Idioms
An idiom is a group of words, a saying, or a phrase with a symbolic rather than literal meaning that is widely recognized and used in everyday language. It is a form of artistic expression characteristic of a movement, period, individual, medium, or instrument.
An idiom’s figurative meaning is different from the literal definition of its individual words. They convey concepts that are difficult to grasp solely through word reading. For example, the phrase “when pigs fly” means something will never happen, a meaning that isn’t obvious without context or explanation.
Many different idioms exist, and people use them frequently in all languages. Translating them into other languages can be challenging because some meanings may be lost. Still, equivalents that fill in the gaps between languages exist. The English language has an unlimited number of idiomatic expressions.
Idiomatic expressions are the building blocks of civilization and language. They help language grow and evolve. The richness of such phrases makes communication dynamic and engaging. These colorful expressions add vivid imagery to everyday speech and offer fascinating insights into how words are used and what the speaker is thinking. There is a sense of fun and mystery about them.
Why are idiomatic expressions challenging?
They can be hard to understand because their meanings aren’t always clear right away. This is especially true for people learning English, since these expressions often have hidden or symbolic meanings. That’s why many learners find these kinds of phrases strange and confusing at first.
Top 10 Everyday Expressions
This is a list of ten unique English idioms and phrases used in America. Each entry includes its meaning and example sentence, making it a valuable resource for both teachers and students. These idiomatic expressions are often discussed by students in competitive exams. While the popularity of an idiom can vary from region to region, the ones in this list are widely recognized throughout the United States.
Meaning: a controversial issue or situation that is awkward to deal with.
Example: Addressing the issue of bullying in our school has become a hot potato. Read more ➺
Meaning: something that is easy to do
Example: Learning English is a piece of cake as long as you do it with our website. Read more ➺
Meaning: very rarely
Example: I go to visit my grandfather only once in a blue moon; he lives in a remote farm house. Read more ➺
Meaning: a person who argues the opposite side to test an idea.
Example: I don't actually disagree, but let me play devil's advocate to see if your plan can handle criticism. Read more ➺
Meaning: raining very heavily
Example: I wanted to go to play outside, but it was raining cats and dogs yesterday. Read more ➺
Meaning: something that will never happen or is impossible.
Example: William will keep quiet only when pigs fly. Read more ➺
Meaning: fake cry or insincere display of sadness.
Example: He shed crocodile tears after being caught cheating, pretending to be sorry. Read more ➺
Meaning: miss the chance.
Example: Peter wanted to enter the drawing competition, but he was too late to enter, and he missed the boat. Read more ➺
Meaning: someone very precious or dear
Example: Every kid in the world is the apple of their parents' eye(s). Read more ➺
Meaning: to stop talking
Example: I don't want to hear another sound out of you. Now do as you're told and zip your lip. Read more ➺
Download as PDF fileNew Phrases to Learn
Meaning: Done while something is happening, in real time, without stopping the process.
Example: The engineer fixed the bug on the fly during the live demo. Read more ➺
Meaning: An instruction to hurry up or act more quickly.
Example: Chop chop, the taxi is already waiting outside and we're late. Read more ➺
Meaning: A particular area, neighborhood, or region where someone lives or comes from.
Example: He rarely visits this neck of the woods because it is far from his office. Read more ➺
Meaning: Very close together; side by side, often with little or no personal space.
Example: People were standing cheek by jowl on the train during the morning rush. Read more ➺
Meaning: A past period remembered as peaceful, happy, and prosperous.
Example: He often described his childhood as the halcyon days, when life felt simple and secure. Read more ➺
Meaning: A decisive turning point that causes a major and lasting change in events, thinking, or direction.
Example: The signing of the peace agreement was a watershed moment that reshaped relations between the two countries. Read more ➺
Meaning: Completely or entirely; as a whole, without leaving anything out.
Example: The proposal was accepted in toto, with no changes requested by the board. Read more ➺
Meaning: A person who performs a small, routine role within a large system and has little power or individuality.
Example: In the massive corporation, Marcus felt like a cog in the wheel, following orders with no influence on decisions. Read more ➺
Meaning: By that very fact or act; automatically as a direct result of something.
Example: By resigning from the board, he was ipso facto no longer entitled to company privileges. Read more ➺
Meaning: To be in a difficult situation where every available option has negative consequences.
Example: The manager was in a cleft stick, knowing that either decision would upset someone on the team. Read more ➺
View the complete list of all idiomatic phrases we have on our website. Read more ➺
