Idioms and Phrases in English- Definition and Examples

Idioms and phrases in English are groups of words that people often use while speaking or writing. These words, when used together, do not always mean what each word says. They have a special meaning that is different from their literal meaning of words. That’s the reason many find idioms and phrases a bit confusing at first.

But once you understand them, they help you communicate and write in a better and more effective way. Idioms and phrases in English are generally used to share thoughts or feelings in a fun and interesting manner. Now, let’s learn what does idioms and phrases in English mean and how to use them with simple examples.

Idioms and Phrases with Meanings and Examples

Idioms and phrases are important parts of English grammar that make communication more lively and interesting. While they both have groups of words, their meanings and uses are quite different from each other. Let's understand Idioms and Phrases one by one.

What are Idioms?

Idioms are groups of words that do not mean exactly what they say. When the words in a idiom are combined together, they have a special meaning that might be different from the individual words included in it. Idioms come from stories, history, or even creative writing and can change with time. Their main role is to make our speech and writing more interesting.

For example, "break the ice" is an idiom that does not mean to literally break ice, but it means to start a conversation or make people feel more comfortable. 

Read More - Conjunctions: Definition, List, Types and Examples

What are Phrases?

Phrases are small groups of words that go together to give a clear and simple meaning. They are not full sentences, but they are used as parts of sentences to give more information. Phrases do not have a complete verb on their own, so they cannot stand alone as full sentences.

For example, when someone says “on the table,” it tells us where something is. This group of words makes sense together but is not a full sentence. Let’s take a look at some examples to understand the phrases and idioms better:

Common Idioms and Phrases with Meanings and Examples

Idioms and phrases are fun ways we use words to make our talking and writing more interesting and colorful. Check out the few phrases and idioms with their meaning and examples below:

A drop in the bucket (Idiom)

• Meaning: A very small amount compared to what is needed.

• Example: The money he gave was just a drop in the bucket; we still need a lot more to fix the roof.

Once in a blue moon (Phrase)

• Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.

• Example: We go on a family trip once in a blue moon.

Read More - Pronouns - Definition, Types and Examples

Head over heels (Idiom)

• Meaning: Deeply in love.

• Example: My sister is head over heels for her new puppy.

Kill two birds with one stone (Idiom)

• Meaning: Do two things at once with one action.

• Example: By going to the library, I killed two birds with one stone; I returned my book and got a new one.

Pull someone’s leg (Idiom)

• Meaning: To joke with someone or trick them playfully.

• Example: Don’t believe him; he is just pulling your leg!

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In the same boat (Phrase)

• Meaning: In the same bad or difficult situation as others.

• Example: All of us forgot our homework, so we’re in the same boat.

Out of the blue (Phrase)

• Meaning: Happened suddenly and without warning.

• Example: Out of the blue, it started raining while we were playing outside.

A piece of cake (Idiom)

• Meaning: Something very easy.

• Example: This math problem is a piece of cake for me.

Read More -  Adjectives - Definition, Types, Forms, Usage, Examples

Put your best foot forward (Phrase)

• Meaning: Try your hardest to do something well.

• Example: She put her best foot forward in the dance competition.

By understanding idioms and phrases with meanings and examples, you can enhance your English communication and express yourself in a more interesting and impactful way.

What is the Difference Between Phrases and Idioms?

Idioms and phrases are both groups of words, but they are not the same. Idioms can be tough at first as they don’t mean exactly what their words say. Their meaning is different. For example, if someone says, “He kicked the bucket,” they don’t mean he really kicked a bucket. It means the person has died. So, idioms are like secret ways of saying something.

On the other hand, Phrases are easier to understand because their meaning is simple. The words included in any phrase mean just what they say. For example, “The boy sat on the chair” is a phrase. It means the boy is really sitting on the chair.

20 Idioms with their Meanings and Sentences

Idioms are fun and interesting expressions used in English to say things in a smart and creative way. Many people use idioms in stories, poems, and even in jokes. Once you understand different idioms with their meanings, it becomes easy to use them. Here are 20 idioms with their meanings and sentences to help you understand them better.

1. Under the weather

• Meaning: Feeling sick

• Sentence: Riya didn’t come to school because she was feeling under the weather.

2. Cold feet

• Meaning: Getting nervous before doing something important

• Sentence: Just before the stage performance, Amit got cold feet.

Read More - What is a Metaphor? Definition with Examples

3. Apple of my eye

• Meaning: Someone you love or care about a lot

• Sentence: His little daughter is the apple of his eye.

4. Set the record straight

• Meaning: To explain the truth clