Familiar English Idioms

Familiar English Idioms

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.

Familiar English Idioms with Meaning and Example

Here’s a list of “Familiar English Idioms” in English:

Break the ice

• Meaning: To initiate conversation in a social setting.
• Example: “To break the ice at the party, he told a funny joke.”

Bite the bullet

• Meaning: To endure a painful experience.
• Example: “She had to bite the bullet and face the dentist.”

Hit the nail on the head

• Meaning: To describe exactly what is causing a situation.
• Example: “When you said we should focus on marketing, you hit the nail on the head.”

Let the cat out of the bag

• Meaning: To reveal a secret unintentionally.
• Example: “She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.”

Under the weather

• Meaning: Feeling ill.
• Example: “I’m feeling under the weather today, so I’ll stay home.”

Piece of cake

• Meaning: Something very easy to do.
• Example: “Fixing the car was a piece of cake for him.”

A blessing in disguise

• Meaning: Something that seems bad at first, but results in something good.
• Example: “Losing that job was a blessing in disguise.”

A dime a dozen

• Meaning: Very common and not valuable.
• Example: “Good ideas are a dime a dozen.”

Actions speak louder than words

• Meaning: What someone does is more important than what they say.
• Example: “He always promises to help, but actions speak louder than words.”

Add insult to injury

• Meaning: To make a bad situation worse.
• Example: “Firing him after he lost the deal adds insult to injury.”

Barking up the wrong tree

• Meaning: Pursuing a mistaken or misguided line of thought or course of action.
• Example: “If you think I’m the one who stole your watch, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

Beat around the bush

• Meaning: To avoid talking about what is important.
• Example: “Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened.”

Better late than never

• Meaning: It’s better to do something late than not do it at all.
• Example: “He finally apologized, better late than never.”

Bite off more than you can chew

• Meaning: To take on a task that is way too big.
• Example: “I bit off more than I could chew by agreeing to organize the event.”

Burn the midnight oil

• Meaning: To stay up late working on a project or task.
• Example: “She’s burning the midnight oil to finish her report.”

Call it a day

• Meaning: To stop working for the day.
• Example: “We’ve done enough work today, let’s call it a day.”

Cut corners

• Meaning: To do something the cheapest or easiest way.
• Example: “Don’t cut corners on this project; quality is important.”

Cut to the chase

• Meaning: To get to the point without wasting time.
• Example: “We don’t have much time, so let’s cut to the chase.”

Easy does it

• Meaning: To slow down or be careful.
• Example: “Easy does it! That vase is very fragile.”

Every cloud has a silver lining

• Meaning: There is something good in every bad situation.
• Example: “Even though you lost the game, remember every cloud has a silver lining.”

Get out of hand

• Meaning: To become uncontrollable.
• Example: “The party got out of hand when too many people showed up.”

Get something out of your system

• Meaning: To do something you’ve been wanting to do so you can move on.
• Example: “He had to get the idea of starting his own business out of his system.”

Give someone the cold shoulder

• Meaning: To ignore someone.
• Example: “She gave him the cold shoulder after their argument.”

Go back to the drawing board

• Meaning: To start over.
• Example: “The plan didn’t work, so it’s back to the drawing board.”

Hang in there

• Meaning: To keep going, not give up.
• Example: “I know it’s tough, but hang in there.”

Hit the sack

• Meaning: To go to bed.
• Example: “I’m exhausted. Time to hit the sack.”

It’s not rocket science

• Meaning: It’s not complicated.
• Example: “Come on, it’s just a puzzle. It’s not rocket science.”

Let someone off the hook

• Meaning: To allow someone to avoid blame or responsibility.
• Example: “I’ll let you off the hook this time, but don’t be late again.”

Miss the boat

• Meaning: To miss an opportunity.
• Example: “I didn’t apply in time and now I’ve missed the boat.”

No pain, no gain

• Meaning: You have to work hard for something you want.
• Example: “She works out every day because she believes in ‘no pain, no gain’.”

On the ball

• Meaning: To be alert and aware.
• Example: “You need to be on the ball if you want to succeed in this job.”

Pull someone’s leg

• Meaning: To joke or tease someone.
• Example: “I was just pulling your leg, don’t take it seriously.”

Pull yourself together

• Meaning: To calm down and behave normally.
• Example: “After the news, he had to pull himself together to continue working.”

So far so good

• Meaning: Things are going well so far.
• Example: “How’s your new job? So far so good.”

Speak of the devil

• Meaning: The person we were just talking about showed up.
• Example: “Speak of the devil, there’s John!”

The best of both worlds

• Meaning: A situation where you can enjoy the advantages of two different things.
• Example: “With this job, you get the best of both worlds: good pay and a nice work environment.”

The last straw

• Meaning: The final problem in a series of problems.
• Example: “When he was late again, it was the last straw.”

