English Idioms Explained

What is an idiom? An idiom is a phrase or expression. People use them to express an idea in a colorful or imaginative way. Their meanings do not directly relate to the individual words used.

Read about their definition and origin, and see examples of how they can be used in sentences.

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Top dog

A person, group, or organization that is in a position of authority, power, or leadership.

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Every dog has its day

Everyone will have good luck or success at some point in their lives.

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In the bag

Something that is almost certainly going to happen or be successful.

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Icing on the cake

Something extra that makes a good situation even better or makes a bad situation even worse.

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You have the floor

It is your turn to speak or present in a meeting.

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A whole different animal

Something that is very different from what you might expect.

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Dog-eared

Folded corners of a book's pages or worn out and well used.

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Dog tired

To be extremely tired or exhausted

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Bite the bullet

To do something difficult or unpleasant that you cannot avoid.

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On the record / Off the record

They relate to how information is documented or shared, but they have the opposite meaning.

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For the record

Emphasizes that a piece of information is being made clearly and officially.

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Living under a rock

Unaware of (to not know about) things that are common knowledge.

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All hands on deck

Everyone is needed to help with an important task or problem.

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Get your ducks in a row

To organize or arrange things in an orderly manner.

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Not out of the woods yet

A difficult situation has not been resolved, and there are still challenges ahead.

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Bob's your uncle

Something that is very easy or straightforward to do.

The most common English idioms used today

Idioms, or phrasal verbs, are often used in everyday conversations, so understanding them is important if you want to sound more natural when you speak English.

How many are there? There are thousands of idioms in the English language. These include variations between British and American English.

Here are the most common ones used today.