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.
null and void
cancelled; worthless.
I tore the contract up, and the entire agreement became null and void.
on the face of it
superficially; from the way it looks.
This looks like a serious problem on the face of it. It probably is minor, however.
on the horns of a dilemma
having to decide between two things, people, etc.
Mary found herself on the horns of a dilemma. She didn’t know which dress to choose.
on the off-chance
because of a slight possibility that something may happen, might be the case, etc.; just in case.
I went to the theatre on the off-chance that there were tickets for the show left.
on the strength of something
because of the support of something, such as a promise or evidence; owing to something.
On the strength of your comment, I decided to give John another chance.
once and for all
finally and irreversibly.
I want to get this problem settled once and for all.
once-in-a-lifetime chance
a chance that will never occur again in one’s lifetime.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Don’t miss it.
one’s days are numbered
[for someone] to face death, dismissal, or ruin. (Informal.)
If I don’t get this contract, my days are numbered at this firm.
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.
open-and-shut case
something, usually a law-case or problem, that is simple and straightforward without complications.
The murder trial was an open-and-shut case. The defendant was caught with the murder weapon.
other way round
the reverse; the opposite.
No, it won’t fit that way. Try it the other way round.
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 the question
not possible; not permitted.
I’m sorry, but leaving early is out of the question.
out of the woods
past a critical phase; no longer at risk. (Informal.)
When the patient got out of the woods, everyone relaxed.
out on a limb
[in or into a situation of] doing something differently from the way others do it, and thus taking a chance or a risk. (Often with go.)
She really went out on a limb when she gave him permission to leave early.
packed out
very crowded; containing as many people as possible. (Informal.)
The theatre was packed out.
paper over the cracks (in something)
to try to hide faults or difficulties, often in a hasty or not very successful way.
The politician tried to paper over the cracks in his party’s economic policy.
pass the buck
to pass the blame (to someone else); to give the responsibility (to someone else). (Informal.)
Don’t try to pass the buck! It’s your fault, and everybody knows it.
pass the hat round
to attempt to collect money for some (charitable) project.
Bob is passing the hat round to collect money to buy flowers for Ann.
pick and choose
to choose very carefully from a number of possibilities; to be selective.
You must take what you are given. You cannot pick and choose.
pipe-dream
a wish or an idea which is impossible to achieve or carry out. (From the dreams or visions induced by the smoking of an opium pipe.)
Going to the West Indies is a pipe-dream. We’ll never have enough money.
play both ends (against the middle)
[for one] to scheme in a way that pits two sides against each other (for one’s own gain). (Informal.)
I told my brother that Mary doesn’t like him. Then I told Mary that my brother doesn’t like her. They broke up, so now I can have the car this week-end. I succeeded in playing both ends against the middle.
play devil’s advocate
to put forward arguments against or objections to a proposition—which one may actually agree with—purely to test the validity of the proposition. (The devil’s advocate was given the role of opposing the canonization of a saint in the mediaeval Church to prove that the grounds for canonization were sound.)
I agree with your plan. I’m just playing devil’s advocate so you’ll know what the opposition will say.
play into someone’s hands
to do exactly what an opponent wants one to do, without one realizing it; to assist someone in a scheme without realizing it.
John is doing exactly what I hoped he would. He’s playing into my hands.
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.
play up to someone
to try to gain someone’s favour; to curry someone’s favour; to flatter someone or to pretend to admire someone to gain favour.
Bill is always playing up to the teacher.
poetic justice
the appropriate but chance receiving of rewards or punishments by those deserving them.
It was poetic justice that Jane won the race after Mary tried to get her banned.
pull something out of a hat and pull something out of thin air
to produce something as if by magic.
This is a serious problem, and we just can’t pull a solution out of a hat.
put all one’s eggs in one basket
to risk everything at once; to depend entirely on one plan, venture, etc. (Often negative.)
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. You shouldn’t invest all your money in one business.
put on one’s thinking-cap
to start thinking in a serious manner.
Let’s put on our thinking-caps and decide where to go on holiday.
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.
