I will start this article by giving you important linguistic, psychological, cultural, anthropological, and historical references of idioms. To help you in your creative writing whether you are writing an essay, a letter, a will, a story, or music lyrics (songwriting) before listing the top 100 idioms in English with meaning, usage, and synonyms included,
Of course, you can always “cut corners,” skip all the references by “cutting the chase” and go directly to the top 100 most used idioms in English by clicking or taping here.
The word idiom comes from the Greek word idios meaning private or own. From that word derived the word diousthai which means make one’s own and finally to idiōma meaning private property.
The history of idioms is as rich and layered as language itself, with roots in human linguistics, culture, psychology, and the philosophical evolution of thought. Idioms are expressions that, over time, have come to symbolize deeper meanings than their literal definitions suggest, and they often offer profound insights into the shared human experience.
Idioms From a Linguistic Perspective
Examining idioms from a linguistic perspective provides a rich field of study, as idiomatic expressions often challenge the regular conventions of literal language use. Linguistically, idioms are characterized as fixed expressions whose meanings cannot be derived from their constituent words.
The origin, evolution, and function of idioms let us see into language users’ culture and cognitive processes. Here’s a more detailed explanation of idioms through this lens:
Fixedness and Non-Compositionality of Idioms
Idioms are traditionally seen as non-compositional, meaning their words do not sum up their overall meaning. For example, in “kick the bucket,” one cannot infer the meaning of death from the words in the idiom (kicking or bucket). From a linguistic standpoint, this opaque relationship between the expression and its meaning distinguishes idioms from regular phrases.
The fixed structure of idioms—the whole being greater than the sum of its parts—is central to their function. It’s why you don’t hear “kick the pail” or “boot the bucket” as replacements, as the meaning is stored holistically in the mental lexicon of speakers.
Cultural and Pragmatic Considerations About Idioms
Idioms or sayings are often culturally bound and context-sensitive, which explains why direct translations across languages frequently fail to maintain their idiomatic meaning. Consider “It’s raining cats and dogs.” In the English language, this means a heavy downpour, but a literal translation into another language might conjure amusing or nonsensical images for speakers unfamiliar with the metaphorical leap. Here, we see that idioms operate within a cultural context, grounded in shared experiences and historical references. Idioms are fossilized fragments of culture and history that continue to live in everyday conversation.
Moreover, idioms carry pragmatic meaning—they serve a communicative function beyond their literal interpretation. “Bite the bullet,” for example, might be used to encourage someone to endure an uncomfortable situation. From a pragmatic view, it’s less about the act of biting the bullet and more about the social cue of acceptance and resilience being conveyed.
Semantic Shift and Polysemy of Idioms
Linguistically, many idioms result from semantic shifts over time. Words in idioms often change their meaning or develop new, figurative senses. For instance, the phrase “spill the beans” now means to reveal a secret, but in older usage, it referred to voting practices in ancient Greece, where different-colored beans signified different votes. As these meanings shifted, the original meaning became metaphorical, cementing its place as an idiom.
Additionally, idioms are sometimes polysemous, meaning they can carry multiple meanings depending on the context. “Hit the sack,” for instance, may literally reference going to bed, but metaphorically, it may also imply the need for rest after a long day’s exertion. This layering of meaning contributes to the richness and complexity of idiomatic expressions.
Syntax and Structure of Idioms
Syntactically, idioms often defy the flexibility typical of regular expressions. Their structures tend to be rigid; swapping words or altering grammar often results in a loss of meaning. For example, you cannot say “the cat was let out of the pouch” instead of “the cat out of the bag,” even though the grammar remains logical. Idioms, therefore, demonstrate syntactic fossilization—they resist change and must be reproduced as-is to function properly.
From a transformational grammar point of view, idioms are non-generative: their unique meaning cannot be replicated or expanded through normal syntactic processes like passivization or negation. For example, saying “the beans were spilled by John” does not carry the same idiomatic force as the active “John spilled the beans.”
Cognitive Load and Mental Processing of Idioms
Psycholinguistically, idioms present an interesting challenge for processing. Since idioms cannot be understood literally, they must be retrieved from memory as whole units, much like lexical items. Cognitive studies suggest that fluent speakers of a language process idioms much like individual words—they recognize them holistically rather than parsing them bit by bit.
