100 Most Common Idioms 7.

Barking up the wrong tree

To be wrong about the way to achieve
1. A blessing in disguise something/reason
A good thing that seemed bad a first
I think you’re barking up the tree. Rather
Losing that job was a blessing than reading the textbook cover to cover,
In disguise. you should try the SQRRR method

2. A picture is worth 1000 words 8. Beat around the bush

Avoid saying what you mean, usually
A picture tells a story just as well as, because it is uncomfortable
If not better than. Written words
I’m not going to beat around the bush
Please could you sketch out a floorplan a -I hate your boyfriend
picture is worth a thousand words
9. Better late than never
3. A piece of cake it is better to arrive or do something later
Really easy than expected than not to do something at
all
That exam was a piece of cake.
wow she finally turned up! Better late than
4. Action speaks louder than words never!
What someone actually does means more
than what they say they will do 10. Bite off more than you can chew
To try to do something that is too difficult
I’m going to wait for him to show me he or too much for you
loves me because actions speak louder
than words. I have bitten off more than I can with this
100 idioms video!
5. Add insult to injury
To act in a way that makes a bad situation 11. Bite the bullet
worse. to force yourself to do something difficult
situation
I was late and, to add insult to injury I
forgot my keys. I’m going to bite the bullet and quit my job

6. As cheap as chips
Really cheap 12. Break a leg = Good luck

Don’t worry paying me back Break a leg tonight! You’re an amazing

They were as cheap as chips! Actor
13. Break the ice Your drum solo was entertaining but don’t
To make people who have not met each give up your day job.
other before feel more relaxed and
comfortable 19. Put all your eggs in one basket
To depend for success on a single person
I’ve organized a fun game to help us all or plan
break the ice!
I’m applying for several jobs because I
14. To call it a day don’t want to put all of my eggs in one
To stop what you are doing because you basket.
think you have done enough or do not
want to do any more. 20. Easy does it
Used to tell someone to do something
I’m exhausted I think I’m going to call it a carefully and slowly
day
Easy does it! Don’t spill that paint
15. Cost an arm and a leg
To be very expensive 21. Every cloud has a silver lining
Every negative has a positive
That coat looks like it cost you an arm and
a leg Every cloud has a silver lining
-after being redundant I found my job!
16. Cut corners
To do something in the fastest, easiest or 22. Get a taste of your own medicine
cheapest way Get treated the way you’ve been treating
other people
This report is of poor quality
-I think the author may have cut some The nasty prison warden got a taste of his
corners. own medicine after being thrown in jail.

17. Cut somebody some slack 23. To get out of hand

To give somebody additional freedom To become difficult to control

Because it was the last day of class, the Over Christmas, our spending got a little
teachers cut the students some slack. out of hand

18. Don’t give up your day job 24. To get something out your system
Used for telling somebody that you don’t To get rid of a wish or emotion, especially
think they’re very good at something a negative one, by allowing yourself to
express it
 I went and bought that dress I was Final exams are tough but hang in there
thinking about all day and it’ll be ok
-I had to get it out of my system!
31. To hit the nail on the head
25. To get your act together To get something exactly right
To start to organize yourself so that you
do things in an effective way You’ve hit the nail on the head
-that is the route we should have taken!
My desk is a complete mess. I need to get
my act together! 32. To hit the sack
To go to bed
26. To give someone the benefit of the doubt
To decide that you will believe someone, I’m tired -do you mind if I hit the sack?
even if you are not sure that what they’re
saying is true 33. Ignorance is bliss
You’re better off not knowing
She said she was late because her train
was cancelled, and we gave her the I could ask my boss if she’s planning to
benefit of the doubt. fire me, but ignorance is bliss

27. to give someone the cold shoulder 34. In a nutshell

to ignore someone In the fewest possible words

I think sally is giving me the cold shoulder! In a nutshell, everything went wrong.

