Idioms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

about to do something - at the point of just starting something

I was about to wash the dishes when my grandma called on the telephone.

absent-minded - forgetful

I am so absent-minded, I forgot to bring my lunch to school.

ace - (verb) to do really well, to get all the answers correct.

I am going to ace my history test, I studied all night.

airhead - a dumb person, someone who does not use their brain.

He acted like an airhead when he locked his keys in his car.

all of the sudden - happens without any notice

All of the sudden it began to pour rain.

all right 1 -to reluctantly agree

All right, I'll clean my room now.

all right 2 - in a satisfactory state

Are you all right? You look sick.

all right 3 - fair, not especially good but not bad either

My English is all right, I hope it will get better.

all thumbs - someone who has difficulty fixing things, clumsy with their hands

My uncle cannot fix the broken toilet, he is all thumbs.

antsy - restless, impatient

All this waiting is making me antsy.

as easy as pie - very easy

I finished my homework in ten minutes. It was as easy as pie.

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B

bad-mouth - (verb) to talk bad about someone

Don't bad-mouth her just because you are angry with her.

(a) ball - fun time

Last night we went to a party. We had a ball!

beat around the bush - avoid talking about something.

I know you want to ask me something, stop beating around the bush.

beat it - leave

Beat it kids, stop bothering me!

beats me - I don't know

What is the meaning of life? Beats me.

be my guest - anything you want, you can have. help yourself.

“Can I sit here?” “Be my guest.”

before long - soon

Before long you will be speaking perfect English.

bent out of shape - worried about something, needlessly bothered

I was only joking, don't get so bent out of shape.

(the) best of both worlds - the best parts of two different things, having two good, yet opposing things

In California we have beaches and mountains; we have the best of both worlds.

bigmouth/blabbermouth - someone who talks a lot

she can't keep a secret, she is a blabbermouth (a bigmouth).

booboo 1 - a mistake

I made a booboo and put too much salt in the soup.

booboo 2 - a small wound (childish expression)

I need a band-aid for my booboo.

break a leg - good luck

You have to give a speech today don't you? Break a leg!

break someone's heart - to make someone very disappointed or sad

It broke my mom's heart when I told her I wouldn't go to a university.

broke - the state of having no money

I can't even buy a candy bar, I am broke!

brush up on - review

I have a test tomorrow in my English class, so tonight I am going to brush up on my verbs.

bug - (verb) bother

Turn that music off, it is bugging me.

by one's self - alone

That girl has no friends, she is always by her self.

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C

catch some Zs - go to sleep

I'm exhausted; I think I'll go catch some Zs.

change one's mind - decide to do something different from what you decided earlier

I was going to make soup for dinner, but I changed my mind and ordered a pizza.

chicken - coward

Don't be a chicken, come rock climbing with me.

(a) chip on one's shoulder - has a problem with something/someone, looking for a fight.

Don't talk to him today; he has a chip on his shoulder.

chew the fat - chat, talk casually among friends

My friends and I like to get together, drink tea and chew the fat.

chow down - eat

I'm hungry, are you ready to chow down?

cool - wonderful, great, in style

It's cool to learn English.

couldn't care less - is not of interest, not important. Could not care any less

“I think she is mad at you” “I couldn't care less”

couch potato - someone who is lazy, watches TV all day

You never want to exercise, you are such a couch potato.

cream of the crop - the very best, the best of a group

Only the cream of the crop will be invited to the important meeting.

cross my heart - I promise

I will send you a postcard from my vacation, cross my heart.

cut it out! - stop

You are really bothering me, cut it out!

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D

daredevil - someone who is fearless, does risky/brave things

He is a daredevil, he went skydiving ten times.

date - romantic outing

He asked me out on a date. We are going to have dinner and see a movie.

don't count your chickens before they hatch - don't assume something will happen until it has happened

You think you are going to win the lottery?! Don't count your chickens before they hatch.

don't push your luck - do not ask for too much, do not ask for more

I already gave you enough, don't push your luck.

dying to know - really want to know

I am dying to know who will win the election and be our next president.

