over the moon, see the light).”. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! When something seems familiar or you’ve heard it beforePerson A: “Do you know Hannah Stewart?”Person B: “That name does ring a bell, but I can’t think why.”. To show indifference to something or a total lack of interestI couldn’t care less if Harry comes out tonight or not! To reveal information about something or to clarify somethingYou were in the office on Tuesday when the incident took place so perhaps you could shed some light on it for us? To live in a way that is honest and moral, to stay out of troubleHe was very wild for many years, but he seems to have grown up and he’s on the straight and narrow now. I ________________ going to that club – It’s awful! Used in a humorous way to tell someone they’re not very good at somethingPerson A: “What do you think of the haircut I gave Hannah?”Person B: “Don’t give up the day job, mate!”.

Your email address will not be published. Not much time left before my exams! Are you planning to quit university, or not? To refuse to change your mind or beliefs about somethingI really respect Sarah. When someone does something to make a bad situation worseWhen Sarah started laughing during the argument, it really added fuel to the fire! She’s had a busy week and is feeling under the weather. Tease or joke with someone by saying something that’s not trueYou’re pulling my leg! Continue reading →, Technology is changing the face of ESL and it’s time throw away your dusty textbooks and get online! To hear news about something from someone else, not directlyI heard (it) on the grapevine that you and Alex are splitting up. online English classes at TakeLessons Live, Find Private Teaching Jobs on TakeLessons. To become very angry, scared or excited (can be negative or positive)I freaked out when I saw The Rolling Stones perform. personalized lessons. It’s probably just Chinese whispers. To work very hard on something, or to harass someoneI was busting my chops all night to get that report finished!Stop busting my chops!

To be in good physical healthHe’s in his 90’s, but he’s fit as a fiddle! An idiom is a group of words whose meaning is figurative and different from the actual words of the expression. Stab someone in the back, and way more. But learning their meanings is crucial if you want to sound more like a native.

I don’t think she likes children at all!

It was far too spicy. To make a bad situation worseAs if breaking my arm isn’t bad enough, to add insult to injury I have to pay £1,000 in hospital fees as I didn’t have travel insurance!

To doubt the accuracy of what someone is telling youI would take Sam’s motoring advice with a pinch of salt. To accept responsibility for something bad you have doneI’m meeting Hannah tonight and it’s the first time I’ll have seen her since our argument. Check out the infographic below to preview some of the most common idioms that made it on our list. To make fun of someone, or to take libertiesDave’s a laugh, but he always taking the mickey out of you down the pub.£4 for a cup of coffee? From memory, without a lot of thought or considerationOff the top of my head I think we’re expecting about 18 guests for the party, but I’ll check to make sure. To delay making a decision for a short period of timeYou don’t have to decide straight away.

What you do is more important than what you say; someone’s words may not be trustworthyPerson A: “John keeps saying he wants to take me out for dinner, but then he never does!”Person B: “Actions speak louder than words.“.

What is an Idiom?

Idioms are used widely in everyday speech and appear in every form of written text like poetry, prose, and even scientific or business writing.

Required fields are marked *. On the other hand, proverbs – which are equally important to learn in English – are “short, well-known pithy sayings, stating a general truth or piece of advice.” Proverbs like, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” have neither a metaphorical meaning nor a literal one.