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.
(in) single file
queued up, one behind the other; in a queue that is one person or one thing wide. ( In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
Have you ever seen ducks walking in single file?
ill at ease
uneasy; anxious.
I feel ill at ease about the interview.
ill-gotten gains
money or other possessions acquired in a dishonest or illegal fashion.
Fred cheated at cards and is now living on his ill-gotten gains.
in (just) a second
in a very short period of time.
I’ll be there in a second.
in a (pretty) pickle
in a mess; in trouble. (Informal. In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
John has got himself into a pickle. He has two dates for the party.
in a (tight) spot
caught in a problem; in a jam. (Informal. In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
Look, John, I’m in a tight spot. Can you lend me £20?
in a bad mood
sad; depressed; cross; with low spirits.
He’s in a bad mood. He may shout at you.
in a bad way
in a critical or bad state. (Can refer to health, finances, mood, etc.)
Mr. Smith is in a bad way. He may have to go to hospital.
in a dead heat
[finishing a race] at exactly the same time; tied.
The two horses finished the race in a dead heat.
in a fix
in a bad situation. (Informal. In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
I really got myself into a fix. I owe a lot of money on my car.
in a flash
quickly; immediately.
I’ll be there in a flash.
in a huff
in an angry or offended manner or state. (Informal. In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
He heard what we had to say, then left in a huff.
in a jam
in a tight or difficult situation. ( In can be replaced with into to show movement towards or into the state described by a jam. Especially get into. )
I’m in a jam. I owe a lot of money.
in a jiffy
very fast; very soon. (Informal.)
Just wait a minute. I’ll be there in a jiffy.
in a mad rush
in a hurry.
I ran around all day today in a mad rush looking for a present for Bill.
in a nutshell
in a few words; briefly; concisely.
I don’t have time for the whole explanation. Please give it to me in a nutshell.
in a quandary
uncertain about what to do; confused. ( In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
Mary was in a quandary about which college to go to.
in a sense
in a way.
In a sense, cars make life better.
in a split second
in an instant.
The lightning struck, and in a split second the house burst into flames.
in a stage whisper
in a loud whisper which everyone can hear.
John said in a stage whisper, “This play is boring.”
in a stew (about someone or something)
upset or bothered about someone or something. (Informal. In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
I’m in such a stew about my dog. She ran away last night.
in all one’s born days
ever; in all one’s life.
I’ve never been so angry in all my born days.
in all probability
very likely; almost certainly.
He’ll be here on time in all probability.
in arrears
overdue; late, especially in reference to bills and money.
This bill is three months in arrears. It must be paid immediately.
in at the kill
present at the end of some activity, usually an activity with negative results. (Literally, present when a hunted animal is put to death. Informal when used about any other activity.)
I went to the final hearing on the proposed ring-road. I knew it would be shouted down strongly, and I wanted to be in at the kill.
in black and white
official, in writing or printing. (Said of something, such as an agreement or a statement, which has been recorded in writing. In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
I have it in black and white that I’m entitled to three weeks’ holiday each year.
in broad daylight
publicly visible in the daytime.
The thief stole the car in broad daylight.
in clover
with good fortune; in a very good situation, especially financially. (Informal.)
If I get this contract, I’ll be in clover for the rest of my life.
in deep water
in a dangerous or vulnerable situation; in a serious situation; in trouble. (As if one were swimming in or had fallen into water which is over one’s head. In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
John is having trouble with his wife. He’s in deep water.
in dribs and drabs
in small irregular quantities. ( In can be replaced with by.)
The cheques for the charity are coming in in dribs and drabs.
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.
