Learn the 100 Most Common Idioms in 30 Minutes (with examples)

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Summary

This video teaches 100 common English idioms with definitions and examples to help improve English fluency and sound more like a native speaker.

Highlights

Off the Top of One's Head
0:16:29

To say something from memory without extensive thought or checking.

On the Ball
0:16:44

To be alert, well-informed, or highly organized.

Rock the Boat
0:19:43

To say or do something that disrupts a stable situation or causes trouble.

Once in a Blue Moon
0:17:26

Something that happens very rarely.

Pull Yourself Together
0:19:01

To regain control of one's emotions after being upset.

Rain on Someone's Parade
0:19:22

To spoil someone's plans or enthusiasm.

Add Insult to Injury
0:01:48

To make a bad situation even worse, e.g., being late and then forgetting your keys.

As Cheap as Chips
0:02:10

Means something is very inexpensive, e.g., not worrying about being paid back for something cheap.

Leave No Stone Unturned
0:13:29

To try every possible method to achieve something.

No Pain, No Gain
0:15:51

Suggests that effort and difficulty are necessary to achieve something worthwhile, especially in physical training.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
0:00:47

This idiom means that a visual representation conveys a message more effectively than written words, e.g., a sketch of a floor plan.

Not One's Cup of Tea
0:16:12

To dislike or be uninterested in something.

A Piece of Cake
0:01:12

Means something is very easy, e.g., that exam was really simple.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree
0:02:26

To be mistaken about the approach or reason for something, e.g., trying to read a textbook cover to cover instead of using an effective study method.

Beat Around the Bush
0:02:51

To avoid directly stating what you mean, often due to discomfort, e.g., directly expressing an dislike for someone's boyfriend.

Better Late Than Never
0:03:11

It's preferable to do something or arrive late than not at all, often used sarcastically.

Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
0:03:34

To attempt something that is too challenging or too much to handle, e.g., taking on a large project.

Bite the Bullet
0:03:55

To force oneself to do something unpleasant or difficult, or to act bravely in a tough situation, e.g., quitting a job.

Break a Leg
0:04:10

A phrase meaning 'good luck,' commonly said to performers.

Break the Ice
0:04:28

To help people who don't know each other feel more comfortable and relaxed, e.g., playing a game to ease introductions.

Call it a Day
0:04:57

To stop working or doing something because you've either accomplished enough or don't want to continue, e.g., stopping work due to exhaustion.

Cost an Arm and a Leg
0:05:15

Means something is very expensive, e.g., a fancy coat.

Cut Corners
0:05:30

To do something in the easiest, fastest, or cheapest way, which often results in lower quality, e.g., a poorly written report.

Cut Somebody Some Slack
0:05:55

To give someone more freedom or be less critical, e.g., teachers being lenient on the last day of class.

Don't Give Up the Day Job
0:06:14

Used to tell someone they are not good at something, often humorously, e.g., a drum solo being entertaining but not professional-level.

Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
0:06:32

To rely solely on one person or plan for success, e.g., applying for multiple jobs instead of just one.

Easy Does It
0:06:55

To encourage someone to do something carefully and slowly, e.g., warning someone not to spill paint.

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
0:07:11

Every negative situation has a positive aspect, e.g., finding a dream job after being made redundant.

Get a Taste of Your Own Medicine
0:07:31

To be treated in the same unpleasant way that you have treated others, e.g., a cruel prison warden being jailed.

Get Out of Hand
0:07:54

To become difficult to control, e.g., overspending during Christmas.

Get Something Out of Your System
0:08:11

To express a wish or emotion, especially a negative one, to relieve it, e.g., buying a desired dress to stop thinking about it.

Get Your Act Together
0:08:41

To start organizing oneself to be more effective, e.g., tidying a messy desk.

Give Someone the Benefit of the Doubt
0:09:01

To believe someone even if you're not entirely sure they are telling the truth, e.g., accepting an excuse for lateness.

Give Someone the Cold Shoulder
0:09:23

To deliberately ignore someone.

Go Back to the Drawing Board
0:09:37

To start planning something again because the initial plan failed.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
0:09:57

Encourages patience, as positive outcomes will eventually occur.

Hang in There
0:10:17

To persevere and not give up hope during difficulties, e.g., during final exams.

Hit the Nail on the Head
0:10:36

To accurately identify something or get something exactly right.

Hit the Sack
0:10:52

To go to bed, e.g., when tired.

Ignorance is Bliss
0:11:09

You are better off not knowing certain unpleasant facts or truths.

In a Nutshell
0:11:32

To summarize something in the fewest possible words.

It Takes One to Know One
0:11:44

An informal way of saying that someone accusing another of a fault possesses the same fault themselves.

It's Not Rocket Science
0:12:01

Used to express that something is not difficult to understand or do.

Jump on the Bandwagon
0:12:24

To join a popular activity, trend, or opinion.

Keep One's Chin Up
0:12:48

To remain optimistic and happy despite difficulties.

Kill Two Birds with One Stone
0:13:04

To achieve two things with a single action.

On Thin Ice
0:17:02

To be in a precarious or risky situation where further mistakes will lead to negative consequences.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words
0:01:25

What someone does is more significant than what they say they will do, e.g., waiting for someone to show love rather than just say it.

