List of common idioms
1. The best of both worlds means you can enjoy two different opportunities at the same time.
By working part-time and looking after her kids two days a week she managed to get the best of
both worlds.
2. Speak of the devil - this means that the person youre just talking about actually turns up at that
moment.
Hi Tom, speak of the devil, I was just telling Sara about your new car.
3. See eye to eye this means agreeing with someone.
They finally saw eye to eye on the business deal.
4. Once in a blue moon an event that happens infrequently.
I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon.
5. When pigs fly - something that will never happen.
When pigs fly shell tidy up her room.
6. To cost an arm and a leg- something is very expensive.
Fuel these days costs and arm and a leg.
7. A piece of cake- something is very easy.
The English test was a piece of cake.
8. Let the cat out of the bag to accidentally reveal a secret.
I let the cat out of the bag about their wedding plans.
9. To feel under the weather to not feel well.
Im really feeling under the weather today; I have a terrible cold.
10. To kill two birds with one stone to solve two problems at once.
By taking my dad on my holiday trip, I killed two birds with one stone. I got to go away but also
spend time with him.
11. To cut corners to do something badly or cheaply.
They really cut corners when they built this bathroom; the shower is leaking.
12. To add insult to injury to make a situation worse.
To add insult to injury the car drove off without stopping after knocking me off my bike.
13. You cant judge a book by its cover to not judge someone or something based solely on
appearance.
I thought this no-brand bread would be horrible; turns out you cant judge a book by its cover.
14. Break a leg means good luck (often said to actors before they go on stage).
Break a leg Sam, Im sure your performance will be great.
15. To hit the nail on the head - to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
He hit the nail on the head when he said this company needs more HR support.
To test your new-found knowledge here are some sentences to practice with. Fill in the blank!
A) I cant afford this purse! It _______. I wont be able to pay my rent!
B) His birthday was supposed to be a surprise! I cant believe you _____. Now he knows!
C) Ha! John has been promising to paint the house for five years. Maybe when _______.
D) Yeah, itll _______. I need to sign some papers at Jennys school anyway so ill pick her up for
you too.
E) I dont really like going out to parties anymore. I only go _______.
F) Im sorry I cant come into work today. Im ________. I have a sore throat and runny nose.
G) They tried ________ when installing the pipes for the house and now we have leaks only one
month after purchasing it!
H) We missed our flight to Paris because the connecting flight was late and to ______ they made us
pay for a new ticket as if it was our fault!
I) I cant wait to see you perform on stage tonight! ______!
J) Jane is just never on time to work, its really annoying. O wow, ______ here she comes
K) So were going to London, then Munich, then we will fly out of Athens, right? Great. Im so
glad to be traveling with someone I _______ with.
L) Wow, she found her dream man and has now landed an amazing job. She really does have
______.
M) OK, she might not be the most attractive but _________. Im sure she is a sweetheart.
N) I have been trying to figure this out for ages. Thanks so much, youre right. You _______.
O) I cant believe that was our test. I think it was easier than some of our homework! It was a
______.
