Idioms in English with 100 Examples with its Meaning

Idioms are the spice of any language, adding flavor, depth, and color to our everyday conversations. These quirky expressions, rooted in culture and history, often convey meanings beyond the literal interpretation of their words. In this article, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of idioms, exploring their origins, meanings, and usage in everyday language. Get ready to embark on a journey through 100 delightful examples of idioms that will enrich your vocabulary and make your speech more vibrant and expressive.

1. Bite the bullet: To face a difficult situation with courage. Example: “I knew I had to bite the bullet and confront my fear of public speaking.”
2. Break the ice: To initiate conversation or friendship in a social setting. Example: “His jokes helped break the ice at the awkward family reunion.”
3. Hit the nail on the head: To accurately identify or describe the core issue. Example: “She hit the nail on the head when she said our team needs better communication.”
4. Jump on the bandwagon: To join a popular trend or activity. Example: “After seeing her friends try the new workout program, she decided to jump on the bandwagon and give it a try.”
5. Piece of cake: Something very easy to do. Example: “With her experience, the presentation was a piece of cake for her.”
6. Cost an arm and a leg: To be very expensive. Example: “Buying a new car can cost an arm and a leg, so I’m considering getting a used one instead.”
7. A dime a dozen: Something common and easy to find. Example: “In this digital age, smartphones are a dime a dozen.”
8. Kill two birds with one stone: To accomplish two tasks with a single action. Example: “By going to the gym during lunch breaks, she’s able to kill two birds with one stone—exercise and productivity.”
9. Break the bank: To spend more money than planned or than is affordable. Example: “I’d love to travel to Europe, but it would break the bank.”

Under the weather: Feeling unwell or sick. Example: “I won’t be able to come to work today; I’m feeling a bit under the weather.”

