Learning idioms is a great way to sound more natural and fluent in English. Idioms are phrases that don’t have literal meanings but convey unique messages when used in conversations. Here are 10 common idioms every English learner should know:
1. Break the ice
Meaning: To start a conversation and make people feel more comfortable.
Example: The teacher told a funny story to break the ice with her new students.
2. Piece of cake
Meaning: Something very easy to do.
Example: Learning the alphabet was a piece of cake for the little boy.
3. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To say or do something exactly right.
Example: Her answer in class hit the nail on the head, and everyone applauded.
4. Costs an arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive.
Example: The designer handbag costs an arm and a leg, so she decided to save up for it.
5. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick or unwell.
Example: Sarah missed work because she was feeling under the weather.
6. Spill the beans
Meaning: To reveal a secret.
Example: He accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party.
7. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: To work late into the night.
Example: She burned the midnight oil to finish her project before the deadline.
8. Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: To take on more work or responsibility than you can handle.
Example: He bit off more than he could chew by agreeing to both jobs at the same time.
9. A blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good.
Example: Losing that job was a blessing in disguise because it led her to start her own business.
10. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To reveal a secret or surprise by mistake.
Example: Don’t let the cat out of the bag about our holiday plans!
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