English Idioms

Idiom Meaning

1 A penny for your thoughts A way of asking what someone is thinking

2 Actions speak louder than words People's intentions can be judged better by what
they do than what they say.

3 Add insult to injury To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen

an unfavorable situation.

4 At the drop of a hat Meaning: without any hesitation; instantly.

5 Back to the drawing board When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over.

6 Ball is in your court It is up to you to make the next decision or step

7 Barking up the wrong tree Accusing the wrong person

Looking in the wrong place.

8 Beat around the bush Not speaking directly about the issue.
Avoiding the main topic

9 Best of both worlds Meaning: All the advantages.

10 Best thing since sliced bread A good invention or innovation.

A good idea or plan.

11 Better late than never Better to arrive late than not to come at all

1
12 Break a leg Good luck

13 Call it a day Stop working on something

14 A blessing in disguise A good thing that initially seemed bad

15 A dime a dozen Something that is very common, not unique

16 Beating a dead horse Giving time or energy to something that is ended or over

17 Best of both worlds The choice or solution has all of the advantages of two
contrasting things at the same time

18 Biting off more than you can chew Not having the capacity to take on a new assignment or task
that is just too taxing

19 By the skin of your teeth Just barely making it

20 Don’t judge a book by its cover Not judging something by its initial appearance

21 Doing something at the drop of a Doing something at the moment of being asked
hat

22 Don’t count your chickens before Not to count on something happening until after it’s already
they hatch happened

23 Caught between a rock and a hard

place Making a choice between two unpleasant choices

24 Costs an arm and a leg Something that is overpriced or very expensive

25 Cutting corners
Not performing a task or duty correctly in order to save time
or money
26 Devil’s advocate To take the side of the counter-argument, or offer an
alternative point of view

27 Feeling under the weather Not feeling well, or feeling sick

28 Fit as a fiddle
Being in good health
29 Getting a taste of your own Being treated the way that you have been treating others
medicine

30 Getting a second wind Having energy again after being tired