20 English Idioms in English With Meaning & Sentences

Idioms are everywhere in English, from everyday conversation to movies and news headlines. If you want to sound natural and truly understand what people mean, mastering common idioms is just as important as grammar and vocabulary.

Whether you’re a language learner or a seasoned speaker, these 20 English idioms will enhance your communication skills and help you sound more fluent and natural.

How to Read This List

Each of these English idioms for students is in bold, followed by a one-line plain English meaning and a natural example sentence. Select idioms also include brief explanations of their origin or history to provide you with additional insight. Use these tools to recognize, understand, and confidently use idioms in conversation.

Everyday Idioms You’ll Hear All the Time

Its first known printed use in English dates back to the 19th century, though similar phrases existed earlier in other languages. For example, a 1616 Scottish proverb included the idea of a pig flying with wings.

20 Idioms in English with Meaning

Break the Ice

1. To “break the ice” means to do or say something that helps people feel more comfortable and relaxed in a social situation, especially when they’re meeting for the first time or when things feel tense or awkward.
2. At the start of the meeting, she told a funny story to break the ice and get everyone talking.
3. The idiom has roots in navigation and trade, dating back to at least the 16th century. In those times, ice-breaking ships were used to clear a path through frozen waters so that trade ships could pass.

Piece of Cake

1. A “piece of cake” means something that is very easy to do.
2. That test was a piece of cake. I finished it in ten minutes.

Cost an Arm and a Leg

1. To “cost an arm and a leg” means to be extremely expensive.
2. That designer handbag costs an arm and a leg. I could never afford it!
3. Origin: Possibly linked to the value of portraits based on how much of the body was shown.

Under the Weather

1. To be “under the weather” means to feel slightly sick or unwell.
2. I think I’m going to stay home today. I’m feeling a bit under the weather.
3. This idiom likely originated from nautical terminology. In the past, sailors who were feeling ill were said to be sent “under the weather bow,” the side of the ship most exposed to rough seas. Over time, the phrase was shortened to “under the weather” and came to mean feeling unwell more generally.

Once in a Blue Moon

1. To do something “once in a blue moon” means to do it very rarely or almost never.
2. My brother lives overseas, so I only see him once in a blue moon.
3. This idiom refers to the phenomenon of a “blue moon,” which traditionally means the second full moon in a single calendar month, an event that happens approximately every 2.5 to 3 years.

See Eye to Eye

1. To “see eye to eye” with someone means to agree with them or share the same opinion.
2. We finally saw eye to eye on how to divide the responsibilities for the project.
3. This idiom has biblical origins, appearing in the Book of Isaiah (52:8) in the King James Bible: “Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye…”

When Pigs Fly

1. “When pigs fly” is a humorous way to say that something will never happen or is extremely unlikely.
2. Sure, he’ll clean his room without being asked… when pigs fly!
3. This idiom is an example of absurd imagery, using the idea of pigs flying as a symbol of impossibility. Its first known use was a 1616 Scottish proverb mocking the idea of a pig flying with wings.

Hit the Nail on the Head

1. To “hit the nail on the head” means to say something that is exactly right or to identify the main point of a situation precisely.
2. When she said we needed better communication, she really hit the nail on the head.
3. Origin: Carpentry metaphor.

The Best of Both Worlds

1. To have “the best of both worlds” means to enjoy the advantages of two different things at the same time.
2. She works part-time, so she has time for her kids and still earns money. It’s the best of both worlds.
3. Origin: Common modern English expression.

Call It a Day

1. To “call it a day” means to stop working for the time being, usually after a good effort.
2. We’ve made a lot of progress. Let’s call it a day and finish the rest tomorrow.
3. Origin: Workplace slang from the 19th century.

Kill Two Birds with One Stone

1. To “kill two birds with one stone” means to accomplish two tasks with a single effort.
2. By biking to work, I get exercise and save money on gas, killing two birds with one stone.
3. Origin: Ancient proverb; potentially from hunting imagery.

Speak of the Devil

1. “Speak of the devil” is said when someone being talked about unexpectedly appears.
2. We were just talking about you—speak of the devil!
3. The phrase originated in the Middle Ages as “speak of the devil and he will appear,” reflecting a superstition about summoning evil by naming it.

