Idioms | English for EmSAT Achieve PDF Download

What Is an Idiom? – Meaning and Definition

• An idiom is a group of words, or in other words, a phrase that has a meaning different from the literal meaning of the words in it. According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, an idiom is defined as “a group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words”, and according to the Cambridge Dictionary, an idiom is defined as “a group of words in a fixed order that has a particular meaning that is different from the meanings of each word on its own”.
• The Collins Dictionary defines an idiom as “a group of words which have a different meaning when used together from the one they would have if you took the meaning of each word separately.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary provides a more elaborate definition. According to them, an idiom is “an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either in having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements (such as up in the air for “undecided”) or in its grammatically atypical use of words (such as give way).”

Why Use Idioms in Sentences?

• Idioms can be a powerful linguistic tool only when they are used in the right way in the right places. The only thing that makes learning idioms a time-consuming process is the fact that one cannot depend merely on the meaning of individual words to understand what the entire phrase means.
• Idioms are not meant to be used in academic or professional writing. In a lighter context, the use of idioms can make your piece of writing or speech unique. Idioms can also be used to indicate pun or even sarcasm. Like any other components of a language, you have to be careful with the use of idioms as well. The only problem is that it would make no sense or effect to a group of people who do not know the meaning of the idiom you are using. So, always make sure you are using idioms with an audience who would be able to comprehend the meaning.

List of 30+ Common Idioms, Their Meanings and Examples of Their Usage in Sentences

1. Under the weather

• Meaning: Feeling ill / Getting a cold
• Example: My mom was feeling a bit under the weather.

2. Cold feet

• Meaning: Becoming nervous
• Example: It was her chance to speak, and she was getting cold feet.

3. Apple of my eye

• Meaning: Someone you are very fond of
• Example: My younger brother is the apple of my eye.

4. Set the record straight

• Meaning: To reveal the truth / To clarify
• Example: The umpires checked the camera to set the record straight.

5. Kill two birds with a stone

• Meaning: Achieve two results by doing one thing
• Example: He joined the military to kill two birds with a stone.

6. Snowed under

• Meaning: To be busy
• Example: My father has been snowed under for the last few weeks.

7. To break someone’s bubble

• Meaning: To disprove someone’s belief
• Example: Glint broke my bubble by saying he was a part of it.

8. Walk on eggshells

• Meaning: To be very careful with your actions and words
• Example: Talking to my mom about grades felt like walking on eggshells.

9. Bite the bullet

• Meaning: Finish or face something unpleasant
• Example: Danny decided to bite the bullet and discuss finances.

10. Make two ends meet

• Meaning: Have just enough money for all needs
• Example: Harry and Hani find it difficult to make two ends meet.

11. To be at loggerheads with someone

• Meaning: To quarrel or disagree
• Example: Jithin’s parents are often at loggerheads.

12. Pretty penny

• Meaning: Expensive
• Example: The birthday dress will cost a pretty penny.

13. Break a leg

• Meaning: Good luck
• Example: The teacher wished us to break a leg at the dance.

14. Through thick and thin

• Meaning: At all times—good and bad
• Example: My friends are always there for me through thick and thin.

15. Beat around the bush

• Meaning: Not saying directly
• Example: Jason’s neighbor kept beating around the bush.

16. Hang in there

• Meaning: Stay strong in difficult times
• Example: Hang in there! Things will improve.

17. Cut corners

• Meaning: Reduce expenses or effort
• Example: I often cut corners to save for my brother.

18. Steal someone’s thunder

• Meaning: Divert attention to oneself
• Example: Monica accused Rachel of stealing her thunder.

19. Call it a day

• Meaning: To stop doing something
• Example: We decided to call it a day after the movie.

20. Better late than never

• Meaning: Doing something is better than not doing it
• Example: Better late than never, but where are the others?

21. Stick to your guns

• Meaning: Be firm in your decisions
• Example: The lawyer advised Rakesh to stick to his guns.

22. Leave no stone unturned

• Meaning: Take every effort to achieve something
• Example: The police left no stone unturned in their search.

23. Clouds on the horizon

• Meaning: Problems or trouble ahead
• Example: Vishnu sensed clouds on the horizon.

24. A blessing in disguise

• Meaning: Something bad turning out to be good
• Example: Catching a cold was a blessing in disguise.

25. Blue in the face

• Meaning: Exhausted due to strain or anger
• Example: Usha looked blue in the face after the marathon.

26. Make a long story short

• Meaning: Say something briefly
• Example: Let’s cut the long story short and get to the point.

27. Cup of tea

• Meaning: Not something one likes
• Example: Cooking has never been Rachel’s cup of tea.

28. Beating a dead horse

• Meaning: Pointless overdoing
• Example: She kept beating a dead horse trying to change his mind.

29. Speak of the devil

• Meaning: Refer to someone who appears instantly
• Example: Speak of the devil! Here he comes.

30. Let sleeping dogs lie

• Meaning: Avoid revisiting resolved issues
• Example: We were told to let sleeping dogs lie.

Examples of Idioms

Now, take a look at some of the most common and funniest examples from various movies, TV series and books.

Idiom Examples from Movies

• I could dance with you until the cows come home. – Duck Soup
• Speak of the devil – Fast and Furious
• This is the man with no name. Danger fits him like a glove. – A Fistful of Dollars
• Look at this place! It looks wonderful. All spick-and-span. – Mrs. Doubtfire
• I’ve got three items in the docket: First, we need to acknowledge the elephant in the room. – Zootopia

Idiom Examples from TV Series

• Um, well, break a leg tonight. – This is Us
• Not to burst your bubble but it’s not rocket science. – Manifest
• Oh, perhaps I am a little under the weather. – The Big Bang Theory
• The wedding is about to start when Monica gets cold feet. – F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
• Stalin. Do I know that name? That sounds familiar. Well, it does not ring a bell with me. – F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

Idiom Examples from Books

• “Nay, if our wits run the wild-goose chase, I am done, for thou hast more of the wild-goose in one of thy wits than, I am sure, I have in my whole five.” – Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
• Scrooge signed it. And Scrooge’s name was good upon ‘Change, for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was as dead as a doornail.” – A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
• “But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at. I am not what I am.” – Othello by William Shakespeare
• “I’ve got my hands full,” I said. “I’m much obliged but I couldn’t take on any more work.” – The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.” – Hamlet by William Shakespeare