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.
lick something into shape and whip something into shape
to put something into good condition, usually with difficulty. (Informal.)
I have to lick this report into shape this morning.
live in an ivory tower
to be aloof or separated from the realities of living. ( Live can be replaced by certain other expressions meaning to dwell or spend time, as in the examples.)
If you didn’t spend so much time in your ivory tower, you’d know what people really think!
live on borrowed time
to live longer than circumstances warrant; to live longer than expected; to remain in a situation longer than circumstances warrant.
John has a terminal disease. He’s living on borrowed time.
make a comeback
to return to one’s former (successful) career. (Informal.)
After ten years in retirement, the singer made a comeback.
make do (with someone or something)
to do as well as possible with someone or something.
You’ll have to make do with less money next year. The economy is very weak.
make good time
to proceed at a fast or reasonable rate. (Informal.)
On our trip to Brighton, we made good time.
make merry
to have fun; to have an enjoyable time.
The guests certainly made merry at the wedding.
make up for lost time
to do much of something; to make up for not doing much before; to do something fast.
At the age of sixty, Bill learned to play golf. Now he plays it all the time. He’s making up for lost time.
mend (one’s) fences
to restore good relations (with someone). (Also used literally.)
I think I had better get home and mend my fences. I had an argument with my daughter this morning.
mixed bag
a varied collection of people or things. (Refers to a bag of game brought home after a day’s hunting.)
The new pupils are a mixed bag—some bright, some positively stupid.
money for jam and money for old rope
payment for very little; money very easily obtained. (Informal.)
Baby-sitting is money for jam if the child does not wake up.
never fear
do not worry; have confidence.
I’ll be there on time— never fear.
night on the town
a night of celebrating (at one or more places in a town). (Informal.)
Did you enjoy your night on the town?
night-owl
someone who usually stays up very late. (Informal.)
Ann’s a real night-owl. She never goes to bed before 2 a.m. and sleeps until midday.
nine days’ wonder
something that is of interest to people only for a short time.
Don’t worry about the story about you in the newspaper. It’ll be a nine days’ wonder and then people will forget.
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.
none the wiser
not knowing any more.
I was none the wiser about the project after the lecture. It was a complete waste of time.
not able to call one’s time one’s own
too busy; so busy as not to be in charge of one’s own schedule. (Informal. Not able to is often expressed as can’t.)
It’s been so busy around here that I haven’t been able to call my time my own.
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 long for this world
about to die.
Our dog is nearly twelve years old and not long for this world.
not sleep a wink
not to sleep at all. (Informal.)
I couldn’t sleep a wink last night.
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.
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.