1. A blessing in disguise: Something that seems bad or unlucky at first but turns out to be beneficial.
2. A dime a dozen: Something common and easy to find.
3. A drop in the bucket: A very small or insignificant amount compared to what is needed.
4. A piece of cake: Something very easy to do.
5. A taste of your own medicine: Experiencing the same negative treatment that one has given to others.
6. Actions speak louder than words: What someone does is more important than what they say.
7. An arm and a leg: To be very expensive.
8. Barking up the wrong tree: Pursuing a mistaken or misguided course of action.
9. Beat around the bush: Avoiding the main topic or issue.
10. Bite the bullet: To face a difficult situation with courage.
11. Break the ice: To initiate conversation or friendship in a social setting.
12. Break the bank: To spend more money than planned or than is affordable.
13. Burn the midnight oil: To work late into the night.
14. Butter someone up: To flatter or praise someone excessively, usually for personal gain.
15. Caught between a rock and a hard place: In a difficult situation with limited options.
16. Cost an arm and a leg: To be very expensive.
17. Cry over spilled milk: To lament or regret something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
18. Cut to the chase: To get to the point without wasting time.
19. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch: Don’t rely on something good happening before it actually occurs.
20. Drive someone up the wall: To irritate or annoy someone greatly.
21. Every cloud has a silver lining: There is something positive to be found in every negative situation.
22. Fit as a fiddle: In excellent health or physical condition.
23. Give someone the cold shoulder: To intentionally ignore or snub someone.
24. Hit the nail on the head: To accurately identify or describe the core issue.
25. Hold your horses: To wait patiently and refrain from acting impulsively.
26. It’s raining cats and dogs: It’s raining heavily.
27. Jump on the bandwagon: To join a popular trend or activity.
28. Kick the bucket: To die.
29. Kill two birds with one stone: To accomplish two tasks with a single action.
30. Let the cat out of the bag: To reveal a secret.
31. Make a mountain out of a molehill: To exaggerate or make a small problem seem much bigger than it actually is.
32. Miss the boat: To miss an opportunity.
33. Needle in a haystack: Something very difficult to find.
34. On the ball: Alert, competent, or effective.
35. Once in a blue moon: Very rarely.
36. Out of the blue: Unexpectedly or suddenly.
37. Over the moon: Extremely happy or delighted.
38. Penny for your thoughts: A way of asking someone what they are thinking about.
39. Piece of cake: Something very easy to do.
40. Pull someone’s leg: To tease or deceive someone in a playful manner.
41. Saved by the bell: Rescued from a difficult situation by a timely intervention.
42. See eye to eye: To agree with someone.
43. Spill the beans: To reveal a secret.
44. Steal someone’s thunder: To take credit for someone else’s achievements or ideas.
45. Take with a grain of salt: To be skeptical or not completely believe something.
46. The ball is in your court: It is your turn to make a decision or take action.
47. The best of both worlds: To enjoy the advantages of two different things at the same time.
48. The elephant in the room: An obvious problem or issue that is being ignored or avoided.
49. The last straw: The final problem or annoyance that makes a situation unbearable.
50. The tip of the iceberg: A small, visible part of a much larger problem or issue.
51. Through thick and thin: Through good times and bad times.
52. Turn over a new leaf: To make a fresh start or change one’s behavior for the better.
53. Under the weather: Feeling unwell or sick.
54. Up in the air: Uncertain or undecided.
55. Variety is the spice of life: Diversity makes life more interesting and enjoyable.
56. When pigs fly: Something that will never happen.
57. Wild goose chase: A futile or hopeless pursuit.
58. You can’t judge a book by its cover: You cannot accurately judge someone or something based solely on appearance.
59. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours: A mutually beneficial arrangement or exchange of favors.
60. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush: It is better to have a small but certain advantage than to risk losing it by trying to obtain something more desirable.
61. A leopard can’t change its spots: People cannot change their essential nature.
62. A watched pot never boils: Time seems to pass more slowly when you are anxiously awaiting something.
63. All bark and no bite: Someone who is threatening but unlikely to carry out their threat.
64. All ears: Fully attentive and eager to listen.
65. All thumbs: Clumsy or awkward with one’s hands.
66. Apple of my eye: Someone or something that is cherished above all others.
67. As fit as a fiddle: In excellent health or physical condition.
68. Blessing in disguise: Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be beneficial in the end.
69. Burning the candle at both ends: Working excessively hard or staying up late into the night.
70. Cat’s out of the bag: A secret has been revealed.
71. Close but no cigar: Almost successful but not quite.
72. Cold turkey: Abruptly stopping a habit or addiction without tapering off.
73. Cutting corners: Doing something in the quickest or cheapest way, often resulting in lower quality.
74. Don’t cry over spilled milk: Don’t lament or regret something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
75. Easier said than done: Something that sounds simple in theory but is difficult to put into practice.
76. Every dog has its day: Everyone will have success or good fortune at some point in their lives.
77. Fish out of water: Feeling uncomfortable or out of place in a new or unfamiliar environment.
78. Green with envy: Feeling jealous or envious of someone else’s success or possessions.
79. Hold your horses: To wait patiently and refrain from acting impulsively.
80. In hot water: In trouble or facing criticism for something one has done.
81. Jumping the gun: Acting prematurely or making a decision before all the facts are known.
82. Kick the bucket: To die.
83. Like a fish out of water: Feeling uncomfortable or out of place in a new or unfamiliar environment.
84. Not playing with a full deck: Not mentally or emotionally stable; lacking intelligence or common sense.
85. On cloud nine: Extremely happy or euphoric.
86. Pulling someone’s leg: Teasing or joking with someone in a playful manner.
87. Raining cats and dogs: Raining heavily.
88. Sitting on the fence: Being undecided or neutral about an issue.
89. Spill the beans: To reveal a secret or disclose confidential information.
90. Straight from the horse’s mouth: Information that comes directly from a reliable or authoritative source.

Idioms are not just linguistic curiosities; they are essential tools for effective communication. By incorporating idiomatic expressions into our speech and writing, we can add richness and nuance to our language, making our communication more engaging and memorable. So, go ahead, have fun exploring the colorful world of idioms, and let your words come alive with creativity and expression!