Master Common English Idioms: Speak Like a Native!
Tired of Not Understanding Native English Speakers? Let’s Talk Idioms!
Hey there! Have you ever heard someone say, “It’s raining cats and dogs” and looked outside, confused because you only saw water? You’re not alone!
Idioms are those funny phrases that don’t mean what the words actually say. They’re the secret spice of English, and learning them is a game-changer. They’ll help you finally understand movies, podcasts, and casual conversations with friends.
To give you a head start, I’ve put together a list of the 20 most common and useful idioms that natives use all the time. Let’s dive in!
Your Go-To List of 10 Super Common Idioms
- Break a leg
- What it really means: Good luck! (We say this to performers for some reason!)
- Use it like this: “You have a big presentation? Break a leg!”
- A piece of cake
- What it really means: So incredibly easy.
- Use it like this: “I was worried about the test, but it was a piece of cake!”
- Hit the sack
- What it really means: I’m going to bed. I’m done for the day.
- Use it like this: “It’s midnight! Time to hit the sack.”
- Bite the bullet
- What it really means: To just get through something unpleasant.
- Use it like this: “I hate gyms, but I bit the bullet and signed up for one.”
- When pigs fly
- What it really means: Yeah, that’s never, ever going to happen.
- Use it like this: “She’ll start liking horror movies when pigs fly.”
- Spill the beans
- What it really means: To accidentally tell a secret.
- Use it like this: “We planned a surprise, but he spilled the beans a day early.”
- On the ball
- What it really means: Really sharp, alert, and good at what they do.
- Use it like this: “The new assistant is really on the ball.”
- Under the weather
- What it really means: Feeling a little sick or unwell.
- Use it like this: “I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, so I’ll stay home.”
- Kill two birds with one stone
- What it really means: To get two things done with just one action. Super efficient!
- Use it like this: “I killed two birds with one stone by getting a haircut near the grocery store.”
- Once in a blue moon
- What it really means: Very, very rarely.
- Use it like this: “I only eat fast food once in a blue moon.”
Your Free 25 Idioms Cheat Sheet is Ready! 📚
Want to have this list in your pocket? I made a pretty PDF checklist for you! It has all 20 idioms, their meanings, and example sentences all on one page. Print it out, stick it on your wall, or save it to your phone—it’s yours for free!