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.
odd man out
an unusual or atypical person or thing.
I’m odd man out because I’m not wearing a tie.
odour of sanctity and air of sanctity
an atmosphere of excessive holiness or piety. (Derogatory.)
I hate their house. There’s such an odour of sanctity, with Bibles and holy pictures everywhere.
of the first water
of the finest quality.
This is a very fine pearl— a pearl of the first water.
of the old school
holding attitudes and ideas that were popular and important in the past, but are no longer considered relevant or in line with modern trends.
Grammar was not taught much in my son’s school, but fortunately he had a teacher of the old school.
off colour
not very well; slightly ill.
Mary is a bit off colour after the long journey.
off the beaten track
in an unfamiliar place; on a route which is not often travelled.
Their home is in a quiet neighbourhood, off the beaten track.
off-centre
not exactly in the centre or middle.
The arrow hit the target a little off-centre.
old enough to be someone’s mother and old enough to be someone’s father
as old as someone’s parents. (Usually a way of saying that one person is much older than the other, especially when the difference in age is considered inappropriate.)
You can’t go out with Bill. He’s old enough to be your father!
old hand at doing something
someone who is experienced at doing something. (Informal.)
I’m an old hand at fixing clocks.
on a first-name basis (with someone) and on first-name terms (with someone)
knowing someone very well; good friends with someone. (Refers to using a person’s given name rather than a surname or title.)
I’m on a first-name basis with John.
on a fool’s errand
involved in a useless journey or task.
Bill went for an interview, but he was on a fool’s errand. The job had already been filled.
on a par with someone or something
equal to someone or something.
Your effort is simply not on a par with what’s expected from you.
on active duty
in battle or ready to go into battle. (Military.)
The soldier was on active duty for ten months.
on all fours
on one’s hands and knees.
I dropped a contact lens and spent an hour on all fours looking for it.
on average
generally; usually.
On average, you can expect about a 10 percent failure.
on behalf of someone and on someone’s behalf
[doing something] as someone’s agent; [doing something] in place of someone; for the benefit of someone.
I’m writing on behalf of Mr. Smith, who has applied for a position with your company.
on cloud nine
very happy. (Informal.)
When I got my promotion, I was on cloud nine.
on holiday
away, having a holiday; on holiday.
Where are you going on holiday this year?
on one’s (own) head be it
one must take the responsibility for one’s actions.
On your head be it if you set fire to the house.
on one’s feet
standing up.
Get on your feet. They are playing the national anthem.
on one’s guard
cautious; watchful.
Be on your guard. There are pickpockets around here.
on one’s honour
on one’s solemn oath; promised sincerely.
On my honour, I’ll be there on time.
on one’s mind
occupying one’s thoughts; currently being thought about.
You’ve been on my mind all day.
on one’s toes
alert. (Informal.)
You have to be on your toes if you want to be in this business.
on order
ordered with delivery expected.
Your car is on order. It’ll be here in a few weeks.
on record
recorded for future reference.
We had the coldest winter on record last year.
on sale and for sale
offered for sale; able to be bought.
There are antiques on sale at the market.
on second thoughts
having given something more thought; having reconsidered something.
On second thoughts, maybe you should sell your house and move into a flat.
on the air
broadcasting (a radio or television programme).
The radio station came back on the air shortly after the storm.
on the alert (for someone or something)
watchful and attentive for someone or something.
Be on the alert for pickpockets.
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.
