100 idioms with their meanings and sentences
1. A penny for your thoughts:
Meaning: A polite way of asking what someone is thinking about.
Example: You seem lost in thought. A penny for your thoughts?
2. Bite the bullet:
Meaning: To face a difficult situation bravely and resolutely.
Example: It’s a tough decision, but you’ll have to bite the bullet and tell them the truth.
3. Don’t cry over spilled milk:
Meaning: Don’t waste time worrying about things that have already happened and cannot be changed.
Example: I know you made a mistake, but don’t cry over spilled milk. Just focus on finding a solution.
4. Jump on the bandwagon:
Meaning: To adopt a popular trend or activity.
Example: After seeing everyone start a fitness routine, she decided to jump on the bandwagon and join a gym.
5. Walking on air:
Meaning: To feel extremely happy or elated.
Example: After receiving the good news, he was walking on air for the rest of the day.
6. Piece of cake:
Meaning: Something that is very easy to do.
Example: The exam was a piece of cake; I finished it in less than an hour.
7. Break a leg:
Meaning: A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance or presentation.
Example: Break a leg on stage tonight! I’m sure you’ll do great.
8. Cost an arm and a leg:
Meaning: To be very expensive.
Example: The vacation package looks amazing, but it costs an arm and a leg.
9. Let the cat out of the bag:
Meaning: To reveal a secret unintentionally.
Example: I wasn’t supposed to know about the surprise party, but someone let the cat out of the bag.
10. The ball is in your court:
Meaning: It’s now your turn to make a decision or take action.
Example: I’ve done my part; now the ball is in your court to decide whether we proceed or not.
11. An arm and a leg:
Meaning: Something that is very expensive.
Example: The new smartphone looks great, but it’s going to cost me an arm and a leg.
12. Burning the midnight oil:
Meaning: Working or studying late into the night.
Example: She’s been burning the midnight oil to finish her research paper on time.
13. Cry over spilt milk:
Meaning: To be upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
Example: There’s no use crying over spilt milk; let’s just focus on finding a solution.
14. Curiosity killed the cat:
Meaning: Being too inquisitive or nosy can lead to trouble.
Example: She kept asking personal questions, but I reminded her that curiosity killed the cat.
15. Dropping like flies:
Meaning: A large number of people or things are failing or falling quickly.
Example: During the flu season, people were dropping like flies at the office.
16. Every cloud has a silver lining:
Meaning: There is something positive in every difficult situation.
Example: Even though he lost his job, he realized that every cloud has a silver lining when he started his own business.
17. Hit the nail on the head:
Meaning: To describe something exactly as it is, without missing any important details.
Example: Your explanation hit the nail on the head; that’s exactly how I feel about the situation.
18. In hot water:
Meaning: In trouble or facing a difficult situation.
Example: He found himself in hot water after missing the deadline for the project.
19. Kill two birds with one stone:
Meaning: To accomplish two things with a single action or effort.
Example: By stopping at the grocery store on her way home, she was able to kill two birds with one stone.
20. On thin ice:
Meaning: In a risky or dangerous situation.
Example: He knew he was on thin ice with his boss after making that mistake.
21. The early bird catches the worm:
Meaning: Being prompt or early can lead to success or advantages.
Example: She always arrives at work early, believing that the early bird catches the worm.
22. Actions speak louder than words:
Meaning: What someone does is more important and revealing than what they say.
Example: Instead of just apologizing, he should show that he’s changed—
actions speak louder than words.
23. Barking up the wrong tree:
Meaning: To pursue the wrong course of action or direct one’s efforts in the wrong direction.
Example: If you think I’m the one who broke the vase, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
24. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch:
Meaning: Don’t make plans based on something that hasn’t happened yet.
Example: I know you’re excited about the promotion, but don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
25. Face the music:
Meaning: To accept the consequences of one’s actions, especially when they are negative.
Example: After skipping class for a week, he had to face the music with his parents and the school principal.
