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.
of the old school
holding attitudes and ideas that were popular and important in the past, but are no longer considered relevant or in line with modern trends.
Grammar was not taught much in my son’s school, but fortunately he had a teacher of the old school.
old enough to be someone’s mother and old enough to be someone’s father
as old as someone’s parents. (Usually a way of saying that one person is much older than the other, especially when the difference in age is considered inappropriate.)
You can’t go out with Bill. He’s old enough to be your father!
old hand at doing something
someone who is experienced at doing something. (Informal.)
I’m an old hand at fixing clocks.
on all fours
on one’s hands and knees.
I dropped a contact lens and spent an hour on all fours looking for it.
on holiday
away, having a holiday; on holiday.
Where are you going on holiday this year?
on one’s honour
on one’s solemn oath; promised sincerely.
On my honour, I’ll be there on time.
on one’s mind
occupying one’s thoughts; currently being thought about.
You’ve been on my mind all day.
on record
recorded for future reference.
We had the coldest winter on record last year.
on the dot
exactly right; in exactly the right place; at exactly the right time. (Informal.)
That’s it! You’re right on the dot.
on the eve of something
just before something, possibly the evening before something.
John decided to leave college on the eve of his graduation.
once upon a time
once in the past. (A formula used to begin a fairy-tale.)
Once upon a time, there were three bears.
one’s old stamping-ground
the place where one was raised or where one has spent a lot of time. (Informal.)
Ann should know about that place. It’s near her old stamping-ground.
order of the day
something necessary or usual at a certain time.
Warm clothes are the order of the day when camping in the winter.
out of sorts
not feeling well; cross and irritable.
I’ve been out of sorts for a day or two. I think I’m coming down with flu.
out of the question
not possible; not permitted.
I’m sorry, but leaving early is out of the question.
out of turn
not at the proper time; not in the proper order.
We were permitted to be served out of turn, because we had to leave early.
out on a limb
[in or into a situation of] doing something differently from the way others do it, and thus taking a chance or a risk. (Often with go.)
She really went out on a limb when she gave him permission to leave early.
out on parole
out of jail but still under police supervision.
Bob got out on parole after serving only a few years of his sentence.
over the hill
over age; too old to do something. (Informal.)
Now that Mary’s forty, she thinks she’s over the hill.
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.
