In the previous articles, I discussed how to learn English step by step and how important tenses are in English. However, it does not end there. That is just the beginning of it. To learn the language you have to get into the depth of the language.
Having a good command of the language does not just mean speaking and writing correctly. This also includes the idioms. And let’s admit it, it is also a fun way of learning the language. In the process of learning the language, you need to have a good command over idioms as well.
Idioms, in particular, are an important part of the language and are much needed during conversations. When it comes down to expressing yourself and understanding others, you need to have a good understanding of the idioms.
So, let’s find a way to get you through the idiom business. Here is everything you need to know about idioms and some of the commonly used idioms, along with their meaning, to help you get your way while having a meaningful conversation.
What Are Idioms? Meaning and Definition
An idiom is basically a couple of words framed together or a phrase that has a different meaning than the literal meaning.
Going by the definition from the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, an idiom is “a group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words.”
Cambridge Dictionary describes an idiom as “a group of words in a fixed order that has a particular meaning that is different from the meanings of each word on its own.”
Merriam-Webster Dictionary has a more elaborate meaning. It explains idiom as “an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either in having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements (such as up in the air for “undecided”) or in its grammatically atypical use of words (such as give way).”
Collins Dictionary describes an idiom as “a group of words which have a different meaning when used together from the one they would have if you took the meaning of each word separately.”
Also Read: Idiom Types: Know The Various Kinds And How They Are Different From One Another
Importance of Idioms in a Sentence
Learning expressions, proverbs, and English idioms are an important part of knowing everyday English. They help you frame your sentence better both while writing and speaking. Idioms do not make sense literally.
So, you have to make yourself familiar with the meanings of these idioms to use them in between conversations. It might seem like a lot of work, but when you start to learn them, you will understand that they are a lot of fun.
When you learn expressions and idioms, your English sounds a lot more native. So, if you have to master the language, you have to get yourself accustomed to the common idioms.
Characteristics of Idioms
You cannot always rely on the individual words to get through the meaning of the entire phrase. To understand the complete meaning of the phrase, it is important to know the meanings of the phrase.
Idioms are not usually used for academic purposes. However, there will be people who would say that you should not use idioms in professional settings, and some would say that you can use idioms in professional settings.
Idioms are mostly used in lighthearted settings and have a way of adding personality to your speaking or work. They are also used for conveying puns or sarcasm. However, if the people with whom you are using the phrase are not familiar with the idiom, it is not going to make an impact.
Common Idioms in English
There are various idioms that are commonly used in daily conversation. You will hear them in TV shows and movies and can try to use them in a way so that it feels like you are a native english speaker. Here are some of those.
| Serial number | Idiom | Meaning |
| 1 | A blessing in disguise | Something good, which looks like it was a bad thing initially |
| 2 | Beat around the bush | Avoiding something because you do not want to disclose it |
| 3 | Break a leg | Good luck |
| 4 | Better late than never | It is better if you come late then not come at all |
| 5 | Cut somebody some slack | Do not be critical |
| 6 | Get out of hand | When the matter is getting out of control |
| 7 | Give someone the benefit of the doubt | Trust the person when they are saying something |
| 8 | Call it a day | Stoop working, or stop doing whatever you were busy with |
| 9 | Hang in there | Do not give up |
| 10 | Make a long story short | Tell the matter briefly |
| 11 | Speak of the devil | The person you were discussing about shows up |
| 12 | Under the weather | Sick |
