English Idioms: Definition, Examples of Common Idioms in English, and Exercises with Answers

Idioms are when phrases mean different from what it literally says. These often give a touch of cultural context and fun to the everyday language. It can be confusing for those who are non-native English speakers as idioms carry a cultural/ contextual reference that may not be fully undeerstood by those who are not fully culturally aware of the language.

Example:

'She is the apple of my eye' = Here, the girl is not an apple literally. It means that the speaker is fond of the said girl.

'To kill two birds with one stone' Does not actually involves killing the birds with a stone. It refers to achieve two things by one single action

This article will give you insights on what are idioms in English language.

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Definition of Future Tense

Definition of Prepositional Phrases

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Oxford dictionary defined idioms as “a group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of individual words”.

As per Cambridge Dictionary “a group of words in a fixed order that has a particular meaning that is different from the meanings of each word on its own” are called idioms.

Word Origin: Late Sixteenth (16th) century: from French idiome, or via late Latin from Greek idiōma, ‘private property, peculiar phraseology’ from idiousthai ‘make one’s own’, and from idios ‘own, private’.

Pronunciation: /ˈɪdiəm/

 

Idiom is a tool to connect people culturally, improve communication, and make the language more fun. Using idioms in sentences can improve one’s speech and help one master the English language. It also brings a sense of playfulness or depth to a conversation or piece of writing when used right. Let’s take a look at some helpful ways in which an idiom may come in handy:

Emphasising Expressions and Efficient Communication

Using idioms and phrases in regular sentences can put an extra emphasis of something you’d want to bring attention to. It also adds an extra layer of efficient communication as one may understand something better when heard in a contextually referenced idiom. For example, using “in a nutshell” will convey the idea that the speaker is summarising the entire conversation/ piece of writing. Using Idioms in daily conversation saves both time and effort in communication.

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Adding Colours and Cultural Ties to Conversation

Idioms usually mix references of cultural roots and make the conversation more lively. In place of simple words that can be monotonous, usage of an idiom can add bring emotions, context, and creativity to the speech.

Example - Saying 'Break a leg' instead of good luck can lighten up the mood if the situation is tense.

Improves Vocabulary

Those looking to improve their vocabulary or aiming to ace exams like IELTS can add common idioms in daily conversations or academic writings to bring a touch of advanced English to the otherwise monotonous conversation.

Also Read:

Examples of Personification in English	When to Use an Apostrophe?	What is Euphemism?
What is a Simile in Grammar?	Common Puns	Types of Hyperbole in English

Learning about idioms is one thing; however, using them in daily conversation is a “whole new kettle of fish”.  Idioms can transform your writing and speech by adding personality, depth, and expression. It is important that one uses them sparingly and in a natural way instead of speaking in riddles by using an idiomatic phrase frequently. Let’s take a look at a few tips on how to use idioms in writing and speech:

Using Idioms by Understanding the Context

Correct usage of idiomatic words and phrases in proper context is of utmost relevance. Idioms often rely on cultural/linguistic/ historical context. Hence, using them in the right setting is important.

For example, “Put your feet up” is a semi-formal way of expressing relaxation or implying resting. However, one can’t use this in a professional or formal setting.

The tone and setting matter a lot when using idioms to avoid sounding unnatural.

Using Idioms to Enhance Expression

By using idioms in a sentence, either verbal or written, one can put an extra emphasis on an expression that was otherwise stated plainly. This makes the sentence more dynamic. For example, “Riya was very happy” can be rephrased as “Riya was over the moon”.  This adds more depth and paints a clearer picture in the receiver’s mind.

Don’t Overdo Idioms

Although it is true that idiomatic phrases enrich your language, overusing them can make everything more complex and come across as ostentatious. Using them sparingly at the right time is the key highlight in delivering the right impact.

