English Language Education

Idiom Meaning Usage A little learning is a dangerous thing People who don't understand something fully are dangerous by itself A snowball effect Events have momentum and build upon each other as part of a sentence A snowball's chance in hell No chance at all as part of a sentence A stitch in time saves nine Fix the problem now because it will get worse later by itself A storm in a teacup A big fuss about a small problem as part of a sentence An apple a day keeps the doctor away Apples are good for you by itself An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure You can prevent a problem with little effort. Fixing it later is harder. by itself As right as rain Perfect as part of a sentence Bolt from the blue Something that happened without warning as part of a sentence Burn bridges ...

Idiom Meaning Usage A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush What you have is worth more than what you might have later by itself A penny for your thoughts Tell me what you're thinking by itself A penny saved is a penny earned Money you save today you can spend later by itself A perfect storm the worst possible situation as part of a sentence A picture is worth 1000 words Better to show than tell by itself Actions speak louder than words Believe what people do and not what they say by itself Add insult to injury To make a bad situation worse as part of a sentence Barking up the wrong tree To be mistaken, to be looking for solutions in the wrong place as part of a sentence Birds of a feather flock together People who are alike are often friends (usually used negatively) by itself Bite off more than you can chew Take on a project that you cannot finish as part of a sentence Break the ice Make people feel more comfortable as part o...

These English idioms are extremely common in everyday conversation in the United States. You will hear them in movies and TV shows and can use them to make your English sound more like that of a native speaker.  Idiom Meaning Usage A blessing in disguise a good thing that seemed bad at first as part of a sentence A dime a dozen Something common as part of a sentence Beat around the bush Avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is uncomfortable as part of a sentence Better late than never Better to arrive late than not to come at all by itself Bite the bullet To get something over with because it is inevitable as part of a sentence Break a leg Good luck by itself Call it a day Stop working on something as part of a sentence Cut somebody some slack Don't be so critical as part of a sentence Cutti...

Each to their own Different people have different preferences. In American English, 'Each to his own' is more common. Eager beaver A person who is extremely keen is an eager beaver. Eagle eyes Someone who has eagle eyes sees everything; no detail is too small. Early bath (UK) If someone has or goes for an early bath, they quit or lose their job or position earlier than expected because things have gone wrong. Early bird catches the worm The early bird catches the worm means that if you start something early, you stand a better chance of success. Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy wealthy and wise It means that sleeping well and not staying up late will help you out physically and financially. Earn a living To make money Ex: We need to get a good job to earn a decent living. Easier said than done If something is easier said than done, it is much more difficult than it sounds. It is often used when someone advises you to do something difficult and tries to...

Daft as a brush (UK) Someone who is daft as a brush is rather stupid. Damp squib (UK) If something is expected to have a great effect or impact but doesn't, it is a damp squib. Dancing on someone's grave If you will dance on someone's grave, you will outlive or outlast them and will celebrate their demise. Dark horse If someone is a dark horse, they are a bit of a mystery. Davey Jones' locker Davey Jones' locker is the bottom of the sea or resting place of drowned sailors.('Davy Jones' locker' is an alternative spelling.) Day in the sun If you have your day in the sun, you get attention and are appreciated. Daylight robbery If you are overcharged or underpaid, it is a daylight robbery; open, unfair and hard to prevent. Rip-off has a similar meaning. Days are numbered When someone’s days are numbered, they are expected to die soon. Dead air When there is a period of total silence, there is dead air. Dead and buried If something is dead and bur...

Cake's not worth the candle If someone says that the cake's not worth the candle, they mean that the result will not be worth the effort put in to achieve it. Calf lick A calf lick is the weird parting in your fringe where your hair grows in a different direction, usually to one side. Call a spade a spade A person who calls a spade a spade is one speaks frankly and makes little or no attempt to conceal their opinions or to spare the feelings of their audience. Call it a day If you call it a day, you stop doing something for a while, normally at least until the following day. Call on the carpet If you are called on the carpet, you are summoned for a reprimand by superiors or others in power. Call the dogs off If someone calls off their dogs, they stop attacking or criticising someone. Call the shots If you call the shots, you are in charge and tell people what to do. Call the tune The person who calls the tune makes the important decisions about something. Calm before ...