If you have ever listened to fluent English speakers and wondered why they were talking about “breaking a leg” or being “under the weather”, you have come across English idioms and expressions.
These phrases can be confusing when you take them literally. “Break a leg”, for example, normally has nothing to do with breaking a bone. It is an informal way of wishing someone good luck.
Learning common English idioms, phrases and expressions can make it easier to understand conversations, films, books, news reports and everyday English.
It can also help your own English sound more natural.
What is an idiom?
An idiom is a group of words whose meaning is different from the literal meaning of the individual words.
For example:
It’s raining cats and dogs.
Nobody expects cats and dogs to actually fall from the sky. The expression means that it is raining very heavily.
Another example is:
She spilled the beans.
This does not normally mean that someone dropped beans. It means that she revealed a secret or gave away information.
What is a phrase?
A phrase is a group of words that work together as part of a sentence.
Not every phrase is an idiom.
For example:
At the moment
This simply means now or currently.
An idiomatic phrase, on the other hand, has a meaning that may not be obvious from the individual words.
What is an expression?
“Expression” is a broader term for a word or group of words used to communicate a particular idea, feeling or meaning.
Some expressions are idioms, while others are simply common ways of saying something.
For example:
Take care.
This is a common expression used when saying goodbye or showing concern for someone.
50 common English idioms, phrases and expressions
Here are some useful expressions that you are likely to encounter in everyday English.
1. Break the ice
Meaning: To make people feel more comfortable when they first meet.
Example:
The teacher told a joke to break the ice.
2. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To describe something exactly or identify the main point.
Example:
You hit the nail on the head when you said communication was the problem.
3. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling slightly ill or unwell.
Example:
I’m feeling a little under the weather today.
4. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.
Example:
I eat fast food once in a blue moon.
5. Piece of cake
Meaning: Something that is very easy.
Example:
The test was a piece of cake.
6. Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: To be extremely expensive.
Example:
That new phone cost an arm and a leg.
7. Spill the beans
Meaning: To reveal a secret.
Example:
Who spilled the beans about the surprise party?
8. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To accidentally reveal a secret.
Example:
He let the cat out of the bag about the wedding.
9. Bite the bullet
Meaning: To face something difficult or unpleasant with courage.
Example:
I don’t want to make the phone call, but I’ll bite the bullet and do it.
10. Call it a day
Meaning: To stop working for the day.
Example:
We’ve finished most of the work, so let’s call it a day.
11. Get out of hand
Meaning: To become difficult to control.
Example:
The argument quickly got out of hand.
12. Go the extra mile
Meaning: To make an additional effort.
Example:
She always goes the extra mile to help her customers.
13. Hang in there
Meaning: Keep going despite difficulties.
Example:
Hang in there. Things will get better.
14. Keep an eye on
Meaning: To watch or monitor something.
Example:
Can you keep an eye on my bag?
15. On the same page
Meaning: To have the same understanding or agreement.
Example:
Before we start the project, let’s make sure we’re on the same page.
16. A blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something that initially seems bad but eventually has a positive result.
Example:
Losing that job turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
17. Better late than never
Meaning: Doing something late is better than not doing it at all.
Example:
He finally started exercising. Better late than never.
18. Don’t judge a book by its cover
Meaning: Don’t judge someone or something based only on appearance.
Example:
He looks serious, but he’s actually very friendly. Don’t judge a book by its cover.
19. Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning: There can be something positive in a difficult situation.
Example:
Losing the contract was disappointing, but every cloud has a silver lining.
20. Actions speak louder than words
Meaning: What someone does is more important than what they say.
Example:
He promised to help, but actions speak louder than words.
21. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It is now your responsibility to decide or take action.
Example:
I’ve made my offer. The ball is in your court.
22. Beat around the bush
Meaning: To avoid saying something directly.
Example:
Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened.
23. By the book
Meaning: According to the rules.
Example:
Our manager insists that everything is done by the book.
24. Cut corners
Meaning: To do something cheaply or carelessly by skipping necessary steps.
Example:
The company was criticised for cutting corners on safety.
25. Easy does it
Meaning: Do something slowly and carefully.
Example:
Easy does it when carrying that glass.
26. Get your act together
Meaning: To become organised or start behaving more responsibly.
Example:
You need to get your act together before the deadline.
27. Give someone a hand
Meaning: To help someone.
