[100] Idioms Examples For Students | Idioms Examples in English

Idioms Examples For Students Lear Most Common 100 Idioms with Definitions and Examples For Students 

Idioms Examples for students or is for all  I am going to teach you 100 of the most common English idioms with definitions and examples of course these are really going to help you bring your English to the next level and help you sound more like a native 

100 Idioms Examples For Students

number1 is

a blessing in disguise  

this means a good thing that seemed bad at first 

for example 

losing that job was a blessing in disguise 

number 2 is

a picture is worth a thousand words 

this means that a picture tells a story just as well as if not better than written words 

for example 

please could you sketch out a floor plan a picture is worth a thousand words please could you sketch out a floor plan a picture is worth a thousand words

 

number 3 is you might have heard this one before it's 

a piece of cake 

and this means really easy 

for example 

that exam was a piece of cake

number 4 is 

actions speak louder than words 

and this means that what somebody actually does means more than what they say they will do 

an example 

I'm going to wait for him to show me he loves me because actions speak louder than words I'm going to wait for him to show me he loves me because actions speak louder than words 

number 5 is

add insult to injury 

this means to act in a way that makes a bad situation worse 

for example 

I was late and to add insult to injury I forgot my keys

number 6 this is really common it's there's 

as cheapest chips 

and this means really cheap 

for example 

don't worry about pay me back they were as cheap as chips

 

number 7 is 

barking up the wrong tree

this means to be wrong the way to achieve something or the reason for something 

an example 

I think you're barking up the wrong tree rather than reading the textbook cover-to-cover you should try the SQ RRR method 

number 8 is 

beat around the bush 

this means to avoid saying what you mean usually because it's uncomfortable 

for example 

I'm not going to beat around the bush I hate your boyfriend I'm not going to beat around the bush I hate your boyfriend 

number 9 is 

better late than never 

 this means that it's better to arrive or do something later than expected than to not arrive or not do something at all 

for example 

wow she finally turned up better late than never 

it's often used sarcastically wow she finally turned up better late than never 

number10 is

bite off more than you can chew 

this means to try to do something that is too difficult or too much for you 

an example 

I have bitten off more than I can chew with this 100 idioms video 

 number 11 is 

bite the bullet 

this means to force yourself to do something unpleasant or difficult or to be brave in a difficult situation 

for example 

I'm going to bite the bullet and quit my job 

number 12 is 

break a leg 

and this means believe it or not good luck 

it's often what we say to actors as they are going onstage 

for example 

break a leg tonight you're an amazing actor 

number 13 is

break the ice 

this means to make people who have not met each other before feel more relaxed and comfortable 

for example 

I've organized a fun game to help us all break the ice 

I hate that in classes when we have to break the ice and introduce ourselves I'm too British for that 

number 14 

incredibly common this one 

to call it a day 

call it a day this means to stop what you were doing because you either think you've done enough or you don't want to do anymore 

for example 

I'm exhausted I think I'm gonna call it a day 

number 15 is 

cost an arm and a leg 

cost an arm and a leg this means to be very expensive 

for example 

that coat looks like it cost you an arm and a leg 

number 16 is 

cut corners 

and this means to do something in the fastest easiest or cheapest way 

an example 

this report is of poor quality I think the author may have cut some corners 

number 17 is

cut somebody at some slack

this means to give somebody additional freedom 

for example 

because it was the last day of class the teachers cut the students some slack 

number 18 is 

don't give up the day job 

and this is used for telling somebody that you don't think that they're very good at something 

for example 

your drum solo was very entertaining but don't give up the day job 

number 19 is to 

put all of your eggs in one basket 

and this means to depend for success on a single person or plan 

for example 

I'm applying for several jobs because I don't want to put all of my eggs in one basket 

number 20 is 

easy does it 

 and this is used to tell someone to do something carefully and slowly 

for example 

easy does it don't spill that paint 

number 21 is my favorite it is 

every cloud has a silver lining 

and this means that every negative has a positive 

for example 

every cloud has a silver lining after being made redundant I found my dream job 

number 22 is to 

get a taste of your own medicine 

to get a taste of your own medicine 

and this is to get treated the way you've been treating other people 

an example 

the nasty prison warden got a taste of his own medicine when he was thrown in jail

number 23 is

to get out of hand 

to get out of hand and this means to become difficult to control 

for example 

over Christmas, our spending got a little out of hand 

over Christmas are spending got a little out of hand 

number 24 is 

to get something out of your system 

this means to get rid of a wish or emotion especially a negative one by allowing yourself to express it 

for example 

I went and bought that dress I was thinking about all day I had to get it out of my system 

number 25 is 

to get your act together 

get your act together this means to start to organize yourself so that you do things in an effective way 

for example 

my desk is a complete mess I need to get my act together 

my desk is a complete mess I need to get my act together with the true story 

number 26 

to give someone the benefit of the doubt 

this means to decide that you will believe someone even if you're not sure that what they're saying is true 

for example 

she said that she was late because the train was canceled and we gave her the benefit of the doubt 

she said that she was late because her train was canceled and we gave her the benefit of the doubt

 

number 27 is 

to give someone the cold shoulder 

and this means to ignore someone 

an example 

I think Sally is giving me the cold shoulder 

number 28 is 

to go back to the drawing board 

to go back to the drawing board means to start planning something again because the first plan failed 

for example 

well that didn't work let's go back to the drawing board 

 

number 29 is 

good things come to those who wait 

it means to be patient 

for example 

stop rushing me good things come to those who wait 

number 30 is 

hang in there and this is 

said as a way to tell people to not give up hope even through difficulties 

for example 

final exams are tough but hang in there and it will be okay 

final exams are tough but hang in there and it'll be okay 

number 31 is 

to hit the nail on the head 

to hit the nail on the head and this means to get something exactly right 

for example 

you've hit the nail on the head that is the route we should have taken 

number 32 is 

to hit the sack 

to hit the sack this means to go to bed 

for example 

oh I'm tired do you mind if I hit the sack 

number 33 is 

ignorance is bliss 

ignorance is bliss and this means you're better off not knowing 

for example 

I could ask my boss if she's planning to fire me but ignorant is bliss 

I could ask my boss if she's planning to fire me but ignorance is I'm better off not knowing 

number 34 is

in a nutshell 

and this means in the fewest words possible 

for example 

in a nutshell, everything went wrong

number 35 is 

it takes one to know one 

it takes one to know one and this means you're just as bad as I am

for example 

if someone says to me you're such a gossip I could respond with when it takes one to know one 

number 36 is 

it's not rocket science 

and this is used to say that you don't think something is very difficult or hard to understand 

for example 

I don't understand why you can't work out how to use the washing machine it's not rocket science 

number 37 is 

to jump on the bandwagon 

and this means to join an activity trend or opinion that has become popular 

for example 

I've jumped on the bandwagon and downloaded fortnight 

number 38 is 

to keep one's chin up 

and this means to keep one's spirits high to keep happy and positive 

for example 

I'm trying to keep my chin up after receiving that rejection letter 

number 39 is 

to kill two birds with one stone 

this means to get two things done with a single action 

for example 

we could kill two birds with one stone by stopping off at the bakery on the way back from the butchers

we could get two tasks accomplished in one trip 

number 40 is 

to leave no stone unturned 

this means to try every possible course of action in order to get something done 

for example 

he left no stone unturned in his search for his natural mother 

number 41 is 

to let sleeping dogs lie 

this means to leave a situation as it is in order to not make it worse 

for example 

I think we should let sleeping dogs lie and avoid confronting her about her issues 

number 42 is 

to let someone off the hook 

this means to allow someone to go unpunished [ to allow (someone who has been caught doing something wrong or illegal) to go unpunished]

for example 

this is the third time you've been caught speeding and I don't think they're going to let you off the hook 

number 43 is 

to let the cat out of the bag 

this means to reveal a secret

for example 

don't let the cat out of the bag because the party is meant to be a surprise 

number 44 is 

to make a long story short 

this is very similar to in a nutshell it's used to indicate that you are providing just basic facts and information in order to reduce the length of a story 

for example 

to make a long story short I canceled the party because of financial problems 

number 45 is 

to miss the boat 

and this means to be too slow to take advantage of an opportunity 

for example 

I waited too long for the house prices to drop and I missed the boat 

number 46 is 

neck of the wood 

and this either means the area where someone comes from or the area where you are 

for example 

I'm surprised to see you in this neck of the woods 

I'm surprised to see you in this neck of the woods in this area 

number 47 is 

no pain no gain 

this is often used to talk about exercise it means that suffering is necessary in order to achieve something 

for example 

I've been going to the gym twice a day and my muscles ache but no pain no gain 

number 48 is 

not one's cup of tea 

this one is very British which means that someone doesn't like or isn't interested in something 

for example 

I'm sorry but line dancing really isn't my cup of tea 

number 49 is 

off the top of one's head 

 this means from memory without a lot of thought or consideration 

for example 

off the top of my head, I think she's been engaged five times 

number 50 is 

on the ball 

and this means alert new ideas methods and trends  or it can also mean very organized

for example 

I like hanging out with younger people it keeps me on the ball 

number 51 is 

on thin ice 

and this means on probation if you make another mistake there will be trouble (consequences) 

for example 

I'm on thin ice after my behavior at the office party 

number 52 is 

once in a blue moon 

and this means rarely very infrequently 

for example 

I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon but when I do go I really enjoy it 

number 53 is 

out of someone's league 

and this means too good or too expensive for someone 

for example 

my crush is completely out of my league 

number 54 is 

to play devil's advocate 

this means to argue the opposite just for the sake of an argument 

we often say I don't want to play devil's advocate because we're saying I don't want to just argue for the sake of arguing but I have a differing opinion 

for example 

I don't want to play devil's advocate but are you really going out dressed like that 

number 55 is 

to play something by ear 

and this means to plan something in an improvised way so you decide as you are going along  (@)

for example 

instead of booking a table this weekend shall we just play it by ear 

shall we just see what happens 

number 56 is

to pull someone's leg 

this means to playfully deceive someone or to tease someone 

for example 

are you actually leaving your job or are you just pulling my leg

number 57 this is 

pull yourself together 

and this means recover control of your emotions 

as being a bit emotional this morning and my mom told me to pull myself together and I did and now I'm filming 

for example 

I need to pull myself together and stop crying 

number 58 is 

to rain on someone's parade 

and this means to spoil something to spoil something 

for example 

I don't want to rain on your parade but I think you've made a huge mistake in your thesis

number 59 is 

to rock the boat 

and this means to do or say something that could cause a problem or disturbance 

for example 

the team is getting on really well at the moment so let's not rock the boat

number 60 is 

to save something for a rainy day 

and this means to save something usually money for when you need it 

for example 

I think you should save that bonus for a rainy day 

number 61 is 

to see eye to eye 

this means to agree 

for example 

I really don't see eye to eye with my grandma

number 62 sixty-two is 

to shed light on something 

this means to reveal information about or to clarify something 

for example 

please could you shed some light on your absence yesterday 

number 63 is 

to sit on the fence 

to sit on the fence we often also say to be on the fence of like I'm on the fence 

and this means to avoid making a decision or choice 

for example 

I'm sitting on the fence I really can't choose between these two adorable puppies

number 64 is 

to sit tight 

and this means to refrain from taking action or changing one's mind 

for example 

the estate agent advised us to sit tight and neither buy nor sell 

number 65 is 

to smell a rat 

and this means to begin to suspect trickery or deception 

for example

when she passed away investigators were called in and soon smelled a rat 

when she passed away investigators were called in and soon smelt a rat 

number 66 is 

so far so good 

and this is used to say that something usually a plan or a project has been progressing well with no problems and this is up until the present 

so if someone asks me how's the new job I could say so far so good until this very moment there hasn't been anything problematic

number 67 is 

someone wouldn't be caught dead 

and this means that someone dislikes something very much 

for example 

I wouldn't be caught dead in a dress like that I hate that dress 

number 68 is 

someone's heart is in the right place 

this means that someone only has good intentions 

for example 

he's very strict with his students but his heart is in the right place 

number 69 is 

someone's jaw drops 

and this means that someone is very surprised 

for example 

when I saw him in his suit my jaw dropped 

when I saw him in his suit my jaw dropped I was very surprised 

number 70 is 

someone's pride and joy 

this means a person or a thing that gives someone a lot of satisfaction and happiness 

for example 

her vegetable garden is her pride and joy her vegetable garden is her pride and joy 

number 71 is 

someone's true colors 

and this means the kind of person someone really is rather than what they appear to be 

so if you show your true colors you show how you really are rather than how you appear 

for example 

I thought he was really nice and then he was rude to the waiter and showed his true colors 

number 72 is 

something rings a bell 

this means that something is familiar or you have heard something before 

for example 

I don't know him personally but the name rings a bell 

I've heard that name before I don't know him personally but the name rings a bell 

number 73 is 

speak of the devil 

this is said when somebody appears just after being mentioned 

for example 

Stephanie is so mean speak of the devil she just liked my Instagram post-Stephanie is so mean speak of the devil she just liked my Instagram post

number 74 is

to spill the beans 

and this means to give away a secret or to reveal some gossip 

for example 

go on spill the beans I need to know how your date went

number 75 is 

to steal someone's thunder 

and this means to take attention or praise away from someone else's accomplishments by outdoing them with your own 

