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.
Job’s comforter
someone who makes matters worse when trying to comfort or console someone. (Biblical.)
Jane is a Job’s comforter. She told me how many other people were looking for jobs when I lost mine.
keep one’s own counsel
to keep one’s thoughts and plans to oneself; not to tell other people about one’s thoughts and plans.
Jane is very quiet. She tends to keep her own counsel.
keep oneself to oneself
to remain private; not to mix with other people very much.
We never see our neighbours. They keep themselves to themselves.
kick up one’s heels
to act in a frisky way; to be lively and have fun. (Informal.)
I like to go to an old-fashioned dance and really kick up my heels.
kill the fatted calf
to prepare an elaborate banquet (in someone’s honour). (From the biblical story recounting the return of the prodigal son.)
When Bob got back from college, his parents killed the fatted calf and threw a great party.
knock people’s heads together
to scold some people; to get some people to do what they are supposed to be doing. (Informal.)
If you children don’t quieten down and go to sleep, I’m going to come up there and knock your heads together.
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.
maiden speech
a first public speech, especially a British Member of Parliament’s first speech to the House of Commons.
The new MP makes his maiden speech tonight.
make a pitch for someone or something
to say something in support of someone or something; to attempt to promote or advance someone or something. (Informal.)
Bill is making a pitch for his friend’s new product again.
make an example of someone
to punish someone as a public warning to others.
The judge decided to make an example of John, so he fined him the full amount.
make merry
to have fun; to have an enjoyable time.
The guests certainly made merry at the wedding.
make mischief
to cause trouble.
Bob loves to make mischief and get other people into trouble.
nine days’ wonder
something that is of interest to people only for a short time.
Don’t worry about the story about you in the newspaper. It’ll be a nine days’ wonder and then people will forget.
no love lost between someone and someone else and no love lost between people
no friendship wasted between someone and someone else (because they are enemies).
Ever since their big argument, there has been no love lost between Tom and Bill.
not in the same league as someone or something
not nearly as good as someone or something.
John isn’t in the same league as Bob and his friends. He is not nearly as talented.
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.
on a first-name basis (with someone) and on first-name terms (with someone)
knowing someone very well; good friends with someone. (Refers to using a person’s given name rather than a surname or title.)
I’m on a first-name basis with John.
on holiday
away, having a holiday; on holiday.
Where are you going on holiday this year?
on the horns of a dilemma
having to decide between two things, people, etc.
Mary found herself on the horns of a dilemma. She didn’t know which dress to choose.
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.
