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.
race against time
to hurry to beat a deadline; to hurry to achieve something by a certain time.
We had to race against time to finish the work before the deadline.
read someone the Riot Act
to give someone a severe scolding. (Under the Riot Act of 1715, an assembly of people could be dispersed by magistrates reading the act to them.)
The manager read me the Riot Act for coming in late.
redbrick university
one of the universities built in England in the late nineteenth century, contrasted with Oxford and Cambridge Universities. (Derogatory.)
John’s tutor ridicules the redbrick universities.
ring down the curtain (on something) and bring down the curtain (on something)
to bring something to an end; to declare something to be at an end.
It’s time to ring down the curtain on our relationship. We have nothing in common any more.
ring in the New Year
to celebrate the beginning of the New Year at midnight on December 31.
We are planning a big affair to ring in the New Year.
ring true
to sound or seem true or likely. (From testing the quality of metal or glass by striking it and listening to the noise made.)
The pupil’s excuse for being late doesn’t ring true.
ripe old age
a very old age.
Mr. Smith died last night, but he was a ripe old age—ninety-nine.
roll on something
[for something, such as a time or a day] to approach rapidly. (Said by someone who wants the time or the day to arrive sooner than is possible. Usually a command.)
Roll on Saturday! I get the day off.
round on someone
to attack someone verbally.
Jane suddenly rounded on Tom for arriving late.
run against the clock
to be in a race with time; to be in a great hurry to get something done before a particular time.
This morning, Bill set a new track record running against the clock. He lost the actual race this afternoon, however.
run to seed and go to seed
to become worn-out and uncared for.
The estate has gone to seed since the old man’s death.
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.