However, for non-native speakers or language learners, idioms can increase cognitive load, as their literal interpretations may clash with their figurative meanings, causing confusion. The idiomatic meaning must be learned as a lexicalized chunk rather than as a constructed phrase. Therefore, idioms often serve as markers of language proficiency; native speakers easily understand and use idioms, while learners must work to internalize their meanings and appropriate contexts.
Metaphoric and Conceptual Bases of Idioms
Many idioms are grounded in conceptual metaphors, as defined by cognitive linguists like George Lakoff and Mark Johnson. Idioms are reflections of how we organize and conceptualize abstract ideas through metaphor. For instance, “time is money” represents the conceptual metaphor that time is a valuable commodity. “Let the cat out of the bag” illustrates how we often encode conceptual metaphors of secrecy and revelation through imagery.
Idioms function to compress and encapsulate these metaphorical relationships into concise expressions, making communication more efficient and emotionally resonant. When we say “burn bridges,” we’re drawing on the metaphorical idea of relationships as physical connections that can be damaged or destroyed.
Sociolinguistic Variability and Idiomatic Usage of Idioms
Idioms often vary by region, social class, and context, serving as markers of both group identity and social cohesion. For example, idioms used in American English (like “kick the bucket”) may differ from those in British English (“pop your clogs”) despite conveying the same concept of death. Similarly, idioms can signal informal registers, often used among friends or in colloquial speech, while formal contexts may discourage their use.
Additionally, idioms can evolve or fall out of favor due to changes in social and cultural contexts. For instance, idioms with origins in agriculture, like “make hay while the sun shines,” persist despite the decline of agrarian lifestyles because of their metaphorical power. However, new idioms emerge constantly in response to cultural shifts, such as those born from technology or pop culture (“going viral”).
Idioms as Socio-Cultural Mirrors
Idioms act as mirrors of society, often reflecting collective values, historical moments, and shared experiences. For instance, idioms like “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” or “a stitch in time saves nine” often encode moral lessons about caution and foresight. Others, like “an eye for an eye,” reflect ethical systems rooted in historical or cultural principles.
In addition, many idioms index cultural stereotypes or gendered views. For example, “wearing the pants” in a relationship might signal the persistence of patriarchal norms within language, revealing the deeper ideological structures at play in everyday communication. Linguists studying idioms through a critical lens can uncover how language perpetuates certain power dynamics and societal values.
Anthropological View on Idioms
Idioms as Cultural Reflections
From an anthropological standpoint, idioms (also called sayings, expressions, phrases, and sometimes proverbs) serve as cultural artifacts, reflecting the values, beliefs, and everyday practices of the societies in which they are born. They are time capsules that capture the spirit of an age. For instance, the idiom “barking up the wrong tree” originated in the practice of hunting with dogs in early America. It illustrates how everyday life, particularly interactions with the environment, shapes language.
Idiom as Communal Glue
Idioms often emerge from shared activities like hunting, farming, or navigation. In ancient agrarian societies, expressions like “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” became common, reflecting a risk management philosophy necessary for survival in times when the livelihood of a family could depend on a single season’s harvest.
Transference of Wisdom Through the Use of Idioms
Idioms or sayings also act as oral vehicles of wisdom. In pre-literate societies, idioms served as mnemonic devices to pass down collective knowledge through generations. For example, “a stitch in time saves nine” offers practical advice about preventing small problems from becoming larger ones—a piece of advice just as relevant today as it was hundreds of years ago.
Anthropologically, idioms are deeply contextual. The same idiom can evolve or morph as cultures come into contact with each other through trade, migration, or conquest. The English phrase “spill the beans” (reveal a secret) is believed to have evolved from the ancient Greek practice of using beans in secret ballots to vote for or against candidates.
Philosophical View on Idioms
Idioms as Metaphors for Human Understanding
Philosophically, idioms reveal much about how human beings make sense of the world. At their core, idioms are metaphors—they juxtapose disparate images or concepts to reveal deeper truths about human nature. “The elephant in the room”, for instance, uses the image of a massive animal to describe an issue that is obvious yet intentionally ignored.
Idioms encapsulate the human tendency to think figuratively rather than literally. Ludwig Wittgenstein, a philosopher of language, proposed that language is a tool for shaping reality. Idioms fit into his idea that we use language not just to describe the world but to frame our experiences in certain ways. In this regard, idioms often simplify complex phenomena, offering a neat shorthand for feelings, dilemmas, or social dynamics that might otherwise be difficult to articulate.
