Basic 50 idioms with their meanings are discussed. Discover fascinating phrases that enrich your language and communication skills. Explore them now.
Introduction to Idioms:
Idioms are interesting phrases that are defined as expressions whose meanings can’t be easily figured out from their parts. For example, when someone says they “kicked the bucket,” it means death, not literally kicking a bucket. Idioms reflect the culture and history of the people who use them.
50 Idioms with their meanings:
Below basic 50 idioms with their meanings are discussed one by one.
10 Common Idioms in Everyday Conversation:
- Actions speak louder than words
Definition: What someone actually does is more important than what they say they will do.
Example: He keeps promising to help with the project, but he never shows up—actions speak louder than words.
- Add insult to injury
Definition: To make a bad situation even worse.
Example: First, they lost the game, and then to add insult to injury, their bus broke down on the way home.
- By the skin of your teeth
Definition: Barely succeed at something; just manage to do something.
Example: I passed the final exam by the skin of my teeth—I got exactly the minimum score needed.
- Cry over spilt milk
Definition: To be upset about something that has already happened and can’t be changed.
Example: It’s sad the vase broke, but there’s no use crying over spilt milk—it was an accident.
- Go back to the drawing board
Definition: To start again from the beginning with a new plan or idea.
Example: Our proposal was rejected, so it’s time to go back to the drawing board and come up with something better.
- At the drop of a hat
Definition: Immediately; without hesitation.
Example: She’s ready to travel at the drop of a hat—she always has a bag packed just in case.
- Call it a day
Definition: To stop working for the day or to stop doing something.
Example: We’ve made good progress—let’s call it a day and continue tomorrow.
- Barking up the wrong tree
Definition: To pursue a mistaken or misguided line of thought or course of action.
Example: If you think I took your keys, you’re barking up the wrong tree—I haven’t seen them.
- Break the ice
Definition: To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in an awkward or uncomfortable situation.
Example: He told a funny story to break the ice at the beginning of the meeting.
- Once in a blue moon
Definition: Very rarely; something that does not happen often.
Example: We only go out to dinner once in a blue moon, usually for special occasions.
10 Popular Idioms Related to Animals:
- A wolf in sheep’s clothing
Definition: Someone who pretends to be harmless but is actually dangerous or deceptive.
Example: Be careful around that manager—he seems friendly, but he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
- All bark and no bite
Definition: Someone who talks tough or threatens but doesn’t actually take action.
Example: My little brother yells when he’s mad, but he’s all bark and no bite.
- Dog eat dog
Definition: A situation where people compete fiercely and ruthlessly.
Example: The corporate world is dog eat dog—only the strongest survive.
- Fishy
Definition: Suspicious; something that doesn’t seem right.
Example: His explanation sounded fishy—I don’t think he’s telling the whole truth.
- Wild goose chase
Definition: A futile or hopeless search for something that doesn’t exist or is very hard to find.
Example: Looking for that rare comic in local stores turned out to be a wild goose chase.
- Cats and dogs
Definition: Used in the phrase “raining cats and dogs” to describe very heavy rain.
Example: We canceled the picnic because it was raining cats and dogs all afternoon.
- Ants in your pants
Definition: To be restless, fidgety, or overly excited.
Example: The kids had ants in their pants waiting for the birthday cake.
- Elephant in the room
Definition: A big issue that everyone is aware of but no one wants to talk about.
Example: We need to address the elephant in the room—the team hasn’t met any of its goals this quarter.
- Black sheep
Definition: A person who is different from the rest of their family or group and often considered a troublemaker or embarrassment.
Example: He’s the black sheep of the family because he chose art over the family business.
- Busy as a bee
Definition: Very busy and active.
Example: She’s always busy as a bee, organizing events and volunteering in the community.
10 Idioms About Time and Seasons
- The early bird catches the worm
Definition: People who act promptly or arrive early have an advantage.
Example: I always get to the farmers’ market early—the early bird catches the worm.
- Time flies when you’re having fun
Definition: Time seems to pass quickly when you’re enjoying yourself.
Example: I can’t believe the vacation’s over already—time flies when you’re having fun!
- Make hay while the sun shines
Definition: Take advantage of opportunities while they last.
Example: Business is booming right now, so we should make hay while the sun shines.
- A stitch in time saves nine
Definition: Fixing a small problem early prevents it from becoming a bigger issue.
