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Idioms are phrases that native English speakers frequently use in conversation, and they constantly appear in literature, TV series, and films. To truly master your English fluency, it is crucial to become comfortable using common idioms and understanding the difference between cheering someone to 'break a leg' and trying to 'pull someone's leg'.
Here are 20 fundamental English idioms that everyone should know:
1. Under the weather
Meaning: To feel unwell or sick
How to use it? This phrase has nothing to do with rain or storms. If someone says they are feeling under the weather, your appropriate response should be, 'I hope you feel better soon!', not 'Do you need a raincoat?'.
2. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It’s entirely up to you now; it’s your responsibility to make the next decision.
How to use it? This idiom refers to life decisions rather than a sport. If you have the ball, the choice belongs to you, and someone else is awaiting your action or answer.
3. Spill the beans
Meaning: To accidentally reveal a secret
How to use it? If you revealed the location of someone’s surprise birthday party, you would have spilled the beans, or even 'let the cat out of the bag'. The secret is no longer safe.
4. Break a leg
Meaning: To wish someone good luck
How to use it? This idiom is not meant to be taken literally or as a threat. Often given with a thumbs-up gesture, 'Break a leg!' is an enthusiastic cheer of good fortune, commonly used before a performance or big event. It reportedly originated from the tradition of theater performers bowing so many times after a successful show that they might hypothetically "break a leg."
5. Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: To play a practical joke or trick someone playfully
How to use it? This phrase is ideal for fans of practical jokes. 'Pull their leg' is synonymous with 'tease someone'. Use it like this: ‘Relax, I’m just pulling your leg!’ or ‘Wait, are you pulling my leg? I don’t believe you.’
6. Sat on the fence
Meaning: To be undecided or neutral
How to use it? If you are sat on the fence, you have not chosen which side of an argument or dilemma you agree with. For example: ‘I’m on the fence about adopting a dog,’ means ‘I haven’t decided if I want to adopt a dog yet.’
7. Through thick and thin
Meaning: To remain loyal no matter the circumstances
How to use it? Frequently used to describe strong relationships (family, best friends), 'through thick and thin' means that you stand by each other’s side regardless of what happens, supporting one another through bad times as well as good.
8. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Very rarely or infrequently
How to use it? This delightful phrase is used to describe something that occurs seldom. Example: ‘I remember to deep clean my apartment once in a blue moon.’
9. It’s the best thing since sliced bread
Meaning: It is truly excellent or groundbreaking
How to use it? The invention of commercially sliced bread must have been revolutionary, because it has since been used as the ultimate benchmark for anything considered fantastic or innovative.
10. Take it with a pinch of salt
Meaning: Don’t take it too seriously; treat it skeptically
How to use it? ‘I heard the manager is resigning next week, but Sarah often spreads rumors so I take everything she says with a pinch of salt.’
11. Come rain or shine
Meaning: No matter what the situation is
How to use it? This guarantees that you will fulfill a commitment, irrespective of the weather or any obstacles that might arise. ‘I’ll be at your graduation ceremony, come rain or shine.’
12. Go down in flames
Meaning: To fail completely and spectacularly
How to use it? The meaning of this phrase is fairly obvious. ‘That presentation went down in flames; I should have prepared better.’
13. You can say that again
Meaning: That is absolutely true; I strongly agree
How to use it? Generally exclaimed in agreement. When a friend says, ‘This coffee is amazing!’, you can reply, ‘You can say that again!’
14. See eye to eye
Meaning: To agree perfectly or be in full alignment
How to use it? We are not suggesting a staring competition—to see eye to eye with someone is to fully agree with the perspective or point they are making.
15. Jump on the bandwagon
Meaning: Following a popular trend or activity
How to use it? This is used when a person participates in something popular or trendy simply because it is currently fashionable. Example: ‘He never liked that band before; he’s just jumping on the bandwagon now that they’re famous.’
16. As right as rain
Meaning: Perfect, in excellent condition, or completely fine
How to use it? This is a positive comment. ‘I’m as right as rain!’ may be exclaimed happily when asked if everything is okay, meaning you are perfectly well.
17. Beat around the bush
Meaning: Avoid getting to the main point or topic
How to use it? Beating around the bush occurs when someone speaks evasively, avoiding a direct question because they do not want to state their opinion or answer truthfully.
18. Hit the sack
Meaning: Go to bed or go to sleep
How to use it? This idiom is straightforward and easy to use. ‘I’m completely exhausted; it’s time for me to hit the sack!’
19. Miss the boat
Meaning: It’s too late; to lose an opportunity
How to use it? Use this when you let a good opportunity or deadline pass by. ‘I forgot to submit my application for that scholarship; now I’ve missed the boat.’
20. By the skin of your teeth
Meaning: Just barely managing to do something
How to use it? ‘Phew, I passed that difficult certification exam by the skin of my teeth!’ Use this idiom when you succeed, but only narrowly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is it important for English learners to understand idioms?
Understanding idioms is crucial because they are used constantly by native speakers in daily conversation, media, and literature. If you don't understand the non-literal meaning of an idiom, you can easily misunderstand the entire context of a discussion.
What is the difference between 'pull someone's leg' and 'break a leg'?
'Pulling someone's leg' means to trick or tease them playfully. 'Break a leg', however, is a common and enthusiastic way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
Why are so many idioms related to weather (e.g., 'under the weather', 'as right as rain')?
Many English idioms reflect the historical importance of weather, particularly in a maritime culture like Britain's. Conditions like rain and wind significantly impacted daily life, leading to many weather-related metaphors for describing moods or situations.
Does 'spill the beans' mean the same thing as 'let the cat out of the bag'?
Yes, both idioms carry the same meaning: to accidentally or deliberately reveal a secret. They are highly interchangeable in most conversational contexts.