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.
true to one’s word
keeping one’s promise.
True to his word, Tom appeared at exactly eight o’clock.
try someone’s patience
to do something annoying which may cause someone to lose patience; to cause someone to be annoyed.
Stop whistling. You’re trying my patience. Very soon I’m going to lose my temper.
turn up trumps
to do the right or required thing, often unexpectedly or at the last minute. (Informal.)
I thought our team would let us down, but they turned up trumps in the second half of the match.
up and doing
active and lively.
The children are always up and doing early in the morning.
up in the air
undecided; uncertain.
I don’t know what Sally plans to do. Things were sort of up in the air the last time we talked.
waiting in the wings
ready or prepared to do something, especially to take over someone else’s job or position. (From waiting at the side of the stage to go on.)
Mr. Smith retires as manager next year, and Mr. Jones is just waiting in the wings.
walk a tightrope
to be in a situation where one must be very cautious.
I’ve been walking a tightrope all day trying to please both bosses. I need to relax.
when the time is ripe
at exactly the right time.
I’ll tell her the good news when the time is ripe.
white elephant
something which is useless and which is either a nuisance or expensive to keep up. (From the gift of a white elephant by the Kings of Siam to courtiers who displeased them, knowing the cost of the upkeep would ruin them.)
Bob’s father-in-law has given him an old Rolls-Royce, but it’s a real white elephant. He has no place to park it and can’t afford the petrol for it.
win the day and carry the day
to be successful; to win a competition, argument, etc. (Originally meaning to win a battle.)
Our team didn’t play well at first, but we won the day in the end.
wise after the event
knowledgeable of how a situation should have been dealt with only after it has passed.
I know now I should have agreed to help him, but that’s being wise after the event. At the time I thought he was just being lazy.
wish someone joy of something
to express the hope that someone will enjoy having or doing something, usually while being glad that one does not have to have it or do it.
I wish you joy of that old car. I had one just like it and spent a fortune on repairs for it.
wither on the vine
[for something] to decline or fade away at an early stage of development. (Also used literally in reference to grapes or other fruit.)
You have a great plan, Tom. Let’s keep it alive. Don’t let it wither on the vine.
woe betide someone
someone will regret something very much.
Woe betide John if he’s late. Mary will be angry.
worn to a shadow
exhausted and thin, often from overwork.
Working all day and looking after the children in the evening has left Pam worn to a shadow.
wrongfoot someone
to take someone by surprise, placing the person in a difficult situation.
The chairman of the committee wrongfooted his opponents by calling a meeting when most of them were on holiday and had no time to prepare for it.
zero hour
the time at which something is due to begin; a crucial moment.
We’ll know whether the new computer system works effectively at zero hour, when we switch over to it.
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.
