Idioms in English | Notes for Law Entrances

Idioms are expressions or phrases that have a figurative meaning beyond their literal interpretation. They are a common feature of language and are often unique to specific cultures or languages. Idioms are used to add colour, imagery, and depth to communication. They can be challenging for non-native speakers to understand because their meanings are not directly deducible from the individual words they contain.

Idioms are typically rooted in cultural, historical, or social contexts. They often convey a metaphorical or symbolic meaning that is different from the literal interpretation of the words. For example, the idiom “break a leg” is used to wish someone good luck, even though the literal meaning suggests the opposite.

Here’s a list of 150 idioms along with their meanings and examples:

1. A penny for your thoughts – Asking someone what they are thinking about.

Example: “You seem lost in thought. A penny for your thoughts?”

2. A piece of cake – Something that is very easy.

Example: “Don’t worry about the test. It’ll be a piece of cake.”

3. A blessing in disguise – Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good.

Example: “Losing my job was a blessing in disguise because it pushed me to start my own business.”

4. A dime a dozen – Something that is very common and easy to find.

Example: “Those cheap knock-off products are a dime a dozen.”

5. Actions speak louder than words – People’s actions are more important than their words.

Example: “Don’t just say you’ll help; actions speak louder than words.”

6. All ears – Fully attentive and ready to listen.

Example: “Go ahead, I’m all ears.”

7. Apple of my eye – Someone who is cherished above all others.

Example: “My daughter is the apple of my eye.”

8. Back to the drawing board – Starting over after a failed attempt.

Example: “The experiment didn’t work, so it’s back to the drawing board.”

9. Barking up the wrong tree – Accusing or pursuing the wrong person or thing.

Example: “If you think I stole your pen, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

10. Beat around the bush – Avoiding the main topic or issue.

Example: “Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened.”

11. Bite the bullet – To face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage.

Example: “I didn’t want to go to the dentist, but I had to bite the bullet.”

12. Break a leg – Good luck.

Example: “Break a leg on your audition!”

13. Burn the midnight oil – To work or study late into the night.

Example: “I have an exam tomorrow, so I’ll be burning the midnight oil.”

14. Cat got your tongue? – Used to ask someone why they are not speaking.

Example: “You’ve been quiet all evening. Cat got your tongue?”

15. Caught red-handed – Caught in the act of doing something wrong.

Example: “The thief was caught red-handed stealing from the store.”

16. Costs an arm and a leg – Very expensive.

Example: “That designer handbag costs an arm and a leg.”

17. Cry over spilled milk – To complain about something that cannot be changed.

Example: “There’s no point crying over spilled milk. We need to move on.”

18. Curiosity killed the cat – Being too inquisitive can lead to trouble.

Example: “Don’t ask too many questions. Remember, curiosity killed the cat.”

19. Cut to the chase – Get to the point without wasting time.

Example: “Let’s cut to the chase and discuss the main issue.”

20. Dark horse – A person who unexpectedly wins or succeeds.

Example: “She was considered an underdog, but she turned out to be the dark horse in the competition.”

21. Devil’s advocate – Someone who takes a contrary position for the sake of argument.

Example: “I’ll play devil’s advocate and argue the other side of the case.”

22. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch – Don’t assume something will happen until it actually does.

Example: “I know you’re excited about the job interview, but don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”

23. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket – Don’t risk everything on a single opportunity.

Example: “Invest in multiple stocks to diversify your portfolio. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”

24. Don’t judge a book by its cover – Don’t form an opinion based on outward appearances.

Example: “He may look tough, but don’t judge a book by its cover. He’s actually really kind.”

25. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater – To discard something valuable while getting rid of something unwanted.

Example: “Yes, there are some flaws in the plan, but let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater.”

26. Down to the wire – Coming to the end or deadline.

Example: “The race was so close, it went down to the wire.”

27. Elephant in the room – An obvious problem that nobody wants to address.

Example: “The financial issues are the elephant in the room that we need to discuss.”

28. Every cloud has a silver lining – Every bad situation has a positive aspect.

Example: “I lost my job, but every cloud has a silver lining. I’ll have more time to focus on my passion.”

29. Fit as a fiddle – In good health and physical condition.

Example: “He exercises regularly and eats well, so he’s fit as a fiddle.”

