Learn the 100 Most Common Idioms in 30 Minutes (with examples)

[Music] hello everyone and welcome back to english with Lucy today I am going to teach you 100 of the most common English idioms with definitions and examples of course these are really going to help you bring your English to the next level and help you sound more like a native but before we get started I want to ask a question did you know that you could learn to speak a language confidently in just three months gain 100 percent cash back and also gain access to the Cambridge online language test this is all thanks to the sponsor of today's lesson lingo des what you need to do is take a class every day for 3 months with the lingo language sprint this sprint starts on the 8th of April and ends on the 6th of July the super sprint offers a 100% refund and the lighter regular sprint offers a 50% refund you can join the sprint in English French Spanish German and business English from beginner to advanced level I'm really happy to share this opportunity with you because I have first-hand experience on how effective the lingo de language challenges can be it's transformed many of my students lives they get on really well with lingo de because they can interact with native speaking qualified teachers anytime day anywhere and in really small group classes there's an average of just three students per group class so how can you participate sign up before the 24th of March and secure your spot with the 49 euro deposit note you can get a 10 euro discount on this by using my code join 12 lingo des will refund your tuition fee in full that's including your deposit if you attend the agreed number of classes within each sprint months and follow the contest rules remember places in the sprint are limited this is a language school places fill up so you the link in the description box you have my discount code join 12 what are you waiting for okay let's get started with the lesson number one is a blessing in disguise a blessing in disguise this means a good thing that seemed bad at first for example losing that job was a blessing in disguise losing that job was a blessing in disguise next a picture is worth a thousand words a picture is worth a thousand words this means that a picture tells a story just as well as if not better than written words for example please could you sketch out a floor plan a picture is worth a thousand words please could you sketch out a floor plan a picture is worth a thousand words number three you might have heard this one before it's a piece of cake a piece of cake and this means really easy for example that exam was a piece of cake that exam was a piece of cake number four is actions speak louder than words actions speak louder than words and this means that what somebody actually does means more than what they say they will do an example I'm going to wait for him to show me he loves me because actions speak louder than words I'm going to wait for him to show me he loves me because actions speak louder than words next we have add insult to injury add insult to injury this means to act in a way that makes a bad situation worse for example I was late and to add insult to injury I forgot my keys I was late and to add insult to injury I forgot my keys number six this is really common it's there's cheapest chips it's cheapest chips and this means really cheap for example don't worry about pay me back they were as cheap as chips don't worry about paying me back they were as cheap as chips number seven is barking up the wrong tree barking up the wrong tree this means to be wrong a the way to achieve something or the reason for something an example I think you're barking up the wrong tree rather than reading the text book cover-to-cover you should try the SQ RRR method if you want to know more about that then you should see my study it's smart not hard video number eight is beat around the bush beat around the bush this means to avoid saying what you mean usually because it's uncomfortable for example I'm not going to beat around the bush I hate your boyfriend I'm not going to beat around the bush I hate your boyfriend number nine is better late than never better late than never this means that it's better to arrive or do something later than expected than to not arrive or not do something at all for example wow she finally turned up better late than never it's often used sarcastically wow she finally turned up better late than never number ten bite off more than you can chew bite off more than you can chew this means to try to do something that is too difficult or too much for you an example I have bitten off more than I can chew with this 100 idioms video I have bitten off more than I can chew with this 100 idioms video number 11 is bite the bullet bite the bullet this means to force yourself to do something unpleasant or difficult or to be brave in a difficult situation for example I'm going to bite the bullet and quit my job I'm going to bite the bullet and quit my job number 12 is break a leg break a leg and this means believe it or not good luck it's often what we say to actors as they are going onstage for example break a leg tonight you're an amazing actor break a leg tonight you're an amazing actor number 13 is break the ice break the ice this means to make people who have not met each other before feel more relaxed and comfortable