Time flies when you’re having fun

• Meaning: Time seems to pass quickly when you are enjoying yourself.
• Example: “Wow, it’s midnight already? Time flies when you’re having fun.”

To get bent out of shape

• Meaning: To get upset or angry.
• Example: “Don’t get bent out of shape about the changes in the schedule.”

To make a long story short

• Meaning: To give a brief summary.
• Example: “To make a long story short, we won the match.”

We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it

• Meaning: We’ll deal with that problem when it arises.
• Example: “I’m not worried about the test. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

Wrap your head around something

• Meaning: To understand something complicated.
• Example: “It took a while, but I finally wrapped my head around the new software.”

You can say that again

• Meaning: I agree with you completely.
• Example: “That was a fantastic concert. You can say that again!”

Your guess is as good as mine

• Meaning: I have no idea.
• Example: “Do you know where he went? Your guess is as good as mine.”

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

• Meaning: It’s better to have a sure thing than to risk it for more.
• Example: “Take the job offer now rather than waiting for a better one; a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”

A penny for your thoughts

• Meaning: What are you thinking about?
• Example: “You’ve been quiet for a while. A penny for your thoughts.”

An arm and a leg

• Meaning: Very expensive.
• Example: “That designer bag cost an arm and a leg.”

Back to the drawing board

• Meaning: Start over.
• Example: “The prototype failed. Back to the drawing board.”

Ball is in your court

• Meaning: It’s your decision now.
• Example: “I’ve done all I can; the ball is in your court.”

Beating around the bush

• Meaning: Avoiding the main topic.
• Example: “Stop beating around the bush and tell me the truth.”

Best of both worlds

• Meaning: A situation where you can enjoy the advantages of two different things.
• Example: “With this job, you get the best of both worlds: good pay and a nice work environment.”

Burn bridges

• Meaning: To destroy relationships.
• Example: “Don’t burn bridges with your colleagues; you might need them later.”

By the skin of your teeth

• Meaning: Just barely.
• Example: “I passed the exam by the skin of my teeth.”

Costs an arm and a leg

• Meaning: Very expensive.
• Example: “That new smartphone costs an arm and a leg.”

Cry over spilt milk

• Meaning: To be upset about something that cannot be undone.
• Example: “It’s no use crying over spilt milk; we can’t change what happened.”

Cut the mustard

• Meaning: To meet expectations.
• Example: “He just didn’t cut the mustard as a professional athlete.”

Devil’s advocate

• Meaning: To argue against something for the sake of debate.
• Example: “I’ll play devil’s advocate and say that we shouldn’t go on vacation.”

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch

• Meaning: Don’t assume something will happen before it does.
• Example: “He’s counting on getting the job, but he shouldn’t count his chickens before they hatch.”

Don’t give up your day job

• Meaning: You’re not very good at something.
• Example: “Your singing is okay, but don’t give up your day job.”

Drastic times call for drastic measures

• Meaning: Extreme circumstances call for extreme actions.
• Example: “We have to cut costs drastically; drastic times call for drastic measures.”

Elvis has left the building

• Meaning: The show is over.
• Example: “You can stop clapping now, Elvis has left the building.”

Every dog has its day

• Meaning: Everyone will have their moment of success or recognition.
• Example: “Don’t worry, you’ll get your promotion. Every dog has its day.”

Get a taste of your own medicine

• Meaning: To experience the same unpleasant situation you have inflicted on others.
• Example: “He always teases others, but now he’s getting a taste of his own medicine.”

Give the benefit of the doubt

• Meaning: To trust someone’s word without evidence.
• Example: “I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, but don’t be late again.”

Heard it through the grapevine

• Meaning: To hear rumors about something or someone.
• Example: “I heard it through the grapevine that they’re getting married.”

Hit the books

• Meaning: To study.
• Example: “I can’t go out tonight. I need to hit the books for my exam.”

In the heat of the moment

• Meaning: Overwhelmed by what is happening at the moment.
• Example: “He said some things he didn’t mean in the heat of the moment.”

It takes two to tango

• Meaning: Both parties involved in a situation are responsible for it.
• Example: “Don’t just blame him for the argument; it takes two to tango.”

Jump on the bandwagon

• Meaning: To join others in doing something that is currently popular.
• Example: “Now everyone is jumping on the bandwagon and buying electric cars.”

Keep something at bay

• Meaning: To prevent something from happening.
• Example: “She fought to keep her fears at bay.”

Kill two birds with one stone

• Meaning: To accomplish two tasks with one action.
• Example: “By visiting my parents, I can kill two birds with one stone and go to my high school reunion.”

Leave no stone unturned

• Meaning: To make every possible effort.
• Example: “We’ll leave no stone unturned in our search for the truth.”

