List of English Idioms

A list of common English idioms, sortable by starting letter

Showing 161-180 of 189

Generated image of someone getting frustrated at chatgpt

Tear your hair out

The idiom to pull your hair out or to tear your hair out is an extreme expression of anger, frustration, grief or despair.

This new software is making me tear my hair out!

Photo of a tennis match

The ball is in your court

The idiom the ball is in your court means that it is your turn to do something, usually in the context of a decision-making process or a work project.
This phrase originated from games like tennis where you need to return a ball when it comes to you.

I've gone as far as I can go with this, now the ball is in your court.

Generated image of an inner city terrace

The best of both worlds

You have the best of both worlds if you are benefiting from two completely different situations at the same time.

You have a garden but you still live right by the city? Wow, that's the best of both worlds!

Generated image of a cat wearing pajamas

The cat's pajamas

The cat's pajamas is a slang way of saying something is excellent.

My new shoes are just the cat's pajamas!

Generated photo of a hand dropping a penny

The penny dropped

The penny dropped is an idiom that means someone finally understood something, after some confusion or delay. A similar idiom is a light bulb moment or to put two and two together.
It originates in older slot machines, where there was a delay between inserting a coin, and the mechanism starting to work.

She stared at the instructions for a full 10 minutes before the penny dropped.

Photo of a sailing ship

The ship has sailed

The idiom the ship has sailed dates to the 19th-century and means a missed opportunity. When ships sailed they used to move with the winds and the tides, so they could not turn back for any missed passengers. So if your ship has sailed, you've lost the moment to make an action or a decision.

He overslept and did not make it to the event, so that ship has sailed.

Photo of mismatched shoes

The shoe is on the other foot

The idiom the shoe is on the other foot originated in the mid-19th century as the boot is on the other leg. It means that two people have reversed roles or circumstances, usually someone gaining or losing a position of power.
Boots and shoes did not originally have left or right sides, so this idiom dates back to when manufacturers made different shoes for left and right sides, so having a shoe on the wrong foot would be uncomfortable.

He changed jobs and found he was now the manager of his old boss, so the shoe is on the other foot.

A discarded towel

Throw in the towel

The phrase throw in the towel means to give up. It means that you are stopping because something is too difficult.
This saying originates from boxing, where a boxer would throw down his towel to say he is surrendering.

He almost threw in the towel, but kept going.

Photo of a watch

Time flies

Time flies, or time flies when you're having fun is a way of saying that time passes quickly when you are busy or enjoying yourself. It may also be a way of commenting how quickly the time has passed.

Have we really been married for ten years? Time flies!

Altered photo of a bridge on fire

To burn bridges

The phrase to burn bridges means to damage a relationship so badly that it cannot be repaired. It suggests making choices that prevent returning to an earlier situation. This idiom is often used as a warning to think carefully before acting. You cannot cross a bridge after it has been burned away.

He burned bridges by leaving without saying goodbye.