Idioms Beginning With I

Idioms Beginning With I

English idioms, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday English. They come up all the time in both written and spoken English. Because idioms don’t always make sense literally, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare English idioms to the idioms in your own language.

Idioms Beginning With I with Meaning and Example

Here’s a list of “Idioms Beginning With I” in English:

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it

• Meaning: Don’t try to improve something that already works well.
• Example: The old system works fine. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

In a nutshell

• Meaning: In a very brief way.
• Example: In a nutshell, we need more time to complete the project.

In the same boat

• Meaning: In the same situation.
• Example: We’re all in the same boat regarding the pay cuts.

In the nick of time

• Meaning: Just in time.
• Example: He arrived in the nick of time for the meeting.

In hot water

• Meaning: In trouble.
• Example: He found himself in hot water after missing the deadline.

It takes two to tango

• Meaning: Both parties involved in a situation are responsible.
• Example: Don’t blame her alone; it takes two to tango.

In a pickle

• Meaning: In a difficult situation.
• Example: I’m in a pickle; I lost my keys and can’t get into my house.

In the heat of the moment

• Meaning: Overcome by emotion or excitement.
• Example: He said some things he didn’t mean in the heat of the moment.

In black and white

• Meaning: Clearly written or printed.
• Example: The contract is right there in black and white.

In over your head

• Meaning: Involved in something that is too difficult.
• Example: She’s in over her head with this new project.

In the limelight

• Meaning: Attracting a lot of attention.
• Example: She loves being in the limelight.

In the long run

• Meaning: Over a long period.
• Example: This decision will benefit us in the long run.

In the red

• Meaning: In debt.
• Example: The company has been in the red for the past two years.

It’s not rocket science

• Meaning: It’s not very complicated.
• Example: Following the recipe is easy; it’s not rocket science.

It’s a piece of cake

• Meaning: Very easy.
• Example: The test was a piece of cake.

If the shoe fits, wear it

• Meaning: If something applies to you, accept it.
• Example: He said people who waste time are lazy. If the shoe fits, wear it.

If looks could kill

• Meaning: Said when someone looks very angrily at another.
• Example: She gave him a look that, if looks could kill, would have felled him on the spot.

If the cap fits

• Meaning: Accept the truth about yourself.
• Example: You’re always late! If the cap fits, wear it.

In a jiffy

• Meaning: Very quickly.
• Example: I’ll be back in a jiffy.

In stitches

• Meaning: Laughing very hard.
• Example: The comedian had us all in stitches.

In the blink of an eye

• Meaning: Very quickly.
• Example: The car disappeared in the blink of an eye.

In the bag

• Meaning: Certain to be won or achieved.
• Example: With this last point, the game is in the bag.

In the clear

• Meaning: Free from blame or suspicion.
• Example: After the investigation, he was in the clear.

In the doghouse

• Meaning: In trouble with someone.
• Example: I’m in the doghouse for forgetting our anniversary.

In the driver’s seat

• Meaning: In control of a situation.
• Example: With her promotion, she’s now in the driver’s seat.

In the know

• Meaning: Well-informed.
• Example: She’s always in the know about the latest trends.

In the loop

• Meaning: Informed about everything related to a particular subject.
• Example: Please keep me in the loop regarding the project updates.

In the works

• Meaning: Being planned or worked on.
• Example: There’s a new project in the works.

It’s all Greek to me

• Meaning: I don’t understand it.
• Example: The instructions were all Greek to me.

It’s a small world

• Meaning: Meeting someone unexpectedly in an unlikely place.
• Example: I ran into my old friend in Japan. It’s a small world.

In your dreams

• Meaning: Unlikely to happen.
• Example: You think you’ll get that job? In your dreams!

It never rains but it pours

• Meaning: Bad things occur in large numbers.
• Example: First I lost my keys, then it started raining – it never rains but it pours.

It’s raining cats and dogs

• Meaning: It’s raining very heavily.
• Example: Take an umbrella; it’s raining cats and dogs out there.

In one’s element

• Meaning: In a situation where one is most comfortable.
• Example: She’s really in her element at parties.

In the pink

• Meaning: In good health.
• Example: After a long illness, he’s back in the pink.

In a jam

• Meaning: In a difficult situation.
• Example: I’m in a jam; can you lend me some money?

In deep water

• Meaning: In serious trouble.
• Example: They are in deep water over the missing funds.

In full swing

• Meaning: Fully active or in progress.
• Example: The party was in full swing by the time we arrived.

In high spirits

• Meaning: Very happy.
• Example: Everyone was in high spirits at the wedding.

In one’s blood

• Meaning: Part of one’s nature.
• Example: Music is in her blood; her whole family are musicians.

I wouldn’t put it past (someone)

• Meaning: I wouldn’t be surprised if someone did something.
• Example: I wouldn’t put it past him to lie about the whole situation.

If it had been a snake, it would have bitten me

• Meaning: Said when something is in plain sight but you fail to see it.
• Example: I couldn’t find my keys, and they were right on the table! If it had been a snake, it would have bitten me.

