Overview:
Idioms are expressions or phrases that have meanings different from their literal words. They add color, humor, and creativity to language. Instead of saying something directly, idioms use imaginative ways to express ideas.
For example, saying “It’s raining cats and dogs” doesn’t mean animals are falling from the sky—it simply means it’s raining heavily!
Idioms are widely used in everyday conversations, books, movies, and even songs, making them fun and essential to learn!
Top 20 Idioms with Meanings & Examples
1-5: Common Daily Life Idioms
1️⃣ A piece of cake → Something very easy
Example: The test was a piece of cake; I finished it in 10 minutes!
2️⃣ Break the ice → Start a conversation and make people comfortable
Example: He told a joke to break the ice at the party.
3️⃣ Hit the nail on the head → Say something exactly right
Example: You hit the nail on the head—this is exactly what we needed!
4️⃣ Let the cat out of the bag → Reveal a secret accidentally
Example: He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party!
5️⃣ Under the weather → Feeling sick
Example: I won’t come to work today—I’m feeling under the weather.
6-10: Work & Study Idioms
6️⃣ Burn the midnight oil → Stay up late working/studying
Example: She burned the midnight oil to finish her project on time.
7️⃣ Back to square one → Start over from the beginning
Example: We lost the data, so we are back to square one.
8️⃣ Jump on the bandwagon → Follow a popular trend
Example: Everyone is using that app now, so I jumped on the bandwagon.
9️⃣ Think outside the box → Be creative and innovative
Example: We need fresh ideas—try to think outside the box!
🔟 Get the ball rolling → Start something
Example: Let’s get the ball rolling on this new project!
11-15: Relationship & Social Idioms
1️⃣1️⃣ Bite the bullet → Do something difficult or unpleasant bravely
Example: I hate going to the dentist, but I’ll bite the bullet and go today.
1️⃣2️⃣ Go the extra mile → Put in extra effort
Example: She always goes the extra mile to help her friends.
1️⃣3️⃣ Hit it off → Get along well with someone immediately
Example: We met at the party and hit it off right away!
1️⃣4️⃣ See eye to eye → Agree on something
Example: We don’t always see eye to eye, but we respect each other’s opinions.
1️⃣5️⃣ Pull someone’s leg → Joke or tease someone
Example: I was just pulling your leg—I didn’t win the lottery!
16-20: Motivational & Wisdom Idioms
1️⃣6️⃣ Don’t cry over spilled milk → Don’t worry about things that can’t be changed
Example: Yes, we lost the match, but don’t cry over spilled milk. Let’s try again next time!
1️⃣7️⃣ Actions speak louder than words → What you do is more important than what you say
Example: He promised to help, but didn’t show up—actions speak louder than words!
1️⃣8️⃣ Rome wasn’t built in a day → Important things take time
Example: Learning a new language is hard, but remember—Rome wasn’t built in a day!
1️⃣9️⃣ The ball is in your court → It’s your turn to take action
Example: I’ve given my opinion—the ball is in your court now!
2️⃣0️⃣ Every cloud has a silver lining → There’s something good in every bad situation
Example: I lost my job, but found a better one later—every cloud has a silver lining!
Watch My YouTube Series on IDIOMS
Want to learn Idioms and Phrases in a fun and easy way? Check out my YouTube channel, where I post a series on Idioms and Phrases with explanations and examples. Watch, learn, and improve your English fluency! 🎥📚
📌 Why Learn Idioms?
✔ Idioms make conversations more natural and fun
✔ They help you sound more like a native speaker
✔ They add personality and emotion to your speech
✔ They are often used in movies, books, and real-life conversations