Blessing in Disguise
0:00:30

An idiom referring to a good thing that initially appeared bad, e.g., losing a job proved to be a positive change.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
0:13:48

To avoid interfering with a situation that is currently calm to prevent making it worse.

Make a Long Story Short
0:14:48

To get straight to the point, providing only essential information to shorten a narrative.

Miss the Boat
0:15:12

To be too slow to take advantage of an opportunity.

Neck of the Woods
0:15:30

Refers to a specific local area or region.

Out of Someone's League
0:17:46

Too good, expensive, or desirable for someone to attain.

Play Devil's Advocate
0:18:02

To argue against a point of view for the sake of healthy debate, or to present a differing opinion.

Play Something by Ear
0:18:26

To decide how to deal with a situation as it develops, rather than according to a plan.

Pull Someone's Leg
0:18:43

To playfully tease or deceive someone.

Let Someone Off the Hook
0:14:11

To allow someone to escape punishment for a wrongdoing.

Let the Cat Out of the Bag
0:14:31

To accidentally reveal a secret.

Save Something for a Rainy Day
0:20:00

To save money or other resources for a future time when they might be needed.

See Eye to Eye
0:20:18

To agree with someone.

Shed Light on Something
0:20:28

To clarify or provide new information about something.

Sit on the Fence
0:20:44

To avoid making a decision or choosing sides.

Sit Tight
0:21:11

To wait patiently or refrain from taking action.

Smell a Rat
0:21:27

To suspect that something is wrong, deceptive, or treacherous.

So Far So Good
0:21:40

Indicates that something, like a plan, has been progressing well without issues up to the present moment.

Wouldn't Be Caught Dead
0:22:11

Used to express intense dislike for something, implying one would never do or wear it.

Someone's Heart is in the Right Place
0:22:26

Describes someone who has good intentions, even if their actions are sometimes misguided.

Someone's Jaw Drops
0:22:45

To be very surprised or amazed.

Someone's Pride and Joy
0:23:01

A person or thing that brings great satisfaction and happiness.

Someone's True Colors
0:23:20

The actual character or nature of a person, often revealed after initial impressions.

Something Rings a Bell
0:23:57

To sound vaguely familiar or remind someone of something they've heard before.

Speak of the Devil
0:24:15

Said when a person who was just being discussed unexpectedly appears.

Spill the Beans
0:24:39

To reveal a secret or share gossip.

Steal Someone's Thunder
0:24:56

To preempt someone's announcement or accomplishment, taking attention or praise away from them.

Stick to One's Guns
0:25:20

To maintain one's opinions or beliefs despite opposition or pressure.

Take Something with a Pinch/Grain of Salt
0:25:40

To not take something too seriously or believe it completely, often due to doubt about its accuracy.

Take the Mickey (Mick)
0:25:59

To make fun of someone or something, often in a teasing way.

The Ball is in Your Court
0:26:17

It is up to you to make the next decision or take action.

The Best of Both Worlds
0:26:34

A situation where one can enjoy the advantages of two different things simultaneously.

The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread
0:26:53

A highly effective, innovative, or excellent invention or idea.

The Devil is in the Details
0:27:15

It seems straightforward at first glance, but hidden complexities or problems emerge upon closer inspection.

The Early Bird Gets the Worm
0:27:37

Those who arrive first or act promptly will have the best opportunities or advantages.

The Elephant in the Room
0:28:00

A significant and obvious problem or contentious issue that everyone is aware of but chooses to avoid discussing.

The Last Straw
0:28:21

The final insult or difficulty in a series, which makes a situation unbearable.

There Are Plenty More Fish in the Sea
0:28:55

Don't worry about a missed opportunity or a broken relationship, as other equally good options are available.

There's Method to Someone's Madness
0:29:13

Someone's seemingly irrational behavior actually has a logical explanation or underlying plan.

There is No Such Thing as a Free Lunch
0:29:31

Nothing is entirely free; there are always hidden costs or reasons behind seemingly free offers.

Through Thick and Thin
0:29:52

To remain supportive and loyal during all circumstances, both good and bad.

Throw Caution to the Wind
0:30:14

To act recklessly or impulsively, disregarding potential risks.

To Make Matters Worse
0:30:32

To add another negative element to an already bad situation.

Twist Someone's Arm
0:30:58

To persuade or pressure someone to do something they were initially reluctant to do.

Under the Weather
0:31:16

Feeling slightly unwell or low in spirits.

Up in the Air
0:31:31

Something that is undecided or unresolved.

We'll Cross That Bridge When We Come to It
0:31:49

To not worry about a potential problem until it actually arises.

Wrap Your Head Around Something
0:32:10

To understand or accept something complex or unusual.

You Can Say That Again
0:32:32

Used to express strong agreement with what someone has just said.

You Can't Have Your Cake and Eat It Too
0:32:57

You cannot enjoy the benefits of two mutually exclusive options simultaneously; you must choose one.

You Can't Judge a Book By Its Cover
0:33:14

You shouldn't form an opinion about someone or something based solely on their outward appearance.

You Live and You Learn
0:33:32

You learn from your mistakes and experiences, becoming wiser as a result.

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