Common Idioms List

Set 1

Common Idioms Definitions

It cost me an arm and a leg to take my trip to Australia. Very expensive

I was over the moon when he asked me to marry him. Extremely pleased or happy

You are taking your IELTS test next week?? Aren’t you jumping the Doing or starting something too early
gun? You’ve only just started studying.

He comes round to see me once in a blue moon. Happening very rarely

He’s got a chip on his shoulder. Feeling inferior or having a

I reckon getting a band 7 in IELTS will be a piece of cake! I’m very Very easy
good at English.

The money sent by comic relief to help poverty in Africa is just a drop A very small part of something much
in the ocean. They need far more than this. bigger

Getting a low score the first time I took IELTS was a blessing in Something positive that isn’t
disguise. It forced me to study extremely hard so I got a much better recognized until later
score the next time.

We have to actually do something about global warming. Actions It’s better to actually do something
speak louder than words. rather than just talking about it

I bumped into Jenny in town the other day. It’s a small world. Meeting someone you would not
have expected to
Set 2

Common Idioms Definitions

Oh well, I got 5.5 in IELTS again. Back to the drawing board! When an attempt to do something
fails and it’s time to start all over
again using different methods

I hate my job so much I can’t bare going to work, but if I quit I don’t Having two very bad choices.
think I can get another job. I’m really stuck / caught between a rock (note: stuck/caught can be omitted)
and a hard place.

I have to bite my tongue so I don’t say what I really think of him! Wanting to say something but
stopping yourself.

Come on, cut to the chase. We haven’t got all day! Leave out all the unnecessary
details and just get to the point

Are you putting all of your savings into that company? Don’t put all Putting all of ones resources into
your eggs in one basket. one possibility

Try not to worry about it. Every cloud has a silver lining. Believing that every bad situation
has a positive side / eventually leads
to something good

It was difficult when I moved to another country but I To become comfortable in what you
eventually found my feet. are doing

My parents are very fixed in their ways. They won’t start using the Not wanting to change from the
internet. normal ways of doing things

I think he got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. He is To refer to someone who is having a
in a terrible mood. bad day

My mother will always go the extra mile to help people. Doing much more than is required
when doing something
 Set 3

Common Idioms Definitions

I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. That’s the reason he didn’t Say exactly the right thing
get the job.

Today’s going so badly. If it’s not one thing, it’s the other. When everything seems to be
going wrong

I just said it in the heat of the moment. I was angry. I know I Saying or doing something
shouldn’t have. suddenly without thinking about
it

Keep an eye on him. I think he may cheat in the exam. Watch someone or something
carefully

Have you heard? John down the road has kicked the bucket. Died

I don’t want to argue with him again. It’s better to let sleeping dogs Avoid a conflict
lie.

I told him what gift you have bought him for his birthday. Sorry, I didn’t Tell someone something that
mean to let the cat out of the bag. you were not supposed to

Don’t tell her what you really think of her if she’s helping you with your Hurt or upset someone who is
English! Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. helping you

I’m not sure which party he is going to vote for. He’s sitting on the Not making a firm decision
fence. between different choices

Everything she does is very over the top. She can’t just have a few Excessive
drinks – se has to get really drunk.
 Set 4

Common Idioms Definitions

Let’s keep studying for IELTS. Practice makes perfect. Continuously doing something to
improve

Don’t get upset about what he said. He’s just pulling your leg. Joking around

Sorry but I think I’ll take a rain check on that. To decline an offer that you will
take up later

As a rule of thumb, I don’t study at weekends. I spend the time with Principal that is strictly adhered /
my family. kept to

I can smell a rat. He said he has a PhD but he can’t even remember To sense that something is not
which university he studied at. right

She’s the spitting image of her mother. To look exactly like someone else

The ball’s in your court now. What are you going to do? Telling someone it’s now their
turn to make a decision

Unfortunately, I think he’ll be studying for IELTS until the cows come For a very long time
home. His English is very poor.

It was all tongue-in-cheek. He didn’t really mean what he said. Something said in humour rather
than seriously

She’s feeling under the weather today so she won’t be going to Unwell
work.
 Set 5

Common Idioms Definitions

We’ve had some big disagreements over the years, but it’s all water Things from the past that are not
under the bridge now. We get on fine. important anymore

You are what you eat so it’s better to have a healthy diet. If you eat bad food, you’ll be
unhealthy, if you eat good food, you’ll
be healthy

You can’t judge a book by its cover. I need to get to know him The belief that outside appearances
before I decide what he is like. do not reveal what someone or
something is really like

We’re really working against the clock now. We must hurry. Not having enough time to do
something

Why are we bothering? We’re flogging a dead horse. Our online Attempting to continue with
business is making no money, so we should move on and do something that is finished / over
something else.

I bent over backward to help him. I hope he appreciates it. Doing all you can to help someone

So you have the IELTS test today?? Break a leg. Good luck

Ok, I’m playing devil’s advocate here, but if marijuana is legalized, To put forward a side in an argument
isn’t it more likely young people will smoke it? that may not be your own in order to
show the counter-argument / ensure
all sides are discussed

Hold your horses! We haven’t won anything yet. Telling someone who is getting
ahead of themselves to wait / be
patient

She is driving me up the wall. She won’t stop talking. Annoying or irritating somebody