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.
all hours (of the day and night)
very late in the night or very early in the morning.
Why do you always stay out until all hours of the day and night?
all over bar the shouting
decided and concluded; finished except for the formalities. (Informal. An elaboration of all over, which means “finished.”)
The last goal was made just as the final whistle sounded. Tom said, “Well, it’s all over bar the shouting.”
all thumbs
very awkward and clumsy, especially with one’s hands. (Informal.)
Poor Bob can’t play the piano at all. He’s all thumbs.
all to the good
for the best; for one’s benefit.
He missed his train, but it was all to the good because the train had a crash.
any port in a storm
a phrase indicating that when one is in difficulties one must accept any way out, whether one likes the solution or not.
I don’t want to live with my parents, but it’s a case of any port in a storm. I can’t find a flat.
apple of someone’s eye
someone’s favourite person or thing.
Tom is the apple of Mary’s eye. She thinks he’s great.
armed to the teeth
heavily armed with weapons.
The bank robber was armed to the teeth when he was caught.
as a duck takes to water
easily and naturally. (Informal.)
She took to singing just as a duck takes to water.
as black as one is painted
as evil or unpleasant as one is thought to be. (Usually negative.)
The landlord is not as black as he is painted. He seems quite generous.
asleep at the wheel
not attending to one’s assigned task; failing to do one’s duty at the proper time.
I should have spotted the error. I must have been asleep at the wheel.
at a loose end
restless and unsettled; unemployed. (Informal.)
Just before school starts, all the children are at a loose end.
at a pinch
if absolutely necessary.
At a pinch, I could come tomorrow, but it’s not really convenient.
at a rate of knots
very fast. (Informal.)
They’ll have to drive at a rate of knots to get there on time.
at death’s door
near death. (Euphemistic.)
I was so ill that I was at death’s door.
at first glance
when first examined; at an early stage.
At first glance, the problem appeared quite simple. Later we learned just how complex it really was.
at full stretch
with as much energy and strength as possible.
The police are working at full stretch to find the murderer.
at half-mast
half-way up or down. (Primarily referring to flags. Can be used for things other than flags as a joke.)
The flag was flying at half-mast because the general had died.
at large
free; uncaptured. (Usually said of criminals running loose.)
At midday the day after the robbery, the thieves were still at large.
at liberty
free; unrestrained.
You’re at liberty to go anywhere you wish.
at loggerheads (with someone)
in opposition; at an impasse; in a quarrel.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been at loggerheads with each other for years.
at one’s wits’ end
at the limits of one’s mental resources.
I’m at my wits’ end trying to solve this problem.
at sixes and sevens
disorderly; completely disorganized. (Informal.)
Mrs. Smith is at sixes and sevens since the death of her husband.
at someone’s beck and call
always ready to obey someone.
What makes you think I wait around here at your beck and call? I live here, too, you know!
at the bottom of the ladder
at the lowest level of pay and status.
Most people start work at the bottom of the ladder.
at the drop of a hat
immediately and without urging.
John was always ready to go fishing at the drop of a hat.
at the eleventh hour
at the last possible moment. (Biblical.)
She always handed her term essays in at the eleventh hour.
at the end of one’s tether
at the limits of one’s endurance.
I’m at the end of my tether! I just can’t go on this way!
at the expense of someone or something
to the detriment of someone or something; to the harm or disadvantage of someone or something.
He had a good laugh at the expense of his brother.
at the top of one’s voice
with a very loud voice.
Bill called to Mary at the top of his voice.
avoid someone or something like the plague
to avoid someone or something totally. (Informal.)
What’s wrong with Bob? Everyone avoids him like the plague.
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.
