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.
within an inch of doing something
very close to doing something.
I came within an inch of losing my job.
within an inch of one’s life
very close to death.
When Mary was seriously ill in the hospital, she came within an inch of her life.
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.
without batting an eye
without showing surprise or emotion; without blinking an eye.
I knew I had insulted her, and she turned to me and asked me to leave without batting an eye.
without rhyme or reason
without purpose, order, or reason. (See variations in the examples.)
The teacher said my report was disorganized. My paragraphs seemed to be without rhyme or reason.
woe betide someone
someone will regret something very much.
Woe betide John if he’s late. Mary will be angry.
won’t hold water
to be inadequate, insubstantial, or ill-conceived. (Informal.)
Sorry, your ideas won’t hold water. Nice try, though.
work one’s fingers to the bone
to work very hard.
I worked my fingers to the bone so you children could have everything you needed. Now look at the way you treat me!
worn to a shadow
exhausted and thin, often from overwork.
Working all day and looking after the children in the evening has left Pam worn to a shadow.
Worse luck!
Unfortunately!; The worst thing has happened!
I have an exam tomorrow, worse luck!
wrongfoot someone
to take someone by surprise, placing the person in a difficult situation.
The chairman of the committee wrongfooted his opponents by calling a meeting when most of them were on holiday and had no time to prepare for it.
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.
