Common Idiomatic Expressions
1. Break the ice
Meaning: To initiate conversation in a social setting.
Sample Sentence: At the start of the meeting, John told a joke to break the ice.
2. Bite the bullet
Meaning: To face a difficult situation with courage.
Sample Sentence: She decided to bite the bullet and take the challenging exam.
3. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
Sample Sentence: When Jane said the company needed more innovative ideas,
she hit the nail on the head.
4. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To reveal a secret accidentally or prematurely.
Sample Sentence: He accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise
party.
5. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling ill or unwell.
Sample Sentence: I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so I'll stay home today.
6. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It is up to you to make the next decision or take action.
Sample Sentence: I've done all I can; now the ball is in your court.
7. Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive or costly.
Sample Sentence: The new smartphone costs an arm and a leg, but it's worth it.
8. Piece of cake
Meaning: Something very easy to do.
Sample Sentence: The math test was a piece of cake for her.
9. Spill the beans
Meaning: To reveal secret information.
Sample Sentence: He couldn't keep it to himself and spilled the beans about the
promotion.
10. Hit the sack
Meaning: To go to bed.
Sample Sentence: After a long day at work, I'm ready to hit the sack.
11. Pull someone's leg
Meaning: To joke or tease someone.
Sample Sentence: I was just pulling your leg when I said we had to work this
weekend.
12. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Very rarely.
Sample Sentence: We only go out for dinner once in a blue moon.
13. A blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something that seems bad at first but results in something good.
Sample Sentence: Losing that job was a blessing in disguise; it led me to a better
opportunity.
14. Back to the drawing board
Meaning: To start over after a failed attempt.
Sample Sentence: The plan didn't work out, so it's back to the drawing board.
15. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: To work late into the night.
Sample Sentence: She had to burn the midnight oil to finish the project on time.
16. It's raining cats and dogs
Meaning: It's raining heavily.
Sample Sentence: We had to cancel the picnic because it was raining cats and
dogs.
17. The last straw
Meaning: The final problem in a series of problems.
Sample Sentence: When he missed the meeting again, it was the last straw for his
boss.
18. On the ball
Meaning: To be alert and efficient.
Sample Sentence: She's really on the ball and always gets her work done ahead of
time.
19. Break a leg
Meaning: Good luck, typically used in the context of a performance.
Sample Sentence: Before the play started, the director told the actors to break a
leg.
20. Cut to the chase
Meaning: Get to the point without wasting time.
Sample Sentence: We don't have much time, so let's cut to the chase.
