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.
have the courage of one’s convictions
to have enough courage and determination to carry out one’s aims.
It’s fine to have noble goals in life and to believe in great things. If you don’t have the courage of your convictions, you’ll never succeed.
have the Midas touch
to have the ability to be successful, especially the ability to make money easily. (From the name of a legendary king whose touch turned everything to gold.)
Bob is a merchant banker and really has the Midas touch.
here’s to someone or something
an expression used as a toast, wishing the best to someone or something.
Here’s to Jim and Mary! May they be very happy!
high-flyer
a person who is ambitious or who is very likely to be successful. (Informal.)
Jack was one of the high-flyers of our university year and he is now in the Foreign Office.
home and dry
having been successful in one’s aims.
There is the cottage we are looking for. We are home and dry.
hot under the collar
very angry. (Informal.)
The solicitor was really hot under the collar when you told him you lost the contract.
in clover
with good fortune; in a very good situation, especially financially. (Informal.)
If I get this contract, I’ll be in clover for the rest of my life.
in the best of health
very healthy.
Bill is in the best of health. He eats well and exercises.
in vain
for no purpose; with no success.
They rushed her to the hospital, but they did it in vain.
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 wits about one
to keep one’s mind operating, especially in a time of stress.
If Jane hadn’t kept her wits about her during the fire, things would have been much worse.
know one’s place
to know and accept the behaviour appropriate to one’s position or status in life.
I know my place. I won’t speak unless spoken to.
leave oneself wide open for something and leave oneself wide open to something
to invite criticism or joking about oneself; to fail to protect oneself from criticism or ridicule.
Yes, that was a harsh remark, Jane, but you left yourself wide open to it.
let something ride
to allow something to continue or remain as it is. (Informal.)
It isn’t the best plan, but we’ll let it ride.
let the chance slip by
to lose the opportunity (to do something).
When I was younger, I wanted to become a doctor, but I let the chance slip by.
look like the cat that swallowed the canary and look like the cat that swallowed the cream
to appear self-satisfied, as if one had just had a great success.
After the meeting John looked like the cat that swallowed the canary. I knew he must have been a success.
lose face
to lose status; to become less respectable.
John is more afraid of losing face than losing money.
lose heart
to lose one’s courage or confidence.
Now, don’t lose heart. Keep trying.
lose one’s grip
to lose control (over something).
I can’t seem to run things like I used to. I’m losing my grip.
lose one’s reason
to lose one’s power of reasoning, possibly in anger.
I was so confused that I almost lost my reason.
lose one’s temper
to become angry.
Please don’t lose your temper. It’s not good for you.
lose one’s train of thought
to forget what one was talking or thinking about.
Excuse me, I lost my train of thought. What was I talking about?
lost in thought
busy thinking.
I’m sorry, I didn’t hear what you said. I was lost in thought.
lost on someone
having no effect on someone; wasted on someone. (Informal.)
The joke was lost on Jean. She didn’t understand it.
make a comeback
to return to one’s former (successful) career. (Informal.)
After ten years in retirement, the singer made a comeback.
make good as something
to succeed in a particular role.
I hope I make good as a teacher.
make someone look good
to cause someone to appear successful or competent (especially when this is not the case).
John arranges all his affairs to make himself look good.
make up for lost time
to do much of something; to make up for not doing much before; to do something fast.
At the age of sixty, Bill learned to play golf. Now he plays it all the time. He’s making up for lost time.
meet someone half-way
to offer to compromise with someone.
No, I won’t give in, but I’ll meet you half-way.
miss the point
to fail to understand the point.
I’m afraid you missed the point. Let me explain it again.
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.