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E

early bird - someone who wakes up early

She's an early bird, usually she wakes up at 5 in the morning.

easy does it - be careful

That box you are carrying is fragile, easy does it.

eat like a horse - have a big appetite, eat a lot

My son eats like a horse; I can't keep any food in the house.

eat out - go to a restaurant

My neighbors have a lot of money, they eat out every night.

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F

fed up - tired of, frustrated with

I'm fed up with people who say they want to learn English but never do their homework.

feel blue - be sad

Don't feel blue, I like it when you're happy.

feel free - feel comfortable,

Feel free to ask me any questions you have.

fire someone - when someone is told they can no longer work

She was late to work every morning, so the boss had to fire her.

for ages - for a really long time

I've been friends with him for ages.

fox - a good looking person

See that girl with the black hair and green eyes, she's a fox!

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G

get going - leave

We've been here for hours, I think it is time to get going.

 

get it - understand

English is difficult, but I think I am starting to get it!

get on one's nerves - to bother someone

My little brother is always crying, it is getting on my nerves.

give someone a hand 1 - help someone

My car has a flat tire and I don't know how to fix it, can you give me a hand

give someone a hand 2 - clap for someone

that was a great speech, lets give her a hand.

(a) good sport - someone who is fair and friendly

My brother is a good sport, when he loses he congratulates the other players.

go with the flow - to be flexible, take things as they come

She doesn't get mad when the plans change at the last minute, she just goes with the flow.

grab a bite - eat something

I'll be there in a minute, let me just grab a bite first.

green with envy - jealous

When the queen saw the beautiful woman she turned green with envy.

grub - food

I'm hungry, lets get some grub.

guts - courage

He has a lot of guts to give a speech in front of two hundred people.

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H

hang out - not doing anything exciting, just enjoying the company of friends/family

“What are you going to do this weekend?” “Nothing, I'm just going to hang out with my friends.”

hard feelings - anger, bitter feelings

I have no hard feelings towards her, even though she didn't play very fair.

have one's hands full - to be very busy

Don't ask her to do anything else, she has her hands full.

higher than a kite - extremely happy

I was higher than I kite when I found out my wife was pregnant.

hit the books - study

After I eat dinner I have to hit the books.

hit the hay - go to sleep

It is already midnight? It's time to hit the hay.

hit the sack - go to sleep

My sister was really tired, after dinner she hit the sack.

how come? - why

How come you always have to leave work early?

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I

in a hurry/in a rush - a need to move quickly

I don't have time to talk to you, I'm in a hurry (in a rush).

in a jam - in trouble, in a difficult situation

I'm in a jam, can you let me borrow your car?

in over one's head - in a situation that is too much/ too difficult for one to manage

I'm in over my head, can you help me out?

inside out- so that the inside is turned outside

She turned her purse inside out in order to find her lost key.

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J

jump all over someone - criticize, scold, blame

My teacher jumped all over me when I told her I forgot my homework.

jump the gun - start before one should, too soon

He jumped the gun and ordered the dinner before I got there; he didn't know that I already ate.

just what the doctor ordered - exactly what is needed/wanted

After a long day like today, a warm meal is just what the doctor ordered.

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K

keep an eye on - watch

Can you keep an eye on my daughter while I do some shopping?

keep an eye out for - watch out for, look for

I will keep an eye out for your lost dog, I hope we find him.

keep in touch - do not lose contact with,

After we graduate from school, my best friend and I will keep in touch.

keep one's chin up - don't lose hope, don't worry, remain brave in a difficult situation

I know times are difficult right now but keep your chin up, it will get better soon.

keep one's fingers crossed - hope for the best

I am keeping my fingers crossed that I win first prize in the essay contest.

kick back - relax

After a long day at work I want to come home, kick back and watch TV.

(a) know-it-all - someone who acts like they know everything, and will not listen to other's opinions

She thinks she knows everything, what a know-it-all.

know something inside and out - know it really well, to know everything about something.

If you are having trouble with your flowers go to Karen, she knows gardening inside and out.

