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.
open book
someone or something that is easy to understand.
Jane’s an open book. I always know what she is going to do next.
open fire (on someone)
to start (doing something, such as asking questions or criticizing). (Informal. Also used literally.)
The reporters opened fire on the mayor.
open one’s heart (to someone)
to reveal one’s most private thoughts to someone.
I always open my heart to my wife when I have a problem.
open Pandora’s box
to uncover a lot of unsuspected problems.
When I asked Jane about her problems, I didn’t know I had opened Pandora’s box.
open season for something
unrestricted hunting of a particular game animal.
It’s always open season for rabbits around here.
open secret
something which is supposed to be secret, but which is known to a great many people.
Their engagement is an open secret. Only their friends are supposed to know, but in fact, the whole town knows.
open the door to something
to permit or allow something to become a possibility. (Also used literally.)
Your policy opens the door to cheating.
open-and-shut case
something, usually a law-case or problem, that is simple and straightforward without complications.
The murder trial was an open-and-shut case. The defendant was caught with the murder weapon.
order of the day
something necessary or usual at a certain time.
Warm clothes are the order of the day when camping in the winter.
other way round
the reverse; the opposite.
No, it won’t fit that way. Try it the other way round.
out of kilter
out of working order; malfunctioning. (Informal.)
My furnace is out of kilter. I have to call someone to fix it.
out of line
improper; inappropriate.
I’m afraid that your behaviour was quite out of line. I do not wish to speak further about this matter.
out of line (with something)
not properly lined up in a line of things.
One of those books on the shelf is out of line with the others. Please fix it.
out of luck
without good luck; having bad fortune. (Informal.)
If you wanted some icecream, you’re out of luck.
out of necessity
because of necessity; because it was necessary.
I bought this hat out of necessity. I needed one, and this was all there was.
out of one’s mind
silly and senseless; crazy; irrational.
Why did you do that? You must be out of your mind!
out of order
not in the correct order.
This book is out of order. Please put it in the right place on the shelf.
out of place
not in the usual or proper place.
The salt was out of place in the cupboard, so I couldn’t find it.
out of practice
performing poorly because of a lack of practice.
I used to be able to play the piano extremely well, but now I’m out of practice.
out of print
no longer available for sale. (Said of a book or periodical.)
The book you want is out of print, but perhaps I can find a used copy for you.
out of season
not now available for sale.
Sorry, oysters are out of season. We don’t have any.
out of service
not now operating.
Both lifts are out of service, so I had to use the stairs.
out of sorts
not feeling well; cross and irritable.
I’ve been out of sorts for a day or two. I think I’m coming down with flu.
out of stock
not immediately available in a shop; [for goods] to be temporarily unavailable.
Those items are out of stock, but a new supply will be delivered on Thursday.
out of the blue
suddenly; without warning.
Then, out of the blue, he told me he was leaving.
out of the corner of one’s eye
[seeing something] at a glance; glimpsing (something).
I saw someone do it out of the corner of my eye. It might have been Jane who did it.
out of the frying-pan into the fire
from a bad situation to a worse situation.
When I tried to argue about my fine for a traffic violation, the judge charged me with contempt of court. I really went out of the frying-pan into the fire.
out of the question
not possible; not permitted.
I’m sorry, but leaving early is out of the question.
out of the running
no longer being considered; eliminated from a contest.
After the first part of the diving competition, three of our team were out of the running.
out of the swim of things
not in the middle of activity; not involved in things. (Informal.)
While I had my cold, I was out of the swim of things.
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.
