Imagine a world where people ‘bite the bullet,’ ‘kick the bucket,’ and ‘spill the beans’ on a daily basis. Sounds peculiar, doesn’t it?
In the English language, these expressions are not just a fanciful way to describe events, but rather an essential part of daily communication.
Most native English speakers use these kinds of phrases in everyday speech without realizing how strange they might sound to someone who is not fluent in English.
So, let’s take a look at what an idiom is, what English idioms mean, and how this vocabulary is used in different ways. We also have plenty of idiom examples along the way!
What is an idiom? A simple definition
An idiom is a figurative expression (group of words) that cannot be understood from the literal meanings of its individual words.
When we say that someone is ‘a pain in the neck’, for example, it has nothing to do with physical pain or any part of the body. It actually just means that they are annoying or irritating.
The word ‘idiom’ originates from the ancient Greek word ‘idioma,’ which means ‘peculiar phrasing’.
It’s estimated that there are over 10,000 idioms in the English language, although other estimates put this number as high as 25,000 if you include phrasal verbs.
Idioms are often associated with literary devices such as similes, metaphors, metonymy, and synecdoche, among others.
They can also take the form of euphemisms, where a direct or unsuitable expression is replaced with a more subtle one. For instance, ‘kick the bucket’ is a euphemism for dying, while ‘have a bun in the oven’ refers to being pregnant.
Read more about idioms vs euphemisms here.
What do idioms mean?
Idioms have meanings that are understood by native English speakers, but may not be immediately clear to non-native speakers due to their figurative nature.
Their meanings often rely on cultural context and cannot be deduced from their individual words. For example, the idiom ‘green-eyed monster’ refers to jealousy, a meaning that is not obvious from its individual words.
There are many idioms in other languages that may sound strange when translated into English, such as ‘avoir le cafard’ in French or ‘dar en el clavo’ in Spanish.
As an English learner, idioms present a significant challenge because they cannot be interpreted literally, but at the same time, it’s not always obvious when they are being used. You must learn the meaning of each idiom individually in order to understand what a person is saying. An idiom dictionary can help you discover and understand these unusual phrases.
Language is constantly evolving, and this means new idioms being created as well as older ones sometimes falling out of usage.
Many idiomatic expressions have stood the test of time, though; there are many phrases with their origin in the Bible that we still use today, as well as hundreds of idioms inspired by Shakespeare.
Examples of common idioms in English
We have a full page of common idioms for you to discover, but here are some of the most popular:
| Idiom | Definition |
|---|---|
| Raining cats and dogs | Raining heavily |
| Barking up the wrong tree | Pursuing the wrong direction with an activity |
| Don’t cry over spilled milk | Don’t get upset over trivial things or things that can’t be undone |
| Not the sharpest tool in the shed | Not very intelligent |
| Kill two birds with one stone | Achieve two things with one action |
| Once in a blue moon | Very rarely |
| Put all your eggs in one basket | Invest all your resources or efforts into one course of action |
| Feel under the weather | Feel unwell |
| A piece of cake | Very easy |
| It’s not rocket science | It’s not that difficult or complicated |
| Cut to the chase | Focus on the important points first |
| Keep your chin up | Keep a positive attitude |
It’s important to note that some idioms are only common in a specific region of the UK, the US, or another English-speaking country. Sometimes, even though two people are speaking the same language, they can have trouble understanding one another!
We have over 100 pages about idioms on our site, each one covering a different topic with definitions and examples of each idiom mentioned. Take a look at those that interest you below.
Idioms vs colloquialisms: What’s the difference and how should you use them?
Understanding hyperbole vs idioms: What’s the difference and how should you use them?
Understanding idioms vs euphemisms: What’s the difference and how should you use them?
Understanding idioms vs metaphors: What’s the difference and how should you use them?
Interesting head and hair idioms for you to use in English
Exploring English face idioms about eyes, ears, lips, nose, mouth & more
Walking and running idioms: Stride through these active sayings
Truth and lie idioms: Uncover deceptive and honest expressions in English
Idioms vs Proverbs vs Adages: What’s the difference and how do we use them correctly?
