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 fear and trembling
with anxiety or fear; with dread.
In fear and trembling, I went into the room to take the exam.
in fine feather
in good humour; in good health. ( In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
Hello, John. You appear to be in fine feather.
in force
in a very large group.
The entire group arrived in force.
in full swing
in progress; operating or running without restraint. (Informal. In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
We can’t leave now! The party is in full swing.
in high gear
( In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.) 1. [for a machine, such as a car] to be set in its highest gear, giving the greatest speed.
When my car is in high gear, it goes very fast.
in league (with someone)
in co-operation with someone; in a conspiracy with someone.
The mayor is in league with the Council Treasurer. They are misusing public money.
in less than no time
very quickly.
I’ll be there in less than no time.
in lieu of something
in place of something; instead of something. (The word lieu occurs only in this phrase.)
They gave me roast beef in lieu of steak.
in luck
fortunate; lucky.
You want a red one? You’re in luck. There is one red one left.
in mint condition
in perfect condition. (Refers to the perfect state of a coin which has just been minted. In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
This is a fine car. It runs well and is in mint condition.
in name only
nominally; not actual, only by terminology.
The president is head of the country in name only.
in no mood to do something
not to feel like doing something; to wish not to do something.
I’m in no mood to cook dinner tonight.
in one ear and out the other
[for something to be] ignored; [for something to be] unheard or unheeded. (Informal. In can be replaced with into. See the explanation at in a jam and the examples below.)
Everything I say to you goes into one ear and out the other!
in one’s (own) backyard
(figuratively) very close to one. (Informal.)
That kind of thing is quite rare. Imagine it happening right in your backyard.
in one’s book
in one’s opinion. (Informal.)
He’s okay in my book.
in one’s cups
drunk.
She doesn’t make much sense when she’s in her cups.
in one’s mind’s eye
in one’s mind. (Refers to visualizing something in one’s mind.)
In my mind’s eye, I can see trouble ahead.
in one’s opinion
according to one’s belief or judgement.
In my opinion, that is a very ugly picture.
in one’s own time
not while one is at work.
My employer made me write the report in my own time. That’s not fair.
in one’s right mind
sane; rational and sensible. (Often in the negative. See also out of one’s mind. )
That was a stupid thing to do. You’re not in your right mind.
in one’s second childhood
being interested in things or people which normally interest children.
My father bought himself a toy train, and my mother said he was in his second childhood.
in one’s spare time
in one’s leisure time; in the time not reserved for doing something else.
I write novels in my spare time.
in other words
said in another, simpler way.
Cease! Desist! In other words, stop!
in over one’s head
with more difficulties than one can manage. (Informal.)
Calculus is very hard for me. I’m in over my head.
in part
partly; to a lesser degree or extent.
I was not there, in part because of my disagreement about the purpose of the meeting, but I also had a previous appointment.
in place
in the proper place or location.
Everything was in place for the ceremony.
in plain English
in simple, clear, and straightforward language. ( In can be replaced with into. See comment at in a jam and the examples below.)
That’s too confusing. Please say it again in plain English.
in progress
happening now; taking place at this time.
You can’t go into that room. There is a meeting in progress.
in Queer Street
in a difficult situation, especially because of lack of money. (Informal.)
We’re in Queer Street. We’ve no money to pay the rent.
in rags
in worn-out and torn clothing.
The beggars were in rags.
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.
