English@HighSchool would never be complete without idioms, proverbs, and expressions which are an important part of everyday English. They come up all the time in both written and spoken English. Because idioms and proverbs don’t always make sense literally, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare English idioms and try to decipher their meanings.
An idiom is a common expression understood figuratively, as the literal definition makes no sense.
Some idioms are given below together with their meanings.
- To make clean breast of is to confess without reservation.
- To keep one’s temper is to be in good mood.
- To catch a tartar is to catch a dangerous person.
- To drive home is to emphasise a point.
- To have an axe to grind is to have a private end to serve.
- To cry wolf is to give false alarm.
- To end in smoke is to ruin oneself.
- To be above board is to be honest, legitimate and open in any business dealings.
- To pick holes is to find some reason to quarrel.
- To leave someone in the lurch is to leave someone in difficulties.
- To play second fiddle is to support the role and view of another person.
- To beg the question is to take for granted.
- A black sheep is an odd or disreputable member person.
- To smell a rat is to suspect foul dealings.
- To hit the nail right on the head is to do the right thing.
- To have the gift of the gab is to speak with eloquence and fluency.
- A bone of contention is something that causes a quarrel.
- Once in a blue moon, means very seldom indeed.
- To keep the pot boiling is to keep the brisk momentum of something.
- To eat the humble pie is to apologize humbly.
How did you find these idioms? Please leave a comment below.
Good luck in all your efforts.