Reduction of Complexity of Idioms
Idioms often distill life’s intricate dilemmas into succinct nuggets of truth. The phrase “burning the candle at both ends” encapsulates the strain of exhaustion in a poetic, metaphorical way. In this respect, idioms are philosophical tools, a sort of folk wisdom that resonates across generations.
Existential Reflection of Idioms
Many idioms also touch on existential themes. Take “time flies”, which reflects the fleeting nature of human existence and the impermanence that so concerned philosophers like Heraclitus and Heidegger. This idiom highlights the human need to comprehend and grapple with the quick passage of time.
Philosophically, Idioms Embody Human Dualities
Love and loss, hope and despair, perseverance and surrender. The idiom “crossing the Rubicon” evokes Julius Caesar’s irreversible decision to cross the river, marking a point of no return. It is a poignant metaphor for life’s inevitable moments of decision when one must commit fully and “face the music”, aware that retreat is no longer possible.
Psychological View on Idioms
Idioms and Human Cognition
From a psychological perspective, idioms tap into deep-rooted cognitive processes. Psychologists who study language acquisition have observed that idioms often operate at the level of unconscious thought, offering clues to how our brains process abstract ideas through familiar images.
Schema Theory on Idioms
According to schema theory, idioms are mental shortcuts that help us process complex information efficiently. When we hear the phrase “hit the nail on the head”, we instantly understand the meaning without needing to dissect it word by word. Our brains quickly associate the act of hammering a nail with the idea of precision and accuracy, making the idiom an efficient communication tool.
Emotional Resonance of Idioms
Idioms often convey strong emotions. The phrase “wearing one’s heart on one’s sleeve” vividly describes someone who openly shows their emotions. Psychologically, this expression may resonate because it reflects a universal tension between vulnerability and protection—something that cognitive-behavioral theorists explore in relation to emotional expression and repression.
The Collective Unconscious of Idioms
Carl Jung’s theory of the collective unconscious suggests that there are symbols and archetypes common to all human beings. Many idioms seem to draw on these shared archetypal images. For example, “letting the cat out of the bag” evokes images of surprise or mischief—qualities universally understood across cultures.
Idioms as Heuristic Devices
In decision-making, idioms often serve as heuristics, or cognitive shortcuts, that help us make quick judgments. For instance, when someone says “don’t cry over spilled milk”, they invoke the psychological principle of acceptance over things that cannot be changed, guiding others to quickly process the futility of dwelling on past mistakes.
Idioms and the Human Experience
Idioms are fascinating because they express not just individual wisdom, but also collective truths. They are deeply intertwined with the human condition, covering a wide range of experiences—success and failure, love and heartbreak, loss and renewal.
Connection across time Through the Use of Idioms
Through idioms, we glimpse the shared aspects of human life across time and space. “Actions speak louder than words”, a phrase that can be traced back to ancient Greek rhetoric, still holds meaning in modern society, demonstrating that fundamental human truths persist despite technological and cultural evolution.
Expression of values Through the Use of Idioms
Idioms often carry moral and ethical weight, reflecting societal values. “Every cloud has a silver lining” encourages optimism in the face of adversity, while “honesty is the best policy” underlines the importance of integrity.
Symbolism and storytelling: Lastly, idioms encapsulate the essence of storytelling. Their evolution is a testament to how humans use language to mythologize daily life, turning the mundane into something meaningful and universal.
Top 100 Most Used Idioms In English: Meaning, Usage, and Synonyms
A collection of top 100 most used idioms (also called sayings, phrases, sometimes proverbs) with their respective meaning usage, and synonyms. To help you with your creative writing whether you are writing a will, a letter, an essay, poetry, or creating lyrics (songwriting).
- A blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something that seems bad initially but results in a positive outcome.
Usage of the idiom: Use this when referring to events that unexpectedly bring about good results. - A dime a dozen
Meaning: Something common and of little value.
Usage of the idiom: Use this to describe something ubiquitous and unremarkable. - Beat around the bush
Meaning: Avoiding the main topic or not speaking directly about an issue.
Usage of the idiom: Use when someone is evading the heart of a conversation. - Better late than never
Meaning: It’s better to do something late than not at all.
Usage of the idiom: Perfect for encouraging someone who is delayed but eventually takes action. - Bite the bullet
Meaning: To face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage.
Usage of the idiom: When one must confront something tough, this idiom aptly conveys fortitude. - Break the ice
Meaning: To initiate conversation in a social setting or make people feel more comfortable.
Usage of the idiom: Use when describing efforts to reduce tension or awkwardness in a group. - Call it a day
Meaning: To stop working for the day.