30. Get a taste of your own medicine – Experience the same negative treatment that one has given to others.

Example: “He’s always gossiping about others, but today he got a taste of his own medicine.”

31. Get cold feet – To feel nervous or anxious and want to back out from doing something.

Example: “I was going to skydive, but I got cold feet at the last moment.”

32. Get the ball rolling – To start or initiate something.

Example: “Let’s get the ball rolling on this project and assign tasks to everyone.”

33. Give someone the benefit of the doubt – To trust someone and believe their good intentions despite some doubts.

Example: “Even though he’s late, let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. He’s usually punctual.”

34. Go the extra mile – To put in extra effort or do more than what is expected.

Example: “If you want to succeed, you need to go the extra mile.”

35. Grass is always greener on the other side – People tend to think others have it better than them.

Example: “She thinks working from home is great, but the grass is always greener on the other side.”

36. Hit the nail on the head – To describe or identify something accurately.

Example: “You hit the nail on the head. That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

37. In hot water – In trouble or facing difficulties.

Example: “He’s in hot water after missing the deadline.”

38. It takes two to tango – Actions or situations involve more than one person.

Example: “The argument was heated, but it takes two to tango. Both parties were at fault.”

39. Jump on the bandwagon – Join a popular trend or activity.

Example: “When smartphones became popular, everyone jumped on the bandwagon.”

40. Keep your chin up – Stay positive during difficult times.

Example: “I know you’re going through a tough time, but keep your chin up.”

41. Kick the bucket – To die.

Example: “He kicked the bucket last night at the age of 90.”

42. Kill two birds with one stone – Accomplish two things with a single action.

Example: “By studying during my commute, I can kill two birds with one stone.”

43. Let the cat out of the bag – To reveal a secret or confidential information.

Example: “Oops, I let the cat out of the bag and told him about the surprise party.”

44. Like a fish out of water – Feeling uncomfortable or out of place in a particular situation.

Example: “As an introvert, attending a loud party makes me feel like a fish out of water.”

45. Look on the bright side – Focus on the positive aspects of a situation.

Example: “Even though we lost the game, let’s look on the bright side: we played well as a team.”

46. Make a long story short – To summarise something briefly.

Example: “I won’t go into all the details, but make a long story short, I ended up getting the job.”

47. Miss the boat – To miss an opportunity.

Example: “I didn’t submit my application on time, so I missed the boat for the scholarship.”

48. Neck of the woods – A particular region or neighborhood.

Example: “I haven’t seen him around our neck of the woods lately.”

49. Off the hook – No longer in trouble or responsible for something.

Example: “Luckily, the witness didn’t show up, so I got off the hook.”

50. On cloud nine – Feeling extreme happiness or joy.

Example: “When she won the award, she was on cloud nine.”

51. On the same page – Having the same understanding or agreement.

Example: “We need to ensure everyone is on the same page before we proceed.”

52. Out of the blue – Unexpectedly or without warning.

Example: “I hadn’t spoken to him in years, but out of the blue, he called me.”

53. Paint the town red – To go out and have a good time, often involving partying and celebration.

Example: “We’re going to paint the town red to celebrate our graduation.”

54. Penny-wise, pound foolish – Being careful with small amounts of money but wasteful with larger amounts.

Example: “He always buys cheap things, but ends up spending more in the long run. He’s penny-wise, pound foolish.”

55. Piece of work – Someone with a difficult or problematic personality.

Example: “Dealing with him is not easy. He’s quite a piece of work.”

56. Pull someone’s leg – To tease or joke with someone.

Example: “Don’t take him seriously; he’s just pulling your leg.”

57. Put all your eggs in one basket – To risk everything on a single opportunity or plan.

Example: “Investing all your money in a single stock is like putting all your eggs in one basket.”

58. Put the cart before the horse – Doing things in the wrong order.

Example: “You can’t plan the menu without knowing how many guests will be there. That’s putting the cart before the horse.”

59. Raining cats and dogs – Raining heavily.

Example: “We can’t go out; it’s raining cats and dogs.”

60. Read between the lines – To understand the hidden or implied meaning.

Example: “Her text message seemed innocent, but if you read between the lines, you could tell she was upset.”

