Common Idioms List

Set 1
Common Idioms Definitions

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

Australia.

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

marry him.

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

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

moon.

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

grievance about something

I reckon getting a band 7 in IELTS will be Very easy

a piece of cake! I’m very good at English.

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

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

We have to actually do something about global It’s better to actually do something

warming. Actions speak louder than words. rather than just talking about it

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

Oh well, I got 5.5 in IELTS again. Back to the When an attempt to do something
drawing board! 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 Having two very bad choices.
work, but if I quit I don’t think I can get another
job. I’m really stuck / caught between a rock (note: stuck/caught can be
and a hard place. omitted)

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

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

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

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

It was difficult when I moved to another To become comfortable in what

country but I eventually found my feet. you are doing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

the exam. carefully

Have you heard? John down the road Died

has kicked the bucket.

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

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

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

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

Everything she does is very over the top. She Excessive

can’t just have a few drinks – se has to get
really drunk.
 Set 4
Common Idioms Definitions

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

makes perfect. improve

Don’t get upset about what he said. He’s Joking around

just pulling your leg.

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. Principal that is strictly adhered /

I spend the time with my family. kept to

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

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

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

Unfortunately I think he’ll be studying for For a very long time

IELTS until the cows come home. His
English is very poor.

It was all tongue-in-cheek. He didn’t really Something said in humour rather

mean what he said. than seriously

She’s feeling under the weather today so she Unwell

won’t be going to work.
 Set 5
Common Idioms Definitions

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

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

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

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

Why are we bothering? We're flogging a dead Attempting to continue with

horse. Our online business is making no something that is finished / over
money, so we should move on and do
something else.

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

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

leg.

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

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