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Similar to other languages, English is filled to the brim with various idioms. You can also ace the questions about idioms and phrases in competitive exams by learning English idioms. Let’s take a look at the list of common idioms with meanings and examples:

Idiom	Meaning	Example
Bitter pill to swallow	Either a situation or a piece of information that is unpleasant but must be accepted	Losing the game I had almost won was a bitter pill to swallow.
Break the ice	To initiate a conversation in a formal or social setting to get people comfortable or relaxed	I often had to break the ice in a meeting to lighten the mood.
Bite the bullet	To do something which you find unpleasant or painful	I finally bit the bullet and visited the dentist to get my wisdom tooth removed.
Hit the nail on the head	To be spot on about something	Riya really hit the nail on the head when she did a psychoanalysis of Jay.
Under the weather	To feel unwell or sick	I asked for a day of as I was feeling under the weather.
A piece of cake	Something that is extremely easy	Making a sweater out of the wool was a piece of cake for me.
Sill the beans	To reveal a secret	I couldn’t hold it in and finally spilt the beans to my best friend.
In hot water	To be in trouble with someone or to face a difficult situation	James was in hot water with his dad after coming home past his curfew.
Jump on the bandwagon	To join an activity or a trend that is already popular	Seeing everyone ordering boba tea, I too jumped on the bandwagon and got one.
Once in a blue moon	Something that occurs very rarely	My friend only visits me once in a blue moon as he lives abroad.
Cold Feet	Not completing an action or a task which requires commitment due to either fear or doubt	The groom got cold feet at the altar right before the wedding started.
Last Straw	The last time someone will allow this particular thing	Losing my earring was bad enough, but losing my ring was my last straw.
Give a cold shoulder	Act rudely or ignore someone	Jane has been giving Ruby a cold shoulder ever since their fight last month.
Come rain or shine	No matter what happens, irrespective of the situation	I’ll always stand up for you, come rain or shine.
A blessing in disguise	Something that may appear bad at first but turns out to be good in the end	Moving away from my hometown was a blessing in disguise. It made me a better person.
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch	Don’t assume something or make plans based on something that has not happened yet	Rayson booked a theatre to take his friend out for a movie, but I told him not to count his chickens before they hatch.
Take it with a grain of salt	To not take advice too seriously or literally	I heard rumours about the impending bonuses, but I’m taking it with a grain of salt.

Also Read: English Article revision tips

If you’re looking to embrace idiomatic expressions into your daily conversations or are interested in simply broadening the horizon of your lingo, then this may help you a bit. Find below some beginner-friendly idioms that you can use in your day-to-day life:

• It’s raining cats and dogs – It’s raining heavily

Example: Don’t go out just yet, it’s raining cats and dogs out there.

• On cloud nine – Extremely happy

Example: Mary was on cloud nine when she heard the news of her promotion.

• Hang in there – Don’t give up

Example: Hang in there mate, this too shall pass.

• Ball is in your court – Your turn to take action

Example: I’ve done everything I could. The ball is in your court now.

• Bite your tongue – hold yourself from saying something

Example: I was so furious at Jane, but I had to bite my tongue to prevent an argument from breaking.

• A dime a dozen – Something which is very common

Example: These earrings are pretty, but they’re a dime a dozen these days.

Slang Idioms in English

Mastering English like a native may require you to inculcate as many slang terms as possible. Using slang idioms in English can be a fun and casual way to express yourself. A gentle tip – use these slangs in a more informal and casual setting. Let’s take a look at a few English idioms and their meanings, which you can use in a casual setting:

• Chill out – To relax or calm down

Example: Hey Martin! We’ve been over this, you need to chill out.

• Couch Potato – To lounge lazily without being productive, usually watching TV

Example: Sharon, stop being a couch potato and start running.

• Hang out – to spend time or relax with someone

Example: It’s been months since the four of us hung out.

• Spill the tea – To share a secret or gossip

Example: Susan! Just spill the tea already. What did your boss say in the meeting?

• Throw shade – To subtly insult someone

Example: Did you hear the way Gaby was throwing shade at Mason back then?

Take a look at the examples of common idioms used in everyday English:

 

A quick and easy way to learn more about idioms is by going through books which contain a variety of examples. Some of the best books for English idioms that will help students are as follows:

Book	Author
Idioms and Phrases Anglo	Roshan Tolani
Essential Idioms in English	Robert James Dixson
Oxford Dictionary of Idioms	Various Authors
3000 Idioms and Phrases	Canand

You can find a variety of other such books in offline markets, online PDF and more. 

Find below the best books for some common topics of English grammar:

Also Read:

Best books to learn Analogy	Best books to prepare for Punctuation	Best books to master Gerunds
Best books for Parts of Speech in English	Best books to master Etymology and Roots in English Grammar	Best Books for Reading Comprehension in English