English Idioms
Search this index of English idioms. Each idiom has its own page with meaning, examples, and related expressions.
- Better safe than sorry
It’s better to be cautious than regret later.
General - Under the weather
Feeling slightly ill or unwell.
General - Break the ice
To do or say something that makes people feel more comfortable in a new or awkward situation.
General - Your guess is as good as mine
I don’t know either.
General - Cut corners
To do something cheaply or badly to save time or money.
General - When pigs fly
Something that will never happen.
General - Let the cat out of the bag
To reveal a secret accidentally or intentionally.
General - A picture is worth a thousand words
An image can express more than words.
General - Actions speak louder than words
What people do is more important than what they say.
General - Beat a dead horse
To waste time on something already decided.
General - Speak of the devil
The person you were talking about appears.
General - Bite off more than you can chew
To take on too much responsibility.
General - A dime a dozen
Very common and easy to find; not special or valuable.
General - Hit the nail on the head
To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
General - Spill the beans
To reveal secret information.
General - Sit on the fence
To avoid choosing a side.
General - Wrap one's head around something
To understand something complicated.
General - Turn a blind eye
To ignore something wrong or unpleasant on purpose.
General - Ball is in your court
It is your decision or responsibility now.
General - Take it with a grain of salt
To not completely believe something.
General - Barking up the wrong tree
To make a wrong assumption.
General - Once in a blue moon
Very rarely.
General - Keep an eye on
To watch or monitor carefully.
General - Burn the midnight oil
To work late into the night.
General
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.