100 commonly used idiomatic expressions with examples

A penny for your thoughts - Can you tell me what you're thinking?

Example: "You seem lost in thought. A penny for your thoughts?"

A piece of cake - Something very easy.

Example: "That test was a piece of cake."

Actions speak louder than words - What people do is more important than what they say.

Example: "Don't just promise; show me—actions speak louder than words."

All ears - Eager to listen or hear what someone has to say.

Example: "I'm all ears. Tell me your story."

An arm and a leg - Very expensive.

Example: "That new car costs an arm and a leg."

Back to the drawing board - To start over.

Example: "Our plan didn't work; it's back to the drawing board."

Ball is in your court - It's your turn to make a decision.

Example: "I've done my part; now the ball is in your court."

Barking up the wrong tree - Accusing or blaming the wrong person.

Example: "You're barking up the wrong tree if you think I stole your wallet."

Bite the bullet - Face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage.

Example: "She had to bite the bullet and apologize."

Break a leg - A way to wish someone good luck.

Example: "Break a leg on your audition today!"

Butter someone up - To flatter or be extra nice to someone for a favor.

Example: "She buttered up her boss to get a promotion."

Cat got your tongue? - Why are you silent or not speaking?

Example: "You're usually so talkative. Cat got your tongue?"

Cry over spilled milk - To be upset about something that can't be changed.

Example: "There's no use crying over spilled milk. Let's move on."

Cut to the chase - Get to the main point without unnecessary details.

Example: "Let's cut to the chase and discuss the budget."

Don't cry over spilt milk - Don't dwell on past mistakes or accidents.

Example: "I lost my old phone. Well, don't cry over spilt milk."

Don't judge a book by its cover - Don't make assumptions based on appearances.

Example: "He looks quiet, but don't judge a book by its cover; he's very interesting."

Down to the wire - Coming down to the last minute or moment.

Example: "The game went down to the wire, with a last-second goal."

Drop in the bucket - A small, insignificant amount compared to what's needed.

Example: "The donation was a drop in the bucket for the charity."

Easier said than done - Something sounds simple, but it's actually difficult to do.

Example: "Running a marathon is easier said than done."

Face the music - Accept the consequences of your actions.

Example: "He had to face the music when his lie was discovered."

Fit as a fiddle - In excellent physical shape.

Example: "After months of training, he's as fit as a fiddle."

Give someone the benefit of the doubt - Believe someone's statement without being too critical.

Example: "Let's give her the benefit of the doubt until we know more."

Go the extra mile - Put in extra effort to achieve something.

Example: "She always goes the extra mile at work."

Hit the nail on the head - Describe something accurately.

Example: "You hit the nail on the head; that's exactly how I feel."

It's a piece of cake - Something is very easy to do.

Example: "Cooking this recipe is a piece of cake."

Jump on the bandwagon - Start doing something that's currently popular.

Example: "Many businesses are jumping on the bandwagon of sustainable practices."

Keep an eye on - Watch or monitor something closely.

Example: "Please keep an eye on the oven while the cake bakes."

Let the cat out of the bag - Reveal a secret.

Example: "I accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party."

Like a fish out of water - Feeling uncomfortable in an unfamiliar situation.

Example: "At the fancy gala, I felt like a fish out of water."

No pain, no gain - You need to work hard and endure difficulties to achieve success.

Example: "I know exercise is tough, but no pain, no gain."

On cloud nine - Feeling extremely happy or euphoric.

Example: "Winning the championship put him on cloud nine."

Piece of the pie - A share in the profits or benefits.

Example: "Everyone deserves a piece of the pie for their hard work."

Put all your eggs in one basket - Relying on a single source for everything.

Example: "Invest wisely; don't put all your eggs in one basket."

Raining cats and dogs - Heavy rain or a downpour.

Example: "I got soaked in the rain; it was raining cats and dogs."

Read between the lines - Understand the hidden or implied meaning in a message.

Example: "You have to read between the lines to get what she's really saying."

Rome wasn't built in a day - It takes time to achieve something great.

Example: "Learning a new language takes time; Rome wasn't built in a day."

Rule of thumb - A practical guideline or rule based on experience.

Example: "As a rule of thumb, save at least 10% of your income."

See eye to eye - Agree on a topic or issue.

Example: "They don't always see eye to eye, but they respect each other's opinions."

Shoot for the moon - Set ambitious goals and aim high.

Example: "Don't limit yourself; shoot for the moon."

Sitting on the fence - Unable to make a decision.

Example: "He's sitting on the fence about which college to attend."

