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.”
Calling all law aspirants!
Are you exhausted from constantly searching for study materials and question banks? Worry not!
With over 15,000 students already engaged, you definitely don't want to be left out.
Become a member of the most vibrant law aspirants community out there!
It’s FREE! Hurry!
Join our WhatsApp Groups (Click Here) and Telegram Channel (Click Here) today, and receive instant notifications.