for example I've organized a fun game to help us all break the ice I've organized a fun game to help us all break the ice I hate that in classes when we have to break the ice and introduce ourselves I'm too British for that number 14 incredibly common this one to call it a day call it a day this means to stop what you were doing because you either think you've done enough or you don't want to do anymore for example I'm exhausted I think I'm gonna call it a day I'm exhausted I think I'm gonna call it a day I think I'm gonna stop now number 15 is cost an arm and a leg cost an arm and a leg this means to be very expensive for example that coat looks like it cost you an arm and a leg that coat looks like it cost you an arm and a leg number 16 is cut corners cut corners and this means to do something in the fastest easiest or cheapest way an example this report is of poor quality I think the author may have cut some corners this report is a poor quality I think the author may have cut some corners number 17 is cut somebody at some slack cut somebody some slack this means to give somebody additional freedom for example because it was the last day of class the teachers cut the students some slack because it was the last day of class the teachers cut the students some slack number 18 is don't give up the day job don't give up the day job and this is used for telling somebody that you don't think that they're very good at something for example your drum solo was very entertaining but don't give up the day job your drum solo was very entertaining but don't give up the day job number 19 is to put all of your eggs in one basket put all of your eggs in one basket and this means to depend for success on a single person or plan for example I'm applying for several jobs because I don't want to put all of my eggs in one basket I'm applying for several jobs because I don't want to put all of my eggs in one basket number 20 is easy does it easy does it and this is used to tell someone too do something carefully and slowly for example easy does it don't spill that paint easy does it don't spill that paint number 21 is my favorite it is every cloud has a silver lining every cloud has a silver lining and this means that every negative has a positive for example every cloud has a silver lining after being made redundant I found my dream job every cloud has a silver lining after being made redundant I found my dream job number 22 is to get a taste of your own medicine to get a taste of your own medicine and this is to get treated the way you've been treating other people an example the nasty prison warden got a taste of his own medicine when he was thrown in jail and nasty prison warden got a taste of his own medicine when he got thrown in jail number 23 is get out of hand to get out of hand and this means to become difficult to control for example over Christmas our spending got a little out of hand over Christmas are spending got a little out of hand number 24 is to get something out of your system to get something out of your system this means to get rid of a wish or emotion especially a negative one by allowing yourself to express it for example I went and bought that dress I was thinking about all day I had to get it out of my system I went and bought that dress I was thinking about all day I had to get it out of my system my mummy who's this a lot when she buys things we say why did you get that she says I had to get it out my system it's a good excuse number 25 is to get your act together get your act together this means to start to organize yourself so that you do things in an effective way for example my desk is a complete mess I need to get my act together my desk is a complete mess I need to get my act together true story number 26 to give someone the benefit of the doubt to give someone the benefit of the doubt this means to decide that you will believe someone even if you're not sure that what they're saying is true for example she said that she was late because train was canceled and we gave her the benefit of the doubt she said that she was late because her train was cancelled and we gave her the benefit of the doubt number 27 is to give someone the cold shoulder to give someone the cold shoulder and this means to ignore someone an example I think Sally is giving me the cold shoulder I think Sally is giving me the cold shoulder number 28 is to go back to the drawing board to go back to the drawing board this means to start planning something again because the first plan failed for example well that didn't work let's go back to the drawing board well that didn't work let's go back to the drawing board number 29 is good things come to those who wait good things come to those who wait I say that to my dog a lot it means be patient be patient for example stop rushing me good things come to those who wait stop rushing me good things come to those who wait number 30 is hang in there hang in there and this is said as a way to tell people to not give up hope even through difficulties for example final exams are tough but hang in there and it will be okay final exams are tough but hang in there and it'll be okay number 31 is to hit the nail on the head to hit the nail on the head and this means to get something exactly right for example you've hit the nail on the head that is the route we should have taken you've hit the nail