💬 Idioms
Everyday expressions native speakers actually use, explained simply.
Idioms are expressions that don't mean exactly what the individual words say — but once you know them, you'll hear them everywhere. Here are some of the most common ones, grouped by theme.
Time
something that happens very rarely
“We only go to the cinema once in a blue moon.”
at the last possible moment
“He arrived in the nick of time for the exam.”
time passes very quickly
“Time flies when you're having fun!”
all day and night, continuously
“The team worked around the clock to finish the project.”
Money
to cost too much money
“A nice holiday doesn't have to break the bank.”
to be very expensive
“That laptop cost an arm and a leg.”
to save money for future need
“It's smart to save some money for a rainy day.”
having very little money to spend
“We're on a tight budget this month.”
Emotions & People
extremely happy
“She was over the moon when she passed her exam.”
feeling slightly ill
“I'm feeling a bit under the weather today.”
to make people feel more relaxed in a social situation
“He told a joke to break the ice at the meeting.”
to become nervous about doing something
“She got cold feet before her driving test.”
Everyday Life
something very easy
“Don't worry, the test was a piece of cake.”
to start studying seriously
“I need to hit the books before Friday's exam.”
to stop working on something
“Let's call it a day and finish tomorrow.”
without being noticed
“The small shop stayed under the radar for years.”