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.
find one’s feet
to become used to a new situation or experience.
She was lonely at first when she left home, but she is finding her feet now.
find one’s own level
to find the position or rank to which one is best suited. (As water “seeks its own level.”)
You cannot force junior staff to be ambitious. They will all find their own level.
find one’s tongue
to be able to talk. (Informal.)
Tom was speechless for a moment. Then he found his tongue.
fine kettle of fish and pretty kettle of fish
a real mess; an unsatisfactory situation.
The dog has eaten the steak we were going to have for dinner. This is a fine kettle of fish!
fine state of affairs
an unpleasant state of affairs.
This is a fine state of affairs, and it’s all your fault.
fish for compliments
to try to get someone to pay you a compliment. (Informal.)
When she showed me her new dress, I could tell that she was fishing for a compliment.
fish in troubled waters
to involve oneself in a difficult, confused, or dangerous situation, especially with a view to gaining an advantage.
Frank is fishing in troubled waters by buying more shares in that firm. They are supposed to be in financial difficulties.
fit for a king
splendid; of a very high standard.
What a delicious meal. It was fit for a king.
fit someone in(to something)
to succeed with difficulty in putting someone into a schedule.
The doctor is busy, but I can try to fit you into the appointment book.
fix someone up (with something)
to arrange to provide someone with something. (Informal.)
We fixed John up with a room for the night.
flash in the pan
something that draws a lot of attention for a very brief time. (Informal.)
I’m afraid that my success as a painter was just a flash in the pan.
flea in one’s ear
a severe scolding. (Informal.)
I got a flea in my ear when I tried to give Pat some advice.
flesh and blood
a living human body, especially with reference to its natural limitations; a human being.
This cold weather is more than flesh and blood can stand.
flight of fancy
an idea or suggestion that is out of touch with reality or possibility.
What is the point in indulging in flights of fancy about foreign holidays when you cannot even afford the rent?
flog a dead horse
to try to continue discussing or arousing interest in something that already has been fully discussed or that is no longer of interest.
Stop arguing! You have won your point. You are just flogging a dead horse.
fly a kite
to spread rumours or suggestions about something, such as a new project, in order to find out people’s attitudes to it.
The government is flying a kite with these stories of a new airport.
fly in the face of someone or something
to disregard, defy, or show disrespect for someone or something.
John loves to fly in the face of tradition.
fly in the ointment
a small, unpleasant matter which spoils something; a drawback.
We enjoyed the play, but the fly in the ointment was not being able to find our car afterwards.
fly-by-night
irresponsible; untrustworthy. (Refers to a person who sneaks away secretly in the night.)
The carpenter we employed was a fly-by-night worker who did a very bad job of work.
flying visit
a very short, often unexpected visit.
She paid us a flying visit before leaving town.
foam at the mouth
to be very angry. (Informal. Related to a “mad dog”—a dog with rabies—which foams at the mouth.)
Bob was furious—foaming at the mouth. I’ve never seen anyone so angry.
follow one’s heart
to act according to one’s feelings; to obey one’s sympathetic or compassionate inclinations.
I couldn’t decide what to do, so I just followed my heart.
follow one’s nose
to go straight ahead, the direction in which one’s nose is pointing. (Informal.)
The town that you want is straight ahead on this motorway. Just follow your nose.
follow suit
to follow in the same pattern; to follow someone else’s example. (From card-games.)
Mary went to work for a bank, and Jane followed suit. Now they are both head cashiers.
food for thought
something to think about.
I don’t like your idea very much, but it’s food for thought.
fool’s paradise
a condition of apparent happiness that is based on false assumptions and will not last. (Treated as a place grammatically.)
They think they can live on love alone, but they are living in a fool’s paradise.
fools rush in (where angels fear to tread)
people with little experience or knowledge often get involved in difficult or delicate situations which wiser people would avoid.
I wouldn’t ask Jean about her divorce, but Kate did. Fools rush in, as they say.
foot the bill
to pay the bill; to pay (for something).
Let’s go out and eat. I’ll foot the bill.
for days on end
for many days without a break.
We kept on travelling for days on end.
for the record
so that (one’s own version of) the facts will be known; so there will be a record of a particular fact.
I’d like to say—for the record—that at no time have I ever accepted a bribe from anyone.
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.