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L

last but not least - last on a list but not the least important

Last but not least I would like to introduce you to Dr. Collins, she is a pediatrician.

lend someone a hand - help someone out

Our neighbors are moving this weekend; we are going to lend them a hand with carrying boxes.

(a) let-down - a disappointment

It was a let-down when I found out I was not chosen for the job.

like a hawk - extremely watchful and attentive

I watched my little sister like a hawk to make sure she didn't get into trouble.

like father, like son - a son who acts like his father

Your son has a very bad temper. Like father, like son.

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M

makes no difference - does not matter

You are the best candidate; it makes no difference if you are a man or a woman.

make up one's mind - chose

Do you want chocolate or vanilla, make up your mind.

make one's head spin - confuses someone, amaze someone

All these idioms will make your head spin.

make one's mouth water - make you hungry

The smell of the dinner cooking made my mouth water.

make yourself at home - make yourself comfortable, treat my house as if it were your house

Welcome to my house, take your shoes off and make yourself at home.

Mother Nature - nature, natural forces

I love hiking in the mountains, where it is just me and Mother Nature.

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N

needle in a haystack - very difficult to find

Trying to find my keys in my messy bedroom is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

never mind - don't worry, don't bother

“Do you need some help?” “Never mind, I can do it myself.”

no biggie - it is not a big deal

If you don't have time to pick up my laundry it's no biggie, I will pick it up tomorrow.

no sweat - its not a big deal, no biggie

If you don't have time to pick up my laundry, no sweat I will pick it up tomorrow.

now and then - once and a while, every so often, sometimes

I don't eat dessert, but now and then I like to have some ice cream.

No way! 1 - and expression used to show amazement in what has been said,

This T.V. only cost 300 Somoni! No way!

No Way! 2 - definetly not, absolutely not

“Are you going to go sky diving with me?” “No way!”

nuts - crazy

You're nuts to go outside without a jacket on this cold winter day.

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O

once in a blue moon - almost never

I get a telephone call from my friend in America once in a blue moon.

on time - not early and not late

She arrives to work every day on time.

out loud - loud enough to hear

Dad was very angry with me, but he didn't say it out loud.

out of control - not managed, wild, crazy

The kids were out of control, they were fighting and screaming and making a mess of the whole house.

out of hand - not managed, wild, crazy, out of control

This situation is getting out of hand, it is time we call the police.

over one's head - too difficult to understand

I'm proud of you for learning English, I tried to learn Russian but it was over my head.

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P

(a) piece of cake - easy

I finished my homework in ten minutes, it was a piece of cake.

(a) piece of my mind - to tell someone your opinion, to inform someone you don't agree with them

If she keeps making these mistakes I will have to give her a piece of my mind.

pig out - eat a lot

We are so hungry, when we get to the restaurant we are going to pig out.

pooped out - really tired, exhausted

After hiking in the mountains all day I'm really pooped out.

pop the question - ask someone to marry you

He took me to a fancy restaurant, gave me a diamond ring and popped the question!

pretty - (adverb) kind of, sort of, a little bit

English is pretty difficult, but if I keep practicing I will learn it.

pull someone's leg - joke with someone

You didn't win a million dollars, you're pulling my leg.

pure luck - just luck, no skill or talent

It was pure luck I saw you at the market, I needed to talk to you about something.

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Q

quite of few - many

Me dad has three sisters and my mom has three brothers, so I have quite a few cousins.

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R

R and R - rest and relaxation

This weekend I am going to my cabin by the lake to get some R and R.

rain cats and dogs - heavy rain

Don't forget your umbrella, it's raining cats and dogs outside.

rain or shine - no mater what, guaranteed, (describing something scheduled) no matter what the weather is

The soccer game will be at 2:00 tomorrow, rain or shine.

read my lips - listen to what I'm saying

Read my lips, I do not want to go with you.

read someone's mind - know what someone is thinking before they say it

I was just going to say that, it's like you read my mind!

run into someone - meet someone unexpectedly

I ran into an old friend at the market, I hadn't seen her in ten years.

run out of patience - cannot be patient any longer

Mom is running out of patience with us because we don't obey her.

runs in the family - characteristic or trait that is found in many family members

I got in a big argument with my mom and sister, I guess you could say that stubbornness runs in our family.

