“Hold your own”
To perform well despite difficulty or competition.
General
Open idiom pageEnglish Idioms
Search this index of English idioms. Each idiom has its own page with meaning, examples, and related expressions.
“Hear it through the grapevine”
To hear news unofficially from other people.
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Open idiom page“Cool as a cucumber”
Very calm, especially under pressure.
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Open idiom page“As clear as mud”
Very confusing or not clear at all.
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Open idiom page“Cut it close”
To leave very little time before a deadline.
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Open idiom page“A slap on the wrist”
A very mild punishment.
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Open idiom page“A storm in a teacup”
A lot of anger or worry about something unimportant.
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Open idiom page“Even the score”
To make a situation equal after being behind.
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Open idiom page“Go without saying”
To be obvious.
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Open idiom page“Break new ground”
To do something innovative or original.
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Open idiom page“Rock the boat”
To cause problems by changing or challenging the situation.
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Open idiom page“A wild goose chase”
A useless search for something that is hard or impossible to find.
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Open idiom page“It’s anyone’s guess”
No one knows for sure.
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Open idiom page“A wake-up call”
An event that makes someone realize action is needed.
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Open idiom page“Hit the ground running”
To start something with energy and immediate progress.
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Open idiom page“Read between the lines”
To understand the hidden meaning of something.
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Open idiom page“Burn the candle at both ends”
To work too hard and not rest enough.
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Open idiom page“All bets are off”
The situation has changed so much that predictions no longer apply.
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Open idiom page“Food for thought”
Something worth thinking about.
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Open idiom page“Grease the wheels”
To make a process easier or faster.
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Open idiom page“Fall on deaf ears”
To be ignored or not listened to.
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Open idiom page“At all costs”
No matter what happens or how difficult it is.
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Open idiom page“Against the clock”
In a hurry to finish something before a deadline.
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Open idiom page“Go pear-shaped”
To go wrong or fail.
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“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.