111 Essential English Idioms to Boost Your Language Skills

Introduction

Welcome back to English with Lucy! Today, we're diving into a treasure trove of 111 English idioms that will enhance your language skills. From expressions of happiness to health, weather, travel, and more, this lesson covers it all. Plus, there's a fantastic free ebook waiting for you with quizzes to test your understanding. Let's get started!

Background or Problem Statement

Context

Idioms are an integral part of the English language, adding color and depth to everyday conversations. However, they can be challenging to learn and remember, especially for non-native speakers.

Problem

Many learners struggle to understand and use idioms correctly, which can hinder their ability to communicate effectively and naturally in English.

Main Content

Idioms for Happiness and Excitement

Let's start with idioms that express different levels of happiness and excitement:

In seventh heaven: Extremely happy or joyful. Example: "She was in seventh heaven after finding out she was pregnant."
To paint the town red: To go out and enjoy oneself by engaging in lively activities. Example: "After their exams, Oliver and his mates decided to paint the town red."
Over the moon: Extremely delighted or thrilled. Example: "He was over the moon with excitement after receiving his dream job offer."
On cloud nine: In a state of complete happiness or euphoria. Example: "Tabitha was on cloud nine when she found out her mum was visiting."
On top of the world: Feeling extremely successful, confident, and happy. Example: "I just landed the lead part in a play. I'm on top of the world."
To have a whale of a time: To have an extremely enjoyable and exciting time. Example: "During their vacation, they had a whale of a time exploring the beaches."
To have the time of one's life: To have an exceptionally enjoyable or memorable experience. Example: "They surfed having the time of their lives."
Full of the joys of spring: Extremely happy, cheerful, or full of enthusiasm. Example: "Even though it was raining, she sat with her book, full of the joys of spring."
To make one's day: To greatly please or delight someone. Example: "Receiving a handwritten letter from her favorite author made her day."
In raptures about/over: In a state of extreme delight or excitement about something. Example: "The audience was in raptures over the hilarious performance."

Idioms for Overall Health

Next, let's explore idioms related to health:

To kick the bucket: To die or pass away. Example: "No, Bob isn't coming to the reunion. He kicked the bucket last spring."
A clean bill of health: A statement or certification of being in good health. Example: "The doctor gave me a clean bill of health after a thorough examination."
Like death warmed up: Looking extremely ill or unhealthy. Example: "Sarah went to work despite looking like death warmed up."
As fit as a fiddle: In excellent physical health and condition. Example: "John exercises regularly to remain as fit as a fiddle."
To go under the knife: To undergo surgery or a medical operation. Example: "She had to go under the knife for her knee injury."
To have one foot in the grave: To be near death or in very poor health. Example: "After his heart attack, Tom felt like he had one foot in the grave."
To recharge one's batteries: To take a break and rest to regain energy and strength. Example: "Julia decided to have a weekend getaway to recharge her batteries."
As right as rain: In perfect order or condition. Example: "After a good night's sleep, she woke up feeling as right as rain."
As fresh as a daisy: Feeling or appearing refreshed and energetic. Example: "I felt as fresh as a daisy after my long shower."
As pale as a ghost: Having a very pale complexion, often due to fear, illness, or shock. Example: "The loud crashing sound caused Jane to turn as pale as a ghost."
A bag of bones: Very thin, typically with prominent bones visible. Example: "She felt like a bag of bones after losing weight unintentionally."

Idioms for Weather

Weather is a popular topic in the UK, and there are many idioms related to it:

To kick up a storm: To cause a significant commotion or controversy. Example: "The scandalous revelation kicked up a storm of media frenzy."
The calm before the storm: A period of relative peace before a more turbulent situation. Example: "The office seemed quiet, but it was just the calm before the storm."
To steal someone's thunder: To take attention or credit away from someone. Example: "Jan's unexpected announcement stole Phyllis's thunder."
Where there's smoke, there's fire: If there are signs of a problem, it likely exists. Example: "Rumors about layoffs have been circulating, and where there's smoke, there's fire."
To throw caution to the wind: To act without considering risks. Example: "He threw caution to the wind and went skydiving for the first time."
To chase rainbows: To pursue unrealistic goals. Example: "He spent his life chasing rainbows and never achieved stability."
A storm in a teacup: A situation exaggerated out of proportion. Example: "The argument turned out to be a storm in a teacup and was quickly resolved."
Snowed under: Overwhelmed with a large amount of work. Example: "With the approaching exams, she was completely snowed under."
To have one's head in the clouds: To be daydreaming or not paying attention. Example: "During the meeting, Pierre seemed to have her head in the clouds."
To take a rain check: To decline an offer but suggest doing it later. Example: "Sorry, I can't make it tonight. Can I take a rain check?"

Idioms for Travel

For those bitten by the travel bug, here are some travel-related idioms:

Thirst for adventure: A strong desire for exciting experiences. Example: "We planned an epic road trip to satisfy our thirst for adventure."
Off the beaten track: In a remote or less traveled location. Example: "They decided to go camping in a small village off the beaten track."
To have itchy feet: A strong desire to travel. Example: "After years in the same city, we had itchy feet and wanted to explore new places."
To get away from it all: To escape one's usual routine. Example: "Escaping to a remote island is the perfect way to get away from it all."
To hit the road: To begin a journey. Example: "It's time to hit the road and start our next adventure."
Hustle and bustle: Busy and noisy activity. Example: "The city center was full of hustle and bustle."
To catch some rays: To spend time in the sun. Example: "They headed to the beach to catch some rays."
A mile a minute: At a very fast pace. Example: "She talks a mile a minute but always has something interesting to say."
In the same boat: In the same situation. Example: "During tough times, we're all in the same boat."
Right up one's street: Perfectly suited to one's interests. Example: "This culinary class is right up her street."

