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.
talk of the town
the subject of gossip; someone or something that everyone is talking about.
Joan’s argument with the town council is the talk of the town.
talk through one’s hat
to talk nonsense. (Informal.)
John doesn’t know anything about gardening. He’s just talking through his hat.
talk until one is blue in the face
to talk until one is exhausted. (Informal.)
I talked until I was blue in the face, but I couldn’t change her mind.
teach one’s grandmother to suck eggs
to try to tell or show someone more knowledgeable or experienced than oneself how to do something.
Don’t suggest showing Mary how to knit. It will be teaching your grandmother to suck eggs. She’s an expert.
Tell it to the marines. and Tell that to the marines.
I do not believe you (maybe the marines will). (Informal.)
That’s silly. Tell it to the marines.
tell tales out of school
to tell secrets or spread rumours. (Does not refer only to schoolchildren.)
I wish that John would keep quiet. He’s telling tales out of school again.
to the letter
exactly as instructed; exactly as written.
I didn’t make an error. I followed your instructions to the letter.
tongue-in-cheek
insincere; joking.
Ann made a tongue-in-cheek remark to John, and he got angry because he thought she was serious.
true to one’s word
keeping one’s promise.
True to his word, Tom appeared at exactly eight o’clock.
up to no good
doing something bad or criminal. (Informal.)
I could tell from the look on Tom’s face that he was up to no good.
upper-crust
of the upper class; belonging to or typical of the upper class. (Informal.)
Pam has a grating upper-crust voice.
vexed question
a difficult problem about which there is a lot of discussion without a solution being found.
The two brothers quarrelled over the vexed question of which of them should take charge of their father’s firm.
villain of the piece
someone or something that is responsible for something bad or wrong.
I wondered who told the newspapers about the local scandal. I discovered that Joan was the villain of the piece.
walls have ears
we may be overheard.
Let’s not discuss this matter here. Walls have ears, you know.
warm the cockles of someone’s heart
to make someone feel pleased and happy.
It warms the cockles of my heart to hear you say that.
weigh one’s words
to consider one’s own words carefully when speaking.
I always weigh my words when I speak in public.
when the time is ripe
at exactly the right time.
I’ll tell her the good news when the time is ripe.
within hailing distance
close enough to hear someone call out.
When the boat came within hailing distance, I asked if I could borrow some petrol.
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.