Let the Cat Out of the Bag

1. To “let the cat out of the bag” means to accidentally reveal a secret.
2. He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
3. Origin: Related to market scams involving pigs and cats.

Burn the Midnight Oil

1. To “burn the midnight oil” means to stay up late working or studying.
2. She burned the midnight oil to finish her thesis before the deadline.
3. Origin: Before electricity, oil lamps were used for studying at night.

Pull Someone’s Leg

1. To “pull someone’s leg” means to joke or tease them in a playful way.
2. Relax, I’m just pulling your leg. You didn’t really miss the deadline.
3. Origin: Possibly linked to pickpocketing distractions.

Break a Leg

1. “Break a leg” is a way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
2. You’ll do great in the play. Break a leg!
3. In the theater world, wishing someone good luck directly was considered bad luck, so people said the opposite instead.

⚠️ Use with care — confusing if taken literally.

Bite the Bullet

1. To “bite the bullet” means to endure something difficult or unpleasant that is unavoidable.
2. I didn’t want to apologize, but I knew I had to bite the bullet and do it.
3. The phrase is believed to come from battlefield medicine, where patients would bite on a bullet during surgery without anesthesia.

⚠️ Graphic origin — be mindful of context.

Throw in the Towel

1. To “throw in the towel” means to give up or quit.
2. After three failed attempts, he finally threw in the towel.
3. The phrase comes from boxing, where a trainer throws a towel into the ring to signal surrender.

On Cloud Nine

1. To be “on cloud nine” means to be extremely happy.
2. She was on cloud nine after hearing she got the job.
3. Origin: Possibly refers to “cloud nine” as the highest cloud in classification systems.

Take with a Grain of Salt

1. To “take something with a grain of salt” means to view something with skepticism or not take it too literally.
2. He exaggerates a lot, so take his stories with a grain of salt.
3. Origin: Dates back to Roman times; may refer to antidotes with salt.

🗂️ 20 Common English Idioms by Theme

Theme	Idiom	Meaning	Example
Emotions	Break the ice	To ease tension and start a conversation	“He told a joke to break the ice at the meeting.”
Emotions	Bite your tongue	Stop yourself from saying something	“She bit her tongue instead of yelling back.”
Emotions	Blow off steam	Release pent-up energy or emotion	“He went for a run to blow off steam after the exam.”
Time	In the nick of time	Just in time	“They arrived in the nick of time for the train.”
Time	Call it a day	Stop working for the day	“Let’s call it a day and finish this tomorrow.”
Time	Ahead of the curve	More advanced than the norm	“Our tech team is ahead of the curve in AI development.”
Weather	Under the weather	Feeling ill	“I stayed home because I was feeling under the weather.”
Weather	Every cloud has a silver lining	Something good in a bad situation	“Getting fired was tough, but it led to better things—every cloud has a silver lining.”
Weather	Come rain or shine	No matter the circumstances	“She walks her dog every day, come rain or shine.”
Animals	Let the cat out of the bag	Reveal a secret	“He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.”
Animals	Hold your horses	Wait or slow down	“Hold your horses—we’re not ready to go yet.”
Animals	Wild goose chase	A pointless or futile search	“Looking for that lost sock was a wild goose chase.”
Money	Cost an arm and a leg	Very expensive	“That designer jacket cost an arm and a leg.”
Money	Penny for your thoughts	Ask what someone is thinking	“You’ve been quiet—penny for your thoughts?”
Money	Break the bank	Spend too much money	“Buying a new car would break the bank right now.”
Work/Tasks	Back to the drawing board	Start over with a new plan	“The design failed, so it’s back to the drawing board.”
Work/Tasks	Burn the midnight oil	Work late into the night	“She burned the midnight oil studying for finals.”
Work/Tasks	Get the ball rolling	Start a process or project	“Let’s get the ball rolling on the new marketing plan.”
Communication	Hit the nail on the head	Say something exactly right	“When she explained the issue, she hit the nail on the head.”
Communication	Get something off your chest	Share something that’s been bothering you	“He felt better after getting it off his chest.”

