Most
commonly used idioms
1.
‘The best of both worlds’ – means
you can enjoy two different opportunities at the same time.
“By working part-time and looking
after her kids two days a week she managed to get the best of both worlds.”
2. ‘Speak of the devil’ - this means that the person you’re just
talking about actually turns up at that moment.
“Hi Tom, speak of the devil, I
was just telling Sara about your new car.”
3. ‘See eye to eye’ – this means agreeing with someone.
“They finally saw eye to eye on
the business deal.”
4. ‘Once in a blue moon’ – an event that happens infrequently.
“I only go to the cinema once in
a blue moon.”
5. ‘When pigs fly’ - something that will never happen.
“When pigs fly she’ll tidy up her
room.”
6. ‘To cost an arm and a leg’-
something is very expensive.
“Fuel these days costs and arm
and a leg.”
7. ‘A piece of cake’-
something is very easy.
“The English test was a piece of
cake.”
8.
‘Let the cat out of the bag’ – to
accidentally reveal a secret.
“I let the cat out of the bag
about their wedding plans.”
9. ‘To feel under the weather’ – to not feel well.
“I’m really feeling under the
weather today; I have a terrible cold.”
10. ‘To kill two birds with one
stone’ – to
solve two problems at once.
“By taking my dad on holiday, I
killed two birds with one stone. I got to go away but also spend time with
him.”
11. ‘To cut corners’ – to do something badly or cheaply.
“They really cut corners when
they built this bathroom; the shower is leaking.”
12. ‘To add insult to injury’ – to make a situation worse.
“To add insult to injury the car
drove off without stopping after knocking me off my bike.”
13. ‘You can’t judge a book by
its cover’ – to not
judge someone or something based solely on appearance.
“I thought this no-brand bread
would be horrible; turns out you can’t judge a book by its cover.”
14. ‘Break a leg’ – means ‘good luck’ (often said to actors
before they go on stage).
“Break a leg Sam, I’m sure your
performance will be great.”
15. ‘To hit the nail on the
head’ - to
describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.