English Idioms
Search this index of English idioms. Each idiom has its own page with meaning, examples, and related expressions.
- Big fish in a small pond
An important person in a small group or limited environment.
General - Come a long way
To make a lot of progress.
General - Heavy going
Difficult to do, read, or understand.
General - Get a foot in the door
To get a small opportunity that may lead to bigger opportunities.
General - Cut and dried
Already decided and not likely to change.
General - No-brainer
A very easy decision.
General - Call the shots
To be in control and make the important decisions.
General - Across the board
Affecting everyone or everything.
General - Give it your best shot
To try as hard as you can.
General - Touch base
To make brief contact or communicate with someone.
General - Out of your depth
In a situation that is too difficult for your knowledge or ability.
General - Off the hook
Free from responsibility, blame, or trouble.
General - Clear as day
Very obvious or easy to understand.
General - For the time being
For now; temporarily.
General - Close call
A situation where something bad almost happened.
General - A matter of time
Something that will certainly happen eventually.
General - A losing battle
A fight or effort that is unlikely to succeed.
General - In black and white
Written or printed clearly.
General - A shot in the dark
A guess made without much information.
General - Get your act together
To start behaving or working in a more organized and effective way.
General - Fit as a fiddle
Very healthy and strong.
General - Cry wolf
To ask for help when there is no real danger, so people stop believing you.
General - Give someone the benefit of the doubt
To believe someone may be telling the truth even if you are not sure.
General - Bring into focus
To make something clearer or easier to understand.
General
Idiom of the Day
“Wear your heart on your sleeve”
To show your feelings openly.
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.