You may be shocked that there are so many Shakespeare idioms still being used today. William Shakespeare actually created or made famous a huge number of expressions, but here we have carefully selected and explained the most popular ones. We’re going to show how they can be used and give you the original source from Shakespeare’s plays, in case you’re interested in reading more about the context.
Take a look through these idioms from Shakespeare and you’ll soon be a thespian without even realizing it.
If you want to learn more about the famous English writer William Shakespeare, feel free to read about him. He was quite extraordinary. You can also learn more about what idioms are and how to use them.
Shakespeare idioms – how many do you know?
A laughing stock
To be a laughing stock means you did something funny or embarrassing that could make you an object of ridicule.
“I can’t believe the waitress dropped all the plates. She was the laughing stock of the restaurant.”
“Well that professor was a right laughing stock! I’ve never been so bored.”
Origin: The Merry Wives of Windsor (act 1 scene 2) “Pray you let us not be laughing stocks to other men’s humours: I desire you in friendship, and I will one way or other make you amends.“
Listen carefully when you hear this idiom from Shakespeare. It is often used in a derogatory way, meaning that the person in question is the opposite of funny. It’s not necessarily a compliment about your comedic skills!
See also: What’s the difference between compliment and complement?
A pound of flesh
You may find that Shakespeare idioms change over time. This one is nothing to do with the actual flesh of a person nowadays, although this was exactly what Shakespeare meant when he wrote it!
This expression is about getting what is owed to you. Of course, in life, it’s fair that you get what is rightly yours. However, if you do so without consideration or care for how it may affect the other person, regardless of the consequences, you could be described as getting a pound of flesh.
“He was so angry, he just didn’t care. He really wanted a pound of flesh no matter what.”
Origin: The Merchant of Venice “Be nominated for an equal pound of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken in what part of your body pleaseth me.”
All that glistens is not gold
Here’s another William Shakespeare idiom from the play “The Merchant of Venice.” It’s in reference to the shiny precious metal gold. To say that all that glistens is not gold is to say that even though something looks good or valuable, it may not be.
“I just couldn’t believe it. The job seemed perfect, but as they say – all that glistens isn’t gold.”
Origin: The Merchant of Venice (act 2 scene 7) “There is a written scroll. I’ll read the writing. All that glistens is not gold. Often have you heard that told?”
You may hear the word glitters replacing glistens, as over the years people have misheard or adapted this saying from Shakespeare’s writing.
As luck would have it
Although this idiom was around long before Shakespeare used it, it was made popular by him. Nowadays we simply say as luck would have it, but originally this adverbial phrase included the word good. Simply put, it just refers to how chance, fate or destiny plays a big part in our life.
“I arrived late at the train station, but as luck would have it, the train was also running late – so I managed to still catch it.”
Origin: The Merry Wives of Windsor (act 3 scene 5) “You shall hear. As good luck would have it in comes in one Mistress Page;”
Check out some more luck idioms here.
Be all and end all
If you want to express that something is crucial or important, or perhaps highlight that the statement is the end of the conversation or situation, try this Shakespearean idiom; the be all and end all.
“Winning that award was the be all and end all for him.”
Origin: Macbeth (act 1 scene 7) “Might be the be-all and end-all – here”
Did you know that Macbeth is often referred to as “The Scottish Play” in theater circles? Find out why in our article about British idioms.
Break the ice
You may have heard of ‘Icebreakers’, which are ships that literally sail through frozen seas to break the ice and make it safe for other ships. As an expression, it’s used when new people meet each other and have to introduce themselves to one another.
“Allow me to break the ice and introduce myself.”
Origin: The Taming of the Shrew (act 1 scene 2) “and if you break the ice and do the feat”
We have more icy idioms here for you to browse.
Clothes make(th) the man
Should this one be on this list? Shakespeare didn’t actually write these words as you’ll see in the origin below. However, the phrase we use today is said to have come from him.
To say that clothes make the man means that people may judge you for the way you look, you may judge someone by how they dress, or you should dress to impress.
“You’ve got a job interview tomorrow. Wear the blue suit as clothes make the man.”
Origin: Hamlet (act 1 scene 3) “The apparel oft proclaims the man”
Cold comfort
Here’s another expression that he may have not invented, but did make famous. When you hear something that brings you very little to no reassurance, encouragement, or relief, it can be described as a cold comfort to you.
“The news that unleaded petrol prices are going down will be a cold comfort for those with diesel cars.”
Origin: Taming of the Shrew and King John
This one also appears on our list of cold idioms.
All the world’s a stage
As part of a well-known monologue, all the world is a stage is a metaphor and idiom with quite a deep meaning.
Shakespeare was simply comparing the world to a stage, the people to actors, and the varied stages of a person’s life to the acts in a play. For example, an actor entering the stage is like a person being born and entering the world. And actors leave the stage just as people die and leave the earth.
“You should go for it, take the chance. As they say, all the world’s a stage.”
Origin: As You Like It (act 2 scene 7) “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”
However, some feel this idiom has changed its meaning over the years. It has been used in different ways by Oscar Wilde and by Allan Moore in the novel V for Vendetta, to name just two examples. It now could imply that people are always watching you, or that you play different roles at different stages in your life.
Also consider the growth of social media and the fact that people really are acting for the whole world to watch – Shakespearian idioms are just as relevant today as when they were first written!
Come what come may (come what may)
This Shakespearean idiom may have changed a little over the years but the meaning is still the same.