61. Rome wasn’t built in a day – Big achievements take time and effort.

Example: “Learning a new language takes time. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

62. Rub salt in the wound – To make someone’s pain or disappointment worse.

Example: “He already feels bad about losing his job. Don’t rub salt in the wound by criticising his skills.”

63. Saved by the bell – Saved from an unpleasant or difficult situation by a timely intervention.

Example: “I was about to give the wrong answer, but the teacher called time. I was saved by the bell.”

64. Shake a leg – To hurry up or get moving.

Example: “Come on, shake a leg! We don’t want to be late.”

65. Sit on the fence – To remain neutral or undecided about something.

Example: “I can’t make up my mind about which college to attend. I’m sitting on the fence.”

66. Smell a rat – To sense that something is wrong or suspicious.

Example: “When he refused to answer my questions, I smelled a rat.”

67. Spill the beans – To reveal a secret or confidential information.

Example: “He spilled the beans and told everyone about the surprise party.”

68. Steal someone’s thunder – To take attention or credit away from someone else’s achievement or idea.

Example: “She announced her engagement, and then her sister stole her thunder by announcing her pregnancy.”

69. Straight from the horse’s mouth – Information or news directly from the original or authoritative source.

Example: “I heard that they’re planning to release a new smartphone. I got it straight from the horse’s mouth.”

70. Take a rain check – To decline an invitation but suggest doing it at a later time.

Example: “I’m busy tonight, but can I take a rain check and join you next week?”

71. The ball is in your court – It’s now your responsibility or decision.

Example: “I’ve done my part; now the ball is in your court to make the final decision.”

72. The devil is in the details – The important or difficult parts of something are hidden in the details.

Example: “This project seems simple, but remember, the devil is in the details.”

73. The early bird catches the worm – Being prompt or early gives you an advantage.

Example: “I always arrive early for meetings because the early bird catches the worm.”

74. The whole nine yards – Everything or all the way.

Example: “When she plans a party, she goes the whole nine yards with decorations, food, and entertainment.”

75. Through thick and thin – Supporting or being there for someone during good times and bad times.

Example: “I’ll be with you through thick and thin. You can count on me.”

76. Throw in the towel – To give up or surrender.

Example: “After failing the exam for the third time, he decided to throw in the towel.”

77. Time flies – Time passes quickly.

Example: “It’s hard to believe we’ve been friends for ten years. Time flies.”

78. Turn a blind eye – To ignore or pretend not to notice something wrong.

Example: “The teacher turned a blind eye to the cheating happening during the exam.”

79. Twist someone’s arm – To persuade or convince someone to do something they are reluctant to do.

Example: “I didn’t want to go to the party, but my friends twisted my arm, so I agreed.”

80. Under the weather – Feeling unwell or sick.

Example: “I won’t be able to come to work today; I’m feeling under the weather.”

81. Up in the air – Uncertain or undecided.

Example: “The project’s future is still up in the air. We don’t know if it will continue or be canceled.”

82. Wake-up call – An event or experience that causes someone to become aware of a problem or situation.

Example: “The car accident was a wake-up call for him to start driving more cautiously.”

83. When it rains, it pours – Bad things tend to happen all at once.

Example: “First, I lost my wallet, and then my car broke down. When it rains, it pours.”

84. You can’t judge a book by its cover – You shouldn’t judge someone or something based solely on appearances.

Example: “She may seem quiet and shy, but you can’t judge a book by its cover. She’s actually very talented and outgoing.”

85. You can’t have your cake and eat it too – You can’t have or enjoy two conflicting things at the same time.

Example: “You can’t work full-time and expect to have a lot of free time. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.”

86. A leopard can’t change its spots – People can’t change their basic nature or character.

Example: “He promised to be more responsible, but a leopard can’t change its spots. He’s still lasy and unreliable.”

87. A watched pot never boils – Time seems to go slower when you’re waiting for something to happen.

Example: “Don’t keep checking the oven; a watched pot never boils. It’ll be ready when it’s ready.”

88. Actions speak louder than words – What someone does is more important than what they say they will do.

Example: “Don’t just say you’ll help; actions speak louder than words. Show me with your actions.”

89. All that glitters is not gold – Something that looks attractive or valuable may not be as good as it seems.

Example: “The job may have a high salary, but all that glitters is not gold. The work environment is toxic.”