If the shoe fits, wear it

• Meaning: If something applies to you, accept it.
• Example: He said people who waste time are lazy. If the shoe fits, wear it.

I’m all ears

• Meaning: Fully listening.
• Example: Tell me what happened; I’m all ears.

In a fog

• Meaning: Confused.
• Example: After that confusing lecture, I’m in a fog.

In a heartbeat

• Meaning: Very quickly.
• Example: I would move to the beach in a heartbeat.

In a jam

• Meaning: In a difficult situation.
• Example: I’m in a jam; can you lend me some money?

In a New York minute

• Meaning: Very quickly.
• Example: I’d take that job offer in a New York minute.

In a nutshell

• Meaning: In a very brief way.
• Example: In a nutshell, we need more time to complete the project.

In a pickle

• Meaning: In a difficult situation.
• Example: I’m in a pickle; I lost my keys and can’t get into my house.

In a rut

• Meaning: Stuck in a routine.
• Example: He’s been in a rut since he lost his job.

In broad daylight

• Meaning: During the day when it is light.
• Example: The robbery occurred in broad daylight.

In clover

• Meaning: Living a life of luxury.
• Example: With his new job, he’s in clover.

In for a penny, in for a pound

• Meaning: Committed to an action, no matter how much more time or money is needed.
• Example: We’ve started the project, so we’re in for a penny, in for a pound.

In full swing

• Meaning: Fully active or in progress.
• Example: The party was in full swing by the time we arrived.

In his cups

• Meaning: Drunk.
• Example: He was clearly in his cups at the bar.

In hot water

• Meaning: In trouble.
• Example: He found himself in hot water after missing the deadline.

In one fell swoop

• Meaning: All at once.
• Example: He lost his job, his house, and his car in one fell swoop.

In one’s element

• Meaning: In a situation where one is most comfortable.
• Example: She’s really in her element at parties.

In someone’s wheelhouse

• Meaning: In someone’s area of expertise or interest.
• Example: That project is right in her wheelhouse.

In touch

• Meaning: In communication.
• Example: Let’s keep in touch after the conference.

In the blink of an eye

• Meaning: Very quickly.
• Example: The car disappeared in the blink of an eye.

In the cards

• Meaning: Likely to happen.
• Example: A promotion is in the cards for her.

In the crosshairs (cross hairs)

• Meaning: Being targeted.
• Example: He’s in the crosshairs of the investigation.

In the dark

• Meaning: Uninformed.
• Example: I was in the dark about their plans.

In the driver’s seat

• Meaning: In control of a situation.
• Example: With her promotion, she’s now in the driver’s seat.

In the hot seat

• Meaning: Under pressure.
• Example: As the team leader, he’s in the hot seat.

In the interim

• Meaning: In the meantime.
• Example: In the interim, we’ll use the old software.

In the limelight, in the spotlight

• Meaning: Attracting a lot of attention.
• Example: She loves being in the limelight.

In the long run

• Meaning: Over a long period.
• Example: This decision will benefit us in the long run.

In the nick of time

• Meaning: Just in time.
• Example: He arrived in the nick of time for the meeting.

In the pipeline

• Meaning: Being planned or developed.
• Example: There are several new projects in the pipeline.

In the red

• Meaning: In debt.
• Example: The company has been in the red for the past two years.

In the same boat

• Meaning: In the same situation.
• Example: We’re all in the same boat regarding the pay cuts.

In the toilet

• Meaning: In very bad condition.
• Example: Our profits are in the toilet this quarter.

In the works

• Meaning: Being planned or worked on.
• Example: There’s a new project in the works.

Iron out (problems, difficulties)

• Meaning: Resolve or smooth out.
• Example: We need to iron out the details of the contract.

Is the Pope Catholic?

• Meaning: A rhetorical question implying a positive answer.
• Example: Do you want dessert? Is the Pope Catholic?

It never rains but it pours

• Meaning: Bad things occur in large numbers.
• Example: First I lost my keys, then it started raining – it never rains but it pours.

It takes two to tango

• Meaning: Both parties involved in a situation are responsible.
• Example: Don’t blame her alone; it takes two to tango.

It won’t fly

• Meaning: It won’t work or be accepted.
• Example: That excuse won’t fly with the boss.

Itchy feet

• Meaning: A desire to travel.
• Example: After a year in one place, I’m getting itchy feet again.

It’s a wash

• Meaning: It balances out; neither gain nor loss.
• Example: I spent a lot but also saved a lot, so it’s a wash.

It’s all Greek to me

• Meaning: I don’t understand it.
• Example: The instructions were all Greek to me.

It’s no skin off my (your) nose (back)

• Meaning: It doesn’t affect me.
• Example: You can do what you want; it’s no skin off my nose.

It’s not over till the fat lady sings

• Meaning: Don’t assume the outcome until it has actually finished.
• Example: We’re losing now, but it’s not over till the fat lady sings.

It’s not rocket science

• Meaning: It’s not very complicated.
• Example: Following the recipe is easy; it’s not rocket science.

I’ve had it up to here

• Meaning: I’m very frustrated.
• Example: I’ve had it up to here with all this noise.

List of Idioms Beginning With I

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