28. To go back to the drawing board 35. It takes one to know one
To start planning something again You’re just as bad as I am
because the first plan failed
You’re such a gossip!
Well, that didn’t work! It takes one to know one!
Let’s go back to the drawing board.
36. It’s not a rocket science
29. Good things come to those who wait Used to say that you don’t think
Be patient something is very difficult or hard to
Stop rushing me, good things come to understand
those who wait
I don’t understand how you can’t work out
30. Hang in there how to use the washing machine! It’s not
Said as a way to tell people to not give up rocket science!
hope, even though difficulties
37. To jump on the bandwagon this is the third time you’ve been caught
To join an activity, trend or opinion that speeding and I don’t think they’re going to
has become popular let you off the hook.

I’ve jumped on the bandwagon and 43. To let the cat out of the bag
downloaded squid game. To reveal a secret

38. To keep one’s chin up Don’t let the cat out of the bag
To keep one’s spirit high Because the party is a surprise!

I’m trying to keep my chin up 44. To make a long story short

After receiving that rejection letter. Use to indicate that you are providing just
basic facts and information in order to
39. To kill two birds with one stone reduce the length of a story
get two things done with a single action
To make a long story short, I cancelled
we could kill two birds with one stone by the party because of financial problems.
stopping off at the bakery on the way
home from the butcher’s 45. To miss the boat
To be too slow to take advantage of an
40. To leave no stone unturned opportunity
Try every possible course of action in
order to get something done I waited too long for the house prices to
drop and I missed the boat.
He left no stone unturned in his search for
his natural mother. 46. Neck of the woods
The area where someone comes from,
41. To let sleeping dogs lie or the area where you are
To leave a situation as it is, in order to not
make it worse I’m surprised to see you in this neck of the
woods.
I think we should let sleeping dogs lie and
avoid confronting her about her issues. 47. No pain, no gain
Suffering is necessary in order to achieve
42. To let someone off the hook something
To allow (someone who has been caught
doing something wrong or illegal) I’ve been going to the gym twice a day
to go unpunished and my muscles ache
-but no pain no gain!
48. Not one’s cup of tea 54. To play devil’s advocate
Someone doesn’t like or isn’t interested in To argue opposite, just for the sake of
something argument

I’m sorry but line-dancing really isn’t my I don’t want to play devil’s advocate but
cup of tea. are you really going out dressed like that?

49. Off the top of one’s head 55. To play something by ear
From memory, without a lot of thought or To plan something in an improvised way
consideration (Instead of planning ahead), deciding
what to do as the plan develops
Off the top of my head, I think she’s been
engaged 5 times. Instead of booking a table this weekend
shall we just play it by ear?
50. On the ball
Alert to new ideas, methods, and trends 56. To pull someone’s leg
To playfully deceive someone
I like hanging out with younger people
-it keeps me on the ball. Are you actually leaving your Job or are
you pulling my leg?
51. On thin ice
On probation. If you make another 57. Pull yourself together
mistake, there will be trouble. Recover control of your emotions

I’m on thin ice after my behavior at the I need to pull myself together and stop
office party. crying!

52. Once in a blue moon 58. To rain on someone’s parade

Rarely, very infrequently To spoil something

I only go to the cinema once in a blue I don’t want to rain on your parade but I
moon, but when I do go I really enjoy it. think you’ve made a huge mistake in your
thesis.
53. Out of someone’s league
Too good or expensive for someone to 59. To rock the boat
have To do or say something that could cause
a problem or disturbance
I only go to the cinema once in a blue
moon, but when I do go I really enjoy it. The team is getting on really well at the
moment so let’s not rock the boat.
60. To save something for a rainy day 66. So far so good
To save something (usually money) Used to say that something (such as a
For when you need it plan or project) is progressing well with no
problems up to the present.
I think you should save that bonus for a
rainy day. How is the new job? So far so good

61. To see eye to eye 67. Someone wouldn’t be caught dead

To agree Someone dislikes something very much

I really don’t see eye to eye with my I wouldn’t be caught dead in a dress like
grandma. that!

62. To shed light on something 68. Someone’s heart is in the right place
To reveal information about or to clarify Someone only has good intentions
something
He is very strict with his students, but his
Please could you shed some light on your heart is in the right place.
absence yesterday?
69. Someone’s jaw drops
63. To sit on the fence Someone is very surprised
To avoid making a decision or choice
When I saw him in his suit my jaw
I am sitting on the fence, I really can’t dropped!
choose between these 2 adorable
puppies. 70. Someone’s pride and joy
A person or thing that gives someone a lot
64. To sit tight of satisfaction and happiness
Refrain from taking action or changing
one’s mind Her vegetable garden is her pride and joy!

