If you’re taking the TOEFL or the TOEIC, or just want to know more common idioms, study this list of 40 common idiomatic expressions before you take the test. They may just help your English language acquisition soar.
Common English Idioms
- 24/7
Meaning: Twenty-four hours a day; seven days a week; all the time; constantly.
Example: My little sister irritates me 24/7. - A short fuse
Meaning: A quick temper. Jamie is known for his short fuse;
Example: Jamie is known for his short fuse; just a few days ago he screamed at his coach for not letting him play. - A taste of your own medicine
Meaning: Bad treatment deservedly received for treating other people badly.
Example: After constantly being prank-called, Julian decided to give Juan a taste of his own medicine and ordered twenty-seven pizzas to be delivered to Juan’s house. - Butterflies in my stomach
Meaning: To be nervous.
Example: Liam had butterflies in his stomach before he went on stage to play the violin. - By the skin of your teeth
Meaning: To just barely get by or make it.
Example: Lester made the dance team by the skin of his teeth; you can tell he hasn’t been dancing jazz for very long. - Cat got your tongue?
Meaning: Can’t you speak?
Example: I just saw you kissing my boyfriend. What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue? - Crying wolf
Meaning: To ask for help when you don’t need it.
Example: You have cried wolf so many times that no one believes you when you’re really hurt. - Cut someone some slack
Meaning: To not judge someone too harshly.
Example: Hey. Cut me some slack. I was really busy with my frog hunting business last week and forgot to call. I’m sorry! - Down for the count
Meaning: Tired; giving up; unable or unwilling to participate any longer.
Example: No, you can’t take my dog for a walk—she’s down for the count after chasing cats all day. - Draw the line
Meaning: To stop; to know the point where something goes from okay to not okay.
Example: Now I draw the line at speaking in front of 34,000 people. - Easier said than done
Meaning: Not as easy as it appears to be.
Example: You want me to come to work at 6:00 AM? Easier said than done! - Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning: You can find good in every bad situation.
Example: Even though you just got fired, remember that every cloud has a silver lining—at least you don’t have to work for that grouchy boss anymore! - Finding a needle in a haystack
Meaning: Virtually impossible to find.
Example: Trying to get a new job these days is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. - Fish out of water
Meaning: To be out of place.
Example: Tom felt like a fish out of water at the Star Trek convention his new girlfriend begged him to attend. - Get something off your chest
Meaning: To talk about something that has been bothering you for a long time; to admit something you have done wrong.
Example: I have to get this off my chest—I copied your answers on the IELTS. - Give it a whirl
Meaning: To try something.
Example: I’ve never gone kite-boarding, but I’m prepared to give it a whirl! - Go down in flames
Meaning: To fail suddenly and spectacularly.
Example: The football player’s career went down in flames after the media learned he’d been losing on purpose to settle gambling debts. - Go the extra mile
Meaning: To make an extra effort.
Example: My dentist always goes the extra mile, offering free back massages at the end of a stressful tooth extraction. - Hang in there
Meaning: Be patient. Wait it out.
Example: I know you’re struggling right now in school but just hang in there. It’ll get easier. I promise. - In the fast lane
Meaning: A life filled with excitement.
Example: When Curtis turned forty, he decided he needed to live life in the fast lane, so he quit his job as a dentist and decided to tour Europe by motorcycle. - In the nick of time
Meaning: Almost too late.
Example: You gave me that main idea help in the nick of time. - Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: Tell a secret.
Example: Brady’s surprise party is going to be great if you don’t let the cat out of the bag. - Let the chips fall where they may
Meaning: To let something happen, no matter if it’s good or bad.
Example: Look. I’m going to just try out for the cheerleading squad and let the chips fall where they may. - Lose your marbles
Meaning: To go crazy; insane.
Example: Mom has really lost her marbles. - Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Rarely.
Example: In Florida, the temperature drops below freezing only once in a blue moon. - Plain as day
Meaning: Obvious; clear.
Example: It’s plain as day that you’re in love with her, so just admit it. - Play second fiddle
Meaning: To be less important.
Example: I hate playing second fiddle to my sister; she always does things better than I do! - Put your foot in your mouth
Meaning: Saying something you shouldn’t have.
Example: Jessica really put her foot in her mouth when she asked about John’s job right after he lost it. - Pull yourself together
Meaning: Calm down and behave normally.
Example: Pull yourself together, man! Sure, your girlfriend just dumped you and then you got hit by a car, but you can’t let those things get you down. - Sick and tired
Meaning: To be bothered or annoyed by.
Example: She is sick and tired of her dog chewing up her shoes every day. - Sleep on it
Meaning: To think about something for a while before making a decision.
Example: Don’t tell me whether you’ll move to Texas with me or not today. Sleep on it, and get back to me tomorrow. - Snug as a bug in a rug
Meaning: Warm and cozy; content.
Example: That baby looks as snug as a bug in a rug cuddled up next to his mother. - Step up your game
Meaning: To start performing better.
Example: Listen, Jen. You’d better step up your game if you want to get all A’s in Miss Finch’s Physics class. She isn’t easy! - Stick your nose into something
Meaning: To interfere.
Example: Sharon always sticks her nose into everyone else’s business. - Straight from the horse’s mouth
Meaning: Directly from the person involved.
Example: Listen to the news straight from the horse’s mouth; we’re all getting bonuses this week! - Take it easy
Meaning: Relax.
Example: I know you’re not feeling well, so try to take it easy today. - Tip of the iceberg
Meaning: The small easily visible part of a larger problem.
Example: The fact that Carrie is dating a member of the mafia is just the tip of the iceberg; she’s also smuggling contraband into the country. - To not see the wood for the trees
Meaning: To be so involved with the details that you don’t get the most important facts.
Example: She always argues about the silliest things; it’s like she can’t see the wood for the trees. - Up a creek without a paddle
Meaning: In an unlucky/bad situation.
Example: If you don’t have any money to pay for the repairs we just made to your car, I guess you’re up a creek without a paddle because you can’t have your car back. - You rock!
Meaning: You are great.
Example: Dude. You rock. Thanks for offering to watch my pet iguana all week.
Really thanks a lot… it helps me to learn some new idioms and makes me to impress with new expression.. thank u buddies