About the English Idioms List
Idioms are phrases whose meaning is different from the words in them. Raining cats and dogs has nothing to do with animals, and it is one of the first things that confuses new learners. This list gathers 60 idioms that native speakers use in everyday talk, with a plain meaning and a real example sentence for each. Search by a word in the phrase or by an idea such as easy, secret or money, and tap an idiom to open its example. You can copy any idiom with its meaning for your notes or flashcards. The idioms here are common in both British and American English, and the meanings are written in simple words.
Updated October 2026
How to use the English Idioms List
- 1Type a word or a meaning in the search box.
- 2Scroll through the idioms in alphabetical order.
- 3Tap an idiom to see an example sentence.
- 4Press Copy to save the idiom, meaning and example.
- 5Try using one new idiom in a sentence each day.
How to learn idioms well
Do not memorise a long list. Pick an idiom, read the example, then write your own sentence about your own life. Say it aloud. You will remember it far better than by reading the meaning again. If you can, use it in a real conversation within the same day.
Learn the whole phrase with its small words, such as in the same boat, not just boat. The fixed words are part of the idiom, and changing them usually breaks the meaning.
Idioms by theme
- Ease and difficulty: a piece of cake, bite the bullet.
- Money: cost an arm and a leg, make ends meet.
- Time: once in a blue moon, in the nick of time.
- Secrets and truth: spill the beans, let the cat out of the bag.
- Starting and stopping: break the ice, call it a day, back to square one.
- Feelings and health: under the weather, get cold feet.
Related tools
Store the idioms you like in the Flashcard Maker so they come back for review. The Phrasal Verbs List and the Irregular Verbs Table cover two more areas learners find hard, and the English Homophones List helps with sound-alike words. The Paraphrasing Tool shows how the same idea can be put in other words. Idioms are part of natural English.
Features
- 60 common idioms
- Simple meaning in plain words
- Example sentence for each
- Search by phrase or meaning
- Alphabetical order
- Copy button for notes
- Free, no sign-up
Frequently asked questions
What is an idiom?
A fixed group of words whose meaning is not obvious from the separate words. You learn the whole phrase as one unit.
Why are idioms important for learners?
Native speakers use them constantly in conversation, films, the news and exams such as IELTS speaking. Knowing them helps you understand and sound natural.
Should I use idioms in formal writing?
Use them sparingly. They suit conversation, stories and informal emails. In academic and business writing, plain words are usually safer.
How many idioms should I learn?
Aim for a few at a time, perhaps three to five a week, and use each one in a real sentence. A smaller group you really use is better than a long list you forget.
Are idioms the same in British and American English?
Many are, but some differ, and some exist in only one of the two. The ones in this list are widely understood in both.
Can I translate idioms word for word?
No. Word-for-word translation usually makes no sense. Learn the meaning and then find the matching expression in your own language.
Where do idioms come from?
Many come from old trades, sports, the sea, farming or stories. Break the ice, for example, comes from ships that broke ice to open a route.