Common English Idioms
1. Hit the books: it simply means “to study,”
Example: “Sorry but I can’t watch the game with you tonight, I have to hit the books. I have a
huge exam next week!”
2. Hit the sack: means to go to bed
Example: Instead of saying hit the sack you can also say hit the hay.
“It’s time for me to hit the sack, I’m so tired.”
3. Twist someone’s arm: means that you’re great at convincing them, and they’ve finally agreed
to do something after you’ve been begging them.
Example: She had twisted his arm to get him to invite her.
4. Stab someone in the back: means to hurt someone who was close to us and trusted us by
betraying them secretly and breaking their trust.
5. Lose your touch: We use this when you’re usually good at a certain skill or talent, but then
things start to go wrong.
6. Face the music: to accept all the consequences, good or bad (but mostly bad).
Example:
“I can’t understand why I failed math.”
“You know you didn’t study hard, so you’re going to have to face the music and take the class
again next semester if you really want to graduate when you do.”
7. Ring a bell: when someone says something that you believe you’ve heard in the past, alarm
bells start ringing and you try to remember how or why that name or place sounds familiar.
Example:
“You’ve met my friend Amy Adams, right?”
“Hmmm, I’m not sure, but that name rings a bell. Was she the one who went to Paris last year?”
8. Blow off steam: If you’re feeling angry, stressed or are experiencing some strong feelings and
you want to get rid of them so you feel better again, you will blow off steam by doing something
such as exercising to get rid of the stress.
Example:
“Why is Nick so angry and where did he go?”
“He had a fight with his brother, so he went for a run to blow off steam.”
9. On the ball
If you’re on the ball it means that you’re very quick to understand certain things, very prepared
for something or react quickly (and correctly) to a situation.
Example:
“Wow, you’ve already finished your assignments? They aren’t due until next week, you’re
really on the ball. I wish I could be more organized.”
10. In hot water
When someone is in hot water, they’re in a bad situation or serious trouble.
“My brother is in hot water for failing all his college classes.”
11. Food for thought
Food for thought refers to something that’s worth thinking carefully about.
“Moving to another state is food for thought for many of those affected by the recent hurricanes
in Texas and Florida.”
12. A smart cookie: A smart cookie is an intelligent person.
“It shouldn’t be hard too hard for a smart cookie like you to learn Spanish.”
13. Spill the beans: means to accidentally or prematurely give out information that’s supposed
to be kept secret.
“We were planning a surprise birthday party for Joyce this weekend. But this morning,
Owen spilled the beans and now it’s no longer a surprise.”
14. A storm is brewing: means that there will be trouble or emotional upset in the near future.
“She decided to go ahead with their wedding, even though all they’ve been doing lately is
arguing. I can sense a storm is brewing.”
15. Calm before the storm: An unusually quiet period before a period of upheaval (problems,
chaos).
“The strange quietness in town made her feel peaceful. Little did she know, it was just the calm
before the storm.”
16. Chasing rainbows: Following dreams, trying to do something that can’t be achieved.
“His paintings have neither style nor imagination, but he insists on being a professional painter.
He’s always chasing rainbows.”
17. Make a mountain out of a molehill: to exaggerate the severity of a situation.
“She shouted at him angrily for being five minutes late, but it really didn’t matter that much. She
really made a mountain out of a molehill.”
18. Between a rock and a hard place: In difficulty, faced with a choice between two
unsatisfactory options.
“I can understand why she couldn’t make up her mind about what to do. She’s really between a
rock and a hard place.”
19. Beat around the bush:to spend a long time getting to the main point of what you’re saying,
especially because it’s embarrassing.
“I don’t have much time, so stop beating around the bush and tell me what actually happened.”
20.Get a grip: If someone is panicking or being irrational (not making sense), someone else
might tell them to “get a grip.”
– I have no idea how I’m going to pass this test. This is the worst thing that’s ever happened to
me!
– Hey, get a grip! There’s no reason to think that. You’re going to do fine.
21.Cut corners
“Cutting corners” means not doing something completely, often in a situation that involves work
or money.
We’re going to put all of our time and money into this business. No cutting corners.
22.Take a stand: means stating your belief in an issue, or committing to a cause.
You can’t just sit by and watch things happen without you. It’s time to take a stand.