Success idioms: Explore expressions to celebrate a triumph or victory
Laugh idioms and sayings: Get ready for giggles galore
25 Reading idioms about books and more, with explanations and examples
Smoke idioms: clear the air with these idioms about smoke
Decision idioms about choosing between different options
Action and adventure idioms: Unleash these sayings in your vocabulary
Flower idioms: Vibrant floral idioms to use everyday, with examples
House idioms: Versatile expressions about homes and houses
26 Bag idioms: Explore a variety of expressions about bags
36 Enlightening idioms about knowledge, wisdom, and thinking
Baseball idioms: The best baseball sayings to use in everyday conversation
Idioms vs proverbs
While idioms and proverbs may share some common characteristics, they are not the same. Proverbs are sayings that convey advice or wisdom in a figurative manner, whereas idioms don’t necessarily offer advice.
An example of an idiom is ‘break a leg,’ which offers good luck, while a proverb is ‘actions speak louder than words,’ suggesting that what someone does is more important than what they say.
That said, both idioms and proverbs are classed as figurative language expressions that convey a deeper meaning beyond their literal interpretation. We explore more about idioms vs proverbs here.
Are proverbs a type of idiom?
A proverb that is idiomatic in nature can be classed as an idiom. That is to say, its meaning cannot be deduced from the individual words alone.
Most proverbs fall into this category, but some have a more literal meaning and so are not classed as idioms.
Idioms vs metaphors vs similes
Metaphors and similes are figurative expressions that compare two things, whether directly or indirectly. Examples are ‘as clear as mud’ and ‘time is money’.
As with proverbs, similes and metaphors are sometimes idiomatic in nature, but sometimes not. Read our full guide to idioms vs metaphors to learn more about the similarities and differences between these expressions.
Idioms vs hyperbole
Hyperbole is a fun literary device whereby we make a point through exaggeration. For example, you could say “I have been waiting forever” or “I’m starving” – both are exaggerations of reality but we use them for emphasis.
One of the important differences between hyperbole and idioms is that you can make up your own hyperbolic phrase, but you cannot create a new idiom.
Types of idiom in English
Having understood idioms and their meanings, we can examine their anatomy by investigating different types of idioms, such as pure, binomial, and partial idioms.
By understanding the different types of figurative language used in English, you can get better at recognizing these and other idiomatic expressions in use.
Pure idioms
Pure idioms are expressions that have a figurative meaning that cannot be inferred from the individual words used. The original meaning of pure idioms has been lost to the point where the phrase can no longer be interpreted logically.
In other words, pure idioms require knowledge of the entire expression in order to be understood.
Most of the idiom examples listed above fall into this category.
Binomial idioms
Binomial idioms are phrases consisting of two words joined by a conjunction (usually ‘and’ or ‘or’), used to convey a single concept.
| Idiom | Definition |
|---|---|
| By and large | Generally or on the whole |
| Pros and cons | The advantages and disadvantages of a situation |
| Safe and sound | In a condition of safety without harm or damage |
| Down and out | Without money or resources, in a state of poverty |
| Far and wide | In many places, over a large area |
| By hook or by crook | By any means necessary, using any method |
| Odds and ends | Various small, miscellaneous items |
| High and dry | Abandoned or left in a helpless situation |
| Short and sweet | Concise and to the point |
| By leaps and bounds | Making rapid progress or growth |
| Through thick and thin | During good times and bad times |
These idiom examples are commonly used in everyday language to convey specific meanings.
Partial Idioms
Partial idioms are abbreviated forms of regular idioms. The phrases are so well-known that a person can use part of it to refer to the whole meaning.
These can be even more confusing for non-native speakers, because you are expected to associate the fragment with the whole and then know the meaning! Fortunately, this type of idiom is not too common.
