30+ Common English Idioms and Their Meanings
Idioms are expressions whose meanings cannot be understood from the individual words. Learn these essential idioms to understand native speakers and sound more natural in English.
What Are Idioms?
An idiom is a phrase where the meaning is different from the literal meaning of the words. For example, "raining cats and dogs" doesn't mean animals are falling from the sky - it means raining heavily.
Why Myanmar Speakers Find Idioms Difficult:
- Myanmar has its own idioms that don't translate directly
- Word-for-word translation doesn't work
- Cultural references may be unfamiliar
- Similar concepts use different imagery in each language
The key is to learn idioms as complete phrases with their figurative meanings, not as individual words.
Essential English Idioms by Category
About Difficulty and Challenges
1. A piece of cake
Meaning: Very easy
Example: "The English test was a piece of cake. I finished it in 20 minutes."
2. Break the ice
Meaning: Make people feel more comfortable in a social situation
Example: "The teacher told a funny story to break the ice on the first day of class."
3. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: Describe exactly what is causing a problem or situation
Example: "You hit the nail on the head when you said the problem was poor communication."
4. The last straw
Meaning: The final problem that makes you unable to accept a situation anymore
Example: "When my computer crashed again, that was the last straw. I bought a new one."
About Time
5. Around the clock
Meaning: 24 hours a day, all day and night
Example: "The hospital emergency room is open around the clock."
6. Better late than never
Meaning: It's better to do something late than not do it at all
Example: "I finally started learning English at 30. Better late than never!"
7. In the nick of time
Meaning: Just in time, at the last possible moment
Example: "I arrived at the airport in the nick of time - just before they closed the gate."
8. Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning: Accomplish two things with one action
Example: "I listen to English podcasts while exercising - killing two birds with one stone."
About Money and Value
9. Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive
Example: "That new smartphone costs an arm and a leg. I can't afford it."
10. Break the bank
Meaning: Cost too much money
Example: "Let's go to that restaurant. It won't break the bank."
11. Worth its weight in gold
Meaning: Very valuable
Example: "A good English teacher is worth their weight in gold."
About Decisions and Actions
12. On the fence
Meaning: Undecided, unable to choose
Example: "I'm still on the fence about which university to attend."
13. Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: Take on more than you can handle
Example: "I signed up for five classes this semester. I think I bit off more than I can chew."
14. Go the extra mile
Meaning: Make an extra effort, do more than expected
Example: "Our teacher always goes the extra mile to help students understand."
15. Cut corners
Meaning: Do something poorly to save time or money
Example: "Don't cut corners when learning English. Practice every day."
About Understanding and Communication
16. Get the hang of it
Meaning: Learn how to do something, understand it
Example: "English grammar was difficult at first, but I'm starting to get the hang of it."
17. Speak of the devil
Meaning: Said when the person you were talking about appears
Example: "We were just talking about you. Speak of the devil!"
18. Hear it through the grapevine
Meaning: Hear news or gossip from other people
Example: "I heard through the grapevine that you're getting married. Congratulations!"
19. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: Reveal a secret accidentally
Example: "I was planning a surprise party, but John let the cat out of the bag."
About Attitude and Feelings
20. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick or ill
Example: "I'm feeling a bit under the weather today. I might stay home."
21. On cloud nine
Meaning: Extremely happy
Example: "She's been on cloud nine since she got the job offer."
22. Down in the dumps
Meaning: Feeling sad or depressed
Example: "He's been down in the dumps since his team lost the match."
23. Keep your chin up
Meaning: Stay positive, don't give up
Example: "I know learning English is hard, but keep your chin up. You'll get there!"
About Situations and Circumstances
24. Blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something that seems bad but turns out to be good
Example: "Losing that job was a blessing in disguise - I found a much better one."
25. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Very rarely
Example: "I only eat fast food once in a blue moon. I prefer home cooking."
26. When pigs fly
Meaning: Something that will never happen
Example: "He'll clean his room when pigs fly." (meaning: never)
27. Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning: There's something good in every bad situation
Example: "I failed the test, but every cloud has a silver lining - I learned what I need to study more."
More Common Idioms
28. Beat around the bush
Meaning: Avoid talking about the main point
Example: "Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened."
29. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: Work late into the night
Example: "I had to burn the midnight oil to finish my essay."
30. Call it a day
Meaning: Stop working for the day
Example: "It's 6 PM. Let's call it a day and go home."
How to Learn Idioms Effectively
- Learn in context: Always learn idioms with example sentences
- Keep a notebook: Write down new idioms you encounter
- Practice using them: Try to use new idioms in your own sentences
- Watch TV and movies: Native speakers use idioms naturally in conversations
- Learn a few at a time: Don't try to memorize all idioms at once
- Understand the image: Many idioms create a picture - visualize it
Conclusion
Idioms make your English sound more natural and help you understand native speakers better. Start by learning the most common ones, and gradually expand your knowledge.
Remember: Don't translate idioms word-for-word. Learn them as complete phrases with their figurative meanings, and practice using them in context.
Build Your Vocabulary
Look up words and phrases in our English-Myanmar dictionary with examples and usage tips.
Go to Dictionary