Idioms
Idioms, sayings and proverbs are phrases or expressions that typically present a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase. Categorized as formulaic language, an idiom’s figurative meaning is different from the literal meaning.
Though, they tend to regional or even generational, we are going to look at the most common American and British idioms. For more of colloquialism go here.
American Idioms Related to Animals
- ants in your pants – can’t sit still
- barking up the wrong tree – having the wrong impression of a person or situation
- bats in the belfry – indicates that someone is behaving in an eccentric or less than sane manner
- beef up – to strengthen something
- eager beaver – someone who is very eager or excited to do something
- earworm – thinking about a song or lyrics from a song over and over
- elephant in the room – something that everyone in the room is aware of that probably needs to be addressed
- for the birds – something that is silly, ridiculous or ludicrous
- get your ducks in a row – make proper plans; get things in order
- gets my goat – something that really bothers or annoys someone
- hair of the dog that bit you – whatever caused you to be in the situation you’re in, go get more of that
- hold your horses – slow down; stop and think about what you’re doing
- on a fishing expedition – trying to get information out of someone without being fully aware of what you’re looking for
- monkey business – silliness or goofing off; breaking the rules
- plenty of fish in the sea – there are plenty of other dating prospects out there
- put lipstick on a pig – if you dress up ugly, there’s still ugly underneath
- quit cold turkey – to give up something all at once rather than gradually weaning off it
- running around like a chicken with your head cut off – being confused, disorganized, or unsure of where to get started or what to do next
- smell a rat – to get a sense that there is a problem with something
- straight from the horse’s mouth – got information directly from the most knowledgeable source
- to be a fly on the wall – to wish to witness what is going on without anyone being aware that you are there
- zebras don’t change their stripes – don’t expect anyone to be anything other than who they really are
American Sports Idioms
Sports are massively popular in America, so it shouldn’t be surprising to find out that there are a ton of cool sports-related idioms.
- behind the eight ball – in a difficult position
- call the shots – to make the decisions; to decide what will be done
- cheap shot – to take advantage of someone when they are down
- dead ringer – a duplicate or double, something that looks just like another
- down to the wire – completing or finishing something with no extra time remaining
- drop the ball – to make a basic mistake
- game plan – to put a plan in place; to decide how things should be handled
- get the ball rolling – to begin or get started; to put things into motion
- get ahead of the game – to have an advantage over others
- get a kick out of it – to be amused by something
- give it your best shot – try as hard as you possibly can; put forth your best effort
- hit the mark – to find the perfect or ideal solution; to be in exactly the right place
- hit below the belt – to capitalize on an opponent’s vulnerabilities in an unfair way
- in the ballpark – close to a suitable amount or suggestion
- know the score – be aware of all relevant factors and variables
- make the cut – to be chosen, selected or included in something
- Monday morning quarterback – someone who tries to call the shots after the action is already over
- move the goalposts – to set your sights or standards even higher; to make something more challenging
- out of your league – above or beyond what one is capable of attaining
- political football – an issue that politicians argue in circles about or seek to use for their own political gain
- skin in the game – having a vested interest in how something turns out
- the ball is in your court – it’s your turn to act or respond
- to go to bat – to speak out positively about someone or something with the intent of helping
- to run interference – to try to remove obstacles that are in someone’s way; clearing the way for someone else
- to take sides – to choose a team
- toe the line – to stay within the acceptable boundary or limits
American Idioms About Body Parts
It’s a bit more surprising to learn that a lot of American idioms reference body parts than it is to find out just how many focus on sports terminology. Many of the most commonly used idioms reference anatomy in some way. Several options are listed below, and you’ll find even more in this list of common idioms using body parts.
