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.
Select category:
On the record / Off the record
They relate to how information is documented or shared, but they have the opposite meaning.
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.