Hi Everyone!! This article will share 40 Idioms With Their Meanings.
Before going further with the list of idioms, let me explain what is an idiom?
What Is An Idiom?
- An idiom is a group of words that has a different meaning from the meaning of the individual words that form a part of it.
- Every language has its own set of idioms and they form a part of the speech of people belonging to a particular region.
- Learning about idioms gives an insight into the culture of the people who speak the language.
- They help to describe the situation and also improve our communication skills.
- Idioms make the language more attractive and thought-provoking.
- They are linguistically different so, should not be understood in a literal sense.
Idioms With Their Meanings
1. A hot potato
Meaning: Speaking of an issue which many people are talking about and which is usually disputed.
2. An arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive or costly.
3. Actions speak louder than words
Meaning: One can judge people’s intentions better by what they do than what they say.
4. Add insult to injury
Meaning: To worsen an unfavorable situation.
5. At the drop of a hat
Meaning: Without any hesitation; instantly.
6. Ball is in your court
Meaning: It is now up to you whether you want to make the next decision.
7. Beat around the bush
Meaning: Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue.
8. Back to the drawing board
Meaning: When an attempt fails and it is time to start all over.
9. Best of both worlds
Meaning: All the advantages.
10. Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: Looking in the wrong place. Accusing the wrong person.
Idioms With Their Meanings
11. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: To work late into the night
12. Best thing since sliced bread
Meaning: A good invention or innovation. A good idea or plan.
13. Blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something good that isn’t recognized at first.
14. Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: Taking a task that is way too big.
15. Cry over spilt milk
Meaning: Complaining about a loss from the past
16. Can’t judge a book by its cover
Meaning: Cannot judge something primarily on appearance
17. Caught between two stools
Meaning: Finding difficult to choose between two alternatives.
18. Curiosity killed the cat
Meaning: Being quite inquisitive can lead you into an unpleasant situation.
19. Chips are down
Meaning: An urgent situation that has to be dealt with immediately.
20. Cold feet
Meaning: To lose one’s nerve.
Idioms With Their Meanings
21. Cut corners
Meaning: In order to save money, when something is badly done.
22. Cross that bridge when you come to it
Meaning: Dealing with a problem if and when it becomes necessary, not before.
23. Don’t count your chickens before the eggs have hatched
Meaning: Don’t make plans for something that might not happen.
24. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: Never put all your resources in one possibility.
25. Devil’s Advocate
Meaning: To present a counter argument.
Idioms With Their Meanings
27. Drastic times call for drastic measures
Meaning: You need to take drastic actions when you are extremely desperate.
28. Don’t give up the day job
Meaning: You are not very good at something so, you could definitely not do it professionally.
29. Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning: You should always be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days.
30. Elvis has left the building
Meaning: The show has come to an end. It’s all over.
31. Eat humble pie
Meaning: When one is in a difficult position and one understand the true value of people or things.
32. Feel a bit under the weather
Meaning: Feeling slightly ill.
33. Far cry from
Meaning: Very different from
34. Getting a taste of your own medicine
Meaning: When you are treated the way that you have been treating others.
35. Give the benefit of the doubt
Meaning: Believe someone’s statement, without proof.
36. Hit the sack / sheets / hay
Meaning: To go to bed.
37. Hear it on the grapevine
Meaning: To hear rumors about something or someone.
38. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: Do or say something exactly right.
39. It takes two to tango
Meaning: It needs more than one person for actions or communications.
40. In the heat of the moment
Meaning: Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment.
So, these were 40 Idioms With Their Meanings.