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.
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 tongue-lashing
to receive a severe scolding.
I really got a tongue-lashing when I got home.
get in someone’s hair
to bother or irritate someone. (Informal.)
Billy is always getting in his mother’s hair.
get one’s foot in the door
to achieve a favourable position (for further action); to take the first step in a process. (People selling things from door to door used to block the door with a foot, so it could not be closed on them. Also with have. See the note at get a black eye. )
I think I could get the position if I could only get my foot in the door.
get out of the wrong side of the bed
to get up in the morning in a bad mood.
What’s wrong with you? Did you get out of the wrong side of the bed today?
gild the lily
to add ornament or decoration to something which is pleasing in its original state; to attempt to improve something which is already fine the way it is. (Often refers to flattery or exaggeration.)
Your house has lovely brickwork. Don’t paint it. That would be gilding the lily.
give of oneself
to be generous with one’s time and concern.
Tom is very good with children because he gives of himself.
give some-one a start
to give one training or a big opportunity in beginning one’s career.
My career began when my father gave me a start in his act.
give something a lick and a promise
to do something poorly— quickly and carelessly. (Informal.)
John! You didn’t clean your room! You just gave it a lick and a promise.
go to rack and ruin
to become ruined or destroyed, especially due to neglect.
That lovely old house on the corner is going to go to rack and ruin.
go to town
to make a great effort; to work with energy or enthusiasm. (Informal.)
They really went to town on cleaning the house. It’s spotless.
good riddance (to bad rubbish)
[it is] good to be rid (of worthless persons or things).
She slammed the door behind me and said, “Good riddance to bad rubbish!”
good-for-nothing
a worthless person.
Tell that good-for-nothing to go home at once.
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.
