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.
none the wiser
not knowing any more.
I was none the wiser about the project after the lecture. It was a complete waste of time.
none the worse for wear
no worse because of use or effort.
I lent my car to John. When I got it back, it was none the worse for wear.
none too something
not very; not at all.
The towels in the bathroom were none too clean.
Not a bit (of it).
Not at all.
Am I unhappy? Not a bit.
not able to call one’s time one’s own
too busy; so busy as not to be in charge of one’s own schedule. (Informal. Not able to is often expressed as can’t.)
It’s been so busy around here that I haven’t been able to call my time my own.
not able to see the wood for the trees
allowing many details of a problem to obscure the problem as a whole. ( Not able to is often expressed as can’t.)
The solution is obvious. You missed it because you can’t see the wood for the trees.
not able to wait
too anxious to wait; excited (about something in the future). ( Not able to is often expressed as can’t.)
I’m so excited. I can’t wait.
not born yesterday
experienced; knowledgeable in the ways of the world. (Informal.)
I know what’s going on. I wasn’t born yesterday.
not breathe a word (about someone or something)
to keep a secret about someone or something.
Don’t worry. I won’t breathe a word about it.
not breathe a word (of something)
not to tell something (to anyone).
Don’t worry. I won’t breathe a word of it.
not by a long shot
not by a great amount; not at all.
Did I win the race? Not by a long shot.
not for the world and not for anything in the world; not for love nor money
not for anything (no matter what its value).
I won’t do it for love nor money.
not give someone the time of day
to ignore someone (usually out of dislike). (Informal.)
Mary won’t speak to Sally. She won’t give her the time of day.
not half bad
okay; pretty good. (Informal.)
Say, this roast beef isn’t half bad.
not have a care in the world
free and casual; unworried and carefree.
I really feel good today—as if I didn’t have a care in the world.
not hold water
to make no sense; to be illogical. (Said of ideas or arguments. Like a vessel or container that leaks, the idea has flaws or “holes” in it.)
Your argument doesn’t hold water.
not in the same league as someone or something
not nearly as good as someone or something.
John isn’t in the same league as Bob and his friends. He is not nearly as talented.
not know someone from Adam
not to know someone at all.
I wouldn’t recognize John if I saw him. I don’t know him from Adam.
not lift a finger (to help someone)
to do nothing to help someone.
They wouldn’t lift a finger to help us.
not long for this world
about to die.
Our dog is nearly twelve years old and not long for this world.
not move a muscle
to remain perfectly motionless.
Be quiet. Sit there and don’t move a muscle.
not open one’s mouth and not utter a word
not to say anything at all; not to tell something (to anyone).
Don’t worry, I’ll keep your secret. I won’t even open my mouth.
not see further than the end of one’s nose
not to care about what is not actually present or obvious; not to care about the future or about what is happening elsewhere or to other people.
Mary can’t see further than the end of her nose. She doesn’t care about what will happen to the environment in the future, as long as she’s comfortable now.
not set foot somewhere
not to go somewhere.
I wouldn’t set foot in John’s room. I’m very angry with him.
not show one’s face
not to appear (somewhere).
After what she said, she had better not show her face around here again.
not sleep a wink
not to sleep at all. (Informal.)
I couldn’t sleep a wink last night.
not someone’s cup of tea
not something one likes or prefers. (Informal.)
Playing cards isn’t her cup of tea.
not take no for an answer
not to accept someone’s refusal. (A polite way of being insistent.)
Now, you must drop over and see us tomorrow. We won’t take no for an answer.
not to darken someone’s door and never darken my door again
to go away and not come back.
The heroine of the drama told the villain not to darken her door again.
not up to scratch
not adequate. (Informal.)
Sorry, your essay isn’t up to scratch. Please do it over again.
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.
