Idioms in English
An idiom is a type of expression that is commonly used in everyday speech. Unlike literal expressions, which have a straightforward meaning based on the definition of the words used, idioms have a meaning that is not easily understood from the words themselves. For example, if someone says “it’s raining cats and dogs”, they don’t literally mean that cats and dogs are falling from the sky. Instead, they are using an idiom to describe heavy rainfall. Understanding idioms is an important part of learning and speaking English, as they are frequently used in conversation.
So let’s dive into the fascinating world of English idioms and discover the hidden meanings behind some of the most colorful expressions in the language!
English Idioms with Examples and Meaning
On cloud nine
Definition; extremely happy
– He’s been on cloud nine ever since she agreed to marry him.
Hold your horses
Definition; used for telling someone to wait before doing something
– Hold your horses, we’re almost there. Just a little bit further.
Fit as a fiddle
Definition; to be very healthy and strong
– He was as fit as a fiddle right up to the time he died.
Snowed under
Definition; to have more work than you can deal with
– I’m absolutely snowed under with work at the moment.
Take a rain check
Definition; used to say that you will do something in the future but not now
– Care for a drink? – I’ll take a rain check, thanks.
Pull one’s leg
Definition; to tell someone something that is not true, as a joke
– Is it really your car or are you pulling my leg?
Go cold turkey
Definition; to suddenly and completely stop doing something
– I decided to quit smoking and went cold turkey.
Play it by ear
Definition; to do something without special preparation
– I don’t have a set plan for the weekend, let’s just play it by ear.
English Idioms with TV Series and Movies
Idioms are an important part of everyday English and are commonly used by native speakers. Let’s learn some of those with TV Series and movies. You can find the video below.
