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.
at the drop of a hat
immediately and without urging.
John was always ready to go fishing at the drop of a hat.
at the eleventh hour
at the last possible moment. (Biblical.)
She always handed her term essays in at the eleventh hour.
at the end of one’s tether
at the limits of one’s endurance.
I’m at the end of my tether! I just can’t go on this way!
at the expense of someone or something
to the detriment of someone or something; to the harm or disadvantage of someone or something.
He had a good laugh at the expense of his brother.
at the top of one’s voice
with a very loud voice.
Bill called to Mary at the top of his voice.
avoid someone or something like the plague
to avoid someone or something totally. (Informal.)
What’s wrong with Bob? Everyone avoids him like the plague.
babe in arms
an innocent or naive person. (Informal.)
He’s a babe in arms when it comes to taking girls out.
back of beyond
the most remote place; somewhere very remote. (Informal.)
John hardly ever comes to the city. He lives at the back of beyond.
back to the drawing-board
[it is] time to start over again; [it is] time to plan something over again, especially if it has gone wrong. (Also with old as in the examples.)
The scheme didn’t work. Back to the drawing-board.
bag and baggage
with one’s luggage; with all one’s possessions. (Informal.)
Sally showed up at our door bag and baggage one Sunday morning.
baptism of fire
a first experience of something, usually something difficult or unpleasant.
My son’s just had his first visit to the dentist. He stood up to the baptism of fire very well.
be a thorn in someone’s side
to be a constant source of annoyance to someone.
This problem is a thorn in my side. I wish I had a solution to it.
be getting on for something
to be close to something; to be nearly at something, such as a time, date, age, etc. (Informal.)
It’s getting on for midnight.
be old hat
to be old-fashioned; to be outmoded. (Informal.)
That’s a silly idea. It’s old hat.
be poles apart
to be very different, especially in opinions or attitudes; to be far from coming to an agreement.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones don’t get along well. They are poles apart.
be thankful for small mercies
to be grateful for any small benefits or advantages one has, especially in a generally difficult situation.
We have very little money, but we must be grateful for small mercies. At least we have enough food.
beard the lion in his den
to face an adversary on the adversary’s home ground.
I went to the solicitor’s office to beard the lion in his den.
beat a (hasty) retreat
to retreat or withdraw very quickly.
We went out into the cold weather, but beat a retreat to the warmth of our fire.
beat about the bush
to avoid answering a question or discussing a subject directly; to stall; to waste time.
Let’s stop beating about the bush and discuss this matter.
bed of roses
a situation or way of life that is always happy and comfortable.
Living with Pat can’t be a bed of roses, but her husband is always smiling.
before you can say Jack Robinson
almost immediately.
And before you could say Jack Robinson, the bird flew away.
beg off
to ask to be released from something; to refuse an invitation.
I have an important meeting, so I’ll have to beg off.
beggar description
to be impossible to describe well enough to give an accurate picture; to be impossible to do justice to in words.
Her cruelty to her child beggars description.
believe it or not
to choose to believe something or not.
Believe it or not, I just got home from work.
bend someone’s ear
to talk to someone at length, perhaps annoyingly. (Informal.)
Tom is over there bending Jane’s ear about something.
best bib and tucker
one’s best clothing. (Informal.)
I always put on my best bib and tucker on Sundays.
beyond one’s ken
outside the extent of one’s knowledge or understanding.
Why she married him is beyond our ken.
beyond the pale
unacceptable; outlawed. (The Pale historically was the area of English government around Dublin. The people who lived outside this area were regarded as uncivilized.)
Your behaviour is simply beyond the pale.
beyond the shadow of a doubt and beyond any shadow of doubt
completely without doubt. (Said of a fact, not a person.)
We accepted her story as true beyond the shadow of a doubt.
beyond words
more than one can say. (Especially with grateful and thankful. )
Sally was thankful beyond words at being released.
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.
