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.
make someone’s head swim and make someone’s head spin
to make someone dizzy or disoriented.
Riding in your car so fast makes my head spin.
make someone’s mouth water
to make someone hungry (for something); to make someone desirous of something. (Informal.)
That beautiful salad makes my mouth water.
matter of life and death
a matter of great urgency; an issue that will decide between living and dying. (Usually an exaggeration; sometimes humorous.)
We must find a doctor. It’s a matter of life and death.
melt in one’s mouth
to taste very good. (Informal.)
This cake is so good it’ll melt in your mouth.
millstone around one’s neck
a continual burden or handicap.
This huge and expensive house is a millstone around my neck.
moment of truth
the point at which someone has to face the reality or facts of a situation.
The moment of truth is here. Turn over your exam papers and begin.
naked eye
the human eye, unassisted by optics such as a telescope, microscope, or spectacles.
I can’t see the bird’s markings with the naked eye.
near the bone and near the knuckle
(Informal.) 1. coming too close to mentioning something which should not be mentioned, for example because it might hurt or offend someone.
Jack’s remark about prisons was a bit near the bone. Jane’s father is on trial just now.
neck and neck
exactly even, especially in a race or a contest. (Informal.)
John and Tom finished the race neck and neck.
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.
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 lift a finger (to help someone)
to do nothing to help someone.
They wouldn’t lift a finger to help us.
not open one’s mouth and not utter a word
not to say anything at all; not to tell something (to anyone).
Don’t worry, I’ll keep your secret. I won’t even open my mouth.
not see further than the end of one’s nose
not to care about what is not actually present or obvious; not to care about the future or about what is happening elsewhere or to other people.
Mary can’t see further than the end of her nose. She doesn’t care about what will happen to the environment in the future, as long as she’s comfortable now.
not set foot somewhere
not to go somewhere.
I wouldn’t set foot in John’s room. I’m very angry with him.
not show one’s face
not to appear (somewhere).
After what she said, she had better not show her face around here again.
nothing but skin and bones and all skin and bones
very thin or emaciated. (Informal.)
Bill has lost so much weight. He’s nothing but skin and bones.
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.
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.