on the head that is the route we should have taken number 32 is to hit the sack to hit the sack this means to go to bed for example oh I'm tired do you mind if I hit the sack I'm tired do you mind if I hit the sack number 33 is ignorance is bliss ignorance is bliss and this means you're better off not knowing for example I could ask my boss if she's planning to fire me but ignorant is bliss I could ask my boss if she's planning to fire me but ignorance is I'm better off not knowing number 34 is in a nutshell in a nutshell and this means in the fewest words possible for example in a nutshell everything went wrong in a nutshell everything went wrong number 35 is it takes one to know one it takes one to know one and this means you're just as bad as I am you are just as bad as I am for example if someone says to me you're such a gossip I could respond with when it takes one to know one number 36 is it's not rocket science it's not rocket science and this is used to say that you don't think something is very difficult or hard to understand for example I don't understand why you can't work out how to use the washing machine it's not rocket science I don't understand how you can't work out how to use the washing machine it's not rocket science number 37 is to jump on the bandwagon to jump on the bandwagon and this means to join an activity trend or opinion that has become popular for example I've jumped on the bandwagon and downloaded fortnight I've jumped on the bandwagon and downloaded fortnight I haven't I don't have time but I'm sure it's really fun now a 38 is to keep one's chin up to keep one's chin up and this means to keep one's spirits high to keep happy and positive for example I'm trying to keep my chin up after receiving that rejection letter I'm trying to keep my chin up after receiving that rejection letter number 39 is to kill two birds with one stone to kill two birds with one stone this means to get two things done with a single action for example we could kill two birds with one stone by stopping off at the bakery on the way back from the butchers we could kill two birds with one stone by stopping off at the bakery on the way back from the butchers we could get two tasks accomplished in one trip number 40 is to leave no stone unturned to leave no stone unturned this means to try every possible course of action in order to get something done he left no stone unturned in his search for his natural mother he left no stone unturned in his search for his natural mother number 41 is to let sleeping dogs lie to let sleeping dogs lie this means to leave a situation as it is in order to not make it worse for example I think we should let sleeping dogs lie and avoid confronting her about her issues I think we should let sleeping dogs lie and avoid confronting her about her issues number 42 is to let someone off the hook to let someone off the hook this means to allow someone to go unpunished to allow someone to go unpunished for example this is the third time you've been caught speeding and I don't think they're going to let you off the hook this is the third time you've been caught speeding and I don't think they're going to let you off the hook number 43 is to let the cat out of the bag to let the cat out of the bag this means to reveal a secret for example don't let the cat out of the bag because the party is meant to be a surprise don't let the cat out of the bag because the party is meant to be a surprise number 44 is to make a long story short to make a long story short this is very similar to in a nutshell it's used to indicate that you are providing just basic facts and information in order to reduce the length of a story for example to make a long story short I canceled the party because of financial problems to make a long story short I canceled the party because of financial problems number 45 is to miss the boat to miss the boat and this means to be too slow to take advantage of an opportunity for example I waited too long for the house prices to drop and I missed the boat I waited too long for the house prices to drop and I missed the boat number 46 is neck of the wood neck of the wood and this either means the area where someone comes from or the area where you are for example I'm surprised to see you in this neck of the woods I'm surprised to see you in this neck of the woods in this area number 47 is no pain no gain pain no gain this is often used to talk about exercise it means that suffering is necessary in order to achieve something for example I've been going to the gym twice day and my muscles ache but no pain no gain I've been going to the gym twice a day and my muscles ache but no pain no gain number 48 is not one's cup of tea not one's cup of tea this one is very British this means that someone doesn't like or isn't interested in something for example I'm sorry but line dancing really isn't my cup of tea I'm sorry but line dancing really isn't my cup of tea number 49 is off the top of one's head off the top of one's head this means from memory without a lot of thought or consideration for example off the top of my head I think she's been engaged five times off the top of my head I think she's been engaged five times number 50 is on the ball on the ball and this means alert new ideas methods and trends or it can also mean very organised for example I like hanging out with younger