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.
keep something under wraps
to keep something concealed (until some future time).
We kept the plan under wraps until after the election.
keep the home fires burning
to keep things going at one’s home or other central location.
My uncle kept the home fires burning when my sister and I went to school.
keep the lid on something
to restrain something; to keep something quiet or under control. (Informal.)
The politician worked hard to keep the lid on the scandal.
keep the wolf from the door
to maintain oneself at a minimal level; to keep from starving, freezing, etc.
I don’t make a lot of money, just enough to keep the wolf from the door.
kick one’s heels
to be kept waiting for someone or something; to have nothing to do. (Informal.)
They left me kicking my heels while they had lunch.
kick oneself (for doing something)
to regret doing something. (Informal.)
I could just kick myself for going off and not locking the car door. Now the car’s been stolen.
kick up a fuss and kick up a row
to become a nuisance; to misbehave and disturb (someone). (Informal. Row rhymes with cow. )
The customer kicked up such a fuss about the food that the manager came to apologize.
kick up one’s heels
to act in a frisky way; to be lively and have fun. (Informal.)
I like to go to an old-fashioned dance and really kick up my heels.
kids’ stuff
a very easy task. (Informal.)
Climbing that hill is kids’ stuff.
kill the fatted calf
to prepare an elaborate banquet (in someone’s honour). (From the biblical story recounting the return of the prodigal son.)
When Bob got back from college, his parents killed the fatted calf and threw a great party.
kill time
to waste time. (Informal.)
Stop killing time. Get to work!
kiss of death
an act that puts an end to someone or something. (Informal.)
The mayor’s veto was the kiss of death for the new law.
knit one’s brow
to wrinkle one’s brow, especially by frowning.
The woman knitted her brow and asked us what we wanted from her.
knock about (somewhere) and knock around (somewhere)
to travel around; to act as a vagabond. (Informal.)
I’d like to take off a year and knock about Europe.
knock people’s heads together
to scold some people; to get some people to do what they are supposed to be doing. (Informal.)
If you children don’t quieten down and go to sleep, I’m going to come up there and knock your heads together.
knock someone cold
to knock someone out. (Informal.)
The blow knocked the boxer cold.
knock someone dead
to put on a stunning performance or display for someone. (Informal. Someone is often replaced by ’em from them. )
This band is going to do great tonight. We’re going to knock them dead.
knock someone down with a feather
to push over a person who is stunned, surprised, or awed by something extraordinary.
I was so surprised, you could have knocked me down with a feather.
know a thing or two (about someone or something)
to be well informed about someone or something; to know something, often something unpleasant, about someone or something. (Informal.)
I know a thing or two about cars.
know all the tricks of the trade
to possess the skills and knowledge necessary to do something. (Also without all.)
Tom can repair car engines. He knows the tricks of the trade.
know one’s ABC
to know the alphabet; to know the most basic things (about something). (Informal.)
Bill can’t do it. He doesn’t even know his ABC.
know one’s place
to know and accept the behaviour appropriate to one’s position or status in life.
I know my place. I won’t speak unless spoken to.
know something by heart
to know something perfectly; to have memorized something perfectly.
I know my speech by heart.
know the ropes
to know how to do something. (Informal.)
I can’t do the job because I don’t know the ropes.
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.
