Idioms help you sound more natural in English. They make your speaking clear, strong, and confident. This dictionary is made for idioms learners. You can search any idiom easily. You can also learn idioms from A to Z. Topics are simple too, such as daily life, work, money, time, emotions, relationships, health, travel, nature, and weather.
Each idiom has a simple meaning. It also has a clear definition. You will also see an easy sentence for real conversation. The goal is not to memorize everything at once. Learn a few idioms daily. Read the sentence. Understand the meaning. Then try to use the idiom when you speak.
This dictionary helps you build better vocabulary. It also helps you understand English expressions faster. Use it daily and improve your idioms step by step.
high and mighty
proud and powerful. (Informal. Especially with be or act.)
Why does the doctor always have to act so high and mighty?
house-proud
extremely or excessively concerned about the appearance of one’s house.
Mrs. Smith is so house-proud that she makes her guests take their shoes off at the front door.
in one’s (own) backyard
(figuratively) very close to one. (Informal.)
That kind of thing is quite rare. Imagine it happening right in your backyard.
in one’s right mind
sane; rational and sensible. (Often in the negative. See also out of one’s mind. )
That was a stupid thing to do. You’re not in your right mind.
in the same breath
[stated or said] almost at the same time.
He told me I was lazy, but then in the same breath he said I was doing a good job of work.
in this day and age
presently; currently; nowadays.
You don’t expect people to be polite in this day and age.
joking apart
being serious for a moment; in all seriousness.
I know I laugh at him but, joking apart, he’s a very clever scientist.
keep one’s chin up
to keep one’s spirits high; to act brave and confident. (Informal.)
Keep your chin up, John. Things will get better.
know one’s place
to know and accept the behaviour appropriate to one’s position or status in life.
I know my place. I won’t speak unless spoken to.
law unto oneself
one who makes one’s own laws or rules; one who sets one’s own standards of behaviour.
You can’t get Bill to follow the rules. He’s a law unto himself.
lead someone up the garden path
to deceive someone.
Now, be honest with me. Don’t lead me up the garden path.
like a fish out of water
awkward; in a foreign or unaccustomed environment.
At a formal dance, John is like a fish out of water.
live by one’s wits
to survive by being clever.
When you’re in the kind of business I’m in, you have to live by your wits.
mend one’s ways
to improve one’s behaviour.
John used to be very wild, but he’s mended his ways.
milk of human kindness
natural kindness and sympathy shown to others. (From Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. )
Mary is completely hard and selfish—she has no milk of human kindness in her.
mixed bag
a varied collection of people or things. (Refers to a bag of game brought home after a day’s hunting.)
The new pupils are a mixed bag—some bright, some positively stupid.
More fool you!
You are extremely foolish!
More fool you for agreeing to lend John money.
much sought after
wanted or desired very much.
This kind of crystal is much sought after. It’s very rare.
nobody’s fool
a sensible and wise person who is not easily deceived.
Mary’s nobody’s fool. She knows Jack would try to cheat her.
not take no for an answer
not to accept someone’s refusal. (A polite way of being insistent.)
Now, you must drop over and see us tomorrow. We won’t take no for an answer.
nothing of the kind
no; absolutely not.
I didn’t insult him—nothing of the kind!
nothing short of something
more or less the same as something bad; as bad as something.
His behaviour was nothing short of criminal.
on a fool’s errand
involved in a useless journey or task.
Bill went for an interview, but he was on a fool’s errand. The job had already been filled.
one’s way of life
one’s life-style; one’s pattern of living.
That kind of thing just doesn’t fit into my way of life.
one’s words stick in one’s throat
one finds it difficult to speak because of emotion.
My words stick in my throat whenever I try to say something kind or tender.
out of line
improper; inappropriate.
I’m afraid that your behaviour was quite out of line. I do not wish to speak further about this matter.
out of one’s mind
silly and senseless; crazy; irrational.
Why did you do that? You must be out of your mind!
play hard to get
to be coy and excessively shy; to make it difficult for someone to talk to one or be friendly.
Why can’t we go out? Why do you play hard to get?
play the fool
to act in a silly manner play safe to amuse other people.
The teacher told Tom to stop playing the fool and sit down.
play the game
to behave or act in a fair and honest way.
You shouldn’t try to disturb your opponent’s concentration. That’s not playing the game.
How To Use Idioms Dictionary
- You can use this dictionary in different ways. Start with the idioms you hear often in movies, conversations, or online posts. Search them here and understand their real meaning. Then read the example sentence and try to speak your own sentence.
- You can also learn idioms by topic. Choose daily life idioms for normal conversation. Choose work and business idioms for office English. Choose money, time, emotion, relationship, health, travel, nature, and weather idioms to improve your topic-based vocabulary.
- A good way to learn is to save your favorite idioms in a notebook. Write the idiom, its meaning, and your own sentence. Review them after a few days. This will help you remember them better.
- Do not use idioms everywhere. Use them only when they fit the situation. The goal is to sound natural, not forced.
- Keep learning slowly. A few useful idioms daily can improve your English speaking a lot.
Here’s a separate section for kids: 100 Common Idioms for Kids
FAQs about Idioms Dictionary
An idiom is a group of words with a special meaning. You cannot always understand it by translating each word.
Type the full idiom or any main word in the search box. The dictionary will show matching idioms with meaning and sentence.
Start with a few idioms daily. Read the meaning, understand the sentence, and try to make your own sentence.
Yes. You can learn idioms by topics like daily life, work, money, time, emotions, relationships, health, travel, nature, and weather.
Yes. The meanings and sentences are written in simple English, so beginners can understand and practice easily.
Idioms help you sound more natural in English. Use them in the right situation to make your speaking more confident.
No. Use idioms only when they fit the situation. The goal is to sound natural, not forced.