for example 

she stole my thunder when she announced her pregnancy at my wedding 

number 76 is 

to stick to one's guns 

this means to refuse to change your opinions or beliefs about something 

for example 

you need to stick to your guns and stop listening to what he says 

you need to stick to what you believe in not what someone else believes in 

number 77 is 

to take something with a pinch of salt or also a grain of salt 

that's used more in America and this means to not take something too seriously 

for example 

I think you need to take anything that Martin says with a pinch of salt 

number 78 is 

to take the Mickey 

this means to make fun of 

for example 

are you taking the Mickey of my mum 

it's often shortened to Mick are you taking the Mick 

number 79 is 

the ball is in your court 

and this means it's your decision 

for example 

the ball is in your court regarding the location of the next event 

it's your decision the ball is in your court regarding the location of the next event 

number 80 is 

the best of both worlds 

this describes a situation in which you can enjoy the advantages of two different things 

for example 

she works in the city but lives in the countryside so she can enjoy the best of both worlds 

number 81 is 

the best thing since sliced bread 

and this means a really great invention 

for example 

the spork is the best thing since sliced bread 

number 82 is 

the devil is in the details 

this means it looks good from afar but when you look more closely there are problems 

for example 

the illustrations looked fine at first glance but the devil is in the details 

the illustrations look fine at first glance but the devil is in the details 

number 83 is 

the early bird gets the worm 

and this means the people who arrive first will get the best stuff 

it's often used for Black Friday 

for example 

let's head to the sales at 6 a.m. the early bird gets the worm 

number 84 is

the elephant in the room 

this means the big issue the problem that people are avoiding 

for example 

I think we should address the elephant in the room your hideous shoes 

I think we should address the elephant in the room your head issues people were avoiding talking about them but I have to mention them they are so ugly 

number 85 is 

the last straw 

and this comes from the straw that broke the camel's back but we more commonly say the last straw and this means  the last in a series of unfortunate events or unpleasant events that make you feel like you just can't continue 

for example 

she's always been rude to me but it was the last straw when she started insulting my mother 

she's always been rude to me but it was the last straw when she started insulting my mother I couldn't accept that any longer

number 86 is 

there are plenty more fish in the sea 

this means it's okay to miss this opportunity because others will arise 

for example 

just forget about him there are plenty more fish in the sea 

number 87 is

there's a method to someone's madness

and this means that someone appears crazy but actually, they have a plan 

for example 

my bedroom may seem messy but there's a method to my madness 

number 88 is 

there is no such thing as a free lunch 

this means that nothing is entirely free there is always a reason behind something 

for example 

I wonder what he wants from me there's no such thing as a free lunch 

number 89 is 

through thick and thin 

anyone who struggles with the sound will struggle with that sentence 

this means under all circumstances no matter how difficult 

for example 

he's stuck with her through thick and thin he's stuck with her through thick and thin 

number 90 is 

to throw caution to the wind 

and this means to take a risk

for example

I think you should throw caution to the wind and go on that date

I think you should throw caution to the wind and go on that date take that risk 

number 91 is 

to make matters worse 

this is similar to adding insult to injury this means 

with the result that a bad situation is made worse 

for example 

she accidentally sent a romantic message to her family what's that group and to make matters worse it included a picture 

this has happened to someone I know very embarrassing 

number 92 is 

to twist someone's arm 

this means to convince someone to do what you want 

for example 

I didn't want to go out tonight but félicité twisted my arm 

I didn't want to go out tonight but félicité twisted my arm she convinced me 

number 93 is 

under the weather 

and this means slightly unwell or low and spirits 

for example

I don't think I'll come tonight because I'm feeling a bit under the weather 

number 94 is (@)

up in the air 

and this means still to be settled or unresolved 

for example 

the fate of our house purchase is still up in the air  

number 95 is 

we'll cross that bridge when we come to it 

this is an expression that means you won't worry about a future problem that could arise but if it does happen then you'll deal with it 

for example 

don't worry about the car breaking down we'll cross that bridge when we come to it 

number 96 is

to wrap your head around something 

and this means to find a way to understand or accept something 

for example 

I still can't wrap my head around why she would do that 

I still can't wrap my head around why she would do that I can't understand it or accept it 

number 97 is 

you can say that again 

this is used to express emphatic agreement 

I agree you can say that again so if someone says to me the weather has been terrible I as a true Brit will say you can say that again 

and then if they didn't understand me they might say again and you don't need to say anything again if someone says you can say 

number 98 is 

you can't have your cake and eat it too 

this means you can't have everything 

for example 

you need to choose between the two options you can't have your cake and eat it too 

number 99 is 

you can't judge a book by its cover 

and that means don't judge what's on the outside 

for example 

she may look scruffy but you can't judge a book by its cover 

and number 100 is 

you live in you learn 

this is a nice way of saying you learn from your mistakes 

for example 

I know I failed that interview but you live and you learn 

Learn the 100 Most Common Idioms (with examples) Idioms Examples For Students

idioms examples for students

100 idioms and their meanings

idioms definition and examples