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href="https://www.theidioms.com/search/">Search</a></li></ul></nav><div class="tsb"><form method="get" id="nav-sform" action="/search/"><div class="sb"><input title="Search here" type="search" class="field" name="q" id="q" value="" placeholder="Search"></div></form></div></header><div id="content" class="container"><main class="blocks main-block"><article class="article"><h1 id="title" class="page-heading">Idioms</h1><p>An idiom is a group of words, a saying, or a phrase with a symbolic rather than literal meaning that is accepted in common usage. It is a form of artistic expression characteristic of a movement, period, individual, medium, or instrument.</p><p>Its symbolic sense differs from the definition or literal meaning of the words that make it. Idioms convey a figurative meaning that is difficult to understand solely by interpreting the words literally. For instance, “<a title="beyond the pale" href="https://www.theidioms.com/beyond-the-pale/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">beyond the pale</a>” means something is “over the line” or improper. You can only know that by being able to infer the phrase’s meaning based on context or if someone explains it to you.</p><p>Many different idioms exist, and people use them commonly in all languages. Translating them into other languages can be challenging because some meanings may be lost. Still, equivalents that fill in the gaps between languages exist. The English language has an unlimited number of idiomatic expressions.</p><p>Idiomatic expressions are the building blocks of civilization and language. They make the language evolve. The great intensity of idioms makes a language dynamic and interesting. Phrases bring a remarkable illustration to daily speech and offer compelling insights into the use of languages, words, and the speaker’s thought process. There is a sense of fun and mystery about idioms.</p><p><strong>So why are idiomatic expressions difficult?</strong><br>They are difficult because their meanings are not always easy to understand. This is particularly the case for non-native speakers of the language in question, since their intentions are typically symbolic. Due to this characteristic, English learners find them strange and hard to understand.</p><h2 class="new">Top 10 Common Idioms</h2><div class="idiom"><p>This is a list of the top ten most common English phrases and idioms used globally. We have provided their meaning and examples for teachers and students. Students also explain the meaning of idiomatic expressions in competitive exams. The popularity of an idiom can vary from region to region. However, this list is generally popular worldwide.</p></div><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/hot-potato/">a hot potato</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> a controversial issue or situation that is awkward to deal with.</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> Addressing the issue of bullying in our school has become a hot potato. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/hot-potato/">Read more ➺</a></p></div><hr><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/piece-of-cake/">piece of cake</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> something that is easy to do</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> Learning English is a piece of cake as long as you do it with our website. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/piece-of-cake/">Read more ➺</a></p></div><hr><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/once-in-a-blue-moon/">once in a blue moon</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> very rarely</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> I go to visit my grandfather only once in a blue moon; he lives in a remote farm house. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/once-in-a-blue-moon/">Read more ➺</a></p></div><hr><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/bed-of-roses/">a bed of roses</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> easy option</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> Taking care of my younger sister is no bed of roses; she is very silly. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/bed-of-roses/">Read more ➺</a></p></div><hr><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/rain-cats-and-dogs/">raining cats and dogs</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> raining very heavily</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> I wanted to go to play outside, but it was raining cats and dogs yesterday. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/rain-cats-and-dogs/">Read more ➺</a></p></div><hr><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/when-pigs-fly/">when pigs fly</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> something that will never happen or is impossible.</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> William will keep quiet only when pigs fly. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/pigs-fly/">Read more ➺</a></p></div><hr><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/devils-advocate/">devil's advocate</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> one who presents a counter argument</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> Hey Jack! You're always playing devil's advocate! Give it a rest and mind your own business. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/devils-advocate/">Read more ➺</a></p></div><hr><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/miss-the-boat/">miss the boat</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> miss the chance.</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> Peter wanted to enter the drawing competition, but he was too late to enter, and he missed the boat. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/miss-the-boat/">Read more ➺</a></p></div><hr><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/apple-of-eye/">apple of eye</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> someone very precious or dear</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> Every kid in the world is the apple of their parents' eye(s). <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/apple-of-eye/">Read more ➺</a></p></div><hr><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/zip-your-lip/">zip your lip</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> to stop talking</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> I don't want to hear another sound out of you. Now do as you're told and zip your lip. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/zip-your-lip/">Read more ➺</a></p></div><div class="idiom"><p><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/pdf/top-10-most-common-english-idioms-list.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img class="alignnone" style="margin-bottom: -9px;" src="https://www.theidioms.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/download-pdf-icon.png" alt="Free download idioms list PDF" width="32" height="32">Download as PDF file</a></p></div><hr><h2 class="new">Latest Idioms</h2><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/hang-by-a-thread/">hang by a thread</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> Be in a very dangerous situation or state; to be very close to death, failure, etc.</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> The company's future is hanging by a thread after the recent financial crisis. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/hang-by-a-thread/" title="hang by a thread">Read more ➺</a></p></div><hr><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/out-of-whole-cloth/">out of whole cloth</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> Fabricated entirely; without any basis in fact. This definition indicates that something is completely made up, with no grounding in reality.</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> The entire story he told about meeting a famous celebrity was made out of whole cloth to impress his friends. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/out-of-whole-cloth/" title="out of whole cloth">Read more ➺</a></p></div><hr><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/fig-leaf/">fig leaf</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> Metaphorical Usage: An action or thing intended to conceal something embarrassing or shameful, often inadequately.</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> The company's charitable donation was merely a fig leaf to distract from its environmental violations. