English Idioms
English Idioms
English Idioms
1. A BLESSING IN DISGUISE
Something that appears bad at first but ends up having good results
Missing that plane turned out to be a blessing in disguise because I got to spend more time with my
family.
2. A STONE’S THROW
Luckily the wedding is just a stone’s throw from our hotel so we can walk there.
What you do is more important than what you say; someone’s words may not be trustworthy
Person A: “John keeps saying he wants to take me out for dinner, but then he never does!”
When Sarah started laughing during the argument, it really added fuel to the fire!
As if breaking my arm isn’t bad enough, to add insult to injury I have to pay £1,000 in hospital fees as I
didn’t have travel insurance!
6. ALL EARS
Person A: “I have to tell you about what happened on our trip to Spain…”
7. AT A CROSSROADS
I was at a crossroads when I was offered a job in the US, but my boyfriend wanted to stay in London.
8. BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE
He thinks the company’s problems can be solved just by firing the sales team, but he’s barking up the
wrong tree.
Stop beating about the bush! Are you planning to quit university, or not?
Person A: “If I go to the wedding mum will be upset, but if I don’t go then I’ll be letting down the rest of
the family!”
Person B: “Sounds like you’re caught between a rock and a hard place.”
Person A: “I’m going to start that weekend job at the museum on top of my full-time job because I really
need the money.”
Person B: “Sounds like a lot of work! Don’t bite off more than you can chew.”
After my meeting with the boss, I went for a run to blow off steam.
14. BOG-STANDARD
Despite the excellent reviews, we thought the restaurant was just bog-standard.
15. BURY ONE’S HEAD IN THE SAND
Martin just buries his head in the sand when it comes to his financial problems.
The traffic was terrible so we only made the plane by the skin of our teeth!
I know he’s your brother, but let’s call a spade a spade: he’s pretty lazy.
It’s almost 9pm. I think we should call it a day and finish the report tomorrow.
It doesn’t look it, but our new sofa was (as) cheap as chips!
Information or rumours that have been passed on by many people and are no longer reliable
John and Maggie from the office haven’t actually announced they’re getting a divorce. It’s probably just
Chinese whispers.
To hold a grudge/be angry about something that happened in the past, or to be arrogant and think too
highly of oneself
Whenever we mention his childhood, he gets really angry. He’s got a chip on his shoulder about it.
The new sales guy at the office has a real chip on his shoulder. He’s not even that good!
22. CLAM UP
To become silent or stop talking
When Bill came into the room, Jenny just seemed to clam up. I think she likes him!
He’s getting cold feet about the wedding, but I told him that was perfectly normal.
I got the cold shoulder from Anna at the party. I guess she’s still annoyed with me.
I couldn’t care less if Harry comes out tonight or not! I don’t really like the guy.
A warning that being inquisitive or curious can get you into trouble
To cut a long story short, she has to move back to the US until her new visa comes through.
To do something in the easiest way possible (usually not very well) in order to save time or money
We had to cut corners to get the project done within our budget and by January.
To get directly to the point when speaking, to not give unnecessary detail
I have to leave in a minute so can you cut to the chase? What exactly do you want me to do?
30. DIG ONE’S HEELS IN
To refuse to do something or change your mind, especially when people are trying to persuade you
I wanted to go on the earlier train, but Mary dug her heels in so we had to get the later one.
A situation that is very competitive, where people are willing to harm each other’s interests to get ahead
I’d stay out of the legal sector. It can be a cut throat business.
A warning not to put all your resources or efforts into just one thing
Although you’ve made an offer on this house, I would still visit some others. You don’t want to put all
your eggs in one basket.
A warning not to try something difficult before you understand the basics
If you’re not very good at swimming, I’d stay in the shallow end and keep close to the side. You don’t
want to run before you can walk.
Easy does it! Those boxes you’re holding are very fragile.
To be extremely hungry
An important and obvious topic that everyone knows needs to be discussed, but that isn’t brought up or
mentioned
David leaving the company was the elephant in the room during that meeting – no one wanted to bring
it up!
I might have lost my job, but at least I don’t have that awful journey into work every day. Every cloud…!
I’m meeting Hannah tonight and it’s the first time I’ll have seen her since our argument. I guess I’ll finally
have to face the music.
I’ve only been at the new company for a month so I’m still finding my feet.
Judy was like a fish out of water at the kids’ party. I don’t think she likes children at all!
