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.
land of Nod
sleep. (Humorous. From the fact that people sometimes nod when they are falling asleep. This is a pun, because the land of Nod is also the name of a place referred to in the Bible.)
The baby is in the land of Nod.
lay about one
to strike at people and things in all directions around one; to hit everyone and everything near one.
When the police tried to capture the robber, he laid about him wildly.
lead someone (on) a merry chase and lead someone (on) a merry dance
to lead someone in a purposeless pursuit.
What a waste of time. You really led me on a merry chase.
lick one’s lips
to show eagerness or pleasure about a future event. (Informal. From the habit of people licking their lips when they are about to enjoy eating something.)
The children licked their lips at the sight of the cake.
life (and soul) of the party
the type of person who is lively and helps make a party fun and exciting.
Bill is always the life and soul of the party. Be sure to invite him.
like a fish out of water
awkward; in a foreign or unaccustomed environment.
At a formal dance, John is like a fish out of water.
like one of the family
as if someone (or a pet) were a member of one’s family. (Informal.)
We treat our dog like one of the family.
live and let live
not to interfere with other people’s business or preferences.
I don’t care what they do! Live and let live, I always say.
live in an ivory tower
to be aloof or separated from the realities of living. ( Live can be replaced by certain other expressions meaning to dwell or spend time, as in the examples.)
If you didn’t spend so much time in your ivory tower, you’d know what people really think!
look forward to something
to anticipate something with pleasure.
I’m really looking forward to your visit next week.
love at first sight
love established when two people first see one another.
Bill was standing at the door when Ann opened it. It was love at first sight.
lower one’s voice
to speak more softly.
Please lower your voice, or you’ll disturb the people who are working.
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.
