Question

idiom examples

Answer 1

Here are 20 common English idioms with brief meanings and example sentences:

1. Break the ice — do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going.
- "He told a joke to break the ice at the meeting."

2. Bite the bullet — accept something difficult or unpleasant and get it over with.
- "I’ll bite the bullet and tell my boss the truth."

3. Hit the nail on the head — describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
- "Her comment about the budget hit the nail on the head."

4. Let the cat out of the bag — reveal a secret, often unintentionally.
- "Tom let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party."

5. Piece of cake — something very easy.
- "That test was a piece of cake."

6. Spill the beans — reveal secret information.
- "Who spilled the beans about the new project?"

7. Under the weather — feeling ill or unwell.
- "I’m feeling a bit under the weather today."

8. Pull someone’s leg — tease or joke with someone.
- "Are you serious, or are you pulling my leg?"

9. Once in a blue moon — very rarely.
- "We go out to dinner once in a blue moon."

10. Costs an arm and a leg — very expensive.
- "Their vacation cost an arm and a leg."

11. The ball is in your court — it’s your turn to make a decision or take action.
- "I’ve done my part; now the ball is in your court."

12. Beat around the bush — avoid getting to the point.
- "Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened."

13. Kill two birds with one stone — accomplish two things with a single action.
- "By cycling to work, I kill two birds with one stone: exercise and commute."

14. Back to the drawing board — start again after a failure.
- "The prototype failed tests, so it’s back to the drawing board."

15. Burn the midnight oil — work late into the night.
- "She’s burning the midnight oil to finish her report."

16. Hit the sack — go to bed.
- "I’m exhausted—time to hit the sack."

17. A blessing in disguise — something that seems bad at first but turns out good.
- "Losing that job was a blessing in disguise; I found a better one."

18. By the skin of your teeth — barely succeed or just manage to do something.
- "He passed the exam by the skin of his teeth."

19. Cut to the chase — get to the point without wasting time.
- "We’re short on time, so let’s cut to the chase."

20. On the same page — agree or have the same understanding.
- "Before we begin, I want to make sure we’re all on the same page."

If you want idioms grouped by topic (business, animals, food), easier-to-understand explanations for learners, or idioms from another language, tell me which and I’ll tailor the list.