The estate agent advised us to sit tight 71. Someone’s true colors
and neither buy nor sell. The kind of person someone really is
rather than what they appear be
65. To smell a rat
To begin to suspect trickery or deception I thought he was really nice, but then he
was rude to the waiter and showed his
When she passed away, investigators true colors.
were called in and soon smell a rat
72. Something rings a bell I think you need to take anything that
Something is familiar or that you’ve heard Martin says with a pinch of salt
something before
78. To take the mickey
I don’t know him personally but the name To make fun of
rings a bell.
Are you taking the mickey of my mum?
73. Speak of the devil
Said when a person appears just after 79. The ball is in your court
being mentioned It’s your decision

Stephanie is so mean. Speak of the devil- The ball is in your court regarding the
she’s just liked my Instagram post! location of the next event.

74. To spill the beans 80. The best of both worlds

Give away a secret A situation in which you can enjoy the
advantages of two different things
Go on, spill the beans! I need to know
how your date went! She works in the city but lives in the
countryside, so she can enjoy best of both
75. To steal someone’s thunder worlds.

To take attention or praise away from 81. The best thing sliced bread
someone else’s accomplishments by A really great invention
outdoing them with your own
This spork is the best thing since sliced
She stole my thunder when she bread!
announced her pregnancy at my wedding!
82. The devil is in the details
76. To stick to one’s guns It looks good from afar but when you look
To refuse to change your opinions or more closely, there are problems
beliefs about something
The illustrations looked fine at first glance,
You need to stick to your guns and stop but the devil is in the details!
listening to what he says!
83. The early bird gets the worm
77. To take something with a pinch/grain of The people who arrive first will get the
salt best stuff
To not take something too seriously
Let’s head to the sales at 6am- the early
bird gets the worm!
84. The elephant in the room 90. To throw caution to the wind
The big issue, the problem that people are Take a risk
avoiding
I think you should throw caution to the
I think we should address the elephant in wind and go on that date!
the room- your hideous shoes
91. To make matters worse
85. The last straw With the result that a bad situation is
The last in a series of unpleasant events made worse
that makes you feel like you can’t continue
She accidently sent a romantic message
She’s always been rude to me, but it was to her family WhatsApp group, and to
the last straw when she started insulting make matters worse it included a picture.
my mother.
92. To twist someone’s arm
86. There are plenty more fish in the sea To convince someone to do what you
It’s ok to miss this opportunity because want
others will arise
I didn’t want to go out tonight, but felicity
Just forget about him- there are plenty twisted my arm!
more fish in the sea!
93. Under the weather
87. There’s a method to someone’s madness Slightly unwell or in low spirits
Someone appears crazy but actually they
have a plan I don’t think I’ll come tonight because I’m
feeling a bit under the weather.
My bedroom seems messy but there is
method to my madness! 94. Up in the air
(of a plan or issue) still to be settled;
88. There’s no such thing as a free lunch unresolved.
Nothing is entirely free
The fate of our house purchase is still up
I wonder what he wants from me? in the air!
There’s no such thing as free lunch!

89. Through thick and thin

Under all circumstances no matter how
difficult

He stuck with her through thick and thin. 95. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it
 An expression that means you will not
worry about a possible future problem but
will deal with it if it happens

Don’t worry about the car breaking down-

we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

96. To wrap your head around something

To find a way to understand or accept
(something)

I still can’t wrap my head around why she

would do that!

97. You can say that again

Used to express emphatic agreement

The weather has been terrible.

You can say that again!

98. You can’t have your cake and eat I too

You can’t have everything

You need to choose between the two

options-you can’t have your cake and eat
it too!

99. You can’t judge a book by its cover

Don’t judge what’s on the outside

She may look scruffy but don’t judge a

book by its cover.

100. You live and you learn

You learn from your mistakes

I know I failed the interview

But you live and you learn.