Idioms are special expressions whose meanings are different from the literal meanings of the words. Learning idioms makes your English more natural, colorful, and close to native speakers. Here are some of the most common and important English idioms with their meanings and examples.
1. Break the ice
👉 Meaning: To make people feel comfortable in a new situation.
✅ Example: The teacher told a funny story to break the ice on the first day of class.
2. Hit the books
👉 Meaning: To study very hard.
✅ Example: I have an exam tomorrow, so I need to hit the books tonight.
3. Once in a blue moon
👉 Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.
✅ Example: We go to the beach once in a blue moon.
4. Under the weather
👉 Meaning: Feeling sick or unwell.
✅ Example: She didn’t go to work because she was feeling under the weather.
5. Piece of cake
👉 Meaning: Something that is very easy.
✅ Example: The exam was a piece of cake for him.
6. Burn the midnight oil
👉 Meaning: To study or work late at night.
✅ Example: She burned the midnight oil to finish her project on time.
7. Let the cat out of the bag
👉 Meaning: To reveal a secret by mistake.
✅ Example: He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
8. The ball is in your court
👉 Meaning: It is your decision or responsibility now.
✅ Example: I have done my part, now the ball is in your court.
9. Actions speak louder than words
👉 Meaning: What people do is more important than what they say.
✅ Example: He never promises much, but he always helps — actions speak louder than words.
10. A blessing in disguise
👉 Meaning: Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good.
✅ Example: Losing that job was a blessing in disguise because it led me to a better career.
Conclusion
Idioms are an essential part of everyday English. They make your speech more natural and engaging. By practicing idioms like break the ice, piece of cake, and once in a blue moon, learners can not only understand native speakers better but also express themselves more fluently.