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.
foul one’s own nest
to harm one’s own interests; to bring disadvantage upon oneself.
He tried to discredit a fellow MP with the prime minister, but just succeeded in fouling his own nest.
foul play
illegal activity; a criminal act.
The police investigating the death suspect foul play.
free and easy
casual.
John is so free and easy. How can anyone be so relaxed?
from pillar to post
from one place to another or to a series of other places.
My father was in the army, and we moved from pillar to post, year after year.
from rags to riches
from poverty to wealth.
The princess used to be quite poor. She certainly moved from rags to riches when she married.
from stem to stern
from one end to another. (Refers to the front and back ends of a ship. Also used literally in reference to ships.)
Now, I have to clean the house from stem to stern.
from the word go
from the beginning. (Informal.)
I knew about the problem from the word go.
from the year dot and since the year dot
for a very long time; since very far back in time. (Informal.)
Mr. Jones worked there from the year dot.
full of oneself
conceited; self-important.
Mary’s very unpopular because she’s so full of herself.
full of the devil
always making mischief. (Informal.)
Tom is a lot of fun, but he’s certainly full of the devil.
full steam ahead
forward at the greatest speed possible; with as much energy and enthusiasm as possible. (From an instruction given on a steamship.)
It will have to be full steam ahead for everybody if the factory gets this order.
fun and games
playing around; someone’s lively behaviour. (Informal.)
All right, Bill, the fun and games are over. It’s time to get down to work.
game at which two can play
a manner of competing which two competitors can use; a strategy that competing sides can both use.
The mayor shouted at the town council, “Politics is a game at which two can play.”
generous to a fault
too generous.
My favourite uncle is generous to a fault.
get a black eye
to get a bruise near the eye from being struck. (Note: Get can be replaced with have. See the variations in the examples. Get usually means to become, to acquire, or to cause. Have usually means to possess, to be, or to have resulted in.)
I got a black eye from walking into a door.
get a clean bill of health
[for someone] to be pronounced healthy by a doctor. (Also with have. See the note at get a black eye. From the fact that ships were given a clean bill of health before sailing only after the absence of infectious disease was certified.)
Sally got a clean bill of health from the doctor.
get a good run for one’s money
to receive what one deserves, expects, or wants; to be well compensated for effort, money, etc., spent. (Informal. Also with have.)
If Bill gets a good run for his money, he will be satisfied.
get a lucky break
to have good fortune; to receive a bit of luck. (Informal. Also with have. See the note at get a black eye. )
Mary really got a lucky break when she got that job.
get a lump in one’s throat
to have the feeling of something in one’s throat—as if one were going to cry; to become emotional or sentimental. (Also with have. See the note at get a black eye. )
Whenever they play the national anthem, I get a lump in my throat.
get a slap on the wrist
to get a light punishment (for doing something wrong). (Informal.)
He created quite a disturbance, but he only got a slap on the wrist.
get a start
to receive training or a big opportunity in beginning one’s career.
She got a start in show business in Manchester.
get a tongue-lashing
to receive a severe scolding.
I really got a tongue-lashing when I got home.
get a word in (edgeways)
to succeed in saying something when other people are talking and one is being ignored. (Often in the negative.)
It was such an exciting conversation that I could hardly get a word in edgeways.
get above oneself
to think or behave as though one is better or more important than one is.
John has been getting a bit above himself since he was promoted. He never goes for a drink with his old colleagues.
get away (from it all)
to get away from one’s work or daily routine; to go on a holiday.
I just love the summer when I can take time off and get away from it all.
get back on one’s feet
to become independent again; to become able to move around again. (Note the variations with own and two in the examples.)
He was sick for a while, but now he’s getting back on his feet.
get butterflies in one’s stomach
to get a nervous feeling in one’s stomach. (Informal. Also with have. See the note at get a black eye. )
Whenever I have to go on stage, I get butterflies in my stomach.
get by (on a shoe-string)
to manage to live (on very little money).
For the last two years, we have had to get by on a shoe-string.
get carried away
to be overcome by emotion or enthusiasm (in one’s thinking or actions).
Calm down, Jane. Don’t get carried away.
get cold feet
to become timid or frightened. (Also with have. See the note at get a black eye. )
I usually get cold feet when I have to speak in public.
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.