people it keeps me on the ball I like hanging out with younger people it keeps me on the ball number 51 is on thin ice on thin ice and this means on probation if you make another mistake there will be consequences for example I'm on thin ice after my behavior at the office party I'm on thin ice after my behavior at the office party you can hear more about that in my stop saying sorry video link below number 52 is once in a blue moon once in a blue moon and this means rarely very infrequently for example I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon but when I do go I really enjoy it I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon but when I do go I really enjoy it number 53 is out of someone's league out of someone's league and this means too good or too expensive for someone for example my crush is completely out of my league my crush is completely out of my league number 54 is to play devil's advocate to play devil's advocate this means to argue the opposite just for the sake of an argument we often say I don't want to play devil's advocate because we're saying I don't want to just argue for the sake of arguing but I have a differing opinion for example I don't want to play devil's advocate but are you really going out dressed like that number 55 is to play something by ear to play something by ear and this means to plan something in an improvised way so you decide as you are going along for example instead of booking a table this weekend shall we just play it by ear shall we just see what happens number 56 is to pull someone's leg to pull someone's leg this means to playfully deceive someone or to tease someone for example are you actually leaving your job or are you just pulling my leg are you actually leaving your job or are you just pulling my leg number 57 this is what my mother said to me this morning pull yourself together pull yourself together and this means recover control of your emotions as being a bit emotional this morning and my mom told me to pull myself together and I did and now I'm filming for example I need to pull myself together and stop crying I need to pull myself together and stop crying number 58 is to rain on someone's parade to rain on someone's parade and this means to spoil something to spoil something for example I don't want to rain on your parade but I think you've made a huge mistake in your thesis I don't want to rain on your parade but I think you've made a huge mistake in your thesis number 59 is to rock the boat to rock the boat and this means to do or say something that could cause a problem or disturbance for example the team is getting on really well at the moment so let's not rock the boat the team is getting on really well at the moment so let's not rock the boat number 60 is to save something for a rainy day to save something for a rainy day and this means to save something usually money for when you need it for example I think you should save that bonus for a rainy day I think you should save that bonus for a rainy day number 61 is to see eye to eye to see eye-to-eye this means to agree for example I really don't see eye to eye with my grandma I really don't see eye to eye with my grandma number sixty-two is to shed light on something to shed light on something this means to reveal information about or to clarify something for example please could you shed some light on your absence yesterday please could you shed some light on your absence yesterday number 63 is to sit on the fence to sit on the fence we often also say to be on the fence of like I'm on the fence and this means to avoid making a decision or choice for example I'm sitting on the fence I really can't choose between these two adorable puppies this happened to me in real life I had to choose between my dog Diego and another puppy and hardest decision of my life what obviously had quite an easy life number 64 is to sit tight to sit tight and this means to refrain from taking action or changing one's mind for example the estate agent advised us to sit tight and neither buy nor sell the estate agent advised us to sit tight and neither buy nor style number 65 is to smell a rat to smell a rat and this means to begin to suspect trickery or deception for example when she passed away investigators were called in and soon smelled a rat when she passed away investigators were called in and soon smelt a rat number 66 is so far so good so far so good and this is used to say that something usually a plan or a project has been progressing well with no problems and this is up until the present so if someone asks me how's the new job I could say so far so good until this very moment there hasn't been anything problematic number 67 is someone wouldn't be caught dead someone wouldn't be caught dead and this means that someone dislikes something very much for example I wouldn't be caught dead in a dress like that I hate that dress I wouldn't be seen dead in it caught or seen dead number 68 is someone's heart is in the right place someone's is in the right place this means that someone only has good intentions for example he's very strict with his students but his heart is in the right place he's very strict with his students but his heart is in the right place number 69 is someone's jaw drops someone's jaw drops and this means that someone is very surprised for example when I saw him in his suit my