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