Funny idioms in English are so interesting that native speakers use them in their daily conversations. You may probably come across some phrases in texts or conversations that sound funny and didn’t really make any sense. Things like “smelling a rat” or “letting the cat out of the bag”. These are all of idioms ! But what do they mean?
In this lesson, we are going to learn 10 absolutely useful, interesting and funny idioms in English.
1.To smell a rat : of funny idioms in English
To smell a rat means to feel that something is wrong, something is not right. For example:
- Hey! The door is open! I’m sure I locked the door before I went shopping. I smell a rat! I should call the police! (it means that I can feel that something is wrong.
2. To let the cat out of the bag
To let the cat out of the bag is another example of funny idioms in English which means to reveal a secret by accident or by mistake. This is one of the idioms related to cats that means you say something that you weren’t supposed to say. For instance:
- He wasn’t supposed to know about the party! But I let the cat out of the bag! (I accidentally told him that there is going to be a surprise party!)
3.Funny idioms in English: To spill the beans
There are many interesting food idioms in English. This idiom is one of them. To spill the beans means to reveal a secret, to tell someone a secret. Its meaning is similar to the previous idiom (to let the cat out of the bag).
- I was planning a surprise birthday party for my mom. But my brother spilled the beans and told her about the party! (my brother told my mother that there is going to be a secret surprise party)
- Imagine that there is a surprise party and I have bought the cake. I put the cake in the fridge and then my mother sees the cake and that’s how I spilled the beans because I was not thinking!
Learn more: What are the idioms about feeling in English?
4. To get in somebody’s hair
This example of funny idioms in English means to annoy or bother somebody so much.
- When I first started teaching English, for the first three years I taught kids and it was very difficult because kids got in my hair!
5. To get off somebody’s back
to get off somebody’s back means to annoy or bother somebody. It’s quite similar to the previous idiom.
- Hey! Get off my back!
- Why are you texting me so much? Get off my back!
- Get off your teacher’s back!
So, to get off somebody’s back or to get in somebody’s hair is of common funny idioms in English that means to bother someone.
Learn more: What are the relationship idioms in English?
6. To hit the hay: of funny idioms in English
To hit the hay means to go to bed or to sleep.
- I’m really tired now, and I want to hit the hay. (I want to go to bed and sleep)
7. To cough something up
The other example of funny idioms in English is to cough something up. Today I was mugged! Someone put a knife under my throat and asked me to give him all the money I had and I had to cough it up!
If you cough something up, it means that you give it to someone unwillingly and without wanting to.
- This morning, I coughed up all the money I had for the guy who was mugging me!
- I lost a bet, and I had to cough up 50 bucks!
Learn more: idioms related to health and diet
8. To scratch somebody’s back
to scratch somebody’s back means to do someone a favor, basically to return a favor. It’s when I do you a favor and you do me a favor.
If you scratch my back, I will scratch yours!
- So, you want me to teach you English? Ok, only if you join my online English course. If you scratch my back, I will scratch yours! (if you do me a favor, I will do you a favor).
9. Funny idioms in English: To fork over something
Clearly, it doesn’t mean giving something to somebody with a fork! It means to hand something over, to give somebody something (especially money).
- This morning I had to fork over 20 bucks just for parking my car!
10. kick the bucket
To kick the bucket means to die!
- The noisy neighbor upstairs kicked the bucket today! That’s why it’s very quiet.
Learn more: What are the color idioms in English?
Summary of the lesson
✅ To smell a rat → to feel that something is wrong
✅ To let the cat out of the bag → to reveal a secret by accident
✅ To spill the beans → to reveal a secret
✅ To get in somebody’s hair → to annoy or bother somebody so much.
✅ To get off somebody’s back → to annoy or bother somebody
✅ To hit the hay → to go to bed or to sleep
✅ To cough something up → to give something to someone unwillingly and without wanting to.
✅ To scratch somebody’s back → to do someone a favor
✅ To fork over something → to give somebody something
✅ To kick the bucket → to die
Idioms are a large part of English language! Learning and using them in our sentences is really necessary! If we use English phrasal verbs and idioms correctly, it means that our English level is high. One of the best ways of learning and memorizing them is to participate in English classes. The PocEnglish online general English course will help you learn English like a peace of cake.