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.
nip something in the bud
to put an end to something at an early stage.
John is getting into bad habits, and it’s best to nip them in the bud.
no hard feelings
no anger or resentment. (Informal. No can be replaced with any. )
I hope you don’t have any hard feelings.
no holds barred
with no restraints. (Informal. From wrestling.)
I intend to argue it out with Mary, no holds barred.
no ifs or buts about it
absolutely no discussion, dissension, or doubt about something.
I want you there exactly at eight, no ifs or buts about it.
no love lost between someone and someone else and no love lost between people
no friendship wasted between someone and someone else (because they are enemies).
Ever since their big argument, there has been no love lost between Tom and Bill.
no skin off someone’s nose
no difficulty for someone; no concern of someone.
It’s no skin off my nose if she wants to act that way.
no sooner said than done
done quickly and obediently. (Informal.)
When Sally asked for someone to open the window, it was no sooner said than done.
no spring chicken
not young (any more). (Informal.)
I don’t get around very well any more. I’m no spring chicken, you know.
no trespassing
do not enter. (Usually seen on a sign. Not usually spoken.)
The sign on the tree said “No Trespassing.” So we didn’t go in.
no two ways about it
no choice about it; no other interpretation of it. (Informal.)
You have to go to the doctor whether you like it or not. There’s no two ways about it.
nobody’s fool
a sensible and wise person who is not easily deceived.
Mary’s nobody’s fool. She knows Jack would try to cheat her.
none the wiser
not knowing any more.
I was none the wiser about the project after the lecture. It was a complete waste of time.
none the worse for wear
no worse because of use or effort.
I lent my car to John. When I got it back, it was none the worse for wear.
none too something
not very; not at all.
The towels in the bathroom were none too clean.
Not a bit (of it).
Not at all.
Am I unhappy? Not a bit.
not able to call one’s time one’s own
too busy; so busy as not to be in charge of one’s own schedule. (Informal. Not able to is often expressed as can’t.)
It’s been so busy around here that I haven’t been able to call my time my own.
not able to see the wood for the trees
allowing many details of a problem to obscure the problem as a whole. ( Not able to is often expressed as can’t.)
The solution is obvious. You missed it because you can’t see the wood for the trees.
not able to wait
too anxious to wait; excited (about something in the future). ( Not able to is often expressed as can’t.)
I’m so excited. I can’t wait.
not born yesterday
experienced; knowledgeable in the ways of the world. (Informal.)
I know what’s going on. I wasn’t born yesterday.
not breathe a word (about someone or something)
to keep a secret about someone or something.
Don’t worry. I won’t breathe a word about it.
not breathe a word (of something)
not to tell something (to anyone).
Don’t worry. I won’t breathe a word of it.
not by a long shot
not by a great amount; not at all.
Did I win the race? Not by a long shot.
not for the world and not for anything in the world; not for love nor money
not for anything (no matter what its value).
I won’t do it for love nor money.
not give someone the time of day
to ignore someone (usually out of dislike). (Informal.)
Mary won’t speak to Sally. She won’t give her the time of day.
not half bad
okay; pretty good. (Informal.)
Say, this roast beef isn’t half bad.
not have a care in the world
free and casual; unworried and carefree.
I really feel good today—as if I didn’t have a care in the world.
not hold water
to make no sense; to be illogical. (Said of ideas or arguments. Like a vessel or container that leaks, the idea has flaws or “holes” in it.)
Your argument doesn’t hold water.
not in the same league as someone or something
not nearly as good as someone or something.
John isn’t in the same league as Bob and his friends. He is not nearly as talented.
not know someone from Adam
not to know someone at all.
I wouldn’t recognize John if I saw him. I don’t know him from Adam.
not lift a finger (to help someone)
to do nothing to help someone.
They wouldn’t lift a finger to help us.
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.
