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.
on cloud nine
very happy. (Informal.)
When I got my promotion, I was on cloud nine.
on the air
broadcasting (a radio or television programme).
The radio station came back on the air shortly after the storm.
on the mend
getting well; healing. (Informal.)
My cold was terrible, but I’m on the mend now.
out of the swim of things
not in the middle of activity; not involved in things. (Informal.)
While I had my cold, I was out of the swim of things.
pour cold water on something and throw cold water on some-thing
to discourage doing something; to reduce enthusiasm for something.
When my father said I couldn’t have the car, he poured cold water on my plans.
pour oil on troubled waters
to calm things down. (If oil is poured on to rough seas during a storm, the water will become more calm.)
That was a good thing to say to John. It helped to pour oil on troubled waters. Now he looks happy.
put something on ice and put something on the back burner
to delay or postpone something; to put something on hold. (Informal.)
I’m afraid that we’ll have to put your project on ice for a while.
rain cats and dogs
to rain very hard. (Informal.)
It’s raining cats and dogs. Look at it pour!
rained off
cancelled or postponed because of rain.
Oh, the weather looks awful. I hope the picnic isn’t rained off.
rise and shine
to get out of bed and be lively and energetic. (Informal. Often a command.)
Come on, children! Rise and shine! We’re going to the seaside.
steal someone’s thunder
to prevent someone from receiving the public recognition expected upon the announcement of an achievement, by making the announcement in public before the intended receiver of the recognition can do so.
I stole Mary’s thunder by telling her friends about Mary’s engagement to Tom before she could do so herself.
storm in a teacup
an uproar about something trivial or unimportant.
This isn’t a serious problem—just a storm in a teacup.
straw in the wind
an indication or sign of what might happen in the future.
The student’s argument with the lecturer was a straw in the wind in terms of student-teacher relations. The students are planning a strike.
take the wind out of someone’s sails
to put an end to someone’s boasting or arrogance and make the person feel embarrassed; to take an advantage away from someone. (Informal.)
John was bragging about how much money he earned until he learned that most of us make more. That took the wind out of his sails.
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.