jaw dropped when I saw him in his suit my jaw dropped I was very surprised number 70 is someone's pride and joy someone's pride and joy this means a person or a thing that gives someone a lot of satisfaction and happiness for example her vegetable garden is her pride and joy her vegetable garden is her pride and joy number 71 is someone's true colors someone's true colors and this means the kind of person someone really is rather than what they appear to be so if you show your true colors you show how you really are rather than how you appear for example I thought he was really nice and then he was rude to the waiter and showed his true colors I thought he was really nice but then he was rude to the waiter and showed his true colors that's one of my pet hates when someone is rude to waiters I know a lot of people like that actually it really grinds my gears it's another one it means it annoys me number 72 is something rings a bell if something rings a bell this means that something is familiar or you have heard something before for example I don't know him personally but the name rings a bell I've heard that name before I don't know him personally but the name rings a bell number 73 is speak of the devil speak of the devil this is said when somebody appears just after being mentioned for example Stephanie is so mean speak of the devil she just liked my Instagram post stephanie is so mean speak of the devil she just liked my Instagram post so mean of her number 74 is to spill the beans to spill the beans and this means to give away a secret or to reveal some gossip for example go on spill the beans I need to know how your date went go on spill the beans I need to know how your date went number 75 is to steal someone's thunder to steal someone's thunder and this means to take attention or praise away from someone else's accomplishments by outdoing them with your own for example she stole my thunder when she announced her pregnancy at my wedding she stole my thunder when she announced her pregnancy at my wedding number 76 is to stick to one's guns to stick to one's guns this means to refuse to change your opinions or beliefs about something for example you need to stick to your guns and stop listening to what he says you need to stick to your guns and stop listening to what he says you need to stick to what you believe in not what someone else believes in number 77 is to take something with a pinch of salt or also a grain of salt that's used more in America and this means to not take something too seriously for example I think you need to take anything that Martin says with a pinch of salt I think you need to take anything that Martin says with a pinch of salt number 78 is to take the Mickey to take the Mickey this means to make fun of to make fun of for example are you taking the Mickey of my mum are you taking the Mickey of my mum it's often shortened to Mick are you taking the Mick number 79 is the ball is in your court the ball is in your court and this means it's your decision for example the ball is in your court regarding the location of the next event it's your decision the ball is in your court regarding the location of the next event number 80 is the best of both worlds the best of both worlds this describes a situation in which you can enjoy the advantages of two different things for example she works in the city but lives in the countryside so she can enjoy the best of both worlds she works in the city but lives in the countryside so she can enjoy the best of both worlds number 81 is the best thing since sliced bread the best thing since sliced bread and this means a really great invention for example the spork is the best thing since sliced bread the spork is the best thing since sliced bread the spork is like a hybrid of a knife a fork and a spoon all in one my mom uses them for picnics number 82 is the devil is in the details the devil is in the details this means it looks good from afar but when you look more closely there are problems for example the illustrations looked fine at first glance but the devil is in the details the illustrations look fine at first glance but the devil is in the details number 83 is the early bird gets the worm the early bird gets the worm and this means the people who arrive first will get the best stuff it's often used for Black Friday for example let's head to the sales at 6 a.m. the early bird gets the worm let's head to the sales at 6 a.m. the early bird gets the worm number 84 is the elephant in the room the elephant in the room this means the big issue the problem that people are avoiding for example I think we should address the elephant in the room your hideous shoes I think we should address the elephant in the room your head issues people were avoiding talking about them but I have to mention them they are so ugly number 85 is the last straw the last straw and this comes from the straw that broke the camel's back but we more commonly say the last straw and this means the last in a series of unfortunate events or unpleasant events that make you feel like you just can't continue for example she's always been rude to me but it was the last straw when she started insulting my mother she's always been rude to me but it was the last straw when she started insulting my mother I couldn't accept that any longer number 86 is there are plenty more fish in the sea there