IDIOMS
Native English speakers love to use them during conversation, and you'll
often find them in books and on TV shows. To perfect your English, you
need to be more confident in the use of idioms and know the difference
between break a leg and pull someone's leg.
Here are 19 English idioms everyone should know:
1.Under the weather
What does it mean? Feeling sick.
How is it used? In England we love to talk about the weather and it's a
common thing, but don't let this common phrase fool you. If someone
says they feel under the weather, your response should be “I hope you
feel better!”, not “Would you like to borrow my umbrella?”
2. The ball is in your court
What does it mean? It depends on you.
How is it used? It's your turn, but this language refers more to life than to
any sport. If you “have the ball” the decision is yours and someone is
waiting for it.
3. Spill the beans
What does it mean? That you reveal a secret.
How is it used? If you told someone about their surprise party, what you
did was 'spilled the beans' or even 'let the cat out of the bag'. You
revealed the secret.
4. Break a leg
What does it mean? Wish someone luck.
How is it used? This language is not threatening. It is often accompanied
by a thumbs up, Break a leg! (Break a leg!) is a way to encourage
someone and wish them good luck. It originated in the theater, and it
refers to breaking a leg from bowing so much to thank the applause of
the public.
5. Pull someone's leg
What does it mean? Play a prank. Fool someone.
How is it used? It is the perfect phrase to know if you are a fan of jokes.
'Pull their leg' is similar to 'wind someone up'. Use it in this context:
'Relax, I'm just pulling your leg!' or 'Wait, are you bothering me?'
6. Sat on the fence
What does it mean? be indecisive
How is it used? If you are "sat on the fence" (sitting on the bench), it
means that you have not yet made a decision on an issue. “I’m on the
fence about hot yoga classes,” which translates to “I am not sure if I will
enjoy a yoga class in a sauna.”
7. Through thick and thin
What does it mean? Be loyal no matter what happens.
How is it used? Normally used to describe families or friends, 'through
thick and thin' means that you are by someone's side no matter the
circumstances, through the good and the bad.
8. Once in a blue moon
What does it mean? Rarely, from time to time.
How is it used? This phrase is used to describe something that doesn't
happen very often. For example: “I remember to call my parents from my
study abroad trip once in a blue moon.”
9. It's the best thing since sliced bread
What does it mean? That something is really good.
How is it used? Sliced bread must have revolutionized life in England
because it has been used as the pinnacle of all things good ever since. We
love it almost as much as we love tea.
10. Take it with a pinch of salt
What does it mean? Don't take something too seriously.
How is it used? “I heard that elephants can fly now, but Sam often makes
up stories so I take everything he says with a pinch of salt.”
11. Come rain or come shine
What does it mean? The circumstances don't matter.
How is it used? You guarantee that you will do something, regardless of
the weather or any situation that arises. “I’ll be at your football game,
come rain or shine”.
12. Go down in flames
What does it mean? Fail spectacularly.
How is it used? The use of this phrase is quite obvious: “That exam went
down in flames; I should have learned my English idioms.”
13. You can say that again
What does it mean? It is true. I agree with you.
How is it used? It is generally used to say that you agree with something.
When a friend says “Ryan Reynolds is gorgeous!”, you can reply “You can
say that again!” (Of course)
14. See eye to eye
What does it mean? To completely agree with something.
How is it used? It is not a game of seeing who blinks first – “See eye to
eye” is agreeing with what another person is saying.
15. Jump on the Bandwagon
What does it mean? follow fashion
How is it used? When a person joins a trend or does something just
because it's cool. For example, “She doesn't even like avocado on toast.
She’s just jumping on the bandwagon.” (She doesn’t even like avocado on
bread. She just does it for fashion.)
16. Beat around the bush
What does it mean? Avoid saying anything, going off on a tangent.
How is it used? Beating around the bush is when you talk nonsense and
avoid directly answering a question because you don't want to express
what you really think about something.
17. Hit the sack
What does it mean? Go to sleep.
How is it used? This language is one of the easiest to learn. ‘I’m
exhausted, it’s time for me to hit the sack!’
18. Miss the Boat
What does it mean? It's too late.
How is it used? Use this idiom when you missed an opportunity or
deadline. In Spanish we change it for another means of transport: “se me
fue el avion”. “I forgot to apply for that study abroad program, now I’ve
missed the boat.”
19. By the skin of your teeth
What does it mean? Barely.
How is it used? “Phew, I passed that exam by the skin of my teeth!”