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S

scaredy cat - a coward

Don't be such a scaredy cat, come rock climbing with me.

screw up - (verb) make a mistake

I screwed up and put salt in the tea instead of sugar.

set in one's ways - someone who is traditional, doesn't like change

M y grandma is set in her ways, she still washes all her laundry by hand even though we bought her a

washing machine.

shoot the breeze - to chat, to talk casually between friends

I'm going to meet my friend Alex for lunch and just shoot the breeze.

skating on thin ice - in a risky position, about to get in trouble, in danger

After misbehaving today, I told my son to go to his room because he is skating on thin ice.

sleep on it - think about something for a while/overnight before making any decision

I don't know who to chose for the winner of the scholarship, I think I'll sleep on it.

sooner or later - eventually

Sooner or later I will be able to read the newspaper in English.

sort of - not in total agreement, but not disagreeing either

I sort of want to go to the party, but I sort of want to stay home too.

so-so - not good but not bad either

“How was your dinner?” “It was so-so.”

(a) snap - very easy

My homework was a snap, I finished it in only ten minutes.

step on it! - hurry up, go quickly (usually in reference to driving)

I need to get home fast, step on it!

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T

take it easy - relax, calm down

Take it easy Dad, you shouldn't work so hard.

tickled pink - excited, giddy, happy

I was tickled pink when I heard the nice things they were saying about me.

(a) tightwad - someone who doesn't like to spend there money

His daughter needs new shoes, but he is such a tightwad that he won't buy them for her.

time flies when you're having fun - the time passes quickly when you are enjoying yourself/having fun.

He looked at his watch after a day of playing soccer in the park and said, “wow, times files when you're

having fun.”

there, there - an expression of reassurance, understanding

There, there little girl, don't cry, we'll find your mommy.

top secret - extremely confidential, secret

Don't show anyone these files, they are top secret.

two-faced - someone who is not-loyal, false, says one thing but does another

I thought you were my friend but you are telling lies about me, you are two-faced.

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U

ugly duckling - someone who is ugly and plain as a child but grows to be beautiful/attractive

She was an ugly duckling when she was young but now she is a real beauty.

under one's wing - to care for someone

After his mother died I took him under my wing and treated him as my own son.

under the weather - sick, not feeling well

I feel under the weather, maybe I should go home early today.

upside down - with the bottom part on the top and the top part on the bottom

He turned the bottle upside down and shook it so that everything would fall out.

used to - at on time in the past

I used to go on long walks every morning, but now I am too busy.

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V

vamoose - leave quickly

lets vamoose, this party is becoming boring.

veg out - sit around and do nothing, relax

I don't want to do anything this weekend, I am just going to stay home and veg out.

V.I.P. - very important person, an honor awarded to the most outstanding person

Because of all his hard work and dedication, George is our class V.I.P.

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W

way to go - good job

I heard you won the contest, way to go!

wishy-washy - someone who has a hard time making up there mind, lacking in character or determination

You have to stand up for what you believe in, don't be so wishy-washy.

What for? - why

Can you stop by my office after lunch? What for?

What's up? – tell me what is going on, what is happening?; a greeting

You look confused about something, what's up?

wolf in sheep's clothing - a person who pretends to be good but really is bad

He is a wolf in sheep's clothing and I would not trust him if I were you.

worried sick - extremely worried

You are three hours late. Where have you been, I was worried sick.

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X

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Y

You can say that again! - an expression used to show strong agreement with what a person said

“I love learning English” “You can say that again!”

You don't say! – an expression used to show surprise in what has been said

"Did you hear my grandma is going on vacation to America” “You don't say!"

You've got to be kidding! – an expression used to show surprise/disbelief in what has been said

"I am the best student in my class" "You've got to be kidding! You never study."

yummy - delicious

This ice cream is so yummy.

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Z

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