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.
home and dry
having been successful in one’s aims.
There is the cottage we are looking for. We are home and dry.
in a bad way
in a critical or bad state. (Can refer to health, finances, mood, etc.)
Mr. Smith is in a bad way. He may have to go to hospital.
in a fix
in a bad situation. (Informal. In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
I really got myself into a fix. I owe a lot of money on my car.
in a quandary
uncertain about what to do; confused. ( In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
Mary was in a quandary about which college to go to.
in at the kill
present at the end of some activity, usually an activity with negative results. (Literally, present when a hunted animal is put to death. Informal when used about any other activity.)
I went to the final hearing on the proposed ring-road. I knew it would be shouted down strongly, and I wanted to be in at the kill.
in broad daylight
publicly visible in the daytime.
The thief stole the car in broad daylight.
in high gear
( In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.) 1. [for a machine, such as a car] to be set in its highest gear, giving the greatest speed.
When my car is in high gear, it goes very fast.
in mint condition
in perfect condition. (Refers to the perfect state of a coin which has just been minted. In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
This is a fine car. It runs well and is in mint condition.
in one’s second childhood
being interested in things or people which normally interest children.
My father bought himself a toy train, and my mother said he was in his second childhood.
in progress
happening now; taking place at this time.
You can’t go into that room. There is a meeting in progress.
in Queer Street
in a difficult situation, especially because of lack of money. (Informal.)
We’re in Queer Street. We’ve no money to pay the rent.
in seventh heaven
in a very happy state.
Ann was really in seventh heaven when she got a car of her own.
in the long run
over a long period of time; ultimately.
We’d be better off in the long run buying a car instead of hiring one.
in the near future
in the time immediately ahead.
I don’t plan to go to Florida in the near future.
in the same boat
in the same situation; having the same problem.
“I’m broke. Can you lend me twenty pounds?” “Sorry. I’m in the same boat.”
inch along (something)
to move slowly along something little by little.
The cat inched along the carpet towards the mouse.
into the bargain
in addition to what was agreed on.
I bought a car, and they threw a trailer into the bargain.
johnny-come-lately
someone who joins in (something) after it is under way.
Don’t pay any attention to Sally. She’s just a johnnycome-lately and doesn’t know what she’s talking about.
jump at the chance (to do something) and leap at the chance (to do something); jump at the opportunity (to do some-thing); leap at the opportunity (to do something)
to take advantage of a chance to do something. ( To do something can be replaced with of doing something.)
John jumped at the chance to go to England.
keep in with someone
to remain friendly with a person, especially a person who might be useful. (Informal.)
Jack keeps in with Jane because he likes to borrow her car.
keep the home fires burning
to keep things going at one’s home or other central location.
My uncle kept the home fires burning when my sister and I went to school.
kick oneself (for doing something)
to regret doing something. (Informal.)
I could just kick myself for going off and not locking the car door. Now the car’s been stolen.
kick up one’s heels
to act in a frisky way; to be lively and have fun. (Informal.)
I like to go to an old-fashioned dance and really kick up my heels.
knock about (somewhere) and knock around (somewhere)
to travel around; to act as a vagabond. (Informal.)
I’d like to take off a year and knock about Europe.
knock people’s heads together
to scold some people; to get some people to do what they are supposed to be doing. (Informal.)
If you children don’t quieten down and go to sleep, I’m going to come up there and knock your heads together.
know all the tricks of the trade
to possess the skills and knowledge necessary to do something. (Also without all.)
Tom can repair car engines. He knows the tricks of the trade.
lead someone by the nose
to force someone to go somewhere (with you); to lead someone by coercion. (Informal.)
John had to lead Tom by the nose to get him to the opera.
lead someone up the garden path
to deceive someone.
Now, be honest with me. Don’t lead me up the garden path.
leave no stone unturned
to search in all possible places. (As if one might find something under a rock.)
Don’t worry. We’ll find your stolen car. We’ll leave no stone unturned.
leave word (with someone)
to leave a message with someone (who will pass the message on to someone else).
If you decide to go to the convention, please leave word with my secretary.
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.
