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.
pass the hat round
to attempt to collect money for some (charitable) project.
Bob is passing the hat round to collect money to buy flowers for Ann.
pie in the sky
a supposed future reward which one is not likely to get. (From “You’ll get pie in the sky when you die,” a line from a song by U.S. radical labour organizer Joe Hill.)
The firm have promised him a large reward, but I think it’s just pie in the sky.
play fair
to do something by the rules or in a fair and just manner.
John won’t do business with Bill any more because Bill doesn’t play fair.
play on something
to make use of something for one’s own ends; to exploit something; to manage something for a desired effect. (The on can be replaced by upon. )
The shop assistant played on my sense of responsibility in trying to get me to buy the book.
play one’s cards close to one’s chest and keep one’s cards close to one’s chest
to work or negotiate in a careful and private manner.
It’s hard to figure out what John is up to because he plays his cards close to his chest.
play one’s cards right
to work or negotiate correctly and skilfully. (Informal.)
If you play your cards right, you can get whatever you want.
play the market
to invest in the shares market. (As if it were a game or as if it were gambling.)
Would you rather put your money in the bank or play the market?
pound the streets
to walk through the streets looking for a job. (Informal.)
I spent two months pounding the streets after the factory I worked for closed.
power behind the throne
the person who controls the one who is apparently in charge.
Mr. Smith appears to run the shop, but his brother is the power behind the throne.
prime mover
the force that sets something going; someone or something that starts something off.
The assistant manager was the prime mover in getting the manager sacked.
put all one’s eggs in one basket
to risk everything at once; to depend entirely on one plan, venture, etc. (Often negative.)
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. You shouldn’t invest all your money in one business.
put in a good word for someone
to say something to someone in support of someone.
I hope you get the job. I’ll put in a good word for you.
put one in one’s place
to rebuke someone; to remind one of one’s (lower) rank or station.
My employer put me in my place for criticizing her.
put one’s hand to the plough
to begin to do a big and important task; to undertake a major effort.
If John would only put his hand to the plough, he could do an excellent job of work.
put one’s house in order
to put one’s business or personal affairs into good order.
There was some trouble at work and the manager was told to put his house in order.
put someone or something out to pasture
to retire someone or something. (Informal. Originally said of a horse which was too old to work.)
Please don’t put me out to pasture. I have lots of good years left.
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.
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.
