50 Useful English Idiomatic Expressions & Their Meanings

Learning English and developing fluency isn’t only about grammar and vocabulary. To learn English effectively, it’s important to understand common idioms, idiomatic expressions, and common phrases in English. Native English speakers use these expressions daily in conversation, writing, and in the media, so understanding them and their correct uses will help you sound more fluent.

This blog presents 50 common English idioms and phrases with their meaning and examples, helping you pick up the English language more quickly!

What are Idiomatic Expressions?

Idiomatic expressions are phrases with meanings that are different from the literal meanings of the words. They’re an important part of English and often come from history or culture. Learning these expressions will help you speak better and understand English-speaking cultures more.

Why Learn English Idioms and Phraes

Learning English idioms and phrases helps you:

• Understand native speakers more easily
• Improve your reading comprehension and listening skills
• Speak English more confidently and naturally
• Recognise English expressions and sayings in the media

Regardless of where you are studying English, mastering idioms is an essential skill and step to becoming fluent! Let’s look at 50 useful English idiomatic expressions, their meanings, and examples of how to use them:

1. “Break the ice” 

Meaning: To start a conversation or make people feel more comfortable.

Example: “To break the ice at the party, I said hello to the person next to me.”

2. “Cut corners” 

Meaning: To do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often badly.

Example: “The company cut corners on safety to save money, which caused problems.”

3. “Hit the nail on the head” 

Meaning: To describe something exactly right.

Example: “You’ve hit the nail on the head with your idea about the problem.”

4. “Piece of cake” 

Meaning: Something very easy to do.

Example: “The test was a piece of cake; I finished it very quickly.”

5. “Cost an arm and a leg” 

Meaning: To be very expensive

Example: “That new phone costs an arm and a leg; I can’t buy it now.”

6. “Bite off more than you can chew” 

Meaning: To try to do more than you can manage.

Example: “By agreeing to do two big projects at once, I bit off more than I could chew.”

7. “Beat around the bush” 

Meaning: To avoid talking about what’s important.

Example: “Please stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened.”

8. “Cry over spilled milk” 

Meaning: To be upset about something that has already happened and can’t be changed.

Example: “Don’t cry over spilled milk; let’s focus on fixing the problem.”

9. “Get your act together” 

Meaning: To organise yourself and improve your behaviour.

Example: “You need to get your act together if you want to pass this class.”

10. “Kill two birds with one stone” 

Meaning: To solve two problems with one action.

Example: “By walking to work, I kill two birds with one stone: I save money and get exercise.”

11. “Let the cat out of the bag” 

Meaning: To reveal a secret by mistake.

Example: “I let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party when I asked her what cake she likes.”

12. “Pull someone’s leg” 

Meaning: To joke with someone by telling them something that isn’t true.

Example: “Don’t worry, I’m just pulling your leg; I didn’t really sell your bike.”

13. “Burn the midnight oil” 

Meaning: To work late into the night.

Example: “I’ve been burning the midnight oil to finish this project before the deadline.”

14. “Bite the bullet” 

Meaning: To do something difficult or unpleasant that you have been avoiding.

Example: “I finally bit the bullet and went to the dentist after waiting for months.”

15. “Break a leg” 

Meaning: A way of wishing someone good luck, especially before a performance.

Example: “You’re going to do great in the play tonight. Break a leg!”

16. “Call it a day” 

Meaning: To stop working on something.

Example: “We’ve done a lot of work on the report. Let’s call it a day and continue tomorrow.”

17. “Steal someone’s thunder”

Meaning: To take attention away from someone else’s achievement.

Example: “I was about to share my good news, but my sister stole my thunder by announcing her engagement.”

18. “The ball is in your court” 

Meaning: It’s your turn to take action or make a decision.

Example: “I’ve made my offer; now the ball is in your court to decide.”

19. “Throw in the towel” 

Meaning: To give up.

Example: “After trying for hours to fix the computer, I threw in the towel and called an expert.”

20. “Under the weather” 

Meaning: Feeling slightly ill.

Example: “I’m feeling a bit under the weather today; I might stay home and rest.”

21. “Speak of the devil” 

Meaning: Said when someone appears just as you’re talking about them.

Example: “Speak of the devil! We were just talking about you when you walked in.”

22. “Once in a blue moon” 

Meaning: Very rarely.

Example: “I only eat fast food once in a blue moon; I usually cook at home.”

23. “Catch someone red-handed” 

Meaning: To catch someone while they are doing something wrong.

Example: “The teacher caught the student red-handed trying to cheat on the test.

24. “Barking up the wrong tree” 

Meaning: To look for something in the wrong place or to blame the wrong person.

Example: “If you think I took your book, you’re barking up the wrong tree. I haven’t seen it.”

25. “Jump on the bandwagon” 

Meaning: To join an activity that has become popular.

Example: “When healthy eating became popular, many people jumped on the bandwagon.”

26. “Like two peas in a pod” 

Meaning: Very similar or close.

Example: “Those best friends are like two peas in a pod; they do everything together.”

27. “Ten a penny” 

Meaning: Very common and not special or valuable.