Let sleeping dogs lie

• Meaning: To avoid interfering in a situation that is currently causing no problems.
• Example: “I think we should let sleeping dogs lie and not bring up the old argument.”

Make a long story short

• Meaning: To give a brief summary.
• Example: “To make a long story short, we won the match.”

Off the hook

• Meaning: To be free from blame or responsibility.
• Example: “The evidence proved him innocent, so he was off the hook.”

Once in a blue moon

• Meaning: Very rarely.
• Example: “We go out to dinner once in a blue moon.”

A picture paints a thousand words

• Meaning: A visual representation is more descriptive than words.
• Example: “The photograph of the disaster was shocking; a picture paints a thousand words.”

Pull the wool over someone’s eyes

• Meaning: To deceive someone.
• Example: “He tried to pull the wool over my eyes but I wasn’t fooled.”

See eye to eye

• Meaning: To agree fully with someone.
• Example: “We don’t see eye to eye on politics.”

Sit on the fence

• Meaning: To remain neutral and not take sides.
• Example: “You can’t sit on the fence any longer; you need to decide whose side you’re on.”

Steal someone’s thunder

• Meaning: To take the credit for something someone else did.
• Example: “She stole my thunder by announcing her pregnancy at my wedding.”

Take it with a grain of salt

• Meaning: To not take something too seriously.
• Example: “I take his advice with a grain of salt; he doesn’t have much experience.”

Taste of your own medicine

• Meaning: To experience the same unpleasant situation you have inflicted on others.
• Example: “He always teases others, but now he’s getting a taste of his own medicine.”

The ball is in your court

• Meaning: It’s your decision now.
• Example: “I’ve done all I can; the ball is in your court.”

The devil is in the details

• Meaning: Small things in plans and schemes that are often overlooked can cause major problems.
• Example: “The plan looks great, but the devil is in the details.”

The elephant in the room

• Meaning: An obvious problem or controversial issue that no one wants to discuss.
• Example: “We need to address the elephant in the room and talk about our financial issues.”

The whole nine yards

• Meaning: Everything, all the way.
• Example: “When we go on vacation, we go the whole nine yards.”

Throw in the towel

• Meaning: To give up.
• Example: “After several failed attempts, he finally threw in the towel.”

Wrap your head around it

• Meaning: To understand something complicated.
• Example: “It took a while, but I finally wrapped my head around the new software.”

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink

• Meaning: You can provide someone with an opportunity, but you can’t force them to take it.
• Example: “I set up the meeting, but he didn’t show up. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.”

A little learning is a dangerous thing

• Meaning: People with limited knowledge often misjudge situations.
• Example: “He thinks he knows a lot about cars because he read an article, but a little learning is a dangerous thing.”

A snowball effect

• Meaning: A situation where something increases in size or importance at a faster rate.
• Example: “The project started small, but it’s had a snowball effect.”

A snowball’s chance in hell

• Meaning: No chance at all.
• Example: “He doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the lottery.”

A stitch in time saves nine

• Meaning: Taking care of problems before they worsen saves time.
• Example: “Fix the leak now. A stitch in time saves nine.”

A storm in a teacup

• Meaning: A lot of fuss about a small problem.
• Example: “Their argument was just a storm in a teacup.”

An apple a day keeps the doctor away

• Meaning: Eating healthy foods keeps you well.
• Example: “My grandmother always said, ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away.'”

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

• Meaning: It’s better to prevent problems than to deal with them after they occur.
• Example: “Get vaccinated; an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

As right as rain

• Meaning: Perfectly fine.
• Example: “After a good night’s sleep, I was right as rain.”

A bolt from the blue

• Meaning: A sudden and unexpected event.
• Example: “Her resignation came as a bolt from the blue.”

Calm before the storm

• – Meaning: A quiet period before chaos.
• – Example: “The employees were working quietly, but it was just the calm before the storm.”

Come rain or shine

• – Meaning: No matter the circumstances.
• – Example: “She jogs every morning, come rain or shine.”

Curiosity killed the cat

• – Meaning: Being too curious can get you into trouble.
• – Example: “I warned him not to ask too many questions; curiosity killed the cat.”

Don’t beat a dead horse

• – Meaning: To waste effort on something that is no longer relevant.
• – Example: “There’s no use beating a dead horse. The project is already canceled.”

Every dog has his day

• – Meaning: Everyone will have their moment of success or recognition.
• – Example: “Don’t worry, you’ll get your promotion. Every dog has his day.”

Familiarity breeds contempt

• – Meaning: Close familiarity with someone or something can lead to a lack of respect for them.
• – Example: “Living together for a year can make or break a relationship because familiarity breeds contempt.”

Fit as a fiddle

• – Meaning: In good health.
• – Example: “Even at 70, she’s fit as a fiddle.”

Fortune favors the bold

• – Meaning: People who take risks often succeed.
• – Example: “He invested all his savings in his new business because fortune favors the bold.”

