15 Popular Idioms and Phrases

by | Aug 6, 2024 | List of Phrases

15 popular idioms and phrases.

Idioms and phrases are the spice of the English language. They add color, personality, and depth to conversations, making them more engaging and expressive. For English language learners, mastering idioms can be a game-changer, helping you sound more like a native speaker. Let’s dive into 15 popular idioms and phrases that will elevate your language skills and make your conversations come alive!

In this article, you will learn 15 popular idioms and phrases in English that you can use to impronve your communication skills.

List of 15 Popular Idioms and Phrases

  • A piece of cake
  • Bite the bullet
  • Hit the hay
  • Jump on the bandwagon
  • Kick the bucket
  • Let the cat out of the bag
  • On the ball 
  • Play it by ear
  • Spill the bean
  • Throw in the twon
  • Under the weather
  • Burn the midnight oil
  • Cry over spilled milk
  • Cost an arm and a leg
  • Break the ice

15 Popular Idioms and Phrases with Meaning & Examples

1. Break the ice

Imagine you’re at a party where everyone is a stranger. How do you start a conversation? You “break the ice.” This idiom means to initiate a conversation in a social setting. Whether it’s a joke or a simple question, breaking the ice can make social interactions smoother and more enjoyable.

Popular Stories Right now
words that start with i
Cumulative Adjectives
Common metaphors in English

Examples:

  • At the networking event, I broke the ice by asking about the latest industry trends.
  • She told a funny story to break the ice at the beginning of the meeting.
  • John brought up the weather to break the ice with his new neighbors.

2. Bite the Bullet

Life isn’t always easy, and sometimes we have to face uncomfortable situations head-on. “Bite the bullet” means to endure a painful experience with courage. It’s about showing resilience, like a soldier biting on a bullet during surgery in the old days.

Examples:

  • Even though it was a tough decision, she bit the bullet and resigned from her job.
  • I didn’t want to go to the dentist, but I decided to bite the bullet and get it over with.
  • He bit the bullet and apologized for his mistake.

3. Hit the Nail on the Head

Have you ever made a point so perfectly that everyone nods in agreement? That’s hitting the nail on the head. This idiom means to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem, demonstrating sharp insight and understanding.

Examples:

  • “When Sarah said the project failed due to poor communication, she hit the nail on the head.”
  • “You really hit the nail on the head with your analysis of the market trends.”
  • “His comments about the lack of team collaboration hit the nail on the head.”

4. Let the Cat Out of the Bag

We’ve all had moments where we accidentally reveal a secret. To “let the cat out of the bag” means to disclose information unintentionally. Imagine you’re planning a surprise party, and someone mentions it to the guest of honor – oops!

Examples:

  • “I accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise trip.”
  • “He let the cat out of the bag when he mentioned the new product launch before it was announced.”
  • “Don’t let the cat out of the bag about the secret ingredient in the recipe.”

5. Speak of the Devil

This fun idiom is used when someone you’ve just been talking about appears unexpectedly. It’s like magic! For instance, you’re discussing a colleague’s recent project, and they walk into the room – “speak of the devil!”

Examples:

  • “We were just talking about you! Speak of the devil!”
  • “Speak of the devil, there he is, right on cue.”
  • “I mentioned her name, and speak of the devil, she called me.”

6. Burn the Midnight Oil

Late-night study sessions or working on a project until dawn – we’ve all been there. “Burning the midnight oil” means to work late into the night. It’s a phrase that captures the dedication and hard work put into achieving goals.

Examples:

  • “She burned the midnight oil to finish her thesis.”
  • “They had to burn the midnight oil to meet the tight deadline.”
  • “I’ve been burning the midnight oil studying for the final exams.”

7. Cost an Arm and a Leg

Ever encountered something ridiculously expensive? It “costs an arm and a leg.” This idiom humorously exaggerates the cost of something, emphasizing its high price. Think about that luxury car you’ve been eyeing – definitely an arm and a leg!

Examples:

  • “That designer handbag costs an arm and a leg.”
  • “The repairs on the house ended up costing an arm and a leg.”
  • “Tickets to the concert cost an arm and a leg, but it was worth it.”