26. Grin and bear it:
Meaning: To endure a difficult or unpleasant situation with a smile.
Example: Even though the job is tough, he always manages to grin and bear it.
27. Hit the hay:
Meaning: To go to bed or sleep.
Example: I’m exhausted; I think it’s time to hit the hay.
28. Jumping to conclusions:
Meaning: Making hasty judgments without having all the facts.
Example: Before accusing him, let’s gather all the information; we don’t want to be jumping to conclusions.
29. Keep your chin up:
Meaning: To remain positive and optimistic in difficult situations.
Example: I know you’re facing challenges, but keep your chin up; things will get better.
30. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush:
Meaning: It’s better to have something certain now than the possibility of something better in the future.
Example: I was offered a job with a lower salary but more stability; I think I’ll take it—after all, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
31. Burning the candle at both ends:
Meaning: Overworking or exhausting oneself by staying up late and waking up early.
Example: She’s been burning the candle at both ends to balance work and family responsibilities.
32. Cry wolf:
Meaning: To give a false alarm or make a false claim for attention.
Example: He kept complaining about being sick even when he wasn’t; now no one believes him because he cried wolf too many times.
33. Dead as a doornail:
Meaning: Completely and unquestionably dead.
Example: After the accident, the engine was dead as a doornail.
34. Easier said than done:
Meaning: Something that seems simple or easy to talk about but is difficult to actually do.
Example: Sure, you can tell me to just quit my job, but it’s easier said than done.
35. Fit as a fiddle:
Meaning: In very good health or physical condition.
Example: After regular exercise and a healthy diet, she felt as fit as a fiddle.
36. Guilt trip:
Meaning: Trying to make someone feel guilty, often to manipulate them into doing something.
Example: She laid a guilt trip on him for not attending the family gathering.
37. Hitting the nail on the head:
Meaning: Describing something exactly as it is, without missing any important details.
Example: Your explanation hit the nail on the head; that’s exactly how I feel about the situation.
38. In the doghouse:
Meaning: To be in disfavor or facing trouble due to one’s actions.
Example: After forgetting their anniversary, he found himself in the doghouse with his wife.
39. Jump ship:
Meaning: To leave a situation or group abruptly, often when facing difficulties.
Example: When the company faced financial troubles, several employees decided to jump ship and find new jobs.
40. Keep your fingers crossed:
Meaning: To hope for a positive outcome.
Example: I have a job interview tomorrow; keep your fingers crossed for me!
41. Like a fish out of water:
Meaning: Feeling uncomfortable or out of place in a particular situation.
Example: At the fancy gala, he felt like a fish out of water, not used to such formal events.
42. Making a mountain out of a molehill:
Meaning: Exaggerating a small problem and making it seem much larger than it actually is.
Example: She’s making a mountain out of a molehill; it’s just a minor disagreement.
43. Nipping something in the bud:
Meaning: Taking action to stop a problem before it becomes worse.
Example: The teacher addressed the misbehavior in the classroom quickly, nipping it in the bud.
44. Once in a blue moon:
Meaning: An event that occurs very rarely.
Example: She visits her hometown only once in a blue moon, since she lives far away.
45. Penny for your thoughts:
Meaning: A polite way of asking what someone is thinking about.
Example: You seem lost in thought. A penny for your thoughts?
46. Quitting cold turkey:
Meaning: Quitting a habit or addiction abruptly, without gradually reducing it.
Example: He decided to quit smoking cold turkey after years of trying other methods.
47. Rub salt in the wound:
Meaning: To make a difficult situation even worse for someone.
Example: After losing the game, his friend rubbed salt in the wound by reminding him of his past losses.
48. Sitting on the fence:
Meaning: Being undecided or neutral in a situation.
Example: She’s sitting on the fence regarding which job offer to accept.
49. The ball is in your court:
Meaning: It’s now your turn to make a decision or take action.
Example: I’ve done my part; now the ball is in your court to decide whether we proceed or not.
50. Up in the air:
Meaning: Uncertain or undecided; not yet resolved.
