Improving Your English

What is an idiom in English? Idiom definition, types, and examples

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.

Illustration of the idiom Kill two birds with one stone

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.

What are idioms: raining cats and dogs illustration
It’s raining cats and dogs

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:

IdiomDefinition
Raining cats and dogsRaining heavily
Barking up the wrong treePursuing the wrong direction with an activity
Don’t cry over spilled milkDon’t get upset over trivial things or things that can’t be undone
Not the sharpest tool in the shedNot very intelligent
Kill two birds with one stoneAchieve two things with one action
Once in a blue moonVery rarely
Put all your eggs in one basketInvest all your resources or efforts into one course of action
Feel under the weatherFeel unwell
A piece of cakeVery easy
It’s not rocket scienceIt’s not that difficult or complicated
Cut to the chaseFocus on the important points first
Keep your chin upKeep 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 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.

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.

What is an idiom: once in a blue moon illustration
Once in a blue moon

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.

IdiomDefinition
By and largeGenerally or on the whole
Pros and consThe advantages and disadvantages of a situation
Safe and soundIn a condition of safety without harm or damage
Down and outWithout money or resources, in a state of poverty
Far and wideIn many places, over a large area
By hook or by crookBy any means necessary, using any method
Odds and endsVarious small, miscellaneous items
High and dryAbandoned or left in a helpless situation
Short and sweetConcise and to the point
By leaps and boundsMaking rapid progress or growth
Through thick and thinDuring 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 idiomFull idiomMeaningExample
When in RomeWhen in Rome, do as the Romans doBehave how those around you behaveI don’t usually eat popcorn, but we are at the movies. When in Rome, right?
Time fliesTime flies when you’re having funTime seems to pass more quickly when you are enjoying yourselfMy goodness, is it really 11 o’clock? Time flies!
If the shoe fitsIf the shoe fits, wear itIf a criticism applies to you, accept itI know you don’t like being called a gossip, but if the shoe fits
Every cloudEvery cloud has a silver liningThere is always something good to be found in bad situationsI may be feeling unwell but at least I get a day off work. Every cloud, hey?
Don’t count your chickensDon’t count your chickens before they’ve hatchedDon’t assume that something will happen until it has happenedDon’t count your chickens, Steve, you’re spending your salary before you have been offered the job!
Too many cooksToo many cooks spoil the brothHaving too many people involved with something can make it failWhy did the project fail? I think it was a simple case of too many cooks.
Make hayMake hay while the sun shinesDo something while you have the opportunityYou know our opponents are going to make hay when they hear about this.
illustration of the prepositional idiom time flies
Time flies when you’re having fun

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 idiomMeaning
Break downTo stop working or functioning; to have an emotional collapse
Bring upTo mention or introduce (a topic)
Give inTo surrender or yield
Look forward toTo anticipate or eagerly await (something in the future)
Put up withTo tolerate or endure
Run intoTo unexpectedly meet or encounter (someone)
Set upTo establish or arrange
Turn downTo 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.