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.
on the cards
in the future. (Informal.)
Well, what do you think is on the cards for tomorrow?
on the dot
exactly right; in exactly the right place; at exactly the right time. (Informal.)
That’s it! You’re right on the dot.
on the eve of something
just before something, possibly the evening before something.
John decided to leave college on the eve of his graduation.
on the face of it
superficially; from the way it looks.
This looks like a serious problem on the face of it. It probably is minor, however.
on the horns of a dilemma
having to decide between two things, people, etc.
Mary found herself on the horns of a dilemma. She didn’t know which dress to choose.
on the loose
running around free. (Informal.)
Look out! There is a bear on the loose from the zoo.
on the mend
getting well; healing. (Informal.)
My cold was terrible, but I’m on the mend now.
on the off-chance
because of a slight possibility that something may happen, might be the case, etc.; just in case.
I went to the theatre on the off-chance that there were tickets for the show left.
on the sly
slyly or sneakily. (Informal.)
He was seeing Mrs. Smith on the sly.
on the spot
(Informal.) 1. at exactly the right place; in the place where one is needed.
Fortunately the ambulance men were on the spot when the accident happened at the football match.
on the spur of the moment
suddenly; spontaneously.
We decided to go on the spur of the moment.
on the strength of something
because of the support of something, such as a promise or evidence; owing to something.
On the strength of your comment, I decided to give John another chance.
on the tip of one’s tongue
about to be said; almost remembered.
I have his name right on the tip of my tongue. I’ll think of it in a second.
on tiptoe
standing or walking on the front part of the feet (the balls of the feet) with no weight put on the heels. (This is done to gain height or to walk quietly.)
I had to stand on tiptoe to see over the fence.
once and for all
finally and irreversibly.
I want to get this problem settled once and for all.
once in a blue moon
very rarely.
I seldom go to the cinema— maybe once in a blue moon.
once in a while
occasionally.
I go to see a film once in a while.
once upon a time
once in the past. (A formula used to begin a fairy-tale.)
Once upon a time, there were three bears.
once-in-a-lifetime chance
a chance that will never occur again in one’s lifetime.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Don’t miss it.
one for the record (books)
a record-breaking act.
What a dive! That’s one for the record books.
one in a thousand and one in a hundred; one in a million
unique; one of a very few.
He’s a great friend. He’s one in a million.
one-up (on someone)
ahead of someone; with an advantage over someone. (Informal.)
Tom is one-up on Sally because he got a job and she didn’t.
one’s days are numbered
[for someone] to face death, dismissal, or ruin. (Informal.)
If I don’t get this contract, my days are numbered at this firm.
one’s eyes are bigger than one’s stomach
[for one] to take more food than one can eat. (Informal.)
I can’t eat all this. I’m afraid that my eyes were bigger than my stomach when I ordered.
one’s old stamping-ground
the place where one was raised or where one has spent a lot of time. (Informal.)
Ann should know about that place. It’s near her old stamping-ground.
one’s way of life
one’s life-style; one’s pattern of living.
That kind of thing just doesn’t fit into my way of life.
one’s words stick in one’s throat
one finds it difficult to speak because of emotion.
My words stick in my throat whenever I try to say something kind or tender.
one’s work is cut out (for one)
one’s task is prepared for one; one has a lot of work to do.
This is a big job. My work is certainly cut out for me.
only have eyes for someone
to be loyal to only one person, in the context of romance; to be interested in only one person.
Oh, Jane! I only have eyes for you!
open a can of worms
to uncover a set of problems or complications; to create unnecessary complications. (Informal.)
If you start asking questions about the firm’s accounts, you’ll open a can of worms.
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.