Come what may means you accept that anything could happen. You decide to proceed with a decision even though the chances of a good outcome aren’t great. You are determined to see out a plan no matter what happens. For other idioms about the future take a look here.
“Ok, we should have taken the train, but come what may I’ll get us to the airport on time.”
Origin: Macbeth (act 1 scene 3) “Come what come may, Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.”
Although the phrase come what come may is based on a similar French saying, it was Mr Shakespeare using it in Macbeth that made it a common expression.
Some more Shakespearean idioms
Eaten someone out of house and home
This is one of the more fun Shakespeare idioms that you’ll normally hear said by people with children or visitors. If someone is eating a lot of food whilst at your house, you could say in a kind, jovial fashion that they have eaten you out of house and home.
“My grandchildren are visiting for the summer holiday and already they have eaten me out of house and home.”
Origin: Henry IV (act 2 scene 1) “He hath eaten me out of house and home, he hath put all my substance into that fat belly of his: but I will have some.”
Elbow room
There are plenty of ways to measure items in English: centimeters, grams, liters… Here’s another option: when we refer to elbow room, we mean the amount of excess space there is or, in some cases, isn’t.
“The new apartment I saw was amazing. There was plenty of elbow room in the bathroom.”
“We had to fit all five of us in the tiny car. There was no elbow room for any of us.”
Origin: King John (act 5 scene 7) “Ay, marry, now my soul hath elbow-room; It would not out at windows nor at doors.”
Fair play
Out of all the idioms Shakespeare used, could this have been his favorite? Fair play features in three different plays! Although Shakespeare may have played on the meanings of the words in his time, we now use the expression to say that you can’t argue or disagree with a person or situation, since the rules were respected, all was equal, and no one cheated.
“I hate losing but I really can’t argue with you, fair play, you did a great job.”
Origin: The Tempest, King John and Troilus and Cressida
Heart of gold
In it’s simplest form, to have a heart of gold is a good thing. It means you are a kind, helpful, thoughtful person.
But, you may find this heart idiom is used to excuse bad behavior. For example, when describing a friend as bossy (which may be seen as negative), you could add that they also have a heart of gold. It suggests that their bossiness must come from good intentions.
“I’m forever grateful to the stranger that helped me. They really had a heart of gold.”
Origin: Henry V (4 scene 1) “The king’s a bawcock, and a heart of gold, a lad of life, an imp of fame …”
In a pickle
Here we have a very interesting saying. When Shakespeare wrote this he was actually referring to someone being drunk after drinking too much wine. Nowadays, to say you are in a pickle simply means that you are in a difficult or unpleasant situation.
“I didn’t know what to do next. I was in quite a pickle.”
Origin: The Tempest “How came’st thou in this pickle?’ ‘I have been in such a pickle since I saw you last that, I fear me, I will never out of my bones.”
It’s Greek to me
When it comes to learning English, out of all the Shakespeare idioms this could be the most useful. It’s simply used to say that something makes no sense to you. It’s Greek to me just means I don’t understand it.
“I just don’t know how to use my new phone. It’s all Greek to me.”
Origin: Julius Caesar (act 1 scene 2) “for mine own part, it was Greek to me.”
The lady doth protest too much
Most people would use this saying in a slightly sarcastic, joking way and still include the word ‘doth’ and add ‘methinks’ as per the original quote “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” It applies when someone is trying so hard to prove their innocence, it makes them seem guilty – like they clearly have something to hide.
“Ok ok, you’ve said it wasn’t you but me thinks the lady doth protest too much.”
Origin: Hamlet (act 3 scene 2) “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”
Star-crossed lovers
Two people who love each other but whose relationship seems destined to end badly could be described as star-crossed lovers. This is one of several star idioms related to fate, and it was originally used to describe one of the most famous relationships that ended in tragedy: Romeo and Juliet.
“The star-crossed lovers overcame all the odds and remain together to this day.”
Origin: Romeo and Juliet (Prologue)
The world’s your oyster
This has become a motivational idiom that people use when they want to encourage others to make the most of the opportunities available to them. The world’s your oyster has changed slightly from the original wording, but the meaning is much the same.
“Now you have graduated, what are you going to do? The world’s your oyster.”
Origin: The Merry Wives of Windsor (act 2 scene 2) “Why then the world’s mine oyster, Which I with sword will open.”
Wear your heart upon your sleeve
You may have friends which this Shakespeare idiom describes perfectly. If they show their intimate feelings freely and don’t try to hide them, you could say that they wear their heart upon their sleeve.”
“Let me give you some business advice. Don’t wear your heart on your sleeve. Make decisions based on the facts.”
Origin: Othello (act 1 scene 1) “I will wear my heart upon my sleeve.”
Since ‘upon’ is an old-fashioned word, you may hear it replaced with the word ‘on’.
Wild-goose chase
Have you ever searched for, pursued, or tried to achieve something with very little success? Perhaps you were on a wild-goose chase. Simply put, it means are you looking for something you’ll never find or achieve.
“We’ve just been on a bit of a wild-goose chase! We drove for hours trying to find the restaurant but they must have given us the wrong directions.”
Origin: Romeo and Juliet (act 2 scene 4) “Nay, if thy wits run the wild-goose chase, I have done, for thou hast more of the wild-goose in one of thy wits than, I am sure, I have in my whole five.”
You can find some more fun idioms with birds here.
And there you have it. Some of the most well-used Shakespeare idioms. Are you surprised there are so many, or do you perhaps know more? Feel free to add your favorites in the comments below.
