'Time To Hit the Books!' 50 Common Idioms and What They Really Mean
Some idioms you likely use all the time, while others might be new to you.
Idioms, phrases that come to mean more than each word's "literal meaning" on their own, have been a part of spoken language for a long time. They may change as the years go by, and often vary from country to country, language to language. An idiom's origin isn’t always well-known, but that doesn’t stop us from using them on a regular basis. Sometimes a common idiom is so odd or old that no one can even pin down its meaning. For example, what does "the proof is in the pudding" really mean? Who came up with that anyway?
Shakespeare—possibly.
Because this beloved Bard is responsible for a number of other common sayings that have made their way into our everyday vernacular; such as "green-eyed monster," "in a pickle," "wear your heart on your sleeve," "cruel to be kind," and countless others. Shakespeare's phrases are still present in our lives and speech hundreds of years later.
Sometimes, idioms come from events of the day. Take "mad as a hatter," for example. There was a time when hat makers used mercury (recognized today as an extremely toxic substance) in their work. Unbeknownst to them, working with this chemical day after day took its toll; some hat makers (or hatters) really did "lose their marbles." Thus, an idiom (or two) was born.
Regardless of age, almost everyone uses these short phrases, often without realizing it. Perhaps our list of 50 English idioms will help you spice up your conversations.
50 Common English Idioms
1. A piece of cake
Something that's super easy to do.
2. Born with a silver spoon in their mouth
Born into a rich family.
3. Break a leg
A way of saying good luck—usually associated with show business.
4. No use crying over spilled milk
No point in being overly disturbed by something you can’t change.
5. Easier said than done
When something is harder than anticipated.
6. Feeling under the weather
To feel sick.
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7. Packed like sardines
In extremely close quarters.
8. Kill two birds with one stone
Achieve two things at the same time.
9. Lose your marbles
Go crazy or insane.
10. Hit the books
Taking time to study.
11. Stab someone in the back
To betray someone.
12. Ring a bell
Something is vaguely familiar.
13. Cut to the chase
Get to the main point of a conversation.
14. Up in the air
Often said when things are still not decided. Plans still need to be finalized.
15. Look like a million bucks
Looking (and likely feeling) fabulous.
16. Break the bank
Something super expensive.
17. Living hand to mouth
Not having a consistent income.
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18. Rule of thumb
A seemingly obvious rule that doesn’t need to be explained.
19. Cool as a cucumber
To appear calm and collected.
20. Spice things up
Make things more interesting.
21. Couch potato
A person who is lazy, and spends a lot of time sitting around.
22. Not my cup of tea
Not something you like or often do.
23. Spill the beans
Reveal a secret bit of information prematurely.
24. Lose touch
No longer know what's going on in a person's life.
25. Twist someone’s arm
Force someone to do something they don't really want to do.
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26. Beat around the bush
Choosing not to say what you really mean.
27. Hit the sack
Go to sleep.
28. That's the last straw
You've had it with being patient.
29. Make a long story short
Quickly wrap up what you've been communicating.
30. Pull yourself together
Find composure.
31. Ruffle one's feathers
To make one nervous or upset.
32. You can say that again
Express agreement with what was just said.
Related: These 105 Funny-Sounding Words Are So Wacky & Unusual, You Won't Believe They're Real!
33. It's not rocket science
Something that shouldn't be too complex to figure out.
34. Back to the drawing board
To revise something, often going back to the very beginning.
35. Easy does it
To proceed slowly and calmly.
36. No pain, no gain
Accomplishment requires hard work.
37. Time flies when you're having fun
If you're enjoying what you're doing, time goes by quickly.
38. Your guess is as good as mine
When something doesn't make sense.
39. Bent out of shape
When you're bothered by something.
40. Speak of the devil
When someone you just mentioned appears.
41. On a wild goose chase
Pursue something that ends up meaningless.
42. Ignorance is bliss
You're better off not knowing some piece of information.
43. It's raining cats and dogs
The rain is coming down hard.
44. A taste of their own medicine
Someone has experienced the same negative treatment that they've shown to others.
45. Once in a blue moon
Rarely, but occasionally.
46. The ball is in your court
It's now up to you to take the next step.
47. Throw caution to the wind
Willing to take a risk.
48. The elephant in the room
The topic a group of people knows exists between them, but everyone avoids.
49. There's no such thing as a free lunch
Everything we get costs us something.
50. Right as rain
Good as new, back to excellent health.