Usage of the idiom: Use this when suggesting it’s time to conclude an effort or activity. - Cut corners
Meaning: To do something the easiest or cheapest way, often at the expense of quality.
Usage of the idiom: Apply when discussing efforts that involve compromising standards. - Cut to the chase
Meaning: To get to the point without wasting time.
Usage of the idiom: Perfect for situations where directness and clarity are needed. - Easy does it
Meaning: To proceed with caution or slowly.
Usage of the idiom: Use this when advising someone to take their time or approach something delicately. - Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To be exactly right or accurate.
Usage of the idiom: Compliment someone who has made an insightful or correct statement. - Keep your chin up
Meaning: To remain positive or optimistic during difficult times.
Usage of the idiom: “I know things are tough right now, but keep your chin up—it will get better.” - Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To reveal a secret or disclose information prematurely.
Usage of the idiom: When someone unintentionally reveals a hidden truth, this idiom is appropriate. - Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.
Usage of the idiom: Use when referring to infrequent occurrences. - Piece of cake
Meaning: Something that is very easy to do.
Usage of the idiom: Use to describe tasks or activities that require minimal effort. - Spill the beans
Meaning: To disclose secret or confidential information.
Usage of the idiom: When someone shares a secret, this idiom captures the moment. - Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling ill or unwell.
Usage of the idiom: Ideal when discussing mild sickness or fatigue. - Burning the midnight oil
Meaning: To work late into the night.
Usage of the idiom: Use when referring to someone who works hard beyond usual hours. - The ball is in your court
Meaning: It is now your responsibility to take action.
Usage of the idiom: Apply this when someone must make a decision or take the next step. - Break a leg
Meaning: A way to wish someone good luck.
Usage of the idiom: Commonly used before a performance or challenging event. - Off the hook
Meaning: To be relieved of responsibility or a difficult situation.
Usage of the idiom: Use when someone escapes a problematic scenario. - Back to square one
Meaning: To start again from the beginning.
Usage of the idiom: Use when someone’s efforts lead back to the original starting point. - Caught between a rock and a hard place
Meaning: Faced with two equally difficult choices.
Usage of the idiom: When discussing dilemmas where neither option is ideal, this idiom applies. - Hit the sack
Meaning: To go to bed.
Usage of the idiom: Use when someone is preparing to sleep. - Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: Taking on a task that is too difficult.
Usage of the idiom: Appropriate when someone overestimates their capacity to handle a situation. - By the skin of your teeth
Meaning: Barely managing to succeed or escape something.
Usage of the idiom: Use when someone achieves something with very little margin for error. - Throw in the towel
Meaning: To give up or quit.
Usage of the idiom: Ideal when someone decides to stop pursuing something challenging. - Kill two with one stone
Meaning: To achieve two things at once with a single action.
Usage of the idiom: Perfect for describing actions that solve multiple problems simultaneously. - Costs an arm and a leg
Meaning: Something very expensive.
Usage of the idiom: Use when referring to exorbitant prices or costly endeavors. - A drop in the ocean
Meaning: A small, insignificant part of something much larger.
Usage of the idiom: When discussing minor contributions to a bigger issue, this idiom is appropriate. - In the heat of the moment
Meaning: Saying or doing something without thinking because of strong emotions.
Usage of the idiom: When discussing decisions made impulsively or out of heightened emotions. - Jump on the bandwagon
Meaning: To join others in doing something that is currently popular or trending.
Usage of the idiom: Describes someone who follows a trend or movement without much thought. - It takes two to tango
Meaning: Both parties involved in a situation share responsibility for it.
Usage of the idiom: When referring to a situation where blame or credit must be shared. - Last straw
Meaning: The final problem in a series of problems that causes someone to give up or react.
Usage of the idiom: Use this when discussing the moment a situation becomes intolerable. - Burn bridges
Meaning: To destroy relationships or connections permanently.
Usage of the idiom: Use when someone acts in a way that prevents reconciliation. - A storm in a teacup
Meaning: An overreaction to something minor.
Usage of the idiom: Use to downplay exaggerated emotional responses. - Go the extra mile
Meaning: To make more effort than is expected.
Usage of the idiom: When someone puts in additional effort to achieve something. - Hit the ground running
Meaning: To begin a task with enthusiasm and energy.
Usage of the idiom: Use this to describe starting something with immediate success or momentum. - Jump the gun
Meaning: To act prematurely without considering all the factors.