90. An apple a day keeps the doctor away – Eating healthily and taking care of oneself prevents illness.

Example: “Remember, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Take care of your health.”

91. Barking up the wrong tree – Accusing or looking in the wrong place or person.

Example: “If you think I stole your phone, you’re barking up the wrong tree. I was out of town when it went missing.”

92. Better late than never – It’s better to do something late than to not do it at all.

Example: “I know I’m late in submitting the report, but better late than never, right?”

93. Birds of a feather flock together – People with similar interests or characteristics tend to gather or associate with each other.

Example: “They’re always together and have the same hobbies. Birds of a feather flock together.”

94. Blood is thicker than water – Family bonds are stronger than relationships with others.

Example: “Even though they argue a lot, they always support each other. Blood is thicker than water.”

95. Break a leg – Good luck.

Example: “Break a leg on your performance tonight!”

96. Burn the midnight oil – To work or study late into the night.

Example: “I have an important exam tomorrow, so I’ll be burning the midnight oil.”

97. Every cloud has a silver lining – Even in difficult times, there is something positive to be found.

Example: “Losing my job allowed me to pursue my passion. Every cloud has a silver lining.”

98. Fortune favors the bold – Taking risks can lead to success or good fortune.

Example: “I’m going to apply for that challenging job. Fortune favors the bold.”

99. Haste makes waste – Rushing things can lead to mistakes or poor results.

Example: “Take your time and do it right. Remember, haste makes waste.”

100. In the heat of the moment – Acting impulsively without thinking clearly.

Example: “I didn’t mean to say those hurtful things. I said them in the heat of the moment.”

101. It’s a piece of cake – Something that is very easy to do.

Example: “Don’t worry about the exam. It’s a piece of cake if you’ve studied.”

102. Keep your fingers crossed – To hope for good luck or success.

Example: “I have a job interview tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for me.”

103. Let the cat out of the bag – To reveal a secret or confidential information.

Example: “I accidentally let the cat out of the bag and told her about the surprise party.”

104. Make a mountain out of a molehill – To exaggerate or make something seem more significant than it really is.

Example: “She made a mountain out of a molehill over a minor disagreement.”

105. On thin ice – In a risky or precarious situation.

Example: “He’s on thin ice with his boss after making a major mistake.”

106. Put your best foot forward – To make a good impression or give your best effort.

Example: “When you go for the job interview, remember to put your best foot forward.”

107. Rain on someone’s parade – To spoil or ruin someone’s plans or mood.

Example: “Don’t rain on her parade by criticising her achievements. Celebrate her success.”

108. Rule of thumb – A general principle or guideline.

Example: “As a rule of thumb, it’s best to save 10% of your income.”

109. Spill the beans – To reveal a secret or confidential information.

Example: “I can’t believe she spilled the beans about our surprise vacation plans.”

110. Take the bull by the horns – To face a difficult situation with courage and determination.

Example: “Instead of avoiding the problem, let’s take the bull by the horns and find a solution.”

111. The early bird catches the worm – Being prompt or early gives you an advantage.

Example: “Arriving early to the sale allowed her to get the best deals. The early bird catches the worm.”

112. Two heads are better than one – Collaborating or working with others leads to better ideas or solutions.

Example: “Let’s work together on this project. Two heads are better than one.”

113. Actions speak louder than words – What someone does is more important than what they say they will do.

Example: “He keeps promising to change, but actions speak louder than words.”

114. All in the same boat – Facing the same challenges or circumstances.

Example: “We’re all in the same boat. We need to work together to overcome this obstacle.”

115. Barking up the wrong tree – Accusing or pursuing the wrong person or thing.

Example: “If you think I’m the one who ate your leftovers, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

116. Beat around the bush – Avoiding the main topic or issue.

Example: “Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think.”

117. Better late than never – It’s better to do something late than to not do it at all.

Example: “Even though it took me a long time, I finally apologised. Better late than never, right?”

118. Break the ice – To make a situation more comfortable or relaxed, especially among strangers.

Example: “Let’s play a game to break the ice and get to know each other.”

119. Burst someone’s bubble – To disappoint or ruin someone’s excitement or happiness.

Example: “I hate to burst your bubble, but the concert is canceled.”

