Idioms are everyday expressions in common speech. Literally, idiomatic phrases often don’t make a lot of sense. Rather, they are used to express some sort of figurative meaning. Check out some of the most common English idiomatic phrases below.[1]https://www.ef.com/wwen/english-resources/english-idioms/
against the clock
meaning: forced to hurry to meet a deadline
We had to pull an all nighter because we were running against the clock.
beat around the bush
meaning: to speak in a roundabout way in order to avoid confronting an unpleasant topic
Don’t beat around the bush, tell me how bad you did on the test.
best thing since sliced bread
meaning: a good idea
That’s such a great idea! It’s the best thing since sliced bread!
bring home the bacon
meaning: earn money for one’s family
I need to find a good job so that I can bring home the bacon to my family.
busy bee
meaning: a busy person
She is such a busy bee always running from one activity to the next.
cat nap
meaning: a short sleep during the day
I am not tired anymore, I took a cat nap right before this.
costs an arm and a leg
meaning: very expensive
Are you sure you want to buy that? It costs an arm and a leg!
curiosity killed the cat
meaning: stop asking questions
Stopping asking more questions, you know what they say, “curiosity killed the cat”.
cutting corners
meaning: to economize by reducing quality
This is really bad workmanship, they really have been cutting corners.
Devil’s advocate
meaning: someone who argues a point not out of conviction, but in order to air various points of view
I’ll be the Devil’s advocate to help you prepare for the debate.
green thumb
meaning: good at gardening/growing things
She really has a green thumb. It seems like whatever she touches grows!
hit the books
meaning: to study
Stop playing video games! It is time to hit the books! You have a big test tomorrow.
hit the sack
meaning: to go to sleep
I am really tired. I think I will hit the sack.
it takes two to tango
meaning: when something goes wrong involving two people
It is not just my fault! You know it takes two to tango.
jump on the bandwagon
meaning: to follow a trend or craze
All of these people here are just jumping on the bandwagon. They aren’t true fans.
lemon
meaning: a vehicle that does not work properly
My car is a lemon.
lone wolf
meaning: someone who is not very social with other people
He doesn’t really like working with others. He is more of a lone wolf.
miss the boat
meaning: miss an opportunity
I really missed the boat with that job offer.
once in a blue moon
meaning: very rare
You better try it, it doesn’t come around that often, it really is a once in a blue moon opportunity.
piece of cake
meaning: very easy
That exam was a piece of cake.
sit on the fence
meaning: not able to make a decision
Stop sitting on the fence. Make up your mind already!
sitting duck
meaning: a person or object in a vulnerable position that is easy to attack or injure
You got to move. You are a sitting duck in that position.
spill the beans
meaning: to tell a secret
Please don’t spill the beans about the surprise birthday party.
that’s corny
meaning: it’s sentimental, old, and not funny anymore
That joke is corny.
twist my arm
meaning: you convinced me
Ok! Twist my arm. I will help you.
under the weather
meaning: to be sick
Sorry, I can’t come into work today. I feel under the weather.
Ideas for these common idiomatic phrases came from the following sources. [2]https://7esl.com/english-idioms/[3]https://www.smart-words.org/quotes-sayings/idioms-meaning.html[4]https://englishstudyonline.org/important-american-idioms/
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