common idiomatic expressions along with their meanings and examples of
usage in everyday communication:
1. Break the ice
Meaning: To initiate conversation in an awkward or tense situation.
Usage: "To break the ice at the meeting, the manager started with a
funny story."
2. Spill the beans
Meaning: To reveal a secret.
Usage: "We were planning a surprise party, but John spilled the
beans."
3. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
Usage: "When you said the company needs more resources, you really
hit the nail on the head."
4. Bite the bullet
Meaning: To face a painful or unpleasant situation with courage.
Usage: "I didn’t want to go to the dentist, but I had to bite the bullet."
5. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick or unwell.
Usage: "I didn’t go to work today because I was feeling a bit under the
weather."
6. Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: To be very expensive.
Usage: "That new phone cost me an arm and a leg!"
7. Piece of cake
Meaning: Something that is very easy to do.
Usage: "The exam was a piece of cake; I finished it in 30 minutes."
8. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To accidentally reveal a secret or surprise.
Usage: "We were going to keep the promotion a secret, but Sarah let
the cat out of the bag."
9. Hit the books
Meaning: To study hard.
Usage: "I have a big exam coming up, so I need to hit the books
tonight."
10. Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: To joke or tease someone.
Usage: "I thought he was serious about moving to Australia, but he
was just pulling my leg."
11. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: To work late into the night.
Usage: "I had to burn the midnight oil to finish the project on time."
12. Beat around the bush
Meaning: To avoid saying something directly.
Usage: "Stop beating around the bush and tell me what really
happened."
13. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It’s up to you to make the next decision or take action.
Usage: "I've done everything I can; now the ball is in your court."
14. Throw in the towel
Meaning: To give up or admit defeat.
Usage: "After several failed attempts, he decided to throw in the
towel."
15. On cloud nine
Meaning: Extremely happy or joyful.
Usage: "When she got the job offer, she was on cloud nine."
16. Hit the ground running
Meaning: To start something and proceed at a fast pace with
enthusiasm.
Usage: "We need someone who can hit the ground running in this new
role."
17. Cut corners
Meaning: To do something the easiest or cheapest way, often
sacrificing quality.
Usage: "If you cut corners on this project, the final product won’t be as
good."
18. Back to square one
Meaning: To start over because of a failed attempt.
Usage: "The project failed, so now we're back to square one."
19. Jump on the bandwagon
Meaning: To join others in doing something that is currently popular.
Usage: "Everyone is investing in crypto, so he decided to jump on the
bandwagon."
20. A blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something that seems bad initially but turns out to be good.
Usage: "Losing that job was a blessing in disguise; it pushed me to
start my own business."
