Have you ever asked about the price of something only to be told that it “costs an arm and a leg?” Don’t worry, it doesn’t mean you have to lose body parts to buy something you like. What you’ve heard is an example of an idiom.
What is An Idiom?
An English idiom is a phrase or expression in which the meaning often completely differs from the literal meaning of each word used. An idiom’s power comes from the phrase as a whole; each individual part rarely helps you guess its meaning. It’s a figure of speech used throughout everyday conversation and writing across various languages, not just English.
Learning English idioms—those colorful idiomatic expressions native speakers drop into every conversation—will speed up your path to sounding fluent
Another popular idiom is “raining cats and dogs.” However, you’ll notice that you don’t really see cute animals falling from the sky. It’s simply an elaborate way to say heavy rain.
As you approach your English learning, understanding idioms is essential for fluency. But how to study them is where the challenge comes in. You must start studying idiom phrases individually to distinguish the figurative meaning from the literal words within them.
Why English Idioms Matter
Idioms matter because they add more color and range to everyday speech. They convey a deeper meaning of things and nuance that make conversations and writing more engaging.
One can avoid repetition when saying similar things in a short time frame. For example, instead of repeatedly saying something is easy, you could also say it’s “a piece of cake,” “a breeze,” or “a walk in the park.”
According to Hattie (2012), fluency is crucial to comprehension and the development of enhanced reading skills. As you learn more about the idioms of a newly acquired language, you’ll be able to follow and participate in more and higher-level conversations. Being able to have more engaging conversations can also boost a new language learner’s confidence. As students gain more confidence in expressing themselves, it can lead to even faster and greater fluency.
Quick History
English Idioms date back to the late 1500s. According to the OED, the word “idiome” was referred to as “proprietie of the British tongue.” The OED also defined it as “the distinctive form of speech of a particular people or country.” By 1631, idioms were now described as “a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from the meanings of the individual words.”
According to Britannica, one of the oldest idioms, “spill the beans,” may have originated in Ancient Greece. An ancient Greek voting process involved people placing colored beans in a vase — a white bean for “yes” and a black one for “no.” If someone spilled the vase with the beans before voting was concluded, then everyone would know the results, or the secret, before the intended time.
🔍 Etymology Spotlight – “Kill Time”
The phrase kill time first appeared in The Spectator magazine in 1711 as a tongue-in-cheek way to describe “slaying the long hours between engagements.” Over the next two centuries, writers from Charles Dickens to F. Scott Fitzgerald used it to show boredom or procrastination. Modern corpora still list kill time among the ten most common time-related idioms in English.²
Idioms vs. Slang vs. Metaphors
ℹ️ Quick note: Idioms belong to a bigger family of idiomatic expressions. Treat them as ready-made chunks instead of analyzing each part word by word.
In addition to idioms, new language learners will also have to adjust to various slang and metaphors. While these three different phrases of expression are also informal, they differ in how they convey meaning.
For example, idioms are fixed expressions with figurative meanings that don’t relate to the specific words in the phrases.
A metaphor also connects things with nothing in common, but does so in a more literal way. You’ll recognize a metaphor by the use of the words “like” or “as.” A perfect example is “Superman moves like a speeding bullet,” which conveys that Superman moves very quickly.
Slang, unlike idioms, can change rapidly and even go out of use. Very few people refer to a woman as a “dame” these days, but you may hear someone use “chick.”
Like idioms, slang requires some cultural understanding but can change based on context or even the tone of voice someone uses. A good example is the “bad”, which usually has negative connotations. However, when many teens use the word, it can also mean that something is extraordinary or cool.
Remember: English idioms are fixed idiomatic expressions, so learning them in chunks is best.
Core Categories of English Idioms
Mastering English idioms helps you sound natural quickly.
Emotions
- Pulling hair out: “The students have been pulling their hair out waiting for the results of the exam.”
- Seeing red: “She sees red when someone disrespects an elderly person.”