Usage of the idiom: Appropriate when someone makes hasty decisions or judgments. - Let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning: To avoid bringing up past conflicts that could create new problems.
Usage of the idiom: Use when advising someone not to stir up unnecessary trouble. - Miss the boat
Meaning: To miss an opportunity.
Usage of the idiom: Use when referring to someone who has missed a chance they could have seized. - On the ball
Meaning: To be alert and efficient.
Usage of the idiom: Compliment someone who is quick to act or well-prepared. - Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: To joke or trick someone playfully.
Usage of the idiom: Use when someone is being teased lightheartedly. - Throw caution to the wind
Meaning: To act without regard for risk or consequences.
Usage of the idiom: Appropriate when someone acts boldly, disregarding potential dangers. - Through thick and thin
Meaning: To support someone in both good and bad times.
Usage of the idiom: Describe a relationship or loyalty that persists regardless of circumstances. - A penny for your thoughts
Meaning: A way of asking someone what they are thinking.
Usage of the idiom: Use when you want to know someone’s current thoughts or opinion. - Actions speak louder than words
Meaning: What someone does is more important than what they say.
Usage of the idiom: When emphasizing that behavior is a true indicator of intent. - Add insult to injury
Meaning: To make a bad situation worse.
Usage of the idiom: Use when someone exacerbates an already unfortunate scenario. - Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: To pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action.
Usage of the idiom: Appropriate when pointing out that someone is wasting effort on the wrong solution. - Ballpark figure
Meaning: An estimate or rough approximation.
Usage of the idiom: When providing a general idea of cost or quantity.
Due to space constraints, this list will continue with more idioms and detailed explanations upon request. - Bite the dust
Meaning: To fail or be defeated; to die.
Usage of the idiom: Use when referring to someone or something that has succumbed to failure. - Blood is thicker than water
Meaning: Family bonds are stronger than other relationships.
Usage of the idiom: Use when emphasizing loyalty to family over others. - Burn the candle at both ends
Meaning: To overwork yourself by doing too much, often leading to exhaustion.
Usage of the idiom: Appropriate when describing someone who is overexerting themselves. - Catch someone red-handed
Meaning: To catch someone in the act of doing something wrong.
Usage of the idiom: Use when someone is caught in the middle of a wrongdoing. - Cry over spilled milk
Meaning: To complain about something that cannot be undone.
Usage of the idiom: When advising someone not to dwell on past mistakes or losses. - Curiosity killed the cat
Meaning: Being too inquisitive can lead to trouble or danger.
Usage of the idiom: Use when warning someone against unnecessary meddling. - Drive someone up the wall
Meaning: To irritate or annoy someone greatly.
Usage of the idiom: Appropriate when describing someone who is being made exasperated by an action or event. - Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning: There is something good in every bad situation.
Usage of the idiom: To offer optimism in difficult times. - Face the music
Meaning: To accept the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions.
Usage of the idiom: Use when someone must confront the reality of their mistakes. - Fish out of water
Meaning: Someone who feels out of place in their surroundings.
Usage of the idiom: Appropriate when describing discomfort in an unfamiliar situation. - Fly off the handle
Meaning: To suddenly lose one’s temper.
Usage of the idiom: Use when someone reacts with sudden and excessive anger. - Get something off your chest
Meaning: To express something that has been bothering you.
Usage of the idiom: When encouraging someone to share their worries or problems. - Give the benefit of the doubt
Meaning: To assume someone is innocent or telling the truth until proven otherwise.
Usage of the idiom: Use when showing trust in someone despite uncertainties. - Go down in flames
Meaning: To fail spectacularly and publicly.
Usage of the idiom: Use when describing a dramatic and noticeable failure. - Go out on a limb
Meaning: To take a risk in order to support someone or something.
Usage of the idiom: When someone makes a bold decision that could lead to personal consequences. - Hit the books
Meaning: To study hard.
Usage of the idiom: Use when encouraging someone to focus on their studies or learning. - In the same boat
Meaning: To be in the same difficult situation as someone else.
Usage of the idiom: Use when referring to shared struggles or problems. - Keep an eye on
Meaning: To watch or monitor someone or something closely.
Usage of the idiom: Use when advising someone to be vigilant or observant. - Leave no stone unturned
Meaning: To make every possible effort to achieve something.
Usage of the idiom: Use when describing thoroughness and persistence. - Let bygones be bygones
Meaning: To forget past offenses or disagreements and move on.
