Idioms

An idiom is a group of words, a saying, or a phrase with a symbolic rather than literal meaning that is accepted in common usage. It is a form of artistic expression characteristic of a movement, period, individual, medium, or instrument.

Its symbolic sense differs from the definition or literal meaning of the words that make it. Idioms convey a figurative meaning that is difficult to understand solely by interpreting the words literally. For instance, “beyond the pale” means something is “over the line” or improper. You can only know that by being able to infer the phrase’s meaning based on context or if someone explains it to you.

Many different idioms exist, and people use them commonly in all languages. Translating them into other languages can be challenging because some meanings may be lost. Still, equivalents that fill in the gaps between languages exist. The English language has an unlimited number of idiomatic expressions.

Idiomatic expressions are the building blocks of civilization and language. They make the language evolve. The great intensity of idioms makes a language dynamic and interesting. Phrases bring a remarkable illustration to daily speech and offer compelling insights into the use of languages, words, and the speaker’s thought process. There is a sense of fun and mystery about idioms.

So why are idiomatic expressions difficult?
They are difficult because their meanings are not always easy to understand. This is particularly the case for non-native speakers of the language in question, since their intentions are typically symbolic. Due to this characteristic, English learners find them strange and hard to understand.

Top 10 Common Idioms

This is a list of the top ten most common English phrases and idioms used globally. We have provided their meaning and examples for teachers and students. Students also explain the meaning of idiomatic expressions in competitive exams. The popularity of an idiom can vary from region to region. However, this list is generally popular worldwide.

a hot potato

Meaning: a controversial issue or situation that is awkward to deal with.

Example: Addressing the issue of bullying in our school has become a hot potato. Read more ➺


piece of cake

Meaning: something that is easy to do

Example: Learning English is a piece of cake as long as you do it with our website. Read more ➺


once in a blue moon

Meaning: very rarely

Example: I go to visit my grandfather only once in a blue moon; he lives in a remote farm house. Read more ➺


a bed of roses

Meaning: easy option

Example: Taking care of my younger sister is no bed of roses; she is very silly. Read more ➺


raining cats and dogs

Meaning: raining very heavily

Example: I wanted to go to play outside, but it was raining cats and dogs yesterday. Read more ➺


when pigs fly

Meaning: something that will never happen or is impossible.

Example: William will keep quiet only when pigs fly. Read more ➺


devil's advocate

Meaning: one who presents a counter argument

Example: Hey Jack! You're always playing devil's advocate! Give it a rest and mind your own business. Read more ➺


miss the boat

Meaning: miss the chance.

Example: Peter wanted to enter the drawing competition, but he was too late to enter, and he missed the boat. Read more ➺


apple of eye

Meaning: someone very precious or dear

Example: Every kid in the world is the apple of their parents' eye(s). Read more ➺


zip your lip

Meaning: to stop talking

Example: I don't want to hear another sound out of you. Now do as you're told and zip your lip. Read more ➺


Latest Idioms

get one’s feet wet

Meaning: to begin taking part in a new activity.

Example: Finally, you've decided to get your feet wet and enrolled in your singing classes. Read more ➺


beyond the veil

Meaning: refers to something hidden or inaccessible, often beyond understanding or perception.

Example: The true intentions of the politician remained beyond the veil of public scrutiny. Read more ➺


cat’s pajamas

Meaning: excellent or outstanding.

Example: Wow, your drawing of a dinosaur is the cat's pajamas. Read more ➺


fall between two stools

Meaning: to come between two alternatives, and so fail to fulfill either of them.

Example: This book cannot be an academic one, nor can it be a popular commercial one; it falls between two stools. Read more ➺


sick as a dog

Meaning: refers to extreme physical illness or discomfort.

Example: After eating that questionable seafood, he spent the entire night vomiting and feeling as sick as a dog. Read more ➺


forty winks

Meaning: a brief nap or short sleep.

Example: The bank manager caught the security guard taking forty winks on duty. Read more ➺


call the shots

Meaning: to be in charge of what is happening and what should happen.

Example: The security forces will call the shots all around during the political gatherings. Read more ➺


bigger fish to fry

Meaning: to have other, more important things to do.

Example: You are not worth my time or energy; I have bigger fish to fry. Read more ➺


fish rots from the head down

Meaning: poor leadership leads to the decline of an organization.

Example: The company was bound to be closed sooner or later, considering the kind of managers that they had hired. A fish rots from the head down, after all. Read more ➺


tar with the same brush

Meaning: unfairly associate someone with others who share negative characteristics or behaviors.

Example: Hey, don't tar all politicians with the same brush; some are genuinely working for positive change. Read more ➺


View all idioms

View the complete list of all idioms we have on our website. Read more ➺

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