Idiomatic Expressions - 50 Idioms with Meaning and Example

"A warm welcome to you all!" – You might have heard that people always say this phrase but if you think about it literally, it would mean "a hot welcome!" You must be feeling strange, right? But this is an idiomatic expression, which is actually quite common, and it means to welcome someone lovingly. So, basically those phrases are called Idiomatic Expressions, which are completely different from their literal meaning. Today we will learn about such interesting idiomatic expressions which will make your conversations more interesting!

Idiomatic Expressions 

What is Idiomatic Expression?

Idiomatic expressions are those phrases or sentences whose original meaning is completely different from their literal meaning of words. These phrases are often linked to culture and context, and understanding them requires knowledge of idioms of language. Their use makes conversations expressive and interesting. Although their meaning is often not directly understood, but the impact is very strong.

50 Common Idiomatic Expressions with meaning and example

1. A piece of cake - Something very easy

• The math test was a piece of cake.

2. Hit the sack - Go to bed

• I'm tired after that long day, I'm going to hit the sack.

3. Break the ice - To initiate conversation in a tense situation

• Example: I told a joke to break the ice in meeting, and soon everyone was laughing.

4. Spill the beans - Reveal a secret

• Example: She accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party.

5. Once in a blue moon - Very rarely

• Example: We meet once in a blue moon.

6. Under the weather - Feeling unwell

• Example: I’m feeling a bit under the weather today.

7. Let the cat out of the bag - Reveal a secret unintentionally

• Example: He let the cat out of the bag about the promotion.

8. On cloud nine - Extremely happy

• Example: She was on cloud nine after getting her dream job.

9. Bite the bullet - To do something unpleasant with courage

• Example: He had to bite the bullet and face the surgery.

10. Kick the bucket - To die

• Example: The old man kicked the bucket at 95.

11. Break a leg - Good luck

• Example: Break a leg at your dance performance tonight!

12. Hit the nail on the head - To be exactly right

• Example: You hit the nail on the head with your comment.

13. Cost an arm and a leg - Very expensive

• Example: That new phone cost me an arm and a leg.

14. Call it a day - Stop working for the day

• Example: Let’s call it a day and head home.

15. Cut corners -  Do something in a cheaper or easier way

• Example: Don’t cut corners on safety regulations.

16. Burn the midnight oil - Work late into the night

• Example: I had to burn the midnight oil to finish the project.

17. Jump the gun - Act too soon

• Example: She jumped the gun and submitted the report early.

18. Ball is in your court - It’s up to you to decide

• Example: I’ve given my opinion; now the ball is in your court.

19. Cry over spilled milk - To regret something that cannot be undone

• Example: There’s no point in crying over spilled milk.

20. Blow off steam - Release pent-up emotions

• Example: He goes for a jog to blow off steam after work.

21. Cross your fingers - Hope for a good outcome

• Example: I’m crossing my fingers for the job interview.

22. Feeling blue - Feeling sad

• Example: He’s been feeling blue since his pet died.

23. Hit the road - Start a journey

• Example: Let’s hit the road early tomorrow.

24. In hot water - In trouble

• Example: He’s in hot water for missing the meeting.

25. It takes two to tango - Both parties are responsible

• Example: Don’t just blame him; it takes two to tango.

26. Kill two birds with one stone - Achieve two things with one action

• Example: I killed two birds with one stone by shopping and meeting a friend.

27. On the ball - Alert and attentive

• Example: She’s really on the ball at work.

28. Let someone off the hook - Let someone avoid responsibility

• Example: I let him off the hook for missing the meeting.

29. Hang in there - Don’t give up

• Example: I know it's tough, but hang in there!

30. Pull someone’s leg - Joke with someone

• Example: Relax, I was just pulling your leg!

31. Hit the books - Study hard

• Example: I need to hit the books before my exams.

32. Actions speak louder than words - What you do is more important than what you say

• Example: He promised to help, but actions speak louder than words.

33. Barking up the wrong tree - To pursue a wrong idea or action

• Example: You’re barking up the wrong tree if you think I took it.

34. Burn bridges - Ruin a relationship

• Example: Don’t burn bridges with your former boss.

35. Fit as a fiddle - In good health

• Example: Even at 70, my grandfather is fit as a fiddle.

