English Idioms
Search this index of English idioms. Each idiom has its own page with meaning, examples, and related expressions.
- Face the music
Accept the consequences of your actions.
General - Through thick and thin
In good and bad times.
General - The tip of the iceberg
A small visible part of a much bigger problem or situation.
General - Make ends meet
To manage financially; have enough money to live.
General - Cry over spilled milk
To be upset about something that cannot be changed.
General - On the same page
Agreeing and understanding the same thing.
General - In hot water
In trouble.
General - Take the bull by the horns
To face a problem directly.
General - Go the extra mile
To make extra effort.
General - In the same boat
In the same situation as others.
General - It’s not rocket science
It’s not very complicated.
General - Bend over backwards
To try very hard to help or please someone.
General - No pain, no gain
You must work hard to achieve success.
General - At the drop of a hat
Immediately; without hesitation.
General - Burn bridges
To destroy relationships so you cannot return to them.
General - Put your money where your mouth is
To support your words with actions.
General - Cross that bridge when you come to it
Deal with a problem when it happens, not before.
General - Let sleeping dogs lie
Don’t bring up old problems.
General - Don’t judge a book by its cover
Don’t judge by appearance.
General - Keep your chin up
Stay positive in a difficult situation.
General - Throw in the towel
To give up.
General - Burn out
To become exhausted from too much work or stress.
General - Make a long story short
To summarize briefly.
General - Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
Don’t assume success before it happens.
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.