Get a second wind

• – Meaning: To have a new burst of energy after being tired.
• – Example: “After a short break, I got a second wind and finished the marathon.”

Get wind of something

• – Meaning: To hear about something secretive or unknown.
• – Example: “If she gets wind of our plans, the surprise will be ruined.”

Go down in flames

• – Meaning: To fail spectacularly.
• – Example: “The presentation went down in flames due to technical issues.”

Haste makes waste

• – Meaning: Doing something too quickly can lead to mistakes.
• – Example: “Take your time with the assignment; haste makes waste.”

Have your head in the clouds

• – Meaning: To be unaware of what is going on because you are thinking about something else.
• – Example: “He has his head in the clouds, always daydreaming.”

He who laughs last laughs loudest

• – Meaning: The final winner will have the best laugh.
• – Example: “They made fun of his idea, but he who laughs last laughs loudest.”

Hear something straight from the horse’s mouth

• – Meaning: To hear something directly from the person involved.
• – Example: “I heard it straight from the horse’s mouth that they’re moving to Paris.”

He’s not playing with a full deck

• – Meaning: He is not very smart.
• – Example: “Sometimes I think he’s not playing with a full deck.”

He’s off his rocker

• – Meaning: He is crazy or acting irrationally.
• – Example: “He’s off his rocker if he thinks I’m going to lend him more money.”

He’s sitting on the fence

• – Meaning: He is undecided.
• – Example: “He’s sitting on the fence about whether to take the job or not.”

It is a poor workman who blames his tools

• – Meaning: A bad worker blames his equipment rather than his own lack of skill.
• – Example: “He failed the exam and blamed the teacher, but it’s a poor workman who blames his tools.”

It is always darkest before the dawn

• – Meaning: Things will get better.
• – Example: “I know you’re struggling, but remember, it’s always darkest before the dawn.”

Know which way the wind is blowing

• – Meaning: To understand the current trends or the direction of a situation.
• – Example: “You should know which way the wind is blowing before making any decisions.”

Like riding a bicycle

• – Meaning: Something you never forget how to do.
• – Example: “Playing the piano is like riding a bicycle; you never forget.”

Like two peas in a pod

• – Meaning: Very similar, especially in appearance.
• – Example: “Those twins are like two peas in a pod.”

Make hay while the sun shines

• – Meaning: Make the most of an opportunity while you can.
• – Example: “We should make hay while the sun shines and finish the project while we have time.”

On cloud nine

• – Meaning: Extremely happy.
• – Example: “When she got the job, she was on cloud nine.”

Once bitten, twice shy

• – Meaning: After a bad experience, you are cautious about doing something again.
• – Example: “I’m once bitten, twice shy after getting scammed last year.”

Out of the frying pan and into the fire

• – Meaning: Going from a bad situation to a worse one.
• – Example: “Quitting that job without a backup plan is like jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire.”

Run like the wind

• – Meaning: To run very fast.
• – Example: “He had to run like the wind to catch the bus.”

Shape up or ship out

• – Meaning: Improve your behavior or leave.
• – Example: “He was told to shape up or ship out after being late for the fifth time.”

Snowed under

• – Meaning: Overwhelmed with work.
• – Example: “I’m snowed under with paperwork at the moment.”

That ship has sailed

• – Meaning: It’s too late for that opportunity.
• – Example: “I wanted to apply for the job, but now that ship has sailed.”

The pot calling the kettle black

• – Meaning: Criticizing someone for a fault you also possess.
• – Example: “Calling me a liar is the pot calling the kettle black.”

There are clouds on the horizon

• – Meaning: Trouble is coming.
• – Example: “The forecast looks good now, but there are clouds on the horizon.”

Through thick and thin

• – Meaning: Through good times and bad times.
• – Example: “They stayed together through thick and thin.”

Time is money

• – Meaning: Time is valuable.
• – Example: “Let’s get moving; time is money.”

Waste not, want not

• – Meaning: If you don’t waste anything, you will have enough.
• – Example: “Eat everything on your plate; waste not, want not.”

We see eye to eye

• – Meaning: We agree.
• – Example: “We don’t always see eye to eye on politics.”

Weather the storm

• – Meaning: To survive a difficult situation.
• – Example: “They managed to weather the storm during the financial crisis.”

Well begun is half done

• – Meaning: Starting something well makes it easier to finish.
• – Example: “We’ve organized the plan well; well begun is half done.”

When it rains it pours

• – Meaning: When one bad thing happens, a lot of other bad things happen too.
• – Example: “First he lost his job, then his car broke down; when it rains, it pours.”

You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar

• – Meaning: You can get what you want more easily by being polite than by being rude.
• – Example: “Try to be nice when you ask for help; you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”

List of Familiar English Idioms

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