36. Go the extra mile - Make extra effort

• Example: She always goes the extra mile to help her clients.

37. Hit the jackpot - Achieve great success

• Example: He hit the jackpot when he landed that new job.

38. In the same boat - In the same situation

• Example: We’re all in the same boat with these new deadlines.

39. Jump on the bandwagon - Join something because it is popular

• Example: She jumped on the fitness bandwagon this year.

40. Keep your chin up - Stay positive

• Example: Keep your chin up, better days are ahead.

41. Out of the blue - Unexpectedly

• Example: She called me out of the blue yesterday.

42. Pull yourself together - Calm down and regain control

• Example: After the bad news, he had to pull himself together.

43. Piece of the puzzle - A part of the whole solution

• Example: This report is just a piece of the puzzle.

44. Raining cats and dogs - Raining very heavily

• Example: It’s raining cats and dogs outside!

45. See eye to eye - Agree with someone

• Example: We finally see eye to eye on the project.

46. Speak of the devil - When someone you were talking about appears

• Example: Speak of the devil, here she comes now.

47. Throw in the towel - To give up

• Example: After months of trying, he finally threw in the towel.

48. Up in the air - Uncertain

• Example: The decision is still up in the air.

49. Your guess is as good as mine - I have no idea either

• Example: Where did he go? Your guess is as good as mine.

50. Can’t judge a book by its cover - Don’t judge based on appearances

• Example: He looks strict, but you can’t judge a book by its cover.

How to use Idiomatic Expressions effectively ?

It is important to keep a few things in mind While using idiomatic expressions effectively in daily conversations. If used properly then these can make your communication engaging and impactful. But it can seem confusing if used incorrectly. Here are some important points that you should keep in mind, along with examples:

1. Understanding the Correct Meaning- 

It is necessary to understand the actual meaning of idioms because their literal meaning is different, so if you don't know the exact meaning, they can be used incorrectly.

Example:

Idiom: "Bite the bullet"

• Correct Use: "I know it's going to be tough, but I have to bite the bullet and finish my project tonight."
• Explanation: Here "bite the bullet" means to face a difficult situation with courage. If you take its literal meaning, it can be confusing.

Bite the bullet 

2. Keeping context in mind

Idioms do not suit every context. However, It is not necessary to use idioms in formal situations, they fit naturally into informal or casual conversations. You have to see where the idiom fits.

Example:

Idiom: "Break the ice"

• Informal Use: "At the party, no one was talking, so I told a joke to break the ice."
• Formal Use: In a business meeting, instead of saying "break the ice," you might say "start the discussion" as it sounds more professional.

Break the ice

3. Familiarity with Common Idioms

All idioms are not used everywhere. You should first practice the common idioms that people use in everyday conversations. When you know this language, you can also use complex idioms.

Example:

Common Idiom: "Pulling leg"

• Use: "Don’t be serious,  I was just pulling your leg"
• Explanation: This is a common idiom which is used in happy situations and it means to make fun.

Pulling leg 

4. Use the Idiom at the right place

It is important to use idioms correctly. Sometimes people use idioms in wrong sentences which seem confusing. You have to keep in mind that the idiom should sound natural in the sentence and make sense.

Example:

• Correct Use: "She decided to let the cat out of the bag and told everyone about the surprise party."
• Incorrect Use: "She let the cat out of the bag by accidentally breaking the vase."
• Explanation: In the first sentence the idiom is used in the correct context, whereas in the second it sounds literal, which is wrong.

Let the cat out of the bag 

5. Understanding the Audience

If you are using idioms in front of someone who is not that perfect in English, then it can be confusing. You have to see that audience understands the meaning of your idiom.

Example:

Idiom: "Kick the bucket"

• Explanation: If you use this idiom and the person in front of you does not understand its meaning, then he may be confused. Therefore, it is important to use it keeping in mind the situation and audience.

Kick the bucket 

Conclusion 

Understanding idiomatic expressions and using them in our everyday life not only improves our English communication skills but also gives us a deeper understanding of human language. These phrases can make a simple conversation more engaging and impactful. The idioms given in this article will not only help you in speaking English but will also take your writing skills to a next level. With regular practice, you can make these idiomatic expressions a natural part of your day-to-day conversations. So, keep learning and applying them, because they will make your language even more expressive!

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