To do the same as someone else did before you (often a family member)
All the men in my family are doctors so I’ll probably follow in their footsteps and go into medicine too.
I freaked out when I saw The Rolling Stones perform. I’d wanted to see them my whole life!
That Goth at the club freaked me out a bit because he was dressed like a vampire!
You’re full of beans this evening! You must have had a good day at work.
I wish she would get off my back about the meeting! I know I have to send the agenda out, but I’ll do it
in my own time.
45. GET OUT OF HAND
The protest got out of hand and the police had to intervene when some demonstrators broke down a
fence.
Moving out of the city for a while might help you get over Harry. (This could be the breakup of a
personal relationship/marriage, or the person’s death)
You’re very argumentative today! Did you get up on the wrong side of bed, or something?
I haven’t got any work done this morning – I really need to get my act together!
To believe or trust what someone tells you (even though it might not be true)
Hannah said she missed the exam because her car broke down. I’m not sure that was the case, but let’s
give her the benefit of the doubt.
The client didn’t like our original concept so let’s go back to the drawing board!
To mean a person is never satisfied with their own situation, they always think others have it better
I always think the countryside looks nicer than the city, but I guess the grass is always greener…!
53. HANG IN THERE
Hang in there! I know it’s tough but you’re almost halfway through the course.
I heard (it) on the grapevine that you and Alex are splitting up. Is that true?
After dinner I’m really going to hit the books. Not much time left before my exams!
I think Lucy hit the nail on the head when she said there’s no such thing as an ideal school. There are
pros and cons to all of them.
Person A: ‘The train’s at 9. Grab the bags, find your shoes and call a taxi!’
Sometimes it’s better not to know all the facts about something
Person A: “Did you know that cake you just ate was 600 calories?”
Everyone thinks Boris is going to win the election so they’ve jumped on the bandwagon.
I don’t think the company is going to survive. We should probably jump ship!
It’s been a difficult month for you but keep your chin up! It will get easier.
I could pick up the dry cleaning on my way the doctors. That way we’d be killing two birds with one
stone.
Their engagement was meant to be a secret, but Adam let the cat out of the bag!
I tried to chat a girl up at the bar the other night, but she just ignored me. I must be losing my touch!
I would call the company back now about the job and not wait until the morning. You don’t want to miss
the boat!
I’ve noticed that people are starting to arrive late for work. I think we need to have a meeting about it
and nip this in the bud before it becomes a real problem.
She’s a great cook, but the meal she made really wasn’t my cup of tea. It was far too spicy.
You must be off your trolley if you think I’m going to climb up there! It’s way too high!
73. PITCH IN
You’re pulling my leg! I don’t believe you met Elton John at the pub!
To regain control of your emotions after you’ve been upset, to calm down
You need to pull yourself together! Stop worrying about work so much.
You’ll need to raise your game if you’re planning on beating Anna’s time in the half marathon.
Person B: “That name does ring a bell, but I can’t think why.”
The kids are all getting along fine at the moment so let’s not rock the boat.
As a rule of thumb, you should use two cups of water for one cup of rice.
We don’t see eye to eye when it comes to politics, but I do like her as a person.
You were in the office on Tuesday when the incident took place so perhaps you could shed some light on
it for us?
There are a lot of people still sitting on the fence over Brexit.
To wait patiently
You don’t have to decide straight away. Why don’t you sleep on it and let us know in the morning?
I thought I could smell a rat when john refused to give me a straight answer about his sales figures! Now
we know he’s been stealing from the company.
We are throwing David a surprise birthday party, but please don’t spill the beans!
This industry is so competitive; it’s easy to get stabbed in the back by your closest colleagues.
When someone does something unpleasant and the same is wished on him/her
My boss is a real bully. Someone should give her a taste of her own medicine!
I’ve told you how I feel about the wedding so the ball’s in your court now.
John and Chloe have stayed together through thick and thin.
Sarah’s not going to come out tonight. She’s had a busy week and is feeling under the weather.
Person B: “We don’t know as it’s all up in the air at the moment.”
To deal with something when it happens rather than worrying about it before
We were told that if we searched the library archives we might get some answers, but it turned out to
be a wild goose chase.
Person A: “I’ve only met Richard a couple of times, but he seems a bit shy.”
Person B: “You can’t always judge a book by its cover. He’s actually a really outgoing guy once you get to
know him!”