| 13 | Let someone off the hook | Not holding someone responsible for something |
| 14 | It’s not rocket science | It is not complicated |
| 15 | Get your act together | Try to improve your work or leave |
Common Idioms About Feelings
| Serial number | Idiom | Meaning |
| 1 | Hit the hay | Going to bed |
| 2 | Bite the bullet | Going through a difficult situation or a painful one with courage |
| 3 | Cry over spilled milk | Dwell on past misfortunes or mistakes |
| 4 | Jump on the bandwagon | Adopting a popular activity or trend |
| 5 | Feel under the weather | Unwell, or not doing well healthwise |
| 6 | Throw the towel | Give up or surrender |
| 7 | In the same boat | Sharing a similar situation |
| 8 | On cloud nine | Euphoria or extreme happiness |
| 9 | Burn the midnight oil | Working late at night |
| 10 | Over the hill | Getting older and not being able to be socially or physically active |
| 11 | Hit the books | Going to study |
| 12 | Hit the sack | Going to bed |
| 13 | Through thick and thin | Supporting someone in their good and bad times |
| 14 | Off the chain | Something was impressive and exciting; in a good way, it also means “out of control” |
| 15 | Blow off steam | Get rid of stress by doing something |
Common Idioms About Money
| Serial number | Idiom | Meaning |
| 1 | Pitch in | To join in or to contirbute |
| 2 | Cutting corners | Trying to save money by trying to find something cheaper |
| 3 | Break the bank | Extremely expensive |
| 4 | Foot the bill | Pay for something |
| 5 | Cash cow | Investment or business which generates a stead outcome |
| 6 | Out of pocket | Spending all the money, mostly related to work-related expenses |
| 7 | Pinch pennies | Saving money by cutting down unnecessary expenses |
| 8 | Rolling in dough | Being wealthy or having a lot of money |
| 9 | Throw money down the drain | Wasting money on something that is not worth it |
| 10 | It looks like a million bucks | It means you look fabulous |
| 11 | Born with a silver spoon | Born in a wealthy and successful family |
| 12 | To go from rags to riches | Gone from being poor to having a lot of money |
| 13 | To have sticky fingers | Stealing a lot |
| 14 | Break-even | Spending a certain amount, and then earning and then earning back the same amount |
| 15 | Make ends meet | Making enough money to manage the necessities |
Common Idioms About Food
| Serial number | Idiom | Meaning |
| 1 | Spice things up | Make it more interesting |
| 2 | A piece of cake | A job or task that is easy |
| 3 | Cool as a cucumber | Someone who is calm and composed |
| 4 | A couch potato | Someone who spends a lot of time on the couch |
| 5 | Bring home the bacon | Support the family by earning a living |
| 6 | In hot water | In a bad or serious situation |
| 7 | Not one’s cup of tea | Someone who is not going to interest a person |
| 8 | Eat like a bird | Eating very little |
| 9 | Go cold turkey | Suddenly stop something |
| 10 | Butter someone up | Flatter someone |
| 11 | Food for thought | Something worth thinking about |
| 12 | A smart cookie | An intelligent person |
| 13 | Spill the beans | Give away information that is supposed to be a secret |
| 14 | Bread and butter | A job that makes you money to earn your living |
| 15 | Have a sweet tooth | Someone who loves sweet |
Common Idioms About Weather
| Serial number | Idiom | Meaning |
| 1 | A storm is brewing | there is going to be a storm |
| 2 | Calm before the storm | |
| 3 | Weather a storm | Enduring something difficult |
| 4 | When it rains, it pours | Bad luck comes in different batches |
| 5 | Chasing rainbows | Pursuing a difficult task |
| 6 | Rain or shine | Doing something no matter what the situation is |
| 7 | Under the sun | Everything on this Earth |
| 8 | Every cloud has a silver lining | There is something good in every situation |
| 9 | Raining cats and dogs | Raining very heavily |
| 10 | Come rain or shine | Whatever the situation is, the work is going to happen |
| 11 | Snowed under | Overwhelmed with a large amount of work |
| 12 | Break the ice | Ease the tension |
| 13 | In the eye of the storm | In the center of the chaotic situation |
| 14 | Throw caution to the wind | Taking risks without thinking of the consequences |
| 15 | A rising tide lifts all boats | A stable economy benefits everyone |
Wrapping up!
Now that you have a clear concept of what idioms are and have knowledge of the commonly used idioms, there should not be any difficulty using these phrases in conversations where they seem fit.
So, next time you are having a conversation with someone, “break a leg.”
