30 English Expressions to help you speak like a local.
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Every language has its own idioms and expression and the English language has plenty of phrases that are useful to learn. Idioms are words or phrases that aren’t meant to be taken literally and usually have a cultural meaning behind them.
Most of the English idioms you hear are offering advice but also contain some underlying principles and values. You have probably heard some of them, especially in TV-shows and movies, and wondered why you can’t understand these idioms even though you fully understand the words.
Idioms are a great way to help you understand a culture and start speaking like a local.
1. Hit the books
2. Hit the sack
3. Twist someone’s arm
4. Stab someone in the back
5. Lose your touch
6. Face the music
7. Blow off steam
8. ‘The best of both worlds’ – means you can enjoy two different opportunities at the same time.
“By working part-time and looking after her kids two days a week she managed to get the best of both worlds.”
9. ‘Speak of the devil’ – this means that the person you’re just talking about actually appears at that moment.
“Hi Tom, speak of the devil, I was just telling Sara about your new car.”
10. ‘See eye to eye’ – this means agreeing with someone.
“They finally saw eye to eye on the business deal.”
11. ‘Once in a blue moon’ – an event that happens infrequently.
“I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon.”
12. ‘When pigs fly’ – something that will never happen.
“When pigs fly she’ll tidy up her room.”
13. ‘To cost an arm and a leg’– something is very expensive.
“Fuel these days costs an arm and a leg.”
14. ‘A piece of cake’– something is very easy.
“The English test was a piece of cake.”
15. ‘Let the cat out of the bag’ – to accidentally reveal a secret.
“I let the cat out of the bag about their wedding plans.”
16. ‘To feel under the weather’ – to not feel well.
“I’m really feeling under the weather today; I have a terrible cold.”
17. ‘To kill two birds with one stone’ – to solve two problems at once.
“By taking my dad on holiday, I killed two birds with one stone. I got to go away but also spend time with him.”
18. ‘To cut corners’ – to do something badly or cheaply.
“They really cut corners when they built this bathroom; the shower is leaking.”
19. ‘To add insult to injury’ – to make a situation worse.
“To add insult to injury the car drove off without stopping after knocking me off my bike.”
20. ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover’ – to not judge someone or something based solely on appearance.
“I thought this no-brand bread would be horrible; turns out you can’t judge a book by its cover.”
21. ‘Break a leg’ – means ‘good luck’ (often said to actors before they go on stage).
“Break a leg, Sam, I’m sure your performance will be great.”
22. ‘To hit the nail on the head’ – to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
“He hit the nail on the head when he said this company needs more HR support.”
23. ‘A blessing in disguise’ – An misfortune that eventually results in something good happening later on.
24. ‘Call it a day’ – Stop working on something
25. ‘No pain no gain’ – You have to work hard for something you want.
26. ‘Bite the bullet’ – Decide to do something unpleasant that you have avoided doing.
27. ‘Getting a taste of your own medicine’ – Being treated the same unpleasant way you have treated others.
28. ‘Giving someone the cold shoulder’ – To ignore someone.
29. ‘The last straw’ – The final source of irritation for someone to finally lose patience.
30. ‘The elephant in the room’ – A matter or problem that is obvious of great importance but that is not discussed openly.
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