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.
never had it so good
[have] never had so much good fortune. (Informal.)
No, I’m not complaining. I’ve never had it so good.
nip something in the bud
to put an end to something at an early stage.
John is getting into bad habits, and it’s best to nip them in the bud.
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.
none the worse for wear
no worse because of use or effort.
I lent my car to John. When I got it back, it was none the worse for wear.
not breathe a word (about someone or something)
to keep a secret about someone or something.
Don’t worry. I won’t breathe a word about it.
not breathe a word (of something)
not to tell something (to anyone).
Don’t worry. I won’t breathe a word of it.
not by a long shot
not by a great amount; not at all.
Did I win the race? Not by a long shot.
not for the world and not for anything in the world; not for love nor money
not for anything (no matter what its value).
I won’t do it for love nor money.
not give someone the time of day
to ignore someone (usually out of dislike). (Informal.)
Mary won’t speak to Sally. She won’t give her the time of day.
not open one’s mouth and not utter a word
not to say anything at all; not to tell something (to anyone).
Don’t worry, I’ll keep your secret. I won’t even open my mouth.
not take no for an answer
not to accept someone’s refusal. (A polite way of being insistent.)
Now, you must drop over and see us tomorrow. We won’t take no for an answer.
nothing but skin and bones and all skin and bones
very thin or emaciated. (Informal.)
Bill has lost so much weight. He’s nothing but skin and bones.
on average
generally; usually.
On average, you can expect about a 10 percent failure.
on cloud nine
very happy. (Informal.)
When I got my promotion, I was on cloud nine.
other way round
the reverse; the opposite.
No, it won’t fit that way. Try it the other way round.
out of luck
without good luck; having bad fortune. (Informal.)
If you wanted some icecream, you’re out of luck.
out of the frying-pan into the fire
from a bad situation to a worse situation.
When I tried to argue about my fine for a traffic violation, the judge charged me with contempt of court. I really went out of the frying-pan into the fire.
over my dead body
not if I can stop you; you’ll have to kill me first (so that I won’t stop you).
You’ll sell this house over my dead body!
paper over the cracks (in something)
to try to hide faults or difficulties, often in a hasty or not very successful way.
The politician tried to paper over the cracks in his party’s economic policy.
pass as someone or something
to succeed in being accepted as someone or something.
The spy was able to pass as a normal citizen.
pass muster
to measure up to the required standards.
I tried my best, but my efforts didn’t pass muster.
past someone’s or something’s best and past someone’s or something’s sell-by date; past it
less good or efficient now than someone or something was before. ( Past it and past someone’s or something’s sell-by date are informal.)
Joan was a wonderful singer, but she’s past her best now.
piece of cake
something very easy. (Informal.)
No, it won’t be any trouble. It’s a piece of cake.
play fair
to do something by the rules or in a fair and just manner.
John won’t do business with Bill any more because Bill doesn’t play fair.
play one’s trump card
to use one’s most powerful or effective strategy or device.
I won’t play my trump card until I have tried everything else.
poetic justice
the appropriate but chance receiving of rewards or punishments by those deserving them.
It was poetic justice that Jane won the race after Mary tried to get her banned.
pride of place
the best or most important place or space.
Jack’s parents gave pride of place in their living-room to his sports trophy.
pull a fast one
to succeed in an act of deception. (Informal.)
She was pulling a fast one when she said she had a headache and had to go home.
pull one’s punches
[for a boxer] to strike with light blows to enable the other boxer to win.
Bill has been barred from the boxing ring for pulling his punches.
push one’s luck
to expect continued good fortune; to expect to continue to escape bad luck. (Informal.)
You’re okay so far, but don’t push your luck.
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.
