Introduction to Idioms in English

Quick intro An idiom is a phrase or group of words that, when taken together, has a meaning that is different from that of each individual word. To put it another way: idioms cannot be understood literally. For example, ‘Once in a blue moon’ means ‘when something happens rarely’. So the example sentence: ‘I eat McDonalds once in a blue moon’ doesn’t make any sense when the words are taken literally (you only eat McDonalds when there is a blue moon?!). But when you understand the meaning of the idiom, the sentence makes perfect sense (you don’t often eat McDonalds). Idioms are very important when learning English because they are used a lot in everyday communication and can help you sound more like a native. To speak and understand conversational English better, learning the correct use of idioms is essential. Idioms also help give character to the language; making it more colourful and interesting. In this study guide, we’re going to walk you through the most common 150 English idioms used today, with their meanings and example sentences. We will also highlight a few outdated idioms that you should avoid, and give you some exercises to practise your understanding. A-Z of English Idioms: 150 Most Common Expressions 1. A BLESSING IN DISGUISE Something that appears bad at first but ends up having good results Missing that plane turned out to be a blessing in disguise because I got to spend more time with my family. 2. A SANDWICH SHORT OF A PICNIC A humorous way of saying someone is stupid or is a bit mad He brought only shorts and t-shirts when he went to Sweden in the winter – I think he might be a sandwich short of a picnic! 3. A STONE’S THROW Something is very close or near Luckily the wedding is just a stone’s throw from our hotel so we can walk there. 4. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS What you do is more important than what you say; someone’s words may not be trustworthy Person A: “John keeps saying he wants to take me out for dinner, but then he never does!” Person B: “Actions speak louder than words.“ 5. ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE When someone does something to make a bad situation worse When Sarah started laughing during the argument, it really added fuel to the fire! 6. ADD INSULT TO INJURY To make a bad situation worse As if breaking my arm isn’t bad enough, to add insult to injury I have to pay £1,000 in hospital fees as I didn’t have travel insurance! 7. ALL EARS To be eagerly waiting to hear about something Person A: “I have to tell you about what happened on our trip to Spain…” Person B: “I’m all ears!” 8. AT A CROSSROADS To be at a point in your life when you need to make an important decision I was at a crossroads when I was offered a job in the US, but my boyfriend wanted to stay in London. 9. BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE To be wrong or misguided about the reason for something He thinks the company’s problems can be solved just by firing the sales team, but he’s barking up the wrong tree. 10. BEAT ABOUT THE BUSH To talk about unimportant things because you’re avoiding a particular topic Stop beating about the bush! Are you planning to quit university, or not? 11. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER It’s better to do something late than not at all Person A: “Sorry I missed your birthday! There’s a card in the post.” Person B: “Don’t worry. Better late than never!” 12. BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE To be in a difficult situation where both options are bad Person A: “If I go to the wedding mum will be upset, but if I don’t go then I’ll be letting down the rest of the family!” Person B: “Sounds like you’re caught between a rock and a hard place.” 13. BITE OFF MORE THAN ONE CAN CHEW To do too much or take something on that is too difficult Person A: “I’m going to start that weekend job at the museum on top of my full-time job because I really need the money.” Person B: “Sounds like a lot of work! Don’t bite off more than you can chew.” 14. BITE THE BULLET To decide to do something that is difficult or unpleasant, but necessary You’re going to have to bite the bullet and tell your ex-(girlfriend) that you need the apartment back. 15. BLOW OFF STEAM To do something that helps you get rid of stress, energy or anger After my meeting with the boss, I went for a run to blow off steam. 16. BOB’S YOUR UNCLE To say that a set of instructions or task is simple or easy To make the salad dressing, you just put oil, vinegar, honey and mustard into a bowl, mix them together and bob’s your uncle! 17. BOG-STANDARD Something that is very ordinary or basic, nothing special Despite the excellent reviews, we thought the restaurant was just bog-standard. When learning idioms in English, you need to watch out for oldfashioned expressions. For example, you probably know the idiom ‘It’s raining cats and dogs’. However, most Brits would never use this expression now. It is outdated. Instead we say: ‘It’s bucketing it down!’, ‘It’s chucking it down!’ or ‘It’s pi*sing it down!’. 18. BOTCH/BODGE JOB Work that has been done badly, in a clumsy, lazy way The original builders did such a bodge job of our kitchen that we had to get it completely redone. 19. BUDGE UP An informal way of asking someone to move to make room for you Could you budge up a bit so I can sit down? 20. BUILDER’S TEA Strongly-brewed English breakfast tea with milk I’ll have a builder’s tea, please. 21.BURY ONE’S HEAD IN THE SAND To refuse to think about or confront serious issues or situations Martin just buries his head in the sand when it comes to his financial problems. 22. BUST ONE’S CHOPS To work very hard on something, or to harass someone I was busting my chops all night to get that report finished! Stop busting my chops! I’ll mow the lawn later. Note: In British English slang, the word ‘chops’ is used to mean ‘mouth’. So the idiom above literally means ‘punch in the mouth’. 23. BY THE SKIN OF ONE’S TEETH To narrowly succeed in doing something The traffic was terrible so we only made the plane by the skin of our teeth!