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.
show the flag
to be present at a gathering just so that the organization to which one belongs will be represented, or just to show others that one has attended. (From a ship flying its country’s flag.)
The firm wants all the salesmen to attend the international conference in order to show the flag.
shut up shop
to stop working or operating, for the day or forever. (Informal.)
It’s five o’clock. Time to shut up shop.
sing someone’s praises
to praise someone highly and enthusiastically.
The boss is singing the praises of his new secretary.
sit (idly) by
to remain inactive when other people are doing something; to ignore a situation which calls for help.
Bob sat idly by even though everyone else was hard at work.
sitting on a powder keg
in a risky or explosive situation; in a situation where something serious or dangerous may happen at any time.
Things are very tense at work. The whole office is sitting on a powder keg.
skate over something
to pass lightly over something, trying to avoid drawing attention or avoid taking something into consideration.
Sally prefers to skate over her reasons for leaving her job.
slice of the cake
a share of something.
There’s not much work around and so everyone must get a slice of the cake.
spike someone’s guns
to spoil someone’s plans; to make it impossible for someone to carry out a course of action. (From driving a metal spike into the touch-hole of an enemy gun to render it useless.)
The boss was going to sack Sally publicly, but she spiked his guns by resigning.
spot on
exactly right or accurate. (Informal.)
Jack’s assessment of the state of the firm was spot on.
square deal
a fair and honest transaction; fair treatment. (Informal.)
All the workers want is a square deal, but their boss underpays them.
stack the cards (against someone or something)
to arrange things against someone or something; to make it difficult for someone to succeed. (Informal. Originally from card-playing. Usually in the passive.)
I can’t make any progress at my office. The cards are stacked against me.
steal a march on someone
to get some sort of an advantage over someone without being noticed.
I got the contract because I was able to steal a march on my competitor.
step into dead men’s shoes and fill dead men’s shoes
to take over the job or position of someone who has died; to gain an advantage by someone’s death.
The only hope of promotion in that firm is to step into dead men’s shoes.
step on someone’s toes and tread on someone’s toes
to interfere with or offend someone. (Also used literally. Note example with anyone. )
When you’re in public office, you have to avoid stepping on anyone’s toes.
stick it out
to put up with or endure a situation, however difficult. (Informal.)
This job’s boring, but we’re sticking it out until we find something more interesting.
stick to one’s guns
to remain firm in one’s opinions and convictions; to stand up for one’s rights. (Informal.)
I’ll stick to my guns on this matter. I’m sure I’m right.
swan-song
the last work or performance of a playwright, musician, actor, etc., before death or retirement.
His portrayal of Lear was the actor’s swan-song.
sweep something under the carpet and brush something under the carpet
to try to hide something unpleasant, shameful, etc., from the attention of others.
The boss said he couldn’t sweep the theft under the carpet, that he’d have to call in the police.
take a leaf out of someone’s book
to behave or to do something in the way that someone else would; to use someone as an example.
Take a leaf out of your brother’s book and work hard.
take something as read
to assume something or regard something as being understood and accepted without reading it out, stating it, or checking it.
Can we take the minutes of the meeting as read, or should I read them?
talking-shop
a place or meeting where things are discussed, but action may or may not be taken. (Informal.)
Many people think the City Chambers is just a talking-shop.
through hell and high water
through all sorts of severe difficulties. (Informal.)
I came through hell and high water to get to this meeting. Why don’t you start on time?
tick over
to move along at a quiet, even pace, without either stopping or going quickly. (Informal. From an engine ticking over.)
The firm didn’t make large profits, but it’s ticking over.
touch-and-go
very uncertain or critical.
Things were touch-andgo at the office until a new manager was employed.
trade on something
to use a fact or a situation to one’s advantage.
Tom was able to trade on the fact that he had once been in the army.
try it on
to behave in a bold, disobedient, or unlawful manner to discover whether such behaviour will be allowed. (Informal.)
Tony knew he wouldn’t get away with working only four days a week. He was just trying it on by asking the boss.
vent one’s spleen
to get rid of one’s feelings of anger caused by someone or something by attacking someone or something else.
Because Jack didn’t get the job, he was angry, and he vented his spleen by shouting at his wife.
vexed question
a difficult problem about which there is a lot of discussion without a solution being found.
The two brothers quarrelled over the vexed question of which of them should take charge of their father’s firm.
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 on air
to be very happy; to be euphoric.
Ann was walking on air when she got the job.
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.
