100 Idioms You Must Know 1-25

1. A hot potato
Meaning: Something that is difficult or dangerous to deal with.
Example: Terrorism is a political hot potato in Afghanistan.

2. A penny for your thoughts
Meaning: Way of asking what someone is thinking.
Example: After several minutes of silence he finally looked at her and said, “A penny for your thoughts, Lily.”

3. Actions speak louder than words
Meaning: What you do is more significant than what you say.
Example: He: I am sorry. KII try to be a better person henceforth.
She: Actions speak louder than words.

4. Add insult to injury
Meaning: To make a bad situation worse.
Example: Their basement was flooded, and then, to add insult to injury, a pipe burst in the kitchen.

5. An arm and a leg
Meaning: A lot of money.
Example: It’s the best cruise in the world, but it will cost you an arm and a leg.

6. At the drop of a hat
Meaning: Immediately; without any hesitation
Example: Ellie was always ready to go shopping at the drop of a hat.

7. Back to the drawing board
Meaning: Start something all over again.
Example: I failed this semester, but now I am back to the drawing board.

8. Ball is in your court.
Meaning: It is up to you to take the next step
Example: I’ve made my decision, now the ball is in your court.

9. Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: Looking in the wrong place; accusing the wrong person.
Example: He did not commit the crime, you’re barking up the wrong tree.

10. Be glad to see the backof
Meaning: Be glad to see someone leave.
Example: I never liked her. KII be glad to see the back of her.

11. Beat around the bush
Meaning: Avoid answering a question; not speaking directly about the issue.
Example: Tell me what the problem is, stop beating around the bush.

12. Best of both the worlds
Meaning: Situation wherein one can enjoy two different opportunities.
Example: She had the privilege of a professor and freedom of a student. She had the best of both worlds.

13. Best thing since sliced bread
Meaning: A good idea or plan; an excellent new invention.
Example: I love your idea. It’s the best thing since sliced bread.

14. Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: To take on a task that is way too big.
Example: Our boss bit off more than she could chew when she promised the client we’d have the project ready by next week.

15. Blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something good that isn’t recognized at first.
Example: Ashok’s losing his job was a blessing in disguise; it gave him an opportunity to pursue higher studies.

16. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: To stay up working, especially studying, late at night.
Example: She’s been burning the midnight oil for the last few months; her hard work will definitely pay off in the coming exams.

17. Don’t judge a book by its cover
Meaning: Don’t judge something primarily by its appearance.
Example:
She: He doesn’t look intelligent.
He: You can’t judge a book by its cover.

18. Caught between two stools.
Meaning: When someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives.
Example: He had committed to both and now he’s caught between two stools.

19. Cross that bridge when you come to it.
Meaning: Deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary.
Example: He: I think I need to hire a lawyer.
She: Cross that bridge when you come to it.

20. Cry over spilled milk
Meaning: To be unhappy about something that cannot be undone.
Example: It can’t he helped, don’t cry over spilled milk.

21. Curiosity killed the cat
Meaning: Being too curious can get you into trouble.
Example: Don’t ask about his divorce-curiosity killed the cat!

22. Cut corners
Meaning: To take shortcuts; when something is done badly to save money.
Example: They always put quality first; they won’t cut corners just to save money.

23. Cut the mustard
Meaning: Perform satisfactorily; to succeed.
Example: We need a better catcher; this one just doesn’t cut the mustard.

24. Devil’s advocate
Meaning: To present a counter argument
Example: The teacher always played devil’s advocate to provoke discussion in the classroom.

25. Don,t count your chickens before the eggs have hatched.
Meaning: Don’t make plans for something that might not happen.
Example: You might not win the prize and you’ve already spent the money? Don’t count your chickens before the eggs have hatched.