Example: “Empty promises are ten a penny; I need to see real actions.”

28. “Go the extra mile” 

Meaning: To make an extra effort.

Example: “Our teachers always go the extra mile to help students understand difficult topics.”

29. “Straight from the horse’s mouth” 

Meaning: Information from the person who knows best.

Example: “I heard about the university’s new policy straight from the horse’s mouth – the vice-chancellor told us herself.”

30. “Take with a pinch of salt” 

Meaning: To not completely believe something.

Example: “You should take his stories with a pinch of salt; he often exaggerates.”

31. “To feel like a million bucks”

Meaning: To feel wonderful or in great health.

Example: “I feel like a million bucks after that workout!”

32. “Miss the boat”

Meaning: To miss an opportunity.

Example: “Don’t miss the boat on this great deal.”

33. “A dime a dozen”

Meaning: Something very common and not special.

Example: “Those shoes are a dime a dozen.”

34. “To be in the red/black”

Meaning: To be losing money (to be in the negative).

Example: “My stocks aren’t doing well right now; they’re in the red.”

35. “The elephant in the room”

Meaning: A problem that everyone is avoiding discussing.

Example: “Let’s address the elephant in the room.”

36. “Break the bank”

Meaning: Very expensive, to spend more than someone can afford.

Example: “I can’t buy this car, it’ll break the bank.”

37. “By the skin of your/my teeth”

Meaning: To narrowly escape something or barely achieve something.

Example: “You passed that course by the skin of your teeth”.

38. “Hit the sack/hay”

Meaning: Go to sleep

Example: “I’m exhausted; I’m going to hit the hay.”

39. “On the ball”

Meaning: Doing a good job, being on top of it

Example: “Thanks for the reminder – you’re on the ball!”

40. “The last straw:

Meaning: Patience has run out

Example: “You’re always late; this is the last straw.”

41. “To make matters worse”

Meaning: To make the problem worse

Example: “To make matters worse, it started raining!”

42. “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch”

Meaning: Don’t count on something good to happen until it’s actually happened

Expression: “Although the interview went well, don’t count your chickens before they hatch – wait for the offer letter.”

43. “Comparing apples to oranges”

Meaning: Comparing two things that are too different and cannot be compared

Example: “Comparing Italian food with Mexican food is like comparing apples to oranges.”

44. “The whole nine yards”

Meaning: Everything, to go all the way

Example: “She went the whole nine yards to celebrate my birthday!”

45. “A storm in a teacup”

Meaning: A big fuss about a small problem

Example: “It’s just a little traffic; you’re making it a storm in a teacup.”

46. “Cut [somebody] some slack”

Meaning: Don’t be so critical

Example: “I tried my best; cut me some slack.”

47. “It’s not rocket science”

Meaning: It’s not difficult or complicated

Example: “You just need to restart your laptop; it’s not rocket science.”

48. “You can say that again”

Meaning: That’s true, I agree

Example: “It’s so hot today.” “You can say that again!”

49. “Bent out of shape”

Meaning: To get upset about something

Example: “They got bent out of shape because they missed the bus.”

50. “A picture is worth a thousand words”

Meaning: It’s better to show it than to talk about it

Example: “Looking at their wedding photo, you can tell they’re so happy – a picture is worth a thousand words.”

How to Use English Idioms and Phrases

Idioms, idiomatic expressions, and phrases are very common across the English language. Here are some tips on how you can use them:

• Use idioms naturally and correctly in conversations or in writing
• Avoid using too many idioms at once
• Avoid using too many of them in formal essays or on exams
• Practice idioms during speaking lessons to learn natural uses of English expressions
• Recognise English idioms in movies, TV shows, newspapers, and magazines

FAQs About English Idioms and Expressions

Q1: What are English Idioms?

A: They are phrases with meanings that can’t always be understood literally. They’re an essential part of learning English and using English naturally.

Q2: Why should I learn idioms in English?

A: Learning idioms and how to use them improves your fluency, comprehension, and natural English skills. Idioms help you better interact with native speakers.

Q3: Can I use idioms in formal writing?

A: Idioms are best used for informal conversation and writing. Avoid excessive use of idioms in essays, academic writing, or professional documents.

Q4: Where can I learn common English idioms and phrases?

A: You can learn English idioms, idiomatic expressions, and phrases at English schools like Oxford International, through classes, Speaking and Conversation Clubs, and during immersive social programme outings.

At Oxford International, we believe that learning idiomatic expressions is very important for speaking English well. Our courses help you understand and use these phrases naturally, so you can communicate better in English.

Remember, learning to use idiomatic expressions takes time and practice. Don’t worry if you make mistakes; even native speakers sometimes use idioms wrong. Keep learning and practising, and soon you’ll use these colourful phrases confidently!

Whether you’re studying, working, or just want to improve your English, understanding and using idiomatic expressions will help you a lot. At Oxford International, we’re here to help you learn English better.

So, start using these idiomatic expressions in your English today! With practise, you’ll soon use them like a native speaker.

Published on – 4th September 2024

Modified on – 30th January 2026 with the latest information.

---