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.
off colour
not very well; slightly ill.
Mary is a bit off colour after the long journey.
old hand at doing something
someone who is experienced at doing something. (Informal.)
I’m an old hand at fixing clocks.
on all fours
on one’s hands and knees.
I dropped a contact lens and spent an hour on all fours looking for it.
on one’s (own) head be it
one must take the responsibility for one’s actions.
On your head be it if you set fire to the house.
on one’s feet
standing up.
Get on your feet. They are playing the national anthem.
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 tip of one’s tongue
about to be said; almost remembered.
I have his name right on the tip of my tongue. I’ll think of it in a second.
on tiptoe
standing or walking on the front part of the feet (the balls of the feet) with no weight put on the heels. (This is done to gain height or to walk quietly.)
I had to stand on tiptoe to see over the fence.
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 eyes are bigger than one’s stomach
[for one] to take more food than one can eat. (Informal.)
I can’t eat all this. I’m afraid that my eyes were bigger than my stomach when I ordered.
one’s way of life
one’s life-style; one’s pattern of living.
That kind of thing just doesn’t fit into my way of life.
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.
only have eyes for someone
to be loyal to only one person, in the context of romance; to be interested in only one person.
Oh, Jane! I only have eyes for you!
open one’s heart (to someone)
to reveal one’s most private thoughts to someone.
I always open my heart to my wife when I have a problem.
other way round
the reverse; the opposite.
No, it won’t fit that way. Try it the other way round.
out of the corner of one’s eye
[seeing something] at a glance; glimpsing (something).
I saw someone do it out of the corner of my eye. It might have been Jane who did it.
over my dead body
not if I can stop you; you’ll have to kill me first (so that I won’t stop you).
You’ll sell this house over my dead body!
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.
