“Grease the wheels”
To make a process easier or faster.
General
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Search this index of English idioms. Each idiom has its own page with meaning, examples, and related expressions.
“Grease the wheels”
To make a process easier or faster.
“Jump the gun”
To do something too early before the right time.
“Have the upper hand”
To have an advantage or control.
“Read between the lines”
To understand the hidden meaning of something.
“Look the other way”
To ignore something wrong intentionally.
“Fat chance”
Very little or no chance.
Idiom of the Day
“Rome wasn’t built in a day”
Important things take time.
A highlighted idiom from our collection. Browse the full index above for more.
Open idiom pageReinforce idiom meaning with context-based quiz practice and short daily game sessions.
Idioms are fixed expressions where the meaning is different from the literal words.
They make speech sound natural and help you understand native-level communication.
Study idioms in context, repeat example sentences aloud, and review them regularly.
Start with high-frequency idioms from daily conversation and workplace English.
“Meet someone halfway”
To compromise with someone.
“Fall on deaf ears”
To be ignored or not listened to.
“From the ground up”
From the beginning or basic level.
“Weather the storm”
To survive a difficult period.
“Burn the candle at both ends”
To work too hard and not rest enough.
“In the driver’s seat”
In control of a situation.
“The ballpark figure”
An approximate number or estimate.
“Go pear-shaped”
To go wrong or fail.
“The elephant in the room”
An obvious problem that people avoid talking about.
“At all costs”
No matter what happens or how difficult it is.
“Blind as a bat”
Unable to see well.
“The final straw”
The last problem that makes a situation unacceptable.
“First things first”
The most important things should be done first.
“Off the hook”
Free from responsibility, blame, or trouble.
“Cut no ice”
To have no effect or influence.
“Change hands”
To pass from one owner to another.
“Spill the tea”
To share gossip or interesting personal news.
“An uphill battle”
A very difficult challenge.