When preparing for exams like IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, CELPIP, Duolingo, or even improving your Spoken English skills, one critical area that often gets overlooked is the use of idiomatic expressions. Mastering English idioms can significantly enhance your speaking and writing skills, boosting your scores in exams and improving your everyday communication.
At Emjay Coaching, the best coaching center for IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, Duolingo, CELPIP, and Spoken English, we make sure that you understand the nuances of the English language – including these must-know idioms. Whether you're aiming for high band scores in IELTS speaking, or striving to excel in the PTE Academic exam, learning idioms will give you an edge.
Here’s a list of 51 essential English idioms with examples that will not only improve your exam scores but also make your Spoken English more natural and engaging.
1. A blessing in disguise
Meaning: A good thing that seemed bad at first.
Example: Losing that job was a blessing in disguise; it pushed me to start my own business.
2. A dime a dozen
Meaning: Something common and not special.
Example: Fast food restaurants are a dime a dozen in this city.
3. Beat around the bush
Meaning: Avoid saying what you mean, usually because it’s uncomfortable
Example: Stop beating around the bush and tell me what really happened.
4. Better late than never
Meaning: It’s better to do something late than not do it at all.
Example: I’m sorry I’m late to the meeting, but better late than never!
5. Bite the bullet
Meaning: To endure something painful or unpleasant.
Example: I don’t want to go to the dentist, but I guess I’ll have to bite the bullet.
6. Break the ice
Meaning: To initiate conversation in a social setting.
Example: He told a joke to break the ice at the beginning of the meeting.
7. Call it a day
Meaning: To stop working for the day.
Example: After working for eight hours, I’m ready to call it a day.
8. Cut somebody some slack
Meaning: Don’t be so critical.
Example: He’s new here, so cut him some slack while he learns the ropes.
9. Cut to the chase
Meaning: Get to the point without wasting time.
Example: Let’s cut to the chase – what’s the real issue here?
10. Easy does it
Meaning: Slow down.
Example: Easy does it! You don’t want to break anything.
11. Hit the sack
Meaning: Go to bed.
Example: I’m exhausted, so I’m going to hit the sack early tonight.
12. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: Accidentally reveal a secret.
Example: We were going to have a surprise party, but Jane let the cat out of the bag.
13. No pain, no gain
Meaning: You have to work for what you want.
Example: You have to work hard to get in shape – no pain, no gain!
14. On the ball
Meaning: Doing a good job or quick to understand.
Example: I need someone who’s really on the ball to handle this project.
15. Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: To joke with someone.
Example: Are you serious or are you just pulling my leg?
16. Pull yourself together
Meaning: Calm down.
Example: It’s been a tough day, but you need to pull yourself together.
17. So far so good
Meaning: Things are going well so far.
Example: The project is a lot of work, but so far so good.
18. Speak of the devil
Meaning: The person we were just talking about shows up.
Example: Speak of the devil, there’s John – we were just talking about him!
19. The best of both worlds
Meaning: Having all the advantages.
Example: Working from home gives me the best of both worlds: flexibility and productivity.
20. Time flies when you're having fun
Meaning: Time seems to pass quickly when you are enjoying yourself.
Example: I can’t believe it’s already 5 p.m. – time flies when you’re having fun!
21. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling ill.
Example: I’m feeling a little under the weather today, so I think I’ll stay home.
22. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it
Meaning: Deal with a problem when it occurs, not before.
Example: If we run into any problems, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
23. You can’t judge a book by its cover
Meaning: Don’t judge something by its appearance.
Example: He may look unfriendly, but you can’t judge a book by its cover.
24. Your guess is as good as mine
Meaning: I don’t know either.
Example: I have no idea why she left early; your guess is as good as mine.
25. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: Work late into the night.
Example: I’ve been burning the midnight oil to finish this report before the deadline.
26. Go the extra mile
Meaning: Make a special effort.
Example: She always goes the extra mile to make sure her customers are happy.
27. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: Get something exactly right.
Example: That was an excellent suggestion; you really hit the nail on the head.
28. Jump on the bandwagon
Meaning: Follow a trend.
Example: Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon and buying electric cars these days.
29. Let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning: Don’t stir up old problems.
Example: I think we should let sleeping dogs lie and not discuss that old argument.
30. Out of the frying pan and into the fire
Meaning: Going from a bad situation into a worse one.
Example: When I switched jobs, I went out of the frying pan and into the fire – it’s even more stressful here.
31. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Very rarely.
Example: We only see each other once in a blue moon since he moved to another country.
32. Steal someone’s thunder
Meaning: To take credit for someone else’s achievement.
Example: She stole my thunder by announcing her promotion just before I was about to announce mine.
33. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It’s up to you to make the next decision.
Example: I’ve done all I can; now the ball is in your court.
34. Throw in the towel
Meaning: Give up.
Example: After several failed attempts, I decided to throw in the towel.
35. Bend over backwards
Meaning: To make an extra effort to help someone.
Example: – I bent over backwards to help him, but he didn’t even say thank you.
36. Break a leg
Meaning: Good luck.
Example: Good luck on your performance tonight! Break a leg!
37. Cry over spilt milk
Meaning: Complain about something that cannot be undone.
Example: It’s no use crying over spilt milk. Let’s just move on and fix the problem.
38. Couch potato
Meaning: A lazy person.
Example: Don’t be such a couch potato! Go outside and get some fresh air.
39. Devil’s advocate
Meaning: Someone who argues the opposite side just for the sake of debate.
Example: I hate to play devil’s advocate, but are we sure this plan will work?
40. Give someone the cold shoulder
Meaning: To ignore someone.
Example: – After our argument, he’s been giving me the cold shoulder all week.
41. Go down in flames
Meaning: To fail spectacularly.
Example: The company went down in flames after the scandal.
42. Hang in there
Meaning: Don’t give up.
Example: I know things are tough, but hang in there – it will get better.
43. Hit the books
Meaning: To study.
Example: I have a big exam tomorrow, so I need to hit the books.
44. In the heat of the moment
Meaning: Overwhelmed by what’s happening in the present.
Example: I didn’t mean to say those things; it was in the heat of the moment.
45. It takes two to tango
Meaning: Both people involved in a situation are responsible for it.
Example: Don’t blame her alone for the argument; it takes two to tango.
46. Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning: Accomplish two things with one action.
Example: I killed two birds with one stone by calling my mom while I was waiting for the bus.
47. Let the chips fall where they may
Meaning: Let things happen as they may.
Example: – I’m going to speak my mind and let the chips fall where they may.
48. Miss the boat
Meaning: Miss an opportunity.
Example: If you don’t submit your application by today, you’ll miss the boat.
49. On cloud nine
Meaning: Extremely happy.
Example: I was on cloud nine after hearing that I got the job.
50. Play it by ear
Meaning: Improvise or make decisions as you go.
Example: I’m not sure what time we’ll arrive; let’s just play it by ear.
51. Practice makes perfect
Meaning: Keep practicing to improve.
Example: Don’t worry if it’s hard now – practice makes perfect.
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