Final Words

Incorporating idioms into your speech and writing can significantly improve your English language skills. The 20 English idioms we’ve discussed in this blog post are just a starting point. They offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of expressions that make English such a vibrant and dynamic language. Practice using these idioms in context, and soon you’ll find that they come to you naturally in conversations. Remember, the more you use these 20 English idioms, the more confident and proficient you’ll become in expressing yourself in English.

Guess the Idiom Quiz

🧠 Ready to Test Your Idiom Skills?
Put your knowledge to the test with this quick idioms quiz! Whether you’re an ESL learner or just brushing up on your figurative language, these multiple-choice questions will help you review what you’ve learned—and maybe teach you something new.

🧠 Idioms Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

1. What does “break the ice” mean?
   To break something literally
   To begin a conversation in a relaxed way ✅
   To avoid someone
   


2. “Under the weather” means:
   Feeling sad
   Feeling ill ✅
   Enjoying the sunshine
   


3. What’s the meaning of “bite your tongue”?
   Say something loudly
   Stay silent to avoid conflict ✅
   Talk with food in your mouth
   


4. What does “cost an arm and a leg” mean?
   Be dangerous
   Be extremely expensive ✅
   Be rare or hard to find
   


5. “Let the cat out of the bag” means:
   Reveal a secret ✅
   Free an animal
   Carry a bag
   

Submit Quiz

🛠️ Create Your Own Idiom Practice Sentences

Looking to explore idioms in context? Use our interactive Idiom Generator to get sentence examples or writing prompts based on standard English idioms. Great for ESL learners and teachers who want to make figurative language fun and practical!

📝Worksheet: 20 Common English Idioms – Practice & Review

Use this worksheet to reinforce the idioms from today’s lesson. Students will match idioms to meanings, complete fill-in-the-blank sentences, create original examples, and answer multiple-choice questions. Perfect for in-class practice, homework, or quick assessment.

📚 Lesson Plan: Mastering 20 Common English Idioms

This lesson plan guides teachers through a 45–60-minute class that helps intermediate ESL learners recognize, interpret, and apply 20 everyday English idioms. With a warm-up discussion, hands-on generator activity, worksheet practice, and a quick quiz, students will gain confidence using figurative language in genuine conversation and writing.

🧠 PowerPoint Lesson Plan: 20 Common English Idioms

For Upper Elementary, Middle School, and ESL Learners (CEFR A2–B1)

This interactive PowerPoint is designed for upper elementary (Grades 4–6), middle school, and English language learners at the A2–B1 CEFR level. It introduces 20 widely used idioms through student-friendly definitions, real-world examples, and fun origin stories. The lesson includes a quiz, worksheet, and bonus writing activity—perfect for classroom use or self-study.

❓ FAQ – Using and Learning English Idioms

What is the difference between an idiom and a proverb?

Idioms are figurative phrases whose meanings aren’t obvious from the individual words (e.g., “break the ice”). A proverb is a short, well-known saying that offers advice or wisdom (e.g., “A stitch in time saves nine”). Idioms add color to language; proverbs teach a lesson.

Can I change the words inside an idiom?

Usually, no. Idioms are fixed expressions. Changing or rearranging words often makes them sound odd or loses the figurative meaning. For example, “cost two legs and an arm” would confuse listeners—stick with “cost an arm and a leg.”

Why do native speakers use idioms so often?

Idioms make speech more vivid, concise, and natural. Native speakers use them to express complex ideas quickly, show cultural identity, or add humor. Learning common idioms helps ESL students sound more fluent and understand movies, songs, and everyday conversations.

How can I remember idioms more easily?

Group idioms by theme (e.g., money, weather, emotions), create visual flashcards, and practice using them in sentences or short stories. Recording yourself or pairing each idiom with a picture can also reinforce memory.

Are idioms acceptable in formal writing?

In academic or professional documents, idioms can feel too informal or unclear. Use them sparingly and make sure your audience will understand. In creative writing or everyday conversation, idioms are perfectly acceptable and engaging.