120. Cold feet – To feel nervous or anxious and want to back out from doing something.

Example: “I had cold feet about speaking in public, so I declined the opportunity.”

121. Cut corners – To do something quickly or cheaply by avoiding proper procedures.

Example: “He cut corners in his work, and as a result, the quality suffered.”

122. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch – Don’t assume something will happen until it actually does.

Example: “You shouldn’t start celebrating yet. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”

123. Don’t cry over spilled milk – Don’t complain about something that cannot be changed or undone.

Example: “Yes, we made a mistake, but there’s no point crying over spilled milk. Let’s learn from it and move on.”

124. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket – Don’t risk everything on a single opportunity.

Example: “Investing in diverse stocks is a wise decision. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”

125. Down to the wire – Coming to the end or deadline.

Example: “We’re working against the clock to finish the project. It’s down to the wire.”

126. Fish out of water – Feeling uncomfortable or out of place in a particular situation.

Example: “As an introvert, attending a large party makes me feel like a fish out of water.”

127. Get a taste of your own medicine – Experience the same negative treatment that one has given to others.

Example: “He’s always criticising others, but today he got a taste of his own medicine.”

128. Get cold feet – To feel nervous or anxious and want to back out from doing something.

Example: “I was going to bungee jump, but I got cold feet at the last moment.”

129. Give someone the benefit of the doubt – To trust someone and believe their good intentions despite some doubts.

Example: “Even though she was late, let’s give her the benefit of the doubt. She’s usually punctual.”

130. Go the extra mile – To put in extra effort or do more than what is expected.

Example: “If you want to succeed, you need to go the extra mile and exceed expectations.”

131. Hit the nail on the head – To describe or identify something accurately.

Example: “You hit the nail on the head. That’s exactly what I was trying to convey.”

132. In hot water – In trouble or facing difficulties.

Example: “He’s in hot water after breaking the rules.”

133. It’s raining cats and dogs – Raining heavily.

Example: “I can’t go out; it’s raining cats and dogs.”

134. Jump on the bandwagon – Join a popular trend or activity.

Example: “When the new social media platform gained popularity, everyone jumped on the bandwagon.”

135. Kick the bucket – To die.

Example: “He kicked the bucket last night at the age of 80.”

136. Let the cat out of the bag – To reveal a secret or confidential information.

Example: “She accidentally let the cat out of the bag and spoiled the surprise party.”

137. Make a long story short – To summarise something briefly.

Example: “To make a long story short, I ended up missing my flight and had to book another one.”

138. Miss the boat – To miss an opportunity.

Example: “I didn’t submit my application on time, so I missed the boat for the scholarship.”

139. Off the hook – No longer in trouble or responsible for something.

Example: “The witness didn’t show up, so I was off the hook.”

140. On cloud nine – Feeling extreme happiness or joy.

Example: “When she won the award, she was on cloud nine.”

141. Out of the blue – Unexpectedly or without warning.

Example: “He called me out of the blue after years of no contact.”

142. Paint the town red – To go out and have a good time, often involving partying and celebration.

Example: “We’re going to paint the town red to celebrate our graduation.”

143. Play devil’s advocate – To argue against or take a contrary position for the sake of discussion.

Example: “I’ll play devil’s advocate and present the opposing viewpoint.”

144. Put all your eggs in one basket – To risk everything on a single opportunity or plan.

Example: “It’s risky to invest all your money in a single stock. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”

145. Put the cart before the horse – Doing things in the wrong order.

Example: “We can’t plan the wedding without setting a date. That’s putting the cart before the horse.”

146. Save for a rainy day – To save money for future needs or emergencies.

Example: “Make sure to save some money for a rainy day. You never know when you’ll need it.”

147. Spill the beans – To reveal a secret or confidential information.

Example: “He couldn’t keep the surprise and spilled the beans about the party.”

148. Steal someone’s thunder – To take attention or credit away from someone else’s achievement or idea.

Example: “She announced her promotion, and then her coworker stole her thunder by announcing their engagement.”

149. Take the bull by the horns – To face a difficult situation with courage and determination.

Example: “Instead of avoiding the problem, let’s take the bull by the horns and find a solution.”

150. When it rains, it pours – Bad things tend to happen all at once.

Example: “First, I lost my job, and then my car broke down. When it rains, it pours.”