- Butterflies in (pronoun) stomach: ”I get butterflies in my stomach when he smiles at me.”
- On cloud nine: “He was on cloud nine after his crush agreed to go on a date with him.”
Time
- Beat the clock: “He always beats the clock before the store closes.”
- Kill time: “I kill time playing online games while waiting for my flight.”
- Crack of dawn: “My grandparents get up at the crack of dawn.”
- Time on my hands: ”I have lots of time on my hands today so I took a long walk and visited some friends.”
Money
- Money talks: ”Money talks in business deals.”
- Bring home the bacon: “They work multiple jobs to bring home the bacon.”
- Go Dutch: “Since it was a first date, they decided to do dutch.”
Weather
- Chase rainbows: “Trying to become a ballerina over 30 is like chasing rainbows.”
- Under the weather: “He feels under the weather after being in the rain all day.”
- Come rain or shine: “I will be at my child’s graduation come rain or shine.”
- Get wind of: “She got wind of the surprise party her friends were planning for her.”
Body
- Cold feet: “I have cold feet about my next job interview.”
- All ears: “He’s all ears whenever his wife speaks.”
- See eye to eye: “They don’t agree on much but see eye to eye on voting rights.”
- Let your hair down:” After work and on the weekends, I like to let my hair down and go dancing with friends.”
10 Essential English Idioms
Each part of an idiom carries no literal meaning
| Idiom and meaning | Sample Sentence |
| Break a leg = Good luck | Break a leg during the exam. |
| Beat around the bush = Speak indirectly | Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you think! |
| Piece of cake = easy, little effort | After studying long hours, the test was a piece of cake. |
| Take a raincheck = reschedule something for another time | Can I take a raincheck on meeting you for dinner tonight? |
| Break the Ice = start a friendly interaction with someone you don’t know. | Games are a good way to break the ice at a party. |
| Cut corners = doing something quickly that results in poor quality | Cutting corners on building construction can be dangerous later. |
| Let the cat out of the bag = tell a secret | Her friend accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party. |
| Hit the books = study hard | Don’t wait to hit the books the night before the exam. |
| Hit the sack = go to bed | I’m really tired so I’m going to hit the sack early tonight. |
| Jump on the bandwagon = join something popular | Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon about buying the latest Nike sneakers. |
⚠️ Culture Check: Some English idioms can confuse or even offend—when translated word-for-word. For instance, “kick the bucket” (to die) sounds humorous in U.S. speech but may be jarring in other contexts. Always explain the figurative meaning first and avoid using death-related idioms in formal or cross-cultural settings.
Pop-culture one-liners
In Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Peter advises Miles to “break the ice with a joke” before meeting the new school.
In the TV drama Suits, Harvey tells Mike “We’re burning the midnight oil—grab more coffee.”
Football coach Ted Lasso jokes, “Let’s hit the sack early and dream of winning,” turning a cliché into motivation.
How to Learn English Idioms Fast
Start reviewing a list of English idioms, such as the ones on this page, and begin memorizing them in context. Focus on the most common idioms you’re likely to see regularly, but don’t overwhelm yourself trying to learn all the idioms in one week. Pace yourself by learning a few at a time with flashcards.
Watch movies and listen to music as you note the idioms you hear. Pay attention to the context in which native speakers use them. There are YouTube channels that focus on grammar with specific videos about idioms and other informal types of speech.
A good way to reinforce idioms is to learn about their origins, as many have fascinating stories behind them. For example, the term “break a leg” comes from the theater. It may originate from audience members banging their chair legs instead of clapping — sometimes causing the chair leg to break.
💡 Speed-Study Box:
- Chunk, don’t cram. Learn five idioms at a time, then use spaced-repetition flashcards (Quizlet or paper) to review them 24 h, 72 h, and one week later.
- Make it personal. Write a one-sentence story from your own life for each idiom. Personal context locks the phrase into long-term memory far better than rote copying.
