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.
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.
race against time
to hurry to beat a deadline; to hurry to achieve something by a certain time.
We had to race against time to finish the work before the deadline.
rally round someone or something
to come together to support someone or something.
The family rallied round Jack when he lost his job.
rarin’ to go
extremely keen to act or do something. (Informal.)
Jane can’t wait to start her job. She’s rarin’ to go.
rat race
a fierce struggle for success, especially in one’s career or business.
Bob’s got tired of the rat race. He’s retired and gone to live in the country.
read someone the Riot Act
to give someone a severe scolding. (Under the Riot Act of 1715, an assembly of people could be dispersed by magistrates reading the act to them.)
The manager read me the Riot Act for coming in late.
ring off
to end a telephone call.
I must ring off now and get back to work.
rub shoulders (with someone)
to associate with someone; to work closely with someone.
I don’t care to rub shoulders with someone who acts like that!
rule the roost
to be the boss or manager, especially at home. (Informal.)
Who rules the roost at your house?
run a tight ship
to run a ship or an organization in an orderly, efficient, and disciplined manner.
The new office manager really runs a tight ship.
run someone ragged
to keep someone very busy. (Informal.)
This busy season is running us all ragged at the shop.
save someone’s skin
to save someone from injury, embarrassment, or punishment. (Informal.)
I saved my skin by getting the job done on time.
scratch the surface
just to begin to find out about something; to examine only the superficial aspects of something.
The investigation of the firm’s books showed some inaccuracies. It is thought that the investigators have just scratched the surface.
serve notice
to announce something.
John served notice that he was leaving the company.
set great store by someone or something
to have positive expectations for someone or something; to have high hopes for someone or something.
I set great store by my computer and its ability to help me in my work.
set the record straight
to put right a mistake or misunderstanding; to make sure that an account, etc., is correct.
The manager thought Jean was to blame, but she soon set the record straight.
set up shop somewhere
to establish one’s place of work somewhere. (Informal.)
Mary set up shop in a small office building in Oak Street.
shake in one’s shoes and quake in one’s shoes
to be afraid; to shake from fear.
I was shaking in my shoes because I had to go and see the manager.
sharp practice
dishonest or illegal methods or behaviour.
I’m sure that Jim’s firm was guilty of sharp practice in getting that export order.
shirk one’s duty
to neglect one’s job or task.
The guard was sacked for shirking his duty.
show someone the ropes
to tell or show someone how something is to be done.
Since this was my first day on the job, the manager spent a lot of time showing me the ropes. L
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.
