Want to Sound Like a Native? These English idioms Will Get You There! (pt.1)
Learning idioms will get you closer to mastering the English language. These literary devices are often used in spoken and written language, especially by natives. The tricky thing about idioms is that they are phrases that use figurative language and have a different meaning than what is said literally.
In this article you will learn about some of the most used English idioms and their meaning. Let’s get started:
Beat around the bush
Meaning: “To avoid saying what you really mean, usually because it’s uncomfortable”
Example: You’ve been beating around the bush for an hour now, just get to point!
Hit the sack
Meaning: “To go to bed”
Example: I slept only 4 hours last night, so I’m hitting the sack early this evening.
Go back to the drawing board
Meaning: “To start over”
Example: We’re not getting anywhere with this proposal. Let’s go back to the drawing board.
Let someone off the hook
Meaning: “To not hold someone responsible for something (anymore):
Example: She was very stressed when she said that. Things like this happen. I’m letting her off the hook.
Miss the boat
Meaning: “It’s too late”
Example: When I asked him to be in a committed relationship he said ‘no’. Now he’s missed the boat.
Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: “To joke with someone”
Example: Don’t take everything so seriously. He’s just pulling your leg.
Give someone the cold shoulder
Meaning: “To ignore or snub someone you know”
Example: She tried to greet him, but he looked away and gave her the cold shoulder.
Go on a wild-goose chase
Meaning: “To search for something that is unsuccessful and a waste of time because what is being searched does not exist or is somewhere else”
Example: After hours of looking for her phone, she realized she was on a wild goose chase.
Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: “To get something exactly right”
Example: You hit the nail on the head with that analysis!
The ball is in your court
Meaning: “It is up to you to make the next move”
Example: She told you she loves you. Now the ball is in your court.
Take it with a grain of salt
Meaning: “Don’t take it too seriously”
Example: They don’t mean it that way. I would take it with a grain of salt if I were you.
There are other fish in the sea
Meaning: “It’s ok to miss this opportunity. Others will come”
Example: Yes, she dumped you. But there are other fish in the sea.
There’s a method to your madness
Meaning: “There is a reason behind someone’s mysterious behaviour”
Example: This book started out really odd, but everything fell in place at the end
Take a rain check
Meaning: “To postpone a plan”
Example: I need some alone time, so I’m taking a rain check
The elephant in the room
Meaning: “The obvious problem or truth people are avoiding”
Example: Over Christmas dinner everyone avoided the elephant in the room
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I hope you enjoyed reading this article and learning about English idioms! After reading it, do you have a favourite? Or are there any idioms that you frequently used that have not made the list? If so, I welcome you to share them in this discussion topic on the forums!
Until next time!
Marieke, OLS Community Manager