Spill the beans - Reveal a secret or confidential information.

Example: "She accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party."

Steal someone's thunder - Take the attention or credit away from someone else.

Example: "His promotion announcement stole her thunder at the meeting."

Take it with a grain of salt - Be skeptical about the information given.

Example: "He tends to exaggerate, so take what he says with a grain of salt."

The ball is in your court - It's your turn to make a decision.

Example: "I've done my part; now the ball is in your court."

The best of both worlds - Enjoying the advantages of two different things at the same time.

Example: "Living in the city allows you to have the best of both worlds: culture and nature."

The devil is in the details - The important information is hidden in the finer points.

Example: "The devil is in the details; review the contract carefully."

The early bird catches the worm - Success comes to those who act quickly.

Example: "Waking up early pays off; the early bird catches the worm."

The last straw - The final irritation that leads to a reaction.

Example: "Her late arrival was the last straw, and I lost my patience."

To hit the nail on the head - Describe something accurately.

Example: "You hit the nail on the head; that's exactly how I feel."

Turn over a new leaf - Make a fresh start or change for the better.

Example: "After the divorce, she decided to turn over a new leaf."

Under the weather - Feeling unwell or sick.

Example: "I'm feeling a bit under the weather today."

Up in the air - Uncertain or undecided.

Example: "The plans for the weekend are up in the air."

When pigs fly - Something that will never happen.

Example: "I'll believe it when pigs fly."

Wild goose chase - A pointless search or pursuit.

Example: "Looking for my lost keys was a wild goose chase."

You can't judge a book by its cover - Don't make assumptions based on appearances.

Example: "He may seem quiet, but you can't judge a book by its cover; he's very interesting."

You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs - Sometimes sacrifices or difficult decisions are necessary.

Example: "Improving the company will be hard, but you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs."

You can't teach an old dog new tricks - It's challenging to teach someone new skills or habits when they're set in their ways.

Example: "My grandfather refuses to learn to use a smartphone; you can't teach an old dog new tricks."

Your guess is as good as mine - I have no more information or knowledge than you do.

Example: "I don't know where the keys are. Your guess is as good as mine."

Zip your lip - Be quiet or stop talking.

Example: "Zip your lip; we're trying to concentrate."

A hot potato - A controversial or difficult topic.

Example: "The issue of climate change is a real hot potato in politics."

A penny saved is a penny earned - Money saved is just as valuable as money earned.

Example: "I'm budgeting to save money because a penny saved is a penny earned."

All thumbs - Lacking coordination or clumsy.

Example: "I'm all thumbs when it comes to fixing things."

Apple of my eye - Someone or something cherished above all others.

Example: "My daughter is the apple of my eye."

Better late than never - It's better to do something late than not at all.

Example: "He finally apologized for his mistake, better late than never."

Biting off more than you can chew - Taking on more responsibility than one can handle.

Example: "She volunteered for three projects; I think she's biting off more than she can chew."

Don't put all your eggs in one basket - Don't rely on a single source or option.

Example: "Diversify your investments; don't put all your eggs in one basket."

Elephant in the room - An obvious issue or problem that is being ignored.

Example: "The fact that no one is discussing the budget deficit is the elephant in the room."

Every cloud has a silver lining - There's a positive aspect to every negative situation.

Example: "Losing my job gave me the opportunity to start my own business; every cloud has a silver lining."

Fly by the seat of your pants - Acting without a plan.

Example: "I had to fly by the seat of my pants when I missed my flight and had no itinerary."

Green with envy - Jealous or envious of someone's good fortune.

Example: "She turned green with envy when she saw her friend's new car."

Hit the road - Start a journey or leave a place.

Example: "It's time to hit the road; we have a long drive ahead."

In a nutshell - Summarized briefly.

Example: "Can you explain the plan in a nutshell?"

Jumping to conclusions - Making hasty judgments without enough information.

Example: "Don't start jumping to conclusions; let's investigate further."

Keep your chin up - Stay positive and optimistic in difficult times.

Example: "Things will get better; keep your chin up."

Like pulling teeth - Very difficult or requiring a lot of effort.

Example: "Getting him to open up about his feelings is like pulling teeth."

Needle in a haystack - Something very difficult to find.

Example: "Finding a specific book in that library is like finding a needle in a haystack."

Off the top of your head - Providing information without much thought or research.

Example: "Can you name five U.S. presidents off the top of your head?"

On the same page - In agreement or having a shared understanding.

Example: "We need to get everyone on the same page before we proceed."

Out of the blue - Unexpectedly.

Example: "She called me out of the blue, and we talked for hours."

