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.
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.
up a blind alley
at a dead end; on a route that leads nowhere. (Informal.)
I have been trying to find out something about my ancestors, but I’m up a blind alley. I can’t find anything.
up and doing
active and lively.
The children are always up and doing early in the morning.
up in arms
rising up in anger.
The citizens were up in arms, pounding on the gates of the palace, demanding justice.
up in the air
undecided; uncertain.
I don’t know what Sally plans to do. Things were sort of up in the air the last time we talked.
up to no good
doing something bad or criminal. (Informal.)
I could tell from the look on Tom’s face that he was up to no good.
upper-crust
of the upper class; belonging to or typical of the upper class. (Informal.)
Pam has a grating upper-crust voice.
upset the applecart
to spoil or ruin something.
Tom really upset the applecart by telling Mary the truth about Jane. Now the two women are no longer friends.
use every trick in the book
to use every method possible. (Informal.)
I used every trick in the book, but I still couldn’t manage to get a ticket to the game on Saturday.
vanish into thin air
to disappear without leaving a trace.
My money gets spent so fast. It seems to vanish into thin air.
vent one’s spleen
to get rid of one’s feelings of anger caused by someone or something by attacking someone or something else.
Because Jack didn’t get the job, he was angry, and he vented his spleen by shouting at his wife.
vexed question
a difficult problem about which there is a lot of discussion without a solution being found.
The two brothers quarrelled over the vexed question of which of them should take charge of their father’s firm.
villain of the piece
someone or something that is responsible for something bad or wrong.
I wondered who told the newspapers about the local scandal. I discovered that Joan was the villain of the piece.
waiting in the wings
ready or prepared to do something, especially to take over someone else’s job or position. (From waiting at the side of the stage to go on.)
Mr. Smith retires as manager next year, and Mr. Jones is just waiting in the wings.
walk a tightrope
to be in a situation where one must be very cautious.
I’ve been walking a tightrope all day trying to please both bosses. I need to relax.
walk on air
to be very happy; to be euphoric.
Ann was walking on air when she got the job.
walk on eggs
to be very cautious. (Informal. Never used literally.)
The manager is very hard to deal with. You really have to walk on eggs.
walls have ears
we may be overheard.
Let’s not discuss this matter here. Walls have ears, you know.
want it both ways
to want to have both of two seemingly incompatible things; to want to have it both ways.
John wants it both ways. He can’t have it both ways.
warm the cockles of someone’s heart
to make someone feel pleased and happy.
It warms the cockles of my heart to hear you say that.
warts and all
including all the faults and disadvantages.
Jim has many faults, but Jean loves him, warts and all.
water under the bridge
[something] past and forgotten.
Please don’t worry about it any more. It’s all water under the bridge.
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.