- Watch & spot. Choose a sitcom clip or YouTube vlog once a week. Pause every time you hear an idiom, write it down, and rate how well you understood it from context (👍 / 🤔 / 😅).
- Origin detective. Spend five minutes googling the history of one idiom you learned today. Knowing why “break a leg” means “good luck” makes it an unforgettable phrase.
- Teach a friend. Explaining an idiom to someone else forces you to process both literal and figurative meaning, doubling retention.
Mini-Quiz (4 Qs + answers)
1. Telling a joke or giving someone a compliment is a good way to break ___________ at a party.
2. Adam had good grades in college because he always ________ the books. After graduating at the top of his class, Adam is ready to bring _______ the _______ with his new job.
3. Before each ballet performance, the dancer’s boyfriend told her to __________ a leg.
4. Jane was pulling ________ while waiting on college admission news. After acceptance to her first choice, she is now on ___________ nine and can’t wait until fall.
Answer Key
- The ice
- Hit, home, bacon
- Break
- Her hair out, cloud
⚠️ Learner Pitfall: Many ESL students confuse “break a leg” (wish good luck) with “break your leg” (literal injury!). Remember: in idiom form the article a never changes.
Regional comparison table
| Idiom – U.S. | Rough U.K. Equivalent | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Beat the clock | Against the clock | Same sense: finish before deadline. U.K. prefers “against.” |
| Hit the books | Swot up | “Swot up” = study intensively (chiefly BrE). |
| Cost an arm and a leg | Costs a bomb | U.K. slang “bomb” = very expensive. |
FAQ & Further Reading
What is an Idiom?
An idiom is a phrase or expression where the meaning is not deducible from the literal meanings of the individual words. It often conveys a figurative meaning instead.
Why are idioms important in learning English?
Understanding idioms enhances fluency and comprehension, enriches conversations, and helps learners express themselves more confidently in various contexts.
Can you give examples of common English idioms?
Some common English idioms include: – “Cost an arm and a leg” (very expensive) – “Raining cats and dogs” (raining heavily) – “Piece of cake” (very easy)
How do idioms differ from slang and metaphors?
Idioms are fixed expressions with figurative meanings. Slang is informal language that can change over time, while metaphors make comparisons using “like” or “as” and are more literal in nature.
Where do idioms come from?
English idioms have roots that can be traced back centuries, sometimes originating from historical events, cultural practices, or common experiences of a people.
How can I effectively learn idioms?
Focus on studying idioms individually, practice using them in sentences, and engage in conversations to understand their context and usage better.
Are English Idioms Informal or Formal?
Idioms are considered informal types of speech. Using them in a professional setting can depend on the type of business in question. However, expect to use and hear them frequently in common conversation with native speakers.
What Are Some Considerations for Using English idioms?
While idioms can add color to any text, try not to overuse them and consider your audience. For example, business documents and academic papers are not the best use for these expressions.
Do All English Speakers Use the Same Idioms?
No. Remember, English is spoken in different countries outside the United States. Not only do British and Australian English contain differences in spelling and pronunciation of some of the same words, but there’s also differences in idioms.
An example of a British Idiom is “taking the mickey,” which means to make fun of someone.
What are some idioms related to emotions
– Examples include: – “Pulling hair out” (feeling frustrated) – “Butterflies in my stomach” (feeling nervous or excited) – “On cloud nine” (extremely happy)
How can idioms improve my writing?
Using idioms can make your writing more engaging and colorful, allowing for greater expression and nuance in your language.
How Do I Know If a Phrase Is an Idiom?
You likely have an idiom if the meaning doesn’t make sense based on the literal meaning of the words.
Further Reading
- Addison, J. (1711) “On Various Hobbies.” The Spectator, No. 93.
- Davies, M. (2023) “Frequency of Figurative Expressions in COCA 2020.” Language Journal, 48(2), 211-229.
