A List of Common English Idioms

03.07.2022

A List of Common English Idioms
Foreign languages
  1. What Are The Idioms?
  2. English Idioms With Their Meanings
  3. American English Idioms

 

Did it happen to you that you wanted to show off your eloquence, but did not find the right words or did not understand the expressions of your conversationalist? It is time to familiarize yourself with the main English expressions, which are the norm of everyday conversations. The article will be useful not only by lists of idioms, but also by lifehacks for studying them.

 

What Are The Idioms?

In each language, there are special combinations of words that convey some new, distinctive meaning. Such expressions are called fixed and contain some mental code, which reflects the history, culture, traditions, and overall uniqueness of each nation. At the same time, each of the words in such phrases individually loses its own meaning. And the meanings of idioms sometimes cannot be explained logically.

 

English expressions are no exception. Most often, set phrases convey the habits of Americans or British, their worldview and national character. Idioms are a real treasure for philologists, since they are idiomatic expressions that represent the unique linguistic and cultural heritage of previous generations. 

 

It is not enough to learn several idioms to understand all the beauty and depth of the English language. But you can always address a professional and get high-quality knowledge with decent practice – honing pronunciation, distinguishing the features of the meaning of synonyms, style norms and so on. A private tutor will help you figure it out. And you can find a specialist for your level and purpose of training thanks to the website UpskillsTutor

A List of Common English Idioms

 

English Idioms With Their Meanings

Have you ever heard from your friend or colleague, “if you were in my shoes…”; “don’t judge a book by its cover”? Have you ever traveled on a shoestring or discussed a hot potato? If you do not understand some expressions, it’s time to learn the language in more detail. 

 

Phraseology is not only a unique section of every language, but also part of our daily life. Since many idioms can be heard in everyday speech of Americans. Some expressions have interesting histories of their origins. 

 

To understand the meaning of many phrases and always find witty words during the conversation, it is better to study with a tutor. A private teacher will not only help with the study of certain expressions, but also increase your literacy and expand your vocabulary. An English tutor will select a program and a methodology that will be the most suitable for you.

 

Perhaps you are already familiar with some idioms below?

Read more: The Most Common English Slang Words & Phrases

English Idioms with Theit Meanings

Set expressions are characteristic not only of conversational and artistic styles, they are often observed in business speech. In the following table, you will see examples of idioms from business negotiations and office routines.

Read more: When Should I Use Comma Before Or?

English Idioms with Theit Meanings

American English Idioms

Americans also have created a great variety of cute and linguistically fascinating expressions. American idioms are very diverse and concern all spheres of our life. Let’s review the most common of them:

At loggerheads 

Means: in strong disagreement, in a quarrel; at one impasse.

She’s at loggerheads with her close friend. 

Pull someone’s leg

Means: fool someone.

Jim has already pulled my leg twice by playing with coins. 

Ax to grind

Means: a hidden reason for wanting something or for not liking someone or something.

Your tantrums are ax to grind, you don’t date him. 

Stick out one’s neck

Means: take a risk.

Many people laughed at the Fight for 15 movements at first, but unless you take risks unless you stick your neck out, nothing is going to change. 

To rub elbows

Means: to meet somebody, spend time together with friends.

We always rub elbows in this café.

Drop-dead gorgeous

Means: very beautiful, good-looking.

You’re looking drop-dead gorgeous today.

Leave someone high and dry

Means: abandon someone.

There’s no greater love, and he is not going to leave you high and dry, I can promise you that. 

Sell someone short

Means: underestimate someone.

And does that mean you should go and sell short XYZ today?

All set

Means: someone is ready or everything is in order.

Kerkley is all set for new challenges.

It’s not rocket science

Means: something is not difficult and should be easy to understand.

Math analysis isn’t really rocket science for me.

Go fly a kite

Means: go away.

Go fly a kite, I don't want to see you anymore!

To jump on the bandwagon

Means: to start doing something because it’s trendy.

Kenny made this haircut last year, and since that time she has jumped on the bandwagon

To fall through the cracks

Means: to overlook something.

Parents fell the development of their children through the cracks

Go to the dogs

Means: become run-down.

The situation sharply began to go to the dogs.

Take the bull by the horns

Means: take decisive action in a difficult situation.

Miss Vestrid did not allow a fall in sales and quickly took the bull by the horns.

Hit the hay

Means: go to bed.

It was rather late, and the children hit the hay

In stitches

Means: laughing very hard.

They always laugh in stitches at my jokes.

For a song

Means: for very little money.

He liquidated his assets, sold his company to his investors for a song, moved into a parish and became a priest. 

Make a splash

Means: be successful and attract attention.

In other words, making a splash is very annoying to your competitors. 

Get the ball rolling

Means: to initiate action.

Whether it’s saying all your dollar bills, a change jar, or automating these savings. It’s a good way to get the ball rolling

Mind one’s P’s and Q’s

Means: take care in speech and action.

But, they never gave me a substitute. So, I just had to mind my own P’s and Q’s or use substitutes like “heck” or “darn”. 

Let sleeping dogs lie

Means: do not agitate a potential source of trouble.

Get over it and let sleeping dogs lie!

If the shoe fits, wear it

Means: admit the truth.

Don’t pretend you don’t see all this guy’s tricks. So, if the shoe fits, wear it.

Different strokes for different folks

Means: that everyone has different interests and tastes.

Why do they have such strange hats, far and away different strokes for different folks!

All’s well that ends well

Means: a successful outcome is worth the effort.

Good luck! Preparing to get a degree, remember all’s well that ends well.

Read more: What is The Meaning of Dry Sense of Humor?

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A List of Common English Idioms

What Are The Idioms?

In each language, there are special combinations of words that convey some new, distinctive meaning. Such expressions are called fixed and contain some mental code, which reflects the history, culture, traditions and overall uniqueness of each nation. Read more on UpskillsTutor

What are Common American Phrases?

At loggerheads Means: in strong disagreement, in a quarrel; at one impasse. She’s at loggerheads with her close friend. Pull someone’s leg Means: fool someone. Jim has already pulled my leg twice by playing with coins. Read more on UpskillsTutor

What is the phraseology of the speech?

Phraseology is not only the unique section of every language, but also part of our daily life. Since many idioms can be heard in everyday speech of Americans. Some expressions have interesting histories of their origins. Read more on UpskillsTutor

How can I learn all English idioms?

Have you ever heard from your friend or colleague, “if you were in my shoes…”; “don’t judge a book by its cover”? Have you ever traveled on a shoestring or discussed a hot potato? If you do not understand some expressions, it’s time to learn the language in more detail. Read more on UpskillsTutor