Put your foot in your mouth - Say something embarrassing or offensive.

Example: "I really put my foot in my mouth when I commented on her weight."

Saved by the bell - Rescued from an undesirable situation by a timely interruption.

Example: "I was saved by the bell when the meeting ended just as I was about to make a mistake."

Spill the beans - Reveal a secret or confidential information.

Example: "She accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party."

The ball's in your court - It's your turn to make a decision or take action.

Example: "I've done my part; now the ball's in your court."

The icing on the cake - Something that makes a good situation even better.

Example: "Winning the lottery was the icing on the cake after a great year."

The pot calling the kettle black - Accusing someone of a fault you have yourself.

Example: "You're calling me lazy? That's the pot calling the kettle black."

Throw in the towel - Give up or surrender.

Example: "After hours of trying to fix the computer, I finally threw in the towel."

Two heads are better than one - Collaboration leads to better results.

Example: "Let's work together; two heads are better than one."

Up in the air - Uncertain or undecided.

Example: "The plans for the weekend are up in the air."

Walking on eggshells - Being very cautious to avoid upsetting someone.

Example: "After their argument, she felt like she was walking on eggshells around him."

You can't have your cake and eat it too - You can't enjoy the benefits of something without sacrificing it.

Example: "You want a high-paying job with a lot of free time? You can't have your cake and eat it too."

You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs - Sometimes sacrifices or difficult decisions are necessary.

Example: "Improving the company will be hard, but you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs."

You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours - We'll help each other out.

Example: "If you help me with my project, I'll help you with yours— you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."

Zero hour - The moment something begins or a critical point.

Example: "The zero hour for the event is 3 PM; make sure everything is ready."

A watched pot never boils - Time seems to pass more slowly when you're waiting for something.

Example: "Stop staring at the clock; a watched pot never boils."

A wolf in sheep's clothing - Someone who appears harmless but is actually dangerous.

Example: "Be careful with him; he's a wolf in sheep's clothing."

Adding insult to injury - Making a bad situation worse.

Example: "First, I lost my job, and then they added insult to injury by taking away my parking spot."

All that glitters is not gold - Something may look valuable or impressive, but it's not necessarily so.

Example: "The new restaurant looks fancy, but all that glitters is not gold; the food is terrible."

An arm and a leg - Something very expensive.

Example: "That designer handbag costs an arm and a leg."

At the drop of a hat - Doing something immediately and without hesitation.

Example: "He's always ready to help at the drop of a hat."

Beggars can't be choosers - People in desperate situations can't be picky.

Example: "I know the job isn't ideal, but beggars can't be choosers."

Behind the eight-ball - In a difficult or disadvantageous position.

Example: "With all these deadlines, I feel like I'm behind the eight-ball."

Can't judge a book by its cover - Don't make assumptions based on appearances.

Example: "That shy girl turned out to be a brilliant scientist; you can't judge a book by its cover."

The grass is always greener on the other side - People tend to think other situations are better than their own.

Example: "She thinks moving to a big city will solve her problems, but the grass isn't always greener on the other side."

Don't count your chickens before they hatch - Don't assume success until it's certain.

Example: "I know you're excited, but don't count your chickens before they hatch."

Let the cat out of the bag - Reveal a secret.

Example: "I can't believe you let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party!"

On thin ice - In a risky or precarious situation.

Example: "His constant tardiness has put him on thin ice with the boss."

Rub someone the wrong way - Annoy or irritate someone.

Example: "Her sarcastic comments always rub me the wrong way."

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree - A child's behavior or characteristics are often similar to their parents'.

Example: "He's just as competitive as his father; the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

The ball's in your court - It's your turn to make a decision or take action.

Example: "I've done my part; now the ball's in your court."

The straw that broke the camel's back - The final, unbearable irritation that leads to a reaction.

Example: "His constant criticism was the straw that broke the camel's back; I had to confront him."

Throwing in the towel - Giving up or surrendering.

Example: "After hours of negotiations, they're throwing in the towel."

Turn the tables - Reverse a situation or change the balance of power.

Example: "In the second half of the game, they turned the tables and took the lead."

When in Rome, do as the Romans do - Follow local customs or practices when you're in a different culture.

Example: "When visiting a foreign country, it's best to remember 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do.'"

You can't have your cake and eat it too - You can't enjoy the benefits of something without sacrificing it.

Example: "You want to eat junk food every day and stay healthy? You can't have your cake and eat it too."

You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs - Sometimes sacrifices or difficult decisions are necessary.

Example: "To achieve success, you have to work hard, but you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs."