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.
feel like a million dollars
to feel well and healthy, both physically and mentally.
A quick swim in the morning makes me feel like a million dollars.
feel something in one’s bones
to sense something; to have an intuition about something. (Informal.)
The train will be late. I feel it in my bones.
fix someone up (with something)
to arrange to provide someone with something. (Informal.)
We fixed John up with a room for the night.
flash in the pan
something that draws a lot of attention for a very brief time. (Informal.)
I’m afraid that my success as a painter was just a flash in the pan.
fly-by-night
irresponsible; untrustworthy. (Refers to a person who sneaks away secretly in the night.)
The carpenter we employed was a fly-by-night worker who did a very bad job of work.
for the record
so that (one’s own version of) the facts will be known; so there will be a record of a particular fact.
I’d like to say—for the record—that at no time have I ever accepted a bribe from anyone.
from pillar to post
from one place to another or to a series of other places.
My father was in the army, and we moved from pillar to post, year after year.
from the year dot and since the year dot
for a very long time; since very far back in time. (Informal.)
Mr. Jones worked there from the year dot.
fun and games
playing around; someone’s lively behaviour. (Informal.)
All right, Bill, the fun and games are over. It’s time to get down to work.
get above oneself
to think or behave as though one is better or more important than one is.
John has been getting a bit above himself since he was promoted. He never goes for a drink with his old colleagues.
get away (from it all)
to get away from one’s work or daily routine; to go on a holiday.
I just love the summer when I can take time off and get away from it all.
get by (on a shoe-string)
to manage to live (on very little money).
For the last two years, we have had to get by on a shoe-string.
get down to brass tacks
to begin to talk about important things. (Informal.)
Let’s get down to brass tacks. We’ve wasted too much time chatting.
get one’s fill of someone or something
to receive enough of someone or something. (Also with have. See the note at get a black eye. )
You’ll soon get your fill of Tom. He can be quite a pest.
get one’s second wind
(Also with have. See the note at get a black eye. ) 1. for one’s breathing to become stabilized after exerting oneself for a short time.
John was having a hard time running until he got his second wind.
get out of the wrong side of the bed
to get up in the morning in a bad mood.
What’s wrong with you? Did you get out of the wrong side of the bed today?
get something out of one’s system
to be rid of the desire to do something; to do something that you have been wanting to do so that you are not bothered by wanting to do it any more.
I bought a new car. I’ve been wanting to for a long time. I’m glad I finally got that out of my system.
get the hang of something
to learn how to do something; to learn how something works. (Informal. Also with have. See the note at get a black eye. )
As soon as I get the hang of this computer, I’ll be able to work faster.
get time to catch one’s breath and find time to catch one’s breath
to find enough time to relax or behave normally. (See also catch one’s breath.)
When things slow down around here, I’ll get time to catch my breath.
getting on (in years)
growing older.
Grandfather is getting on in years.
give a good account of oneself
to do (something) well or thoroughly.
John gave a good account of himself when he gave his speech last night.
give of oneself
to be generous with one’s time and concern.
Tom is very good with children because he gives of himself.
give someone a tongue-lashing
to give someone a severe scolding.
I gave Bill a real tongue-lashing when he got home late.
give something a miss
not to go to something; not to bother with something; to leave something alone. (Informal.)
Betty decided to give the fair a miss this year.
give up the ghost
to die; to release one’s spirit. (Considered formal or humorous.)
The old man sighed, rolled over, and gave up the ghost.
go downhill
[for something] to decline and grow worse and worse. (Also used literally.)
This industry is going downhill. We lose money every year.
go from bad to worse
to progress from a bad state to a worse state.
This is a terrible day. Things are going from bad to worse.
go off the deep end
to become angry or hysterical; to lose one’s temper. (Informal. Refers to going into a swimming-pool at the deep end—rather than the shallow end.)
Her father went off the deep end when she came in late.
go to rack and ruin
to become ruined or destroyed, especially due to neglect.
That lovely old house on the corner is going to go to rack and ruin.
grind to a halt
to slow to a stop.
By the end of the day, the factory had ground to a halt.
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.
