English Idioms

Search this index of English idioms. Each idiom has its own page with meaning, examples, and related expressions.

495 idioms found

“Better safe than sorry”

It’s better to be cautious than regret later.

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“Under the weather”

Feeling slightly ill or unwell.

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“Break the ice”

To do or say something that makes people feel more comfortable in a new or awkward situation.

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“Your guess is as good as mine”

I don’t know either.

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“Cut corners”

To do something cheaply or badly to save time or money.

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“Let the cat out of the bag”

To reveal a secret accidentally or intentionally.

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“A picture is worth a thousand words”

An image can express more than words.

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“Actions speak louder than words”

What people do is more important than what they say.

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“Beat a dead horse”

To waste time on something already decided.

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“Speak of the devil”

The person you were talking about appears.

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“Bite off more than you can chew”

To take on too much responsibility.

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“A dime a dozen”

Very common and easy to find; not special or valuable.

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“Hit the nail on the head”

To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.

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“Wrap one's head around something”

To understand something complicated.

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“Turn a blind eye”

To ignore something wrong or unpleasant on purpose.

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“Ball is in your court”

It is your decision or responsibility now.

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“Take it with a grain of salt”

To not completely believe something.

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“Barking up the wrong tree”

To make a wrong assumption.

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“Burn the midnight oil”

To work late into the night.

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Idiom of the Day

“Through thick and thin”

In good and bad times.

A highlighted idiom from our collection. Browse the full index above for more.

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FAQ

What are English idioms?

Idioms are fixed expressions where the meaning is different from the literal words.

Why are idioms important in conversation?

They make speech sound natural and help you understand native-level communication.

How can I learn idioms faster?

Study idioms in context, repeat example sentences aloud, and review them regularly.

What are common idioms for beginners?

Start with high-frequency idioms from daily conversation and workplace English.

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