bit off more than he could chew when he promised to finish the project in a week.
21. Burst your bubble – To ruin someone’s happy moment or expectations.
Example: I hate to burst your bubble, but summer vacation isn’t always fun.
22. Cry over spilled milk – Complain about a loss or failure in the past.
Example: There’s no use crying over spilled milk. You can’t change the past.
23. Hit the hay – Go to bed.
Example: It’s late. I think it’s time to hit the hay.
24. Jump the gun – Do something before it’s time to do it.
Example: Don’t jump the gun and start the project before we’ve discussed it.
25. Kick the bucket – Die.
Example: My old car finally kicked the bucket.
26. On the ball – Doing a good job.
Example: Sarah is really on the ball with her studies.
27. Pull someone’s leg – To joke or tease someone.
Example: Don’t take him seriously, he’s just pulling your leg.
By integrating these idioms into your daily English, you’ll sound more natural and expressive. Not only do idioms make conversations more interesting, but they also reveal interesting insights into the culture and history of English-speaking countries. So, take the bull by the horns and start using these idioms today!
