English is a complex and evolving language, and idioms are an important part of it. They add color and character to the language, and native speakers use them frequently in both spoken and written English. If you’re learning English as a second language, it’s important to understand common English idioms and their meanings, as they can be confusing to non-native speakers.
In the following list, we’ll see some of the most commonly used idioms in English and explain their meanings.
- “A piece of cake” – This idiom means that something is very easy to do. For example, “Don’t worry, this test will be a piece of cake.”
- “Bite the bullet” – This idiom means to do something that is unpleasant or difficult but necessary. For example, “I had to bite the bullet and apologize to my boss for being late.”
- “Break a leg” – This idiom is used to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance. For example, “Break a leg, I know you’ll do great in the play tonight.”
- “Cost an arm and a leg” – This idiom means that something is very expensive. For example, “I would love to buy a new car, but it would cost me an arm and a leg.”
- “Hit the nail on the head” – This idiom means to be exactly right about something. For example, “You hit the nail on the head, that’s exactly what I was thinking.”
- “Keep your chin up” – This idiom means to remain optimistic and positive. For example, “Don’t worry, everything will be okay. Just keep your chin up.”
- “Let the cat out of the bag” – This idiom means to reveal a secret or information that was meant to be kept private. For example, “I accidentally let the cat out of the bag and told her about the surprise party.”
- “Put all your eggs in one basket” – This idiom means to risk everything on a single venture. For example, “I wouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket and invest all your money in the stock market.”
- “Raining cats and dogs” – This idiom means that it’s raining heavily. For example, “I can’t go out, it’s raining cats and dogs.”
- “Under the weather” – This idiom means that someone is feeling ill or unwell. For example, “I’m feeling a bit under the weather today.”
- “Actions speak louder than words” – This idiom means that what people do is more important than what they say. For example, “He promised to help me move, but he didn’t show up. Actions speak louder than words.”
- “Barking up the wrong tree” – This idiom means to pursue the wrong course of action or to accuse the wrong person. For example, “You’re barking up the wrong tree if you think I stole your phone.”
- “Cutting corners” – This idiom means to do something quickly and cheaply, often by sacrificing quality. For example, “The company was cutting corners to save money, and the product suffered as a result.”
- “Don’t judge a book by its cover” – This idiom means that appearances can be deceiving and that you should not make assumptions based solely on outward appearances. For example, “She may look shy and reserved, but don’t judge a book by its cover. She’s actually quite outgoing.”
- “Elephant in the room” – This idiom refers to an obvious problem or issue that no one wants to talk about. For example, “The elephant in the room is that our department is understaffed, and it’s affecting our productivity.”
- “Face the music” – This idiom means to accept the consequences of one’s actions. For example, “I know I messed up, but I need to face the music and apologize.”
- “Get off someone’s back” – This idiom means to stop criticizing or bothering someone. For example, “Can you get off my back? I’m doing my best.”
- “Jump the gun” – This idiom means to do something prematurely, before the proper time. For example, “We can’t make any decisions until we have all the facts. Let’s not jump the gun.”
- “Keep your eyes peeled” – This idiom means to be alert and watchful. For example, “Keep your eyes peeled for any suspicious activity.”
- “The whole nine yards” – This idiom means to go all out or to do everything possible. For example, “I’m going to give this project the whole nine yards and make sure it’s a success.”
In conclusion, English idioms are an important part of the language and can add a lot of character and meaning to your conversations. Understanding their meanings is essential if you want to improve your English skills and be able to communicate effectively with native speakers.
Hopefully, this guide has given you a better understanding of some of the most commonly used idioms in English.