Usage of the idiom: Use when advising reconciliation or forgiveness. - Make a long story short
Meaning: To summarize a long story or explanation briefly.
Usage of the idiom: Use when shortening an otherwise detailed explanation. - Method to the madness
Meaning: There is a plan or reason behind someone’s seemingly chaotic actions.
Usage of the idiom: When referring to a situation that looks irrational but has underlying logic. - Off the beaten path
Meaning: Somewhere not commonly visited; unconventional.
Usage of the idiom: Appropriate when discussing unique, lesser-known locations or ideas. - On thin ice or skating on thin ice
Meaning: To be in a risky or precarious situation.
Usage of the idiom: Use when describing someone who is in danger of making a mistake or causing trouble exercising actions that could lead to trouble or negative consequences. - Out of the frying pan and into the fire
Meaning: To go from a bad situation to an even worse one.
Usage of the idiom: Appropriate when discussing transitions that lead to greater problems. - Out of the blue
Meaning: Something that happens unexpectedly.
Usage of the idiom: Use when describing surprising or unforeseen events. - Over the moon
Meaning: Extremely happy or delighted.
Usage of the idiom: Perfect for describing great joy or excitement. - Play it by ear
Meaning: To make decisions as a situation unfolds, rather than planning ahead.
Usage of the idiom: When discussing flexibility and the need to adapt spontaneously. - Pull out all the stops
Meaning: To make a maximum effort; to use every resource available.
Usage of the idiom: Use when someone is doing everything they can to succeed. - Put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: To risk everything on a single venture.
Usage of the idiom: A cautionary idiom about diversifying one’s efforts or resources. - Put the cart before the horse
Meaning: To do things in the wrong order.
Usage of the idiom: When referring to someone who is acting prematurely or illogically. - Rain on someone’s parade
Meaning: To spoil someone’s plans or happiness.
Usage of the idiom: When discussing actions that ruin or dampen excitement or success. - Roll with the punches
Meaning: To adapt to difficulties or handle situations calmly.
Usage of the idiom: Appropriate when advising resilience in the face of challenges. - See eye to eye
Meaning: To agree completely with someone.
Usage of the idiom: Use when referring to shared opinions or perspectives. - Shoot for the stars
Meaning: To set extremely high goals or ambitions.
Usage of the idiom: Use when encouraging someone to aim for great achievements. - Sit on the fence
Meaning: To remain neutral or indecisive.
Usage of the idiom: Use when someone avoids taking sides in a debate or conflict. - Give someone the cold shoulder
Meaning: To deliberately ignore or be unkind to someone.
Usage of the idiom: “After their argument, she gave him the cold shoulder for days.” - Speak of the devil
Meaning: Used when the person you were talking about unexpectedly appears.
Usage of the idiom: A humorous or ironic comment when someone mentioned shows up. - Steal someone’s thunder
Meaning: To take credit for someone else’s achievements or to upstage them.
Usage of the idiom: Use when someone outshines another, often unfairly. - Straight from the horse’s mouth
Meaning: Information directly from the original source.
Usage of the idiom: When referring to first-hand, reliable information. - Take with a grain of salt
Meaning: To view something with skepticism or not take it too seriously.
Usage of the idiom: Use when advising someone to be cautious in accepting what they hear. - The devil is in the details
Meaning: Small details are important and may cause problems if overlooked.
Usage of the idiom: Use when emphasizing the importance of paying attention to fine points. - The early bird catches the worm
Meaning: The person who arrives first or acts early will have an advantage.
Usage of the idiom: Encouraging proactivity and timeliness. - Throw someone under the bus
Meaning: To betray someone for personal gain or to save oneself.
Usage of the idiom: Use when describing an act of selfish betrayal. - Under one’s nose
Meaning: Something that happens right in front of someone but is unnoticed.
Usage of the idiom: Appropriate when describing overlooked actions or events. - Up in the air
Meaning: Unsettled or undecided; uncertain.
Usage of the idiom: Describes situations that are unresolved or unpredictable. - Water under the bridge
Meaning: Past events that are no longer important or worth worrying about.
Usage of the idiom: Appropriate for referring to bygone conflicts or issues. - Pull the plug
Meaning: To stop something; to end an activity or plan.
Usage of the idiom:: “After months of declining sales, the company decided to pull the plug on the project.” - In hot water
Meaning: When someone is in a dangerous situation
Usage of the idiom: To make aware someone they are in a dangerous situation or in trouble. - Throw your hat in the ring
Meaning: To announce your candidacy or decision to compete or participate.
