List Of 50 Idioms

Every language has its own collection of wise sayings. They offer advice about how to live and also transfer some underlying ideas, principles and values of a given culture / society. These sayings are called “idioms” – or proverbs if they are longer. The use of these idioms and proverbs in a language adds colour and makes it more interesting for the listeners. This List of commonly used idioms and sayings (in everyday conversational English), can help to speak English by learning English idiomatic expressions. This is a list, which contains exactly 50 of the most commonly used idioms and their meaning. Let’s begin: A hot potato Speak of an issue (mostly current) which many people are talking about and which is usually disputed A penny for your thoughts A way of asking what someone is thinking Acid Test Acid test proves the effectiveness of something Cut the ground from under feet When you cut the ground from under someone’s feet, you do something which weakens their position Back to the drawing board When an attempt fails and it’s time to start all over Whole bag of tricks Trying all the clever means to achieve something Chase your tail Spending a lot of time and energy doing a lot of things but actually achieving too little Barking up the wrong tree Looking in the wrong place. Accusing the wrong person Deliver the goods Do what is expected or promised Be glad to see the back of Be happy when a person leaves Fine-tooth comb Examining something carefully to not miss out any details Explore all avenues Trying out every possibility to get a result Fast track something Rating something higher on your priority list to achieve the desired result Add insult to injury To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an unfavorable situation At the drop of a hat Without any hesitation; instantly Burn the midnight oil To work late into the night, alluding to the time before electric lighting Can’t judge a book by its cover Cannot judge something primarily on appearance Cross that bridge when you come to it Deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary, not before Cry over spilt milk When you complain about a loss from the past Cut the mustard [possibly derived from “cut the muster”] To succeed; to come up to expectations; adequate enough to compete or participate Devil’s Advocate To present a counter argument Don’t count your chickens before the eggs have hatched Don’t make plans for something that might not happen Elvis has left the building The show has come to an end. It’s all over Keep your fingers on the pulse Being constantly aware of the most recent developments Mean business Being serious about what you announce Give the benefit of the doubt Believe someone’s statement, without proof Hear it on the grapevine To hear rumours about something or someone Hit the nail on the head Do or say something exactly right Feel a bit under the weather Feeling slightly ill Hit the sack / sheets / hay To go to bed In the heat of the moment Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment Get the show on the road Putting up a plan or idea into action Think on your feet Adjusting quickly to changes and making fast decisions Actions speak louder than words People’s intentions can be judged better by what they do than what they say Far cry from Very different from It takes two to tango Actions or communications need more than one person Jump on the bandwagon Join a popular trend or activity Last straw The final problem in a series of problems Every cloud has a silver lining Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days Keep something at bay Keep something away Get ducks in a row Getting your things well organized Sail through something Being successful in doing something without difficulty Ball is in your court It is up to you to make the next decision or step Beat around the bush Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue Don’t give up the day job You are not very good at something. You could definitely not do it professionally Don’t put all your eggs in one basket Do not put all your resources in one possibility Drastic times call for drastic measures When you are extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions Tricks of the trade Clever or expert way of doing something Not let grass grow under feet Don’t delay in getting something done Best thing since sliced bread A good invention or innovation. A good idea or plan