Idioms for Time

Time-related idioms are also abundant:

Round the clock: All day and all night. Example: "My mum worked round the clock to take care of her patients."
To call it a day/night: To stop what you're doing. Example: "After hours of negotiations, they decided to call it a night."
The moment of truth: The time when a decision has to be made. Example: "The job interview was the moment of truth to showcase his skills."
Donkeys years: A very long time. Example: "He's been telling that joke for donkeys years."
Once in a blue moon: Very rarely. Example: "He only eats out once in a blue moon."
Round the corner: Very near or happening soon. Example: "The deadline is just round the corner."
Like clockwork: Happening exactly as planned. Example: "The wedding went like clockwork."
Down to the wire: Until the last possible moment. Example: "The game went down to the wire."
At the 11th hour: At the last possible moment. Example: "The deal was saved at the 11th hour."
In the nick of time: Just in time. Example: "He arrived at the airport in the nick of time."

Idioms for Love and Relationships

Here are some idioms perfect for talking about love and relationships:

To fall head over heels: To fall deeply in love. Example: "She fell head over heels for the adorable puppy."
The apple of one's eye: Someone cherished or highly valued. Example: "His daughter is the apple of his eye."
To tie the knot: To get married. Example: "They decided to tie the knot after years of dating."
To steal one's heart: To captivate or charm someone. Example: "Her laughter and personality stole his heart."
To pop the question: To propose marriage. Example: "He planned the perfect moment to pop the question."
To play hard to get: To act uninterested to increase desirability. Example: "She was interested but played hard to get."
To hit it off: To have an instant connection. Example: "They hit it off and became close friends."
To be stood up: To be left waiting for someone who doesn't show up. Example: "She was stood up by her date."
A match made in heaven: A perfectly suited couple. Example: "They are a match made in heaven."
An old flame: A past romantic partner. Example: "She reconnected with an old flame from school."

Idioms for Colors

Color-related idioms add vivid imagery to language:

To get the green light: To receive permission to proceed. Example: "We got the green light to start the campaign."
Out of the blue: Suddenly and unexpectedly. Example: "He called me out of the blue."
Green with envy: Very jealous. Example: "She was green with envy over her friend's new car."
To be tickled pink: Very pleased or amused. Example: "He was tickled pink by the surprise party."
Golden opportunity: An excellent opportunity. Example: "This job is a golden opportunity."
Rose-colored spectacles: An optimistic perception. Example: "She sees the world through rose-colored spectacles."
A grey area: A situation not clearly defined. Example: "Their relationship existed in a grey area."
To be caught red-handed: To be caught in the act of doing something wrong. Example: "She was caught red-handed stealing biscuits."
Yellow-bellied: Cowardly. Example: "He was too yellow-bellied to confront his boss."
On a silver platter: Given without effort. Example: "He wanted success served on a silver platter."

Idioms for Animals

Animal-related idioms are often vivid and memorable:

Eager beaver: A person who is enthusiastic and eager to work. Example: "He's such an eager beaver, always volunteering for new projects."
To take the bull by the horns: To confront a difficult situation directly. Example: "He decided to take the bull by the horns and address the problem."
To let the cat out of the bag: To reveal a secret unintentionally. Example: "He let the cat out of the bag about the vacation destination."
Until the cows come home: For a very long time. Example: "You can play video games until the cows come home, but you need to do your homework."
To drop like flies: To rapidly decrease in number. Example: "During flu season, people were dropping like flies."
To hold one's horses: To be patient. Example: "Hold your horses and let's make a plan first."
To pig out: To eat excessively. Example: "He decided to pig out and enjoy a cheat day."
To smell a rat: To suspect something is wrong. Example: "She began to smell a rat in their business dealings."
To have ants in one's pants: To be restless due to excitement or anxiety. Example: "I've got ants in my pants about the presentation."
To have bigger fish to fry: To have more important matters to attend to. Example: "I can't join you for dinner; I have bigger fish to fry."

Idioms for Describing People

These idioms are perfect for describing unique character traits:

Chatterbox: A person who talks a lot. Example: "My niece is such a chatterbox."
Loose cannon: A person who behaves unpredictably. Example: "He's a loose cannon, you never know what he'll do next."
Wet blanket: A person who spoils others' fun. Example: "Don't invite him; he's such a wet blanket."
To blow one's own trumpet: To boast about one's achievements. Example: "He never misses an opportunity to blow his own trumpet."
The salt of the earth: A person of great kindness and reliability. Example: "She's the salt of the earth, always ready to help."
Fair-weather friend: A friend only when circumstances are pleasant. Example: "Most of my friends were just fair-weather friends."
Jack of all trades: A person who can do many types of work. Example: "He's a Jack of all trades, but a master of none."
Worrywart: A person who worries a lot. Example: "Don't be such a worrywart, everything will be fine."
Armchair critic: A person who offers opinions without expertise. Example: "He's an armchair critic, always talking about football."
Free spirit: A person who lives according to their own wishes. Example: "Shannon is a true free spirit."

Idioms with Numbers

Number-related idioms are also common:

To dress to the nines: To dress stylishly or elegantly. Example: "My mum always dresses to the nines for special occasions."
To put two and two together: To infer something by combining information. Example: "She put two and two together and realized he'd been outside."
In two minds: To be undecided. Example: "He was in two minds about accepting the job offer."
9 to 5: Referring to regular office hours. Example: "He works a 9 to 5 job from Monday to Friday."
Back to square one: Returning to the beginning due to
Written by Talkface AI Teacher Sora.