are plenty more fish in the sea this means it's okay to miss this opportunity because others will arise for example just forget about him there are plenty more fish in the sea just forget about him there are plenty fish in the sea number 87 is theirs method to someone's madness there's method to someone's madness and this means that someone appears crazy but actually they have a plan for example my bedroom may seem messy but there's method to my madness my bedroom may seem messy but there is method to my madness man number 88 is there is no such thing as a free lunch there is no such thing as a free lunch this means that nothing is entirely free there is always a reason behind something for example I wonder what he wants from me there's no such thing as a free lunch I wonder what he wants from me there is no such thing as a free lunch number 89 is through thick and thin through thick and thin anyone who struggles with the sound will struggle with that sentence this means under all circumstances no matter how difficult for example he's stuck with her through thick and thin he's stuck with her through thick and thin number 90 is to throw caution to the wind to throw caution to the wind and this means to take a risk for example I think you should throw caution to the wind and go on that date I think you should throw caution to the wind and go on that date take that risk number 91 is to make matters worse to make matters worse this is similar to to add insult to injury this means with the result that a bad situation is made worse for example she accidentally sent a romantic message to her family what's that group and to make matters worse it included a picture this has happened to someone I know very embarrassing number 92 is to twist someone's arm to twist someone's arm this means to convince someone to do what you want for example I didn't want to go out tonight but félicité twisted my arm I didn't want to go out tonight but félicité twisted my arm she convinced me number 93 is under the weather under the weather and this means slightly unwell or low and spirits for example I don't think I'll come tonight because I'm feeling a bit under the weather I don't think I'll come tonight because I'm feeling a bit under the weather number 94 is up in the air up in the air and this means still to be settled or unresolved for example the fate of our house purchase is still up in the air the fate of our house purchase is still up in the air number 95 is we'll cross that bridge when we come to it we'll cross that bridge when we come to it this is an expression that means you won't worry about a future problem that could arise but if it does happen then you'll deal with it for example don't worry about the car breaking down we'll cross that bridge when we come to it don't worry about the car breaking down we'll cross that bridge when we come to it number 96 is to wrap your head around something to wrap your head around something and this means to find a way to understand or accept something for example I still can't wrap my head around why she would do that I still can't wrap my head around why she would do that I can't understand it or accept it number 97 is you can say that again you can say that again this is used to express emphatic agreement I agree you can say that again so if someone says to me the weather has been terrible I as a true Brit will say you can say that again and then if they didn't understand me they might say again and you don't need to you don't need to say anything again if someone says you can say number 98 is you can't have your cake and eat it too you can't have your cake and eat it too this means you can't have everything for example you need to choose between the two options you can't have your cake and eat it too you need to choose between the two options you can't have your cake and eat it too number 99 is you can't judge a book by it's cover you can't judge a book by its cover and that means don't judge what's on the outside for example she may look scruffy but you can't judge a book by it's cover she may look scruffy but you can't judge a book by its cover and number 100 is you live in you learn you live in you learn this is a nice way of saying you learn from your mistakes you learn from your mistakes for example I know I failed that interview but you live and you learn I know I failed that interview but you live and you learn right that's it for today's lesson I hope you enjoyed it I hope you learnt something I'd be surprised if you haven't learned something because there's been a lot of information in this video you can comment below with five sentences using your favorite idioms and if you'd like to contribute any more idioms that you've learnt in your classes and please do comment them down below as well don't forget to check out the lingo de language marathon the link to sign up is in the description box and you can use my code join 12 for 10 euros off your deposit and don't forget to connect with me on all of my social media I've got my facebook my Instagram my Twitter and my Lucy Bella L channel videos coming very very soon new videos and I will see you soon for another lesson [Music] [Music]

Channel: English with Lucy

Views: 1,518,710

Rating: 4.9422593 out of 5

Keywords: learn english in 30 minutes

Id: Hm-n-_uqCvQ

Length: 36min 53sec (2213 seconds)

Published: Thu Feb 27 2020