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.
in a bad mood
sad; depressed; cross; with low spirits.
He’s in a bad mood. He may shout at you.
in a huff
in an angry or offended manner or state. (Informal. In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
He heard what we had to say, then left in a huff.
in a nutshell
in a few words; briefly; concisely.
I don’t have time for the whole explanation. Please give it to me in a nutshell.
in a stage whisper
in a loud whisper which everyone can hear.
John said in a stage whisper, “This play is boring.”
in lieu of something
in place of something; instead of something. (The word lieu occurs only in this phrase.)
They gave me roast beef in lieu of steak.
in one ear and out the other
[for something to be] ignored; [for something to be] unheard or unheeded. (Informal. In can be replaced with into. See the explanation at in a jam and the examples below.)
Everything I say to you goes into one ear and out the other!
in other words
said in another, simpler way.
Cease! Desist! In other words, stop!
in plain English
in simple, clear, and straightforward language. ( In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
That’s too confusing. Please say it again in plain English.
in the family
restricted to one’s own family, as with private or embarrassing information. (Especially with keep. )
Don’t tell anyone else about the bankruptcy. Please keep it in the family.
in the light of something
because of certain knowledge; considering something. (As if knowledge or information shed light on something.)
In the light of what you have told us, I think we must abandon the project.
in the limelight
at the centre of attention. ( In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below. Limelight is an obsolete form of spotlight, and the word occurs only in this phrase.)
John will do almost anything to get himself into the limelight.
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 thing (to do)
the fashionable thing to do. (Informal. In this phrase, the word in is always stressed.)
Eating low-fat food is the in thing to do.
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.
