An idiom is a phrase, or a combination of words, that has developed a

figurative meaning through frequency of use. Idioms are a staple in many

different languages, and are often shared across languages through numerous
translations. They can be useful and even fun to use, but are also bound to
confuse any new speaker of a language who isn’t familiar with the phrase’s
cultural relevance.

For instance, what does it mean to “spill the beans,” and why is everyone
making such a fuss over someone doing it? Why are they telling that person to
“break a leg” on stage? It doesn’t look like that person has a “chip on their
shoulder.”

This guide will go over a large list of common American English idioms and
their meanings, along with examples to help you better understand the context
you need to use them in. Before you start to focus too much on silly phrases
like idioms, it’d be worth it to work on your English language fluency
with a course like this.

Idioms Are a Piece of Cake!

Perhaps even more embarrassing than not understanding an idiom is
misusing it. Because of how nonsensical the phrases can be – piece of cake? –
you don’t want to get caught using them in an incorrect context. Take the
idiom used in the header above: “Idioms are a piece of cake.” When you refer
to something as a “piece of cake,” you’re calling it easy. In this context, the
header is saying that idioms are easy to understand and use.

While it might seem like idioms are definitely not a piece of cake, to someone
first learning about them, I can assure you, the more of them you hear and
study, the easier they’ll be to accept as just a natural part of the English
language! Let’s take a look at some examples.
List of Idioms and Their Meanings
The following list of idioms will be in alphabetical order, with an explanation
and contextual example provided for easier comprehension.

actions speak louder than words

 Definition: Refers to the idea that it’s better to do something than just

talk about it.
 Example: “He always tells his girlfriend that he loves her, but he never
actually does anything nice for her. Someone should teach him that
actions speak louder than words.”

add fuel to the fire

 Definition: Something that worsens an already bad situation.

 Example: “I wanted to intervene when they were yelling at each other,
but that would have just added fuel to the fire.”

all bark and no bite

 Definition: Being verbally threatening, but unwilling to do anything

significant.
 Example: “He keeps threatening to shut down our paper after we ran
that article about him, but I don’t think he will. In my opinion, he’s all
bark and no bite.”

at the drop of a hat

 Definition: A willingness to do something right away.

 Example: “Our boss expects us to show up in her office at the drop of a
hat, even when we’re in a meeting with clients.”

beating around the bush

 Definition: Avoiding the main issue.

 Example: “I kept trying to steer the conversation back to his alibi, but
he wouldn’t stop beating around the bush, bringing up things totally off-
topic.”
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

 Definition: It’s better to have a small, secured advantage than the

possibility of a bigger one. It’s better to stick with what you have than
risk it for something greater.
 Example: “Someone offered me $100 to buy my old TV. I was hoping
to sell it for $200, but I have a feeling this is the best offer I’ll get for a
while, and I need that money now. A bird in the hand is worth two in
the bush, right?”

blessing in disguise

 Definition: Something good and beneficial that did not initially seem

that way.
 Example: “It was raining so hard that our cab was late, and we were
late to our reservation at the restaurant. Turns out everyone who ate
there that night got food poisoning. I guess the bad weather was a
blessing in disguise!”

break a leg

 Definition: Something you say to someone you want to wish luck on.

 Example: “Is tonight your big performance? Break a leg!”

chip on your shoulder

 Definition: When someone is upset about something that happened a

while ago.
 Example: “He has a chip on his shoulder from years of being bullied as
a kid.”

come hell or high water

 Definition: Possible obstacles in your path.

 Example: “I promise you, come hell or high water, we are going to
make it to your party tonight!”

cry over spilt milk

 Definition: Complaining about a loss or failure from the past.

 Example: “She was mad that he broke her vase, but it  was an accident,
and there’s no use crying over spilt milk anyway, so she forgave him.”
cut to the chase

 Definition: Skip the irrelevant parts, and go straight to the main point.

 Example: “Why don’t you just cut to the chase, and tell me where you
hid my phone!”

hit the nail on the head

 Definition: Do or say exactly the correct thing.

 Example: “I really hit the nail on the head when I guessed they were
getting married.”

piece of cake

 Definition: Something that is easy to understand or accomplish.

 Example: “My math homework last night was a piece of cake! I
finished it ten minutes.”

slap on the wrist

 Definition: A mild punishment, such as a scolding.

 Example: “The cop pulled me over for speeding, but it was my first
time so she just gave me a slap on the wrist.”

spill the beeans

 Definition: Tell a secret.
 Example: “My three-year-old spilled the beans about the surprise
birthday party we were planning.”

taste of your own medicine

 Definition: When someone receives the same treatment, usually

negative, that they gave someone else.
 Example: “That kid is always beating up other kids on the playground.
I wish someone would give him a taste of his own medicine.”