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.

1. A FOOL AND HIS MONEY ARE SOON PARTED.

This phrase is typically used to describe someone who loses their money quickly, either by
being tricked or spending it wastefully.

Example: After receiving a paycheck from his job, Alex went to a casino. He ended up
losing the bet, and his money. One might say that a fool and his money are soon parted.
2. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

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.”
3. A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME

Tell a secret but you don’t reveal who told you that

Example:
- Do you know that Jason and Jessica are getting married next week?
– No. I didn’t know that. Who told you that?
– A little bird told me.
4. A WATCHED POT NEVER BOILS

If you wait for something to happen it takes longer

Example : A: I can’t wait until I turn 18 and can start driving!

B: Come on, Jimmy. A watched pot never boils.
5. 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.”

6. ALIVE AND KICKING

Alive and alert; living and healthy.

Example: John's completely recovered from his accident; he's alive and kicking
7. ALL CATS ARE GREY IN THE DARK

It means that you can't distinguish someone or something well at night because it's dark.

Example: I don't know if I can go to the wedding tonight because my suit has some stains. Oh
come on, all cats are grey in the dark
8. TO HAVE ALL EGGS IN ONE BASKET

This is a piece of advice which means that one should not concentrate all efforts and
resources in one area as one could lose everything.
Example: Mr Tan's financial adviser urged him to be careful and not put all his eggs in one
basket by investing all his money on stocks.

9. ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD

It said about something that seems to be good on the surface, but might not be when you look at it

Example: My grandmother advised me to be careful about making new friends because all that
glitters is not gold
10. ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY
It is not good to work all the time and that people may get bored if they don't get some time off
from work.

Example: I think you need to go out and have some fun. You know all work and no play makes
Jack a dull boy.
11. AN ARM AND A LEG
It means that something is very expensive.

Example: Be careful with that Smartphone! It cost an arm and a leg

12. AS BLIND AS A BAT
Refers to someone who is unwilling to recognize bad things, or someone who is completely blind.

Example: Our boss is blind as a bat. He doesn’t seem to see that Albert is stealing Money from
his account.
13. AN EYE FOR AN EYE or A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH
The law of retaliation is the idea that a person who causes another person to suffer should suffer
in an equal amount.

Example: If Joel kills another man, the family of the victim might say, “He deserves the death
penalty”
14. 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.”
15. BE LIKE A FISH OUT OF WATER
to feel uncomfortable in a situation

Example: After her divorce, she was like a fish out of water.
16. BE ON CLOUD NINE
To be extremely happy and excited
Example: He is on cloud nine when his girlfriend gives him a kiss.

17. A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH

 Used to say that it is better to hold onto something one has than to risk losing it by
trying to get something better.

 Example: You may not like your job, but don't quit merely on the hope of finding a
better one. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

18. 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.”

19. BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA

Meaning: to choose between two undesirable situations

Example: Trying to please both his boss and his wife puts him between the devil and
the deep blue sea.
20. Between the DUST
Literally, to fall face down in the dirt; to suffer a defeat// to die

Example: Once again, the champion wins, and another contender bites the dust
21. BLESSING IN DISGUISE
 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!”

22. CALL IT A DAY

To cease the activity for the day// to stop what you are doing because you do not want to do
any more or think you have done enough

Example: We have been at this for hours; let's call it a day and come back tomorrow when we
are fresh.
23. ZIP YOUR LIP
Meaning: to stop talking.

Example: I don’t want to hear another sound out of you. Now do as you’re told and zip
your lip.
24. CRY OVER SPILLED MILK

 Meaning: 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.”

25. A FOOL AND HIS MONEY ARE SOON PARTED.

This phrase is typically used to describe someone who loses their money quickly, either by
being tricked or spending it wastefully.

Example: After receiving a paycheck from his job, Alex went to a casino. He ended up
losing the bet, and his money. One might say that a fool and his money are soon parted.
26. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
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.”
27. A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME
Tell a secret but you don’t reveal who told you that

Example:
- Do you know that Jason and Jessica are getting married next week?
– No. I didn’t know that. Who told you that?
– A little bird told me.
28. A WATCHED POT NEVER BOILS
If you wait for something to happen it takes longer

Example : A: I can’t wait until I turn 18 and can start driving!

B: Come on, Jimmy. A watched pot never boils.
29. 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.”

30. ALIVE AND KICKING

Alive and alert; living and healthy.

Example: John's completely recovered from his accident; he's alive and kicking
31. ALL CATS ARE GREY IN THE DARK
It means that you can't distinguish someone or something well at night because it's dark.

Example: I don't know if I can go to the wedding tonight because my suit has some stains. Oh
come on, all cats are grey in the dark
32. TO HAVE ALL EGGS IN ONE BASKET
This is a piece of advice which means that one should not concentrate all efforts and
resources in one area as one could lose everything.
Example: Mr Tan's financial adviser urged him to be careful and not put all his eggs in one
basket by investing all his money on stocks.

33. ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD

It said about something that seems to be good on the surface, but might not be when you look at it

Example: My grandmother advised me to be careful about making new friends because all that
glitters is not gold
34. ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY
It is not good to work all the time and that people may get bored if they don't get some time off
from work.

Example: I think you need to go out and have some fun. You know all work and no play makes
Jack a dull boy.
35. AN ARM AND A LEG
It means that something is very expensive.

Example: Be careful with that Smartphone! It cost an arm and a leg

36. AS BLIND AS A BAT
Refers to someone who is unwilling to recognize bad things, or someone who is completely blind.

Example: Our boss is blind as a bat. He doesn’t seem to see that Albert is stealing Money from
his account.
37. AN EYE FOR AN EYE or A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH
The law of retaliation is the idea that a person who causes another person to suffer should suffer
in an equal amount.

Example: If Joel kills another man, the family of the victim might say, “He deserves the death
penalty”
38. 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.”
39. BE LIKE A FISH OUT OF WATER
to feel uncomfortable in a situation

Example: After her divorce, she was like a fish out of water.
40. BE ON CLOUD NINE
To be extremely happy and excited
Example: He is on cloud nine when his girlfriend gives him a kiss.

41. A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH

 Used to say that it is better to hold onto something one has than to risk losing it by
trying to get something better.

 Example: You may not like your job, but don't quit merely on the hope of finding a
better one. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

42. 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.”

43. Beating around the bush means to be evasive. Blessing in disguise is when
you receive DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA
Meaning: to choose between two undesirable situations

Example: Trying to please both his boss and his wife puts him between the devil and
the deep blue sea.
44. BITE THE DUST
Literally, to fall face down in the dirt; to suffer a defeat// to die

Example: Once again, the champion wins, and another contender bites the dust
45. BLESSING IN DISGUISE
 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!”

46. CALL IT A DAY

To cease the activity for the day// to stop what you are doing because you do not want to do
any more or think you have done enough

Example: We have been at this for hours; let's call it a day and come back tomorrow when we
are fresh.
47. ZIP YOUR LIP
Meaning: to stop talking.

Example: I don’t want to hear another sound out of you. Now do as you’re told and zip
your lip.
48. CRY OVER SPILLED MILK

 Meaning: 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.”