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Idiomatic Expressions
Idiomatic expressions are essential components of any language. They are crucial because they add color, depth, and cultural richness to communication, allowing speakers to express complex ideas and emotions succinctly and vividly.
This page explains what idiomatic expressions are and provides a comprehensive lists of idioms organized alphabetically and by category, helping you to understand and use them effectively in your own conversations.
What are idioms?
Definition
An idiom (also called idiomatic expression) is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning conventionally understood by native speakers. This meaning is different from the literal meaning of the idiom”s individual elements. In other words, idioms don’t mean exactly what the words say. They have, however, a hidden meaning.
Examples
- “Kick the bucket”
- “Spill the beans”
The meaning of these expressions is different from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which they are made. Their meaning is however used figuratively. They mean respectively:
- “to die “
- “to tell people secret information”
Examples of Idioms
English has thousands of idioms. Here are lists of idioms arranged in alphabetical order and by different categories.
Here are some common examples of idioms:
- A piece of cake: Something that is very easy to do.
- Break the ice: To initiate conversation in a social setting.
- Bite the bullet: To endure a painful or otherwise unpleasant situation that is seen as unavoidable.
- Hit the nail on the head: To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
- Let the cat out of the bag: To reveal a secret unintentionally.
- Once in a blue moon: Something that happens very rarely.
Lists of idioms
If you are interested in extensive lists of idioms, please visit the following pages:
Related materials
Here are more resources about idioms:
