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.
in (just) a second
in a very short period of time.
I’ll be there in a second.
in a dead heat
[finishing a race] at exactly the same time; tied.
The two horses finished the race in a dead heat.
in a jiffy
very fast; very soon. (Informal.)
Just wait a minute. I’ll be there in a jiffy.
in a mad rush
in a hurry.
I ran around all day today in a mad rush looking for a present for Bill.
in a nutshell
in a few words; briefly; concisely.
I don’t have time for the whole explanation. Please give it to me in a nutshell.
in a stew (about someone or something)
upset or bothered about someone or something. (Informal. In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
I’m in such a stew about my dog. She ran away last night.
in all probability
very likely; almost certainly.
He’ll be here on time in all probability.
in arrears
overdue; late, especially in reference to bills and money.
This bill is three months in arrears. It must be paid immediately.
in black and white
official, in writing or printing. (Said of something, such as an agreement or a statement, which has been recorded in writing. In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
I have it in black and white that I’m entitled to three weeks’ holiday each year.
in less than no time
very quickly.
I’ll be there in less than no time.
in one’s own time
not while one is at work.
My employer made me write the report in my own time. That’s not fair.
in one’s spare time
in one’s leisure time; in the time not reserved for doing something else.
I write novels in my spare time.
in progress
happening now; taking place at this time.
You can’t go into that room. There is a meeting in progress.
in the altogether and in the buff; in the raw; in one’s birth-day suit
naked; nude. (Informal.)
We often went swimming in the altogether down at the lake.
in the doghouse
in trouble; in (someone’s) disfavour. (Informal.)
I’m really in the doghouse. I was late for an appointment.
in the long run
over a long period of time; ultimately.
We’d be better off in the long run buying a car instead of hiring one.
in the near future
in the time immediately ahead.
I don’t plan to go to Florida in the near future.
in the nick of time
just in time; at the last possible instant; just before it is too late.
The doctor arrived in the nick of time. The patient’s life was saved.
in the offing
happening at some time in the future.
There is a big investigation in the offing, but I don’t know when.
in the same breath
[stated or said] almost at the same time.
He told me I was lazy, but then in the same breath he said I was doing a good job of work.
in the swim (of things)
fully involved in or participating in events or happenings. (The in can be replaced with into. See the explanation at in a jam and the examples below.)
I’ve been ill, but soon I’ll be back in the swim of things.
in the wind
about to happen. (Also used literally.)
There are some major changes in the wind. Expect these changes to happen soon.
in this day and age
presently; currently; nowadays.
You don’t expect people to be polite in this day and age.
in turn
one at a time in sequence.
Each of us can read the book in turn.
in two shakes of a lamb’s tail
in a very short time.
Jane returned in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.
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.
