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 what is coming to one
to get what one deserves, usually something bad.
If you cheat, you’ll get into trouble. You’ll get what’s coming to you.
give as good as one gets
to give as much as one receives.
John can hold his own in a fight. He can give as good as he gets.
give ground
to retreat (literally or figuratively).
When I argue with Mary, she never gives ground.
go down fighting
to continue the struggle until one is completely defeated.
I won’t give up easily. I’ll go down fighting.
go for someone or something
to attack someone or something; to move or lunge towards someone or something.
The dog went for the visitor and almost bit him.
hang by a hair and hang by a thread
to be in an uncertain position; to depend on something very insubstantial. (Informal.)
Your whole argument is hanging by a thread.
have a bone to pick (with someone)
to have a matter to discuss with someone; to have something to argue about with someone.
Look, Bill. I’ve got a bone to pick with you. Where is the money you owe me?
have one’s feet on the ground and keep one’s feet on the ground
to be or remain realistic or practical.
Sally will have no trouble keeping her feet on the ground even when she is famous.
have something out (with someone)
to clear the air; to settle a disagreement or a complaint. (Informal.)
John has been angry with Mary for a week. He finally had it out with her today.
have something up one’s sleeve
to have a secret or surprise plan or solution (to a problem). (Refers to cheating at cards by having a card hidden up one’s sleeve.)
He hasn’t lost yet. He has something up his sleeve.
heads will roll
some people will get into trouble. (Informal. From the use of the guillotine to execute people.)
When company’s endof-year results are known, heads will roll.
hit a snag
to run into a problem. (Informal.)
We’ve hit a snag with the building project.
hold out the olive branch
to offer to end a dispute and be friendly; to offer reconciliation. (The olive branch is a symbol of peace and reconciliation. A biblical reference.)
Jill was the first to hold out the olive branch after our argument.
hue and cry
a loud public protest or opposition.
There was a hue and cry when the council wanted to build houses in the playingfield.
in a (pretty) pickle
in a mess; in trouble. (Informal. In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
John has got himself into a pickle. He has two dates for the party.
in a (tight) spot
caught in a problem; in a jam. (Informal. In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
Look, John, I’m in a tight spot. Can you lend me £20?
in one’s mind’s eye
in one’s mind. (Refers to visualizing something in one’s mind.)
In my mind’s eye, I can see trouble ahead.
in part
partly; to a lesser degree or extent.
I was not there, in part because of my disagreement about the purpose of the meeting, but I also had a previous appointment.
in the doghouse
in trouble; in (someone’s) disfavour. (Informal.)
I’m really in the doghouse. I was late for an appointment.
in the line of duty
as part of one’s expected (military, police, or other) duties.
When soldiers fight people in a war, it’s in the line of duty.
in the same boat
in the same situation; having the same problem.
“I’m broke. Can you lend me twenty pounds?” “Sorry. I’m in the same boat.”
keep a weather eye open
to watch for something (to happen); to be on the alert (for something); to be on guard.
Some trouble is brewing. Keep a weather eye open.
keep one’s mouth shut (about someone or something)
to keep quiet about someone or something; to keep a secret about someone or something. (Informal.)
They told me to keep my mouth shut about the problem or I’d be in big trouble.
let someone have it
to strike someone or attack someone verbally. (Informal.)
I really let Tom have it. I told him he had better not do that again if he knows what’s good for him.
lick something into shape and whip something into shape
to put something into good condition, usually with difficulty. (Informal.)
I have to lick this report into shape this morning.
listen to reason
to yield to a reasonable argument; to take the reasonable course.
Please listen to reason, and don’t do something you’ll regret.
lock horns (with someone)
to get into an argument with someone. (Informal.)
Let’s settle this peacefully. I don’t want to lock horns with your lawyer.
look the other way
to ignore (something) on purpose.
John could have prevented the problem, but he looked the other way.
loom large
to be of great importance, especially when referring to a possible problem, danger, or threat.
The exams were looming large.
make a mountain out of a molehill
to make a major issue out of a minor one; to exaggerate the importance of something.
Come on, don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. It’s not that important.
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.
