Knowing everyday idioms in English is important because they help you understand and communicate more naturally with native speakers. Idioms are common expressions that don’t always mean exactly what the words say, like “it’s raining cats and dogs” for heavy rain. If you know these idioms, you can better understand conversations, jokes, and writings, and you can also express yourself in a way that sounds more fluent and familiar to others. This makes it easier to connect with people and fit in with different social and cultural groups.
Pay attention to this dialogue:
I’m worried about the test
Don’t worry! That’ll be a piece of cake!
(Piece of cake?!) … So what are you gonna do about it?
There’s nothing much I can do! I gotta bite the bullet
(bite.. the bullet…? What is he talking about?)
You ok?
Yeah yeah, I’m gonna go study
Ait. Break a leg!
Break a leg! Why would I break a leg??
Did you understand the dialogue completely? If not, stay with us in the rest of this article, to get familiar with everyday idioms in English.
Piece of cake
Meaning: Something very easy to do.
Example: “Don’t worry about that test; it will be a piece of cake.”
Break a leg (Of everyday idioms in English)
Meaning: A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
Example: “You have your big presentation today, right? Break a leg!”
Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
Example: “You hit the nail on the head when you said the company needs a new strategy.”
Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To accidentally reveal a secret.
Example: “I let the cat out of the bag about their surprise party.”
Read more: What are the idioms about cats in English?
Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive.
Example: “That car costs an arm and a leg.”
Feeling under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick.
Example: “I’m feeling under the weather, so I’ll stay home today.”
Bite the bullet (Of everyday idioms in English)
Meaning: To get something over with because it is inevitable.
Example: “I really don’t want to exercise today, but I guess I’ll just bite the bullet.”
The best of both worlds
Meaning: A situation wherein someone can enjoy two different opportunities.
Example: “Working part-time and being able to study is having the best of both worlds.”
Speak of the devil
Meaning: This expression is used when the person you have just been talking about arrives.
Example: “Hi John, speak of the devil, we were just talking about you!”
When pigs fly (Of everyday idioms in English)
Meaning: Something that will never happen.
Example: “He’ll clean his room when pigs fly.”
Read more: Learn about the funny idioms in English
Cut to the chase
Meaning: Get to the point without wasting time.
Example: “We don’t have much time, so please cut to the chase.”
Add fuel to the fire
Meaning: To worsen a situation or increase anger.
Example: “By arguing back, he just added fuel to the fire.”
Go the extra mile
Meaning: To do more than what is expected of you.
Example: “She always goes the extra mile to ensure her clients are happy.”
Out of the blue (Of everyday idioms in English)
Meaning: Something happening unexpectedly.
Example: “I hadn’t seen him for years when, out of the blue, I received a letter from him.”
Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.
Example: “I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon.”
In this article, you learned about the everyday idioms in English. Don’t forget to practice and try to use the in your daily conversations.