Usage: “After years of working behind the scenes, she decided to throw her hat in the ring for the director’s position.
Synonyms: Enter the race, join the competition, announce participation.
Synonyms of The Top 100 Idioms in English
- A blessing in disguise
Synonyms: A hidden benefit, a silver lining, a fortunate turn. - A dime a dozen
Synonyms: Commonplace, ubiquitous, easy to find. - Beat around the bush
Synonyms: Avoid the point, be evasive, skirt the issue. - Better late than never
Synonyms: It’s still worthwhile, eventually is good enough, tardy but acceptable. - Bite the bullet
Synonyms: Face the music, endure, tough it out. - Break the ice
Synonyms: Start a conversation, ease the tension, open the floor. - Call it a day
Synonyms: Wrap it up, finish up, stop for the day. - Cut corners
Synonyms: Take shortcuts, skimp, compromise on quality. - Cut to the chase
Synonyms: Get to the point, be direct, hit the main issue. - Easy does it
Synonyms: Go slowly, take it easy, proceed with caution. - Hit the nail on the head
Synonyms: Be spot on, be precise, get it exactly right. - Keep your chin up
Synonyms: Stay positive, remain hopeful, hang in there. - Let the cat out of the bag
Synonyms: Spill the beans, reveal the secret, disclose. - Once in a blue moon
Synonyms: Rarely, hardly ever, seldom. - Piece of cake
Synonyms: A walk in the park, no sweat, a breeze. - Spill the beans
Synonyms: Let the secret slip, reveal, divulge. - Under the weather
Synonyms: Unwell, out of sorts, feeling ill. - Burning the midnight oil
Synonyms: Working late, staying up late, overworking. - The ball is in your court
Synonyms: It’s up to you, the decision is yours, your move. - Break a leg
Synonyms: Best of luck, knock ’em dead, do well. - Off the hook
Synonyms: Released from obligation, free from blame, in the clear. - Back to square one
Synonyms: Start over, back to the beginning, reset. - Caught between a rock and a hard place
Synonyms: In a tough spot, in a dilemma, facing two bad choices. - Hit the sack
Synonyms: Go to bed, hit the hay, turn in. - Bite off more than you can chew
Synonyms: Overextend yourself, take on too much, overcommit. - By the skin of your teeth
Synonyms: Barely, just in time, by a narrow margin. - Throw in the towel
Synonyms: Give up, surrender, quit. - Kill two birds with one stone
Synonyms: Achieve two goals at once, solve two problems at once, double the impact. - Costs an arm and a leg
Synonyms: Very expensive, costly, exorbitant. - A drop in the ocean
Synonyms: A small part of a larger whole, insignificant, a tiny fraction. - In the heat of the moment
Synonyms: In a rush of emotion, impulsively, without thinking. - Jump on the bandwagon
Synonyms: Follow the crowd, join the trend, hop on the train. - It takes two to tango
Synonyms: Both parties are involved, mutual responsibility, shared blame. - Last straw
Synonyms: Final straw, breaking point, tipping point. - Burn bridges
Synonyms: Sever ties, destroy relationships, cut connections. - A storm in a teacup
Synonyms: Much ado about nothing, overreaction, making a mountain out of a molehill. - Go the extra mile
Synonyms: Put in extra effort, exceed expectations, go above and beyond. - Hit the ground running
Synonyms: Start strong, begin with energy, get off to a fast start. - Jump the gun
Synonyms: Act too soon, be premature, rush ahead. - Let sleeping dogs lie
Synonyms: Leave well enough alone, avoid stirring up trouble, don’t revisit the past. - Miss the boat
Synonyms: Miss an opportunity, be too late, lose out. - On the ball
Synonyms: Attentive, sharp, on top of things. - Pull someone’s leg
Synonyms: Tease, joke with, kid around. - Throw caution to the wind
Synonyms: Take a risk, act recklessly, be daring. - Through thick and thin
Synonyms: Loyal through adversity, in good times and bad, unwavering support. - A penny for your thoughts
Synonyms: Tell me what you’re thinking, share your opinion, what’s on your mind? - Actions speak louder than words
Synonyms: Deeds count more than words, behavior shows true intent, talk is cheap. - Add insult to injury
Synonyms: Make things worse, rub salt in the wound, pile on the pain. - Barking up the wrong tree
Synonyms: Misguided, mistaken, off target. - Ballpark figure
Synonyms: Estimate, rough guess, approximation. - Bite the dust