Example:
Can you give me a hand with these boxes?
28. In hot water
Meaning: To be in trouble.
Example:
He found himself in hot water after missing the deadline.
29. It takes two to tango
Meaning: A situation or problem usually involves more than one person.
Example:
Don’t blame her alone. It takes two to tango.
30. Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning: To accomplish two things with one action.
Example:
I walked to the shop and collected my parcel, killing two birds with one stone.
31. Miss the boat
Meaning: To miss an opportunity.
Example:
If you don’t apply now, you might miss the boat.
32. No pain, no gain
Meaning: You often need to work hard or experience difficulty to achieve something worthwhile.
Example:
Training is difficult, but no pain, no gain.
33. Not my cup of tea
Meaning: Something that you do not particularly like.
Example:
Horror films are not my cup of tea.
34. Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: To joke with someone or tease them.
Example:
Don’t worry, I’m just pulling your leg.
35. Put yourself in someone’s shoes
Meaning: To imagine what another person is experiencing.
Example:
Try to put yourself in her shoes before judging her decision.
36. See eye to eye
Meaning: To agree with someone.
Example:
We don’t always see eye to eye, but we respect each other.
37. Speak of the devil
Meaning: Said when the person you were just talking about appears.
Example:
Speak of the devil! We were just talking about you.
38. Take it easy
Meaning: Relax or avoid working too hard.
Example:
You’ve been working all day. Take it easy tonight.
39. The last straw
Meaning: The final problem in a series of problems that makes someone lose patience.
Example:
The broken computer was the last straw.
40. Time flies
Meaning: Time seems to pass very quickly.
Example:
Time flies when you’re having fun.
41. A dime a dozen
Meaning: Very common and easy to find.
Example:
Cheap souvenirs are a dime a dozen in tourist areas.
This expression is particularly associated with American English.
42. Back to square one
Meaning: To return to the beginning after an unsuccessful attempt.
Example:
The plan failed, so we’re back to square one.
43. In the long run
Meaning: Over a long period of time.
Example:
Saving money now will help you in the long run.
44. On the fence
Meaning: Unable to decide between two choices.
Example:
I’m still on the fence about whether to accept the offer.
45. Out of the blue
Meaning: Unexpectedly or without warning.
Example:
She called me out of the blue after several years.
46. When pigs fly
Meaning: Something that is extremely unlikely to happen.
Example:
He’ll apologise when pigs fly.
47. A storm in a teacup
Meaning: A lot of unnecessary anger or excitement about a small problem.
Example:
The disagreement was just a storm in a teacup.
This expression is particularly common in British English.
48. Keep your fingers crossed
Meaning: To hope that something goes well.
Example:
I have an interview tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed.
49. Fingers crossed
Meaning: A shorter way of expressing hope that something will happen successfully.
Example:
Fingers crossed, we get good news tomorrow.
50. Take care
Meaning: A friendly expression used when saying goodbye or showing concern.
Example:
It was great seeing you. Take care!
Why learn English idioms and expressions?
Idioms are more than colourful phrases. They are part of everyday communication.
Learning them can help you:
- Understand native and fluent English speakers
- Follow conversations more easily
- Understand films and television programmes
- Read English books and articles
- Improve your speaking skills
- Make your English sound more natural
- Understand humour and informal conversations
- Recognise cultural references
However, you don’t need to use an idiom every time you speak English. Some expressions are informal and may not be suitable in a formal email, academic paper or professional report.
How to learn English idioms effectively
Learn them in context
Don’t simply memorise a list of expressions. Read examples showing how they are actually used.
Start with common expressions
Focus on idioms that you are likely to hear in everyday English rather than rare expressions that you may never use.
Pay attention to formality
Some expressions are informal.
For example, “Give me a hand” is perfectly normal in casual conversation, but a more formal situation might call for “Could you help me?”
Don’t translate idioms word for word
An idiom may not make sense when translated literally into another language.
Instead, learn the meaning of the complete expression.
Use new expressions naturally
Once you understand an idiom, try using it in your own sentences. This makes it easier to remember.
Idioms vs literal expressions
Context is important.
For example, “break the ice” can be literal or idiomatic.
Literal:
The children broke the ice on the frozen pond.
Idiomatic:
The presenter told a joke to break the ice.
The surrounding words tell you which meaning is intended.