- apply some elbow grease – put some physical effort into what you’re doing
- armed to the teeth – in possession of a lot of weapons
- bare bones – a very basic model or version, with no extras or add-ons
- bundle of nerves – very nervous or anxious about something
- by the skin of your teeth – just barely
- get it off your chest – share information about something that has been bothering you
- give me a hand – please help or assist me with something
- go behind one’s back – to sneak and do something without telling someone who should be aware
- go belly up – go out of business; to lose everything
- green thumb – to be good at gardening; having good skills or luck with growing flowers or vegetables
- I’m all ears – the person is prepared and ready to listen to what you have to say
- it’s like pulling teeth – something that requires a lot of effort
- itchy feet – someone is getting restless; being ready to move on to the next activity
- joined at the hip – people who seem to be together all the time
- keep at arm’s length – to deliberately not let someone get too close
- long in the tooth – old; of advanced years
- need elbow room – to prefer to have plenty of space between you and other people
- no skin off my nose – something isn’t going to affect you, so you don’t really care
- pick your brain – to ask questions to find out someone’s thoughts or opinions on a topic
- play it by ear – to move forward without a specific plan; to figure things out along the way
- slap on the wrist – a minor caution against doing something rather than an actual punishment
- stick your neck out – to take a chance on another person in a way that could impact your reputation
- wet behind the ears – doesn’t have very much experience; isn’t very skilled
- your neck of the woods – the general area where someone lives
List of common Idioms in English
Idiom | Meaning |
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush | What you have is worth more than what you might have later |
A blessing in disguise | a good thing that seemed bad at first |
A dime a dozen | Something common |
A little learning is a dangerous thing | People who don’t understand something fully are dangerous |
A penny for your thoughts | Tell me what you’re thinking |
A penny saved is a penny earned | Money you save today you can spend later |
A perfect storm | the worst possible situation |
A picture is worth 1000 words | Better to show than tell |
A snowball effect | Events have momentum and build upon each other |
A snowball’s chance in hell | No chance at all |
A stitch in time saves nine | Fix the problem now because it will get worse later |
A storm in a teacup | A big fuss about a small problem |
Actions speak louder than words | Believe what people do and not what they say |
Add insult to injury | To make a bad situation worse |
An apple a day keeps the doctor away | Apples are good for you |
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure | You can prevent a problem with little effort. Fixing it later is harder. |
As right as rain | Perfect |
Barking up the wrong tree | To be mistaken, to be looking for solutions in the wrong place |
Beat around the bush | Avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is uncomfortable |
Better late than never | Better to arrive late than not to come at all |
Birds of a feather flock together | People who are alike are often friends (usually used negatively) |
Bite off more than you can chew | Take on a project that you cannot finish |
Bite the bullet | To get something over with because it is inevitable |
Bolt from the blue | Something that happened without warning |
Break a leg | Good luck |
Break the ice | Make people feel more comfortable |
Burn bridges | Destroy relationships |
By the skin of your teeth | Just barely |
Call it a day | Stop working on something |
Calm before the storm | Something bad is coming, but right now it’s calm |
Come rain or shine | No matter what |
Comparing apples to oranges | Comparing two things that cannot be compared |
Costs an arm and a leg | Very expensive |
Curiosity killed the cat | Stop asking questions |
Cut somebody some slack | Don’t be so critical |
Cut the mustard | Do a good job |
Cutting corners | Doing something poorly in order to save time or money |
Do something at the drop of a hat | Do something without having planned beforehand |
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you | Treat people fairly. Also known as “The Golden Rule” |
Don’t beat a dead horse | Move on, this subject is over |
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch | Don’t count on something good happening until it’s happened. |
Don’t cry over spilt milk | There’s no reason to complain about something that can’t be fixed |
Don’t give up your day job | You’re not very good at this |
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket | What you’re doing is too risky |
Easy does it | Slow down |
Every cloud has a silver lining | Good things come after bad things |
Every dog has his day | Everyone gets a chance at least once |
Familiarity breeds contempt | The better you know someone the less you like him |
Fit as a fiddle | In good health |
Fortune favors the bold | Take risks |
Get a second wind | Have more energy after having been tired |
Get a taste of your own medicine | Get treated the way you’ve been treating others (negative) |
Get out of hand | Get out of control |
Get something out of your system | Do the thing you’ve been wanting to do so you can move on |
Get wind of something | Hear news of something secret |
Get your act together | Work better or leave |
Give someone the benefit of the doubt | Trust what someone says |
Give someone the cold shoulder | Ignore someone |
Go back to the drawing board | Start over |
Go down in flames | Fail spectacularly |