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/fig-leaf/" title="fig leaf">Read more ➺</a></p></div><hr><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/play-fast-and-loose/">play fast and loose</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> Reckless or irresponsible manner: Engaging in actions without regard for consequences or the welfare of others.</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> The CEO was criticized for playing fast and loose with company funds, leading to financial instability. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/play-fast-and-loose/" title="play fast and loose">Read more ➺</a></p></div><hr><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/rock-bottom/">rock bottom</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> The lowest possible point of a situation or condition, often referring to despair or hardship.</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> After losing his job and house, John realized he had hit rock bottom. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/rock-bottom/" title="rock bottom">Read more ➺</a></p></div><hr><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/follow-your-heart/">follow your heart</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> Making choices guided by personal emotions and instincts instead of external advice.</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> She chose to follow her heart and opened her dream bakery in the countryside. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/follow-your-heart/" title="follow your heart">Read more ➺</a></p></div><hr><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/heart-of-stone/">heart of stone</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> Lacking empathy, kindness, or compassion.</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> The manager鈥檚 decision to fire his employees without any explanation showed his heart of stone. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/heart-of-stone/" title="heart of stone">Read more ➺</a></p></div><hr><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/through-thick-and-thin/">through thick and thin</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> stay committed under all conditions, no matter how challenging or difficult.</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> My best friend has supported me through thick and thin. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/through-thick-and-thin/" title="through thick and thin">Read more ➺</a></p></div><hr><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/give-your-heart/">give your heart</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> To begin to love someone deeply.</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> After years of friendship, she finally decided to give her heart to him. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/give-your-heart/" title="give your heart">Read more ➺</a></p></div><hr><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/kill-switch/">kill switch</a></strong></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> A safety mechanism designed to shut down machinery or equipment instantly to prevent harm or damage.</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> The factory worker activated the kill switch to stop the machine from malfunctioning further. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/kill-switch/" title="kill switch">Read more ➺</a></p></div><hr><div class="idiom"><p class="idt"><strong><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/list/">View all idioms</a></strong></p><p>View the complete list of all idioms we have on our website. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/list/">Read more ➺</a></p></div></article></main><aside class="blocks left-block"><div class="lb"><h2 class="lbh">Idiom of the Day</h2><div class="daily"><p id="iod"><em><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/spare-someones-blushes/"><strong>spare someone’s blushes</strong></a></em></p><p><strong>Meaning:</strong> to stop someone from feeling awkward or embarrassed.</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> My teacher spoke up to spare the blushes of the new student. <a class="rm" href="https://www.theidioms.com/spare-someones-blushes/" title="spare someone’s blushes">Read more ➺</a></p></div></div><div class="lb lsa"><script async crossorigin="anonymous" data-type="lazy" data-src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1567729832356028"></script><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1567729832356028" data-ad-slot="9043807941" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="false"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});</script></div></aside><aside class="blocks right-block"><div class="note"><h3 class="rbh">Cool Idioms</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/happy-go-lucky/">happy go lucky</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/pass-away/">pass away</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/at-bottom/">at bottom</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/lily-livered/">lily-livered</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/wouldnt-be-caught-dead/">wouldn’t be caught dead</a></li></ul></div><div class="note"><h3 class="rbh">English Grammar</h3><div class="textwidget"><ul><li><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/adjectives/">Adjectives</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/nouns/">Nouns</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/pronouns/">Pronouns</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/verbs/">Verbs</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/adverbs/">Adverbs</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/prepositions/">Prepositions</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/punctuation/">Punctuation</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/sentences/">Sentences</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/figure-of-speech/">Figure of Speech</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/opposite-words/">Opposite Words</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/interjection/">Interjection</a></li></ul></div></div></aside></div><footer id="ftr" class="container"><div class="grid"><div class="fb1"><h3 class="fth">Reader Opinions</h3><ul><li><span class="cau">LWE</span> ➜ <a 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href="https://www.theidioms.com/the-devil-is-beating-his-wife/">the devil is beating his wife</a> <span class="icn">(64)</span></li><li title="20 Thoughts on raining cats and dogs"><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/rain-cats-and-dogs/">raining cats and dogs</a> <span class="icn">(20)</span></li><li title="18 Thoughts on break a leg"><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/break-a-leg/">break a leg</a> <span class="icn">(18)</span></li><li title="16 Thoughts on catch-22"><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/catch-22/">catch-22</a> <span class="icn">(16)</span></li><li title="13 Thoughts on a bed of roses"><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/bed-of-roses/">a bed of roses</a> <span class="icn">(13)</span></li><li title="12 Thoughts on apple of discord"><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/apple-of-discord/">apple of discord</a> <span class="icn">(12)</span></li><li title="12 Thoughts on home is where the heart is"><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/home-is-where-the-heart-is/">home is where the heart is</a> <span class="icn">(12)</span></li></ol></div></div><div class="grid"><div class="fb3"><h3 class="fth">More on The Idioms</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/kids/">Idioms for Kids</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/nursery-rhymes/">Nursery Rhymes</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/acquisitions/">Our Acquisitions</a></li></ul></div><div class="fb4"><h3 class="fth">Follow The Idioms</h3><ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.theidioms.com/out/fbp">Facebook</a></li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.theidioms.com/out/instap">Instagram</a></li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.theidioms.com/out/twp">Twitter</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="sbs"><h3 class="fth">Keep in touch</h3><p>Subscribe to receive new idiom updates by email.</p><form class="subscribe-form" id="subf" action="https://www.theidioms.com/subscribe/" method="post"><input class="sbi" placeholder="Enter Your Email" type="text" name="name"><button 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