Example: Repair that leak now—a stitch in time saves nine.
- Waiting for the other shoe to drop
Definition: Expecting something bad or inevitable to happen after a warning sign.
Example: After hearing about the layoffs, everyone in the office was waiting for the other shoe to drop.
- Snug as a bug in a rug
Definition: Very comfortable and cozy.
Example: The baby looked snug as a bug in a rug, sleeping in his blanket.
- Time is money
Definition: Time is valuable, so it shouldn’t be wasted.
Example: We need to speed up production—time is money in this business.
- Dog days of summer
Definition: The hottest, most uncomfortable days of summer.
Example: During the dog days of summer, all I want to do is stay inside with the air conditioning on.
- Under the weather
Definition: Feeling ill or unwell.
Example: I didn’t go to work today because I was feeling under the weather.
- Come rain or shine
Definition: No matter what happens; regardless of circumstances.
Example: We’re going hiking tomorrow, come rain or shine.
10 Idioms Expressing Emotions and Feelings
- On cloud nine
Definition: Extremely happy or joyful.
Example: She was on cloud nine after getting the job offer she’d been dreaming of.
- Down in the dumps
Definition: Feeling sad or depressed.
Example: He’s been down in the dumps ever since his team lost the finals.
- Butterflies in my stomach
Definition: Feeling nervous or anxious, usually before something important.
Example: I had butterflies in my stomach before giving my first public speech.
- Walking on air
Definition: Feeling extremely happy or elated.
Example: After their engagement, they were walking on air for weeks.
- Hit the ceiling
Definition: To suddenly become very angry.
Example: Dad hit the ceiling when he saw the broken window.
- Wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve
Definition: To openly show your emotions or feelings.
Example: You always know how she feels—she wears her heart on her sleeve.
- Bury the hatchet
Definition: To make peace and stop arguing or fighting.
Example: After years of rivalry, the two families finally buried the hatchet.
- Keep a stiff upper lip
Definition: To remain strong and unemotional in difficult situations.
Example: Even after the bad news, she kept a stiff upper lip and stayed calm.
- Feel like a million bucks
Definition: To feel great, physically or emotionally.
Example: After the spa day, I felt like a million bucks!
- Cool as a cucumber
Definition: Very calm and composed, especially under pressure.
Example: He was cool as a cucumber during the interview, even with all the tough questions.
10 Idioms for Success and Achievement
- Burn the midnight oil
Definition: To stay up late working or studying.
Example: I had to burn the midnight oil to finish the report before the deadline.
- The sky’s the limit
Definition: There’s no limit to what someone can achieve.
Example: With your talent and determination, the sky’s the limit!
- Rome wasn’t built in a day
Definition: Great things take time to complete.
Example: Don’t get discouraged with your progress—Rome wasn’t built in a day.
- Throw in the towel
Definition: To give up or admit defeat.
Example: After failing the test three times, he finally threw in the towel and chose a different course.
- Kill two birds with one stone
Definition: To accomplish two tasks with one action.
Example: By picking up groceries on the way home, I killed two birds with one stone.
- The ball is in your court
Definition: It’s your turn to take action or make a decision.
Example: I’ve done all I can to fix things—the ball is in your court now.
- Bite the bullet
Definition: To endure something unpleasant or difficult.
Example: I hate going to the dentist, but I had to bite the bullet and make an appointment.
- A feather in your cap
Definition: An achievement to be proud of.
Example: Winning the national award was a real feather in her cap.
- Apple of my eye
Definition: Someone cherished and loved deeply.
Example: His daughter is the apple of his eye.
- Beat around the bush
Definition: To avoid saying something directly.
Example: Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think.
Fun Facts About Idioms and Their Origins
Idioms are fascinating windows into culture and history. For instance, the phrase “kick the bucket” means to die, and its origin might stem from a method of slaughtering pigs in which a bucket was placed under them. This imagery not only conveys a literal action but also a profound cultural relationship with life and death.
Many idioms have surprisingly colorful backstories that reveal how language evolves. The expression “barking up the wrong tree” originates from hunting dogs that mistakenly think their prey is up a certain tree when it’s not. This idiom serves as a metaphor for misdirected efforts, showcasing how animal behavior can shape human expressions. These idioms not only enrich our language but also connect us to the past.
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