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.
forbidden fruit
someone or something that one finds attractive or desirable partly because the person or thing is unobtainable. (From the fruit in the garden of Eden that was forbidden to Adam by God.)
Jim is in love with his sister-in-law only because she’s forbidden fruit.
force someone’s hand
to force one to do something that one is unwilling to do or sooner than one wants to do it. (Refers to a handful of cards in card-playing.)
We didn’t know what she was doing until Tom forced her hand.
forget oneself
to forget one’s manners or training. (Said in formal situations in reference to bad table manners or bad taste.)
Sorry, Mother, I forgot myself. I didn’t mean to use a swear-word.
forgive and forget
to forgive someone (for something) and forget that it ever happened.
I’m sorry we quarrelled, John. Let’s forgive and forget. What do you say?
foul one’s own nest
to harm one’s own interests; to bring disadvantage upon oneself.
He tried to discredit a fellow MP with the prime minister, but just succeeded in fouling his own nest.
foul play
illegal activity; a criminal act.
The police investigating the death suspect foul play.
free and easy
casual.
John is so free and easy. How can anyone be so relaxed?
from pillar to post
from one place to another or to a series of other places.
My father was in the army, and we moved from pillar to post, year after year.
from rags to riches
from poverty to wealth.
The princess used to be quite poor. She certainly moved from rags to riches when she married.
from stem to stern
from one end to another. (Refers to the front and back ends of a ship. Also used literally in reference to ships.)
Now, I have to clean the house from stem to stern.
from the word go
from the beginning. (Informal.)
I knew about the problem from the word go.
from the year dot and since the year dot
for a very long time; since very far back in time. (Informal.)
Mr. Jones worked there from the year dot.
full of oneself
conceited; self-important.
Mary’s very unpopular because she’s so full of herself.
full of the devil
always making mischief. (Informal.)
Tom is a lot of fun, but he’s certainly full of the devil.
full steam ahead
forward at the greatest speed possible; with as much energy and enthusiasm as possible. (From an instruction given on a steamship.)
It will have to be full steam ahead for everybody if the factory gets this order.
fun and games
playing around; someone’s lively behaviour. (Informal.)
All right, Bill, the fun and games are over. It’s time to get down to work.
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.
