American English Idioms Reference List

Understanding Idioms

• Idioms are phrases where the meaning differs from the literal interpretation.
• Learning idiomatic expressions enriches communication, providing depth and nuance.
• Familiarity with idioms helps in understanding colloquial language in daily conversations, literature, and media.
• Mastering idioms improves fluency and comprehension, enabling smoother interactions and cultural appreciation.

Common Idioms A-B

• A big shot: an important person; e.g., having lunch with an executive.
• A bone to pick: a complaint to address; e.g., dispute over plant care.
• A pain in the neck/rear: an annoying individual or situation; e.g., constant bother.
• A snap: very easy; e.g., making cookies from a mix.
• Across the board: affecting everyone or every situation; e.g., uniform attendance policy.
• Actions speak louder than words: behavior shows intentions more than verbal claims; e.g., volunteering highlights commitment.
• All ears: eager to listen; e.g., attentive during a conversation.
• All in the same boat: sharing similar circumstances; e.g., students facing the same deadline.
• As easy as pie: very simple; e.g., class expected to be straightforward.
• Back to the drawing board: return to the planning stage; e.g., reevaluating unsuccessful plans.
• Burn the midnight oil: stay up late working; e.g., preparing for deadlines.

Idioms C-D

• Call it a day: stop working for the day; e.g., completing tasks and going home.
• Catch some Z’s: go to sleep; e.g., needing rest after a tiring day.
• Caught red-handed: caught in the act of wrongdoing; e.g., cheating during an exam.
• Clean as a whistle: very clean; e.g., mopping daily for cleanliness.
• Clean slate: starting fresh; e.g., receiving a second chance after an apology.
• Cold feet: nervousness before significant events; e.g., feeling anxious before a wedding.
• Cold turkey: quitting a habit suddenly; e.g., stopping junk food abruptly.
• Cost an arm and a leg: very expensive; e.g., high cost of a luxury car.
• Crunch time: critical deadline approach; e.g., high-pressure periods before exams.
• Curiosity killed the cat: excessive curiosity can lead to trouble; e.g., risky exploration leading to danger.
• Days are numbered: limited time remaining for something; e.g., facing consequences in sports.

Idioms E-G

• Fall for it: being tricked; e.g., falling for a practical joke.
• Fly off the handle: losing temper unexpectedly; e.g., getting extremely angry in class.
• Follow in the footsteps of: imitating someone admired; e.g., taking a job like a respected parent.
• From scratch: starting from the beginning; e.g., making muffins without a mix.
• Get a kick out of something: enjoying something; e.g., delighting in friends’ happiness.
• Get with the program: becoming aware of what's important; e.g., needing to focus on tasks.
• Give one’s right arm: willingness to sacrifice greatly; e.g., helping those in need.
• Give someone a hand: to assist or applaud; e.g., helping with chores or celebrating achievements.
• Go against the grain: acting contrary to expectations; e.g., social protests.
• Go bananas: becoming extremely excited; e.g., celebrating a good exam result.

Idioms H-J

• Have one's hands full: being very busy; e.g., juggling multiple responsibilities.
• Hit the books: studying hard; e.g., reviewing materials before a test.
• Hit the nail on the head: being precisely accurate; e.g., correctly identifying reasons for fatigue.
• Hit the spot: satisfying a craving; e.g., enjoying a long-desired dessert.
• Hold your horses: urge for patience; e.g., awaiting food completion.
• In ages: after a long time; e.g., not seeing a movie in a long while.
• In over one’s head: taking on too much; e.g., balancing excessive responsibilities.
• In the nick of time: just in time; e.g., submitting an assignment right before the deadline.
• It’s a piece of cake: very easy task; e.g., finding an exam straightforward.
• John Hancock: signature; e.g., completing a contract with a signature.
• Jump the gun: acting prematurely; e.g., starting a story without approval.

Idioms K-M

• Know by heart: memorized information; e.g., familiarity with important contact numbers.
• Know the ropes: understanding how things work; e.g., new students learning procedures.
• Make ends meet: managing to survive financially; e.g., struggling with budget limitations.
• Scare the living daylights out of: greatly frightening someone; e.g., surprising someone unexpectedly.
• Sick as a dog: severe illness; e.g., experiencing discomfort from spoiled food.
• Skeleton in the closet: a secret; e.g., hidden family issues.
• Sleeping like a baby: sleeping soundly; e.g., enjoying deep sleep.
• Sleeping like a log: very deep sleep; e.g., not awakening until morning.
• Smell a rat: suspecting deceit; e.g., having doubts about a coworker’s intentions.
• Spick and span: immaculately clean; e.g., thoroughly cleaning a room.
• Stab in the back: betrayal; e.g., harming a friend’s trust.
• Stick one’s neck out: taking risks for others; e.g., supporting a controversial proposal.
• Sweet tooth: desire for sweets; e.g., craving for candies.

Idioms T-Z

• Talking in circles: unclear communication; e.g., repeating points without clarity.
• That does not hold water: unsupported reasoning; e.g., a flawed argument lacking evidence.
• That is a bunch of baloney: referring to nonsense; e.g., dismissing unfounded rumors.

Explore the richness of American English through this comprehensive reference list of common idioms. Understanding these expressions is crucial for enhancing fluency and comprehension in everyday conversations, literature, and media. Mastery of idioms not only facilitates smoother communication but also deepens cultural understanding.