Example: The vacation plans are still up in the air; we haven’t finalized the destination.
51. A penny saved is a penny earned:
Meaning: Saving money is just as valuable as earning it.
Example: He decided to cut back on unnecessary expenses, realizing that a penny saved is a penny earned.
52. Back to the drawing board:
Meaning: Starting over because a previous attempt was unsuccessful.
Example: The project didn’t turn out as expected, so it’s back to the drawing board.
53. Cat’s out of the bag:
Meaning: A secret has been revealed.
Example: I accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
54. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket:
Meaning: Don’t rely solely on one option; have alternatives as well.
Example: Investing all your money in one stock is risky. Remember, don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
55. Eyes are bigger than your stomach:
Meaning: Taking more food than you can actually eat.
Example: She loaded her plate with food, but her eyes were bigger than her stomach.
56. Flogging a dead horse:
Meaning: Continuing to work on a task or problem that is already hopeless.
Example: Trying to convince him to change his mind is like flogging a dead horse.
57. Go the extra mile:
Meaning: Putting in extra effort to achieve a goal.
Example: He always goes the extra mile at work, which is why he’s considered a valuable employee.
58. Hear it on the grapevine:
Meaning: Learning about something through rumors or gossip.
Example: I heard it on the grapevine that they’re planning to restructure the company.
59. In the blink of an eye:
Meaning: Very quickly or instantly.
Example: The car sped by in the blink of an eye.
60. Jumping off the deep end:
Meaning: Acting impulsively without considering the consequences.
Example: She jumped off the deep end and quit her job without having another one lined up.
61. Keep something at bay:
Meaning: To prevent or control something negative.
Example: Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help keep illness at bay.
62. Let the cat out of the bag:
Meaning: To reveal a secret unintentionally.
Example: I wasn’t supposed to know about the surprise party, but someone let the cat out of the bag.
63. Make a long story short:
Meaning: To summarize something or skip the details.
Example: Make a long story short, we missed our flight due to heavy traffic.
64. No pain, no gain:
Meaning: Achieving success requires hard work and sacrifice.
Example: If you want to get fit, you’ll have to hit the gym regularly—no pain, no gain.
65. Off the beaten path:
Meaning: Away from the usual or common route.
Example: They decided to explore the city’s hidden gems by venturing off the beaten path.
66. Put all your eggs in one basket:
Meaning: Relying solely on one option, which is risky.
Example: Investing all your savings in a single stock is risky; don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
67. Seeing eye to eye:
Meaning: To agree or have the same opinion.
Example: They finally started seeing eye to eye on the project’s direction.
68. Take with a grain of salt:
Meaning: To be skeptical or not completely believe something.
Example: I heard the rumors, but I take them with a grain of salt until I get more information.
69. Under the weather:
Meaning: Not feeling well or slightly ill.
Example: I won’t be able to make it to the party; I’m feeling a bit under the weather.
70. Walk on eggshells:
Meaning: To be cautious and sensitive while dealing with a situation or person.
Example: Ever since the argument, they’ve been walking on eggshells around each other.
71. A watched pot never boils:
Meaning: When you’re impatiently waiting for something to happen, it seems to take longer.
Example: Stop staring at the clock; a watched pot never boils.
72. Beat around the bush:
Meaning: Avoiding direct discussion or getting to the point.
Example: Instead of beating around the bush, just tell me what you want to say.
73. Cry over spilled milk:
Meaning: To be upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
Example: There’s no use crying over spilled milk; let’s just focus on finding a solution.
74. Diamond in the rough:
Meaning: Something or someone with potential but is currently unrefined.
Example: With some training, he could become a diamond in the rough in the field of music.
75. Eyes are the window to the soul:
Meaning: The eyes can reveal a person’s true thoughts and emotions.
Example: When she looked into his eyes, she could tell he was hiding something.
76. Fish out of water:
Meaning: Feeling uncomfortable or out of place in a particular situation.