Here are some examples of partial idioms, along with the full idiom they originate from:
| Partial idiom | Full idiom | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| When in Rome | When in Rome, do as the Romans do | Behave how those around you behave | I don’t usually eat popcorn, but we are at the movies. When in Rome, right? |
| Time flies | Time flies when you’re having fun | Time seems to pass more quickly when you are enjoying yourself | My goodness, is it really 11 o’clock? Time flies! |
| If the shoe fits | If the shoe fits, wear it | If a criticism applies to you, accept it | I know you don’t like being called a gossip, but if the shoe fits… |
| Every cloud | Every cloud has a silver lining | There is always something good to be found in bad situations | I may be feeling unwell but at least I get a day off work. Every cloud, hey? |
| Don’t count your chickens | Don’t count your chickens before they’ve hatched | Don’t assume that something will happen until it has happened | Don’t count your chickens, Steve, you’re spending your salary before you have been offered the job! |
| Too many cooks | Too many cooks spoil the broth | Having too many people involved with something can make it fail | Why did the project fail? I think it was a simple case of too many cooks. |
| Make hay | Make hay while the sun shines | Do something while you have the opportunity | You know our opponents are going to make hay when they hear about this. |
Prepositional idioms
Prepositional idioms, also called phrasal verbs or verb phrases, generally consist of a verb and one or more prepositions.
As with the other types of idiom we have discussed, the phrase’s literal meaning cannot be determined just from looking at it.
Here are some examples of prepositional idioms and their meanings:
| Prepositional idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Break down | To stop working or functioning; to have an emotional collapse |
| Bring up | To mention or introduce (a topic) |
| Give in | To surrender or yield |
| Look forward to | To anticipate or eagerly await (something in the future) |
| Put up with | To tolerate or endure |
| Run into | To unexpectedly meet or encounter (someone) |
| Set up | To establish or arrange |
| Turn down | To reject or refuse |
Using idioms in writing
Idioms can make writing more expressive and colorful and also impart character and style.
However, they should be used wisely because they tend to convey an informal tone. Overuse of certain idioms can result in clichés and uninspiring writing.
Improper use of idioms, particularly prepositional idioms, can also lead to miscommunication.
If in doubt, try to convey your message without using idiomatic phrases; especially if your audience includes non-native English speakers.
The challenges of translating idioms
Translation of idioms presents a challenge because these expressions cannot be translated word-for-word. Additionally, they are often specific to the culture they come from and don’t have an idiomatic equivalent in the other language.
To make sure they translate idioms correctly, translators have to understand the culture where the idiom comes from. They also try to find phrases in the language they’re translating to that have the same or similar meanings. This way, they can keep the original meaning of the idiom while making sure it makes sense in the new language.
Summary
Idioms are an essential and colorful aspect of language, adding depth, creativity, and cultural richness to our communication.
However, they present challenges to English language learners who are unfamiliar with this peculiar phraseology. The idea of having to learn the meaning of 10,000 individual expressions is quite daunting, but an idiom dictionary can help.
Embrace the vibrant world of idioms and let them inspire your speech and writing, but be careful of overusing them or using them in inappropriate contexts.
FAQs
What is an example of an idiom?
‘Kill two birds with one stone’ is an example of an idiom, meaning to achieve two things with one action. Idioms are commonly used in everyday English to express a concept or idea in a concise way.
What does idiom literally mean?
An idiom is a phrase with a figurative meaning different from its literal meaning. The word ‘idiom’ comes from the Greek word ‘idioma’, which means ‘peculiar phrasing’.
What is the difference between an idiom and a proverb?
An idiom is a figurative expression with a meaning that cannot be understood from its individual words, while a proverb is a short saying that conveys wisdom or advice. Proverbs can be classed as idioms, but not all idioms are proverbs.
Can idioms be translated word-for-word?
No, idioms cannot be translated word-for-word, as their meanings are not always clear from the individual words used and require knowledge of the entire expression and cultural context.
Why do we use idioms?
Idioms are an important part of how we communicate. These phrases have specific meanings that can’t be conveyed in other words, and they add dynamism and character to what we say.