8. Once in a Blue Moon

Rare events are fascinating. When something happens “once in a blue moon,” it occurs very rarely. Whether it’s a special astronomical event or an unusual occurrence in your life, this idiom highlights its rarity.

Examples:

  • “We only go out for dinner once in a blue moon.”
  • “Such a rare opportunity comes once in a blue moon.”
  • “He visits his hometown once in a blue moon.”

9. The Ball is in Your Court

Decisions, decisions! When “the ball is in your court,” it means it’s up to you to make the next move or take action. This phrase, derived from sports, empowers you to take control and make decisions confidently.

Examples:

  • “I’ve done my part, so now the ball is in your court.”
  • “The offer is on the table; the ball is in your court now.”
  • “She gave him the information he needed, and the ball was in his court to decide.”

10. Piece of Cake

We all love easy tasks. When something is a “piece of cake,” it’s incredibly simple to do. Whether it’s solving a basic math problem or completing a familiar task, this idiom celebrates ease and simplicity.

Examples:

  • “The test was a piece of cake for her.”
  • “Fixing the bike was a piece of cake for him.”
  • “Compared to last year’s project, this one is a piece of cake.”

11. A Blessing in Disguise

Sometimes, what seems like a setback turns out to be a hidden blessing. A “blessing in disguise” is something that appears negative at first but results in something good. It’s a reminder to look for silver linings in challenging situations.

Examples:

  • “Losing that job was a blessing in disguise; it led me to a much better career.”
  • “The accident was a blessing in disguise because it made him reassess his life choices.”
  • “Her illness turned out to be a blessing in disguise as she discovered her passion for writing.”

12. When Pigs Fly

Certain things are impossible. “When pigs fly” is a humorous way to say that something will never happen. If someone suggests an outlandish idea, you can respond with a smile, “Yeah, right, when pigs fly!”

Examples:

  • “I’ll start eating vegetables when pigs fly.”
  • “She’ll go out with him when pigs fly.”
  • “He’ll finish his homework on time when pigs fly.”

13. Under the Weather

Feeling a bit off? “Under the weather” means feeling ill or sick. This idiom paints a vivid picture of being weighed down by the elements, capturing the essence of not feeling your best.

Examples:

  • “I’m feeling under the weather today, so I’m staying home.”
  • “She was under the weather last week but is feeling better now.”
  • “He called in sick because he was under the weather.”

14. Throw in the Towel

Even the most determined people sometimes need to admit defeat. To “throw in the towel” means to give up or surrender. It’s derived from boxing, where a towel is thrown into the ring to stop the fight.

Examples:

  • “After several failed attempts, he decided to throw in the towel.”
  • “They threw in the towel when they realized they couldn’t win.”
  • “She refused to throw in the towel despite the challenges.”

15. You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

Appearances can be deceiving. “You can’t judge a book by its cover” means you cannot determine someone’s or something’s value based solely on appearance. It’s a valuable lesson in looking beyond the surface to discover true worth.

Examples:

  • “Don’t judge him by his shabby clothes; you can’t judge a book by its cover.”
  • “That restaurant may not look fancy, but you can’t judge a book by its cover; the food is amazing.”
  • “She learned not to judge a book by its cover after getting to know her reserved coworker.”

How to Use These Idioms and Phrases

Incorporating idioms into your everyday conversations can be fun and rewarding. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Practice in Context:

Try using these idioms in sentences related to your daily life.

Listen and Learn:

Pay attention to how native speakers use idioms in movies, TV shows, and conversations.

Engage with Content:

Read books, articles, and blogs that use idiomatic expressions.

Speak Up:

Don’t be afraid to use idioms in your conversations. Practice makes perfect!

By mastering these idioms, you’ll not only enhance your English language skills but also add a touch of flair to your communication. So, break the ice, bite the bullet, and dive into the world of idioms. Your journey to sounding more like a native speaker starts now!

I hope this article helped you learn 15 popular idioms and phrases in English. If you liked it, please share it and subscribe to our newsletter for updates, language learning tips, and the latest blog posts.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Related Posts

Advertisement

Explore Other Topics

Nouns & Pronouns

Verbs

Other

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This