Example: At the formal event, he felt like a fish out of water, not used to such gatherings.
77. Get a taste of your own medicine:
Meaning: To experience something negative that you’ve previously done to others.
Example: After always teasing his sister, he finally got a taste of his own medicine when she pranked him.
78. Hit the ground running:
Meaning: To start a project or task with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
Example: She hit the ground running on her first day at the new job.
79. In the dark:
Meaning: Being unaware of something or lacking information.
Example: I’m completely in the dark about their plans for the weekend.
80. Jump on the bandwagon:
Meaning: To adopt a popular trend or activity.
Example: After seeing everyone start a fitness routine, she decided to jump on the bandwagon and join a gym.
81. Keep your chin up:
Meaning: To remain positive and optimistic in difficult situations.
Example: I know you’re facing challenges, but keep your chin up; things will get better.
82. Like a bull in a china shop:
Meaning: Acting clumsily or recklessly in a delicate situation.
Example: He entered the party like a bull in a china shop, knocking over a vase.
83. Make hay while the sun shines:
Meaning: To take advantage of an opportunity when it’s available.
Example: The weather is perfect for outdoor activities; let’s make hay while the sun shines.
84. Needle in a haystack:
Meaning: Something that is difficult to find or locate due to its rarity or obscurity.
Example: Finding her lost earring in the park was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
85. Off the hook:
Meaning: No longer responsible for something or no longer facing consequences.
Example: She’s off the hook for the project; someone else will handle it.
86. Play it by ear:
Meaning: To improvise or make decisions as you go along, without a fixed plan.
Example: We don’t have a strict schedule; let’s play it by ear and see where the day takes us.
87. Raining cats and dogs:
Meaning: Raining very heavily.
Example: We can’t go out for a walk; it’s raining cats and dogs out there.
88. Straight from the horse’s mouth:
Meaning: Information received directly from a reliable or authoritative source.
Example: I heard the news straight from the horse’s mouth—the CEO is retiring.
89. The best of both worlds:
Meaning: Enjoying the advantages of two different things at the same time.
Example: Working part-time allows me to have a career and spend time with my family—it’s the best of both worlds.
90. Under the weather:
Meaning: Not feeling well or slightly ill.
Example: I won’t be able to make it to the party; I’m feeling a bit under the weather.
91. Variety is the spice of life:
Meaning: Having different experiences and trying new things makes life more enjoyable.
Example: She loves traveling to new places; variety is the spice of life for her.
92. Wear your heart on your sleeve:
Meaning: Showing your emotions openly and without hiding them.
Example: It’s easy to tell how he’s feeling; he wears his heart on his sleeve.
93. A stitch in time saves nine:
Meaning: Taking care of a problem early prevents it from becoming worse in the future.
Example: Fix that leaky faucet now; a stitch in time saves nine.
94. Back to the drawing board:
Meaning: Starting over because a previous attempt was unsuccessful.
Example: The project didn’t turn out as expected, so it’s back to the drawing board.
95. Cross that bridge when you come to it:
Meaning: Dealing with a problem only when it becomes necessary.
Example: I’m not worried about the presentation yet; I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.
96. Don’t cry over spilled milk:
Meaning: Don’t waste time worrying about things that have already happened and cannot be changed.
Example: I know you made a mistake, but don’t cry over spilled milk. Just focus on finding a solution.
97. Every cloud has a silver lining:
Meaning: There is something positive in every difficult situation.
Example: Even though he lost his job, he realized that every cloud has a silver lining when he started his own business.
98. Flying off the handle:
Meaning: Losing one’s temper suddenly and easily.
Example: He tends to fly off the handle when things don’t go as planned.
99. Get your ducks in a row:
Meaning: Organize or prepare things in a proper and efficient manner.
Example: Before the meeting, make sure you get your ducks in a row and have all the necessary documents.
100. Hitting the nail on the head:
Meaning: Describing something exactly as it is, without missing any important details.
Example: Your explanation hit the nail on the head; that’s exactly how I feel about the situation.