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.
touch-and-go
very uncertain or critical.
Things were touch-andgo at the office until a new manager was employed.
trade on something
to use a fact or a situation to one’s advantage.
Tom was able to trade on the fact that he had once been in the army.
true to one’s word
keeping one’s promise.
True to his word, Tom appeared at exactly eight o’clock.
try it on
to behave in a bold, disobedient, or unlawful manner to discover whether such behaviour will be allowed. (Informal.)
Tony knew he wouldn’t get away with working only four days a week. He was just trying it on by asking the boss.
try one’s wings
to try to do something one has recently become qualified to do. (Like a young bird uses its wings to try to fly.)
John just got his driver’s licence and wants to borrow the car to try his wings.
try someone’s patience
to do something annoying which may cause someone to lose patience; to cause someone to be annoyed.
Stop whistling. You’re trying my patience. Very soon I’m going to lose my temper.
tuck into something
to eat something with hunger and enjoyment. (Informal.)
The children really tucked into the icecream.
tumble to something
suddenly to understand or realize something. (Informal.)
I suddenly tumbled to the reason for his behaviour.
turn a blind eye to someone or something
to ignore something and pretend you do not see it.
The usherette turned a blind eye to the little boy who sneaked into the theatre.
turn someone’s head
to make someone conceited.
John’s compliments really turned Sally’s head.
turn something to good account
to use something in such a way that it is to one’s advantage; to make good use of a situation, experience, etc.
Pam turned her illness to good account and did a lot of reading.
turn something to one’s advantage
to make an advantage for oneself out of something (which might otherwise be a disadvantage).
Sally found a way to turn the problem to her advantage.
turn the other cheek
to choose not to respond to abuse or to an insult.
When Bob got angry with Mary and shouted at her, she just turned the other cheek.
turn the tables (on someone)
to cause a reversal in someone’s plans; to reverse a situation and put someone in a different position, especially in a less advantageous position.
I went to Jane’s house to help get ready for a surprise party for Bob. It turned out that the surprise party was for me! Jane really turned the tables on me!
turn the tide
to cause a reversal in the direction of events; to cause a reversal in public opinion.
It looked as though the team was going to lose, but near the end of the game, our star player turned the tide by scoring a goal.
turn turtle
to turn upside down.
The boat turned turtle, and everyone got soaked.
turn up trumps
to do the right or required thing, often unexpectedly or at the last minute. (Informal.)
I thought our team would let us down, but they turned up trumps in the second half of the match.
two a penny and ten a penny
very common; easily obtained and therefore cheap.
People with qualifications like yours are two a penny. You should take another training course.
two can play at that game
two people can compete, using the same strategy.
I’m sorry you’re being so hard to deal with. Two can play at that game.
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.