Synonyms: Fail, fall, be defeated. - Blood is thicker than water
Synonyms: Family comes first, kinship prevails, loyalty to family. - Burn the candle at both ends
Synonyms: Overwork, exhaust yourself, stretch too thin. - Catch someone red-handed
Synonyms: Catch in the act, nab, apprehend. - Cry over spilled milk
Synonyms: Lament the past, complain over the inevitable, regret what’s done. - Curiosity killed the cat
Synonyms: Don’t pry, mind your own business, inquisitiveness can be harmful. - Drive someone up the wall
Synonyms: Annoy, irritate, exasperate. - Every cloud has a silver lining
Synonyms: Look on the bright side, there’s a positive in every negative, optimism in adversity. - Face the music
Synonyms: Accept the consequences, take responsibility, confront the truth. - Fish out of water
Synonyms: Out of place, uncomfortable, ill at ease. - Fly off the handle
Synonyms: Lose your temper, explode, blow up. - Get something off your chest
Synonyms: Confess, express your feelings, unload. - Give the benefit of the doubt
Synonyms: Trust, assume the best, take someone’s word for it. - Go down in flames
Synonyms: Fail spectacularly, crash and burn, be ruined. - Go out on a limb
Synonyms: Take a risk, venture, stick your neck out. - Hit the books
Synonyms: Study hard, buckle down, prepare for exams. - In the same boat
Synonyms: In the same situation, sharing the same problem, together in adversity. - Keep an eye on
Synonyms: Watch, monitor, observe. - Leave no stone unturned
Synonyms: Be thorough, search everywhere, exhaust all options. - Let bygones be bygones
Synonyms: Forgive and forget, move on, bury the hatchet. - Make a long story short
Synonyms: To be brief, in summary, in a nutshell. - Method to the madness
Synonyms: Reason behind chaos, sense in disorder, plan in the confusion. - Off the beaten path
Synonyms: Unconventional, out of the ordinary, less traveled. - On thin ice or skating on thin ice
Synonyms: In danger, at risk, in a precarious position, taking a risk, in a precarious position, tempting fate. - Out of the frying pan and into the fire
Synonyms: From bad to worse, deeper into trouble, worsening situation. - Out of the blue
Synonyms: Unexpectedly, suddenly, without warning. - Over the moon
Synonyms: Elated, extremely happy, ecstatic. - Play it by ear
Synonyms: Improvise, go with the flow, decide as you go. - Pull out all the stops
Synonyms: Go all out, spare no effort, do whatever it takes. - Put all your eggs in one basket
Synonyms: Risk everything on one venture, put all your hopes in one, gamble on one option. - Put the cart before the horse
Synonyms: Do things in the wrong order, act prematurely, misplace priorities. - Rain on someone’s parade
Synonyms: Ruin plans, dampen spirits, spoil the moment. - Roll with the punches
Synonyms: Adapt to challenges, go with the flow, handle adversity. - See eye to eye
Synonyms: Agree completely, be on the same page, share the same view. - Shoot for the stars
Synonyms: Aim high, be ambitious, set lofty goals. - Sit on the fence
Synonyms: Be undecided, stay neutral, avoid taking sides. - Give someone the cold shoulder
Synonyms: Snub, ignore, brush off. - Speak of the devil
Synonyms: When someone appears after being mentioned, talking about someone and they show up. - Steal someone’s thunder
Synonyms: Take credit, upstage, overshadow. - Straight from the horse’s mouth
Synonyms: Directly from the source, firsthand information, from a reliable source. - Take with a grain of salt
Synonyms: Be skeptical, question, don’t take too seriously. - The devil is in the details
Synonyms: Pay attention to the small things, details matter, the complexity is hidden. - The early bird catches the worm
Synonyms: Be proactive, start early for success, act fast. - Throw someone under the bus
Synonyms: Betray, sacrifice for personal gain, backstab. - Under one’s nose
Synonyms: Right in front of you, plainly visible, obvious. - Up in the air
Synonyms: Uncertain, undecided, unresolved. - Water under the bridge
Synonyms: The past is forgotten, bygones, over and done with. - Pull the plug
Synonyms: Halt, terminate, cut off. - In hot water
Synonyms: In trouble, in a difficult situation, in deep water. - Throw your hat in the ring
Synonyms: Enter the race, join the competition, announce participation.