Go on a wild goose chase | To do something pointless |
Good things come to those who wait | Be patient |
Hang in there | Don’t give up |
Haste makes waste | You’ll make mistakes if you rush through something |
Have your head in the clouds | Not be concentrating |
He has bigger fish to fry | He has bigger things to take care of than what we are talking about now |
He who laughs last laughs loudest | I’ll get you back for what you did |
He’s a chip off the old block | The son is like the father |
He’s not playing with a full deck | He’s dumb |
He’s off his rocker | He’s crazy |
He’s sitting on the fence | He can’t make up his mind |
Hear something straight from the horse’s mouth | Hear something from the person involved |
Hit the nail on the head | Get something exactly right |
Hit the sack | Go to sleep |
Ignorance is bliss | You’re better off not knowing |
It ain’t over till the fat lady sings | This isn’t over yet |
It is a poor workman who blames his tools | If you can’t do the job, don’t blame it on others |
It is always darkest before the dawn | Things are going to get better |
It takes one to know one | You’re just as bad as I am |
It takes two to tango | One person alone isn’t responsible. Both people are involved. |
It’s a piece of cake | It’s easy |
It’s not rocket science | It’s not complicated |
It’s raining cats and dogs | It’s raining hard |
Jump on the bandwagon | Follow a trend, do what everyone else is doing |
Kill two birds with one stone | Get two things done with a single action |
Know which way the wind is blowing | Understand the situation (usually negative) |
Leave no stone unturned | Look everywhere |
Let sleeping dogs lie | Stop discussing an issue |
Let someone off the hook | To not hold someone responsible for something |
Let the cat out of the bag | Give away a secret |
Like riding a bicycle | Something you never forget how to do |
Like two peas in a pod | They’re always together |
Live and learn | I made a mistake |
Look before you leap | Take only calculated risks |
Make a long story short | Tell something briefly |
Make hay while the sun shines | Take advantage of a good situation |
Miss the boat | It’s too late |
No pain, no gain | You have to work for what you want |
On cloud nine | Very happy |
On the ball | Doing a good job |
On thin ice | On probation. If you make another mistake, there will be trouble. |
Once bitten, twice shy | You’re more cautious when you’ve been hurt before |
Once in a blue moon | Rarely |
Out of the frying pan and into the fire | Things are going from bad to worse |
Play devil’s advocate | To argue the opposite, just for the sake of argument |
Pull someone’s leg | To joke with someone |
Pull yourself together | Calm down |
Put something on ice | Put a project on hold |
Rain on someone’s parade | To spoil something |
Run like the wind | Run fast |
Saving for a rainy day | Saving money for later |
Shape up or ship out | Work better or leave |
Slow and steady wins the race | Reliability is more important than speed |
Snowed under | Busy |
So far so good | Things are going well so far |
Speak of the devil | The person we were just talking about showed up! |
Spill the beans | Give away a secret |
Take a rain check | Postpone a plan |
Take it with a grain of salt | Don’t take it too seriously |
That ship has sailed | It’s too late |
That’s the last straw | My patience has run out |
The ball is in your court | It’s your decision |
The best of both worlds | An ideal situation |
The best thing since sliced bread | A really good invention |
The devil is in the details | It looks good from a distance, but when you look closer, there are problems |
The early bird gets the worm | The first people who arrive will get the best stuff |
The elephant in the room | The big issue, the problem people are avoiding |
The pot calling the kettle black | Someone criticizing someone else he is just as bad |
The whole nine yards | Everything, all the way. |
There are clouds on the horizon | Trouble is coming |
There are other fish in the sea | It’s ok to miss this opportunity. Others will arise. |
There’s a method to his madness | He seems crazy but actually he’s clever |
There’s no such thing as a free lunch | Nothing is entirely free |
Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones | People who are morally questionable shouldn’t criticize others |
Through thick and thin | In good times and in bad times |
Throw caution to the wind | Take a risk |
Time flies when you’re having fun | You don’t notice how long something lasts when it’s fun |
Time is money | Work quickly |
To get bent out of shape | To get upset |
To make matters worse | Make a problem worse |
Under the weather | Sick |
Waste not, want not | Don’t waste things and you’ll always have enough |
We see eye to eye | We agree |
We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it | Let’s not talk about that problem right now |
Weather the storm | Go through something difficult |
Well begun is half done | Getting a good start is important |
When it rains it pours | Everything is going wrong at once |
Wrap your head around something | Understand something complicated |
You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar | You’ll get what you want by being nice |
You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink | You can’t force someone to make the right decision |
You can say that again | That’s true, I agree |
You can’t have your cake and eat it too | You can’t have everything |
You can’t judge a book by its cover | This person or thing may look bad, but it’s good inside |
You can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs | There’s always a cost to doing something |
You snooze you lose | if you do not pay attention and do something quickly, someone else will do it instead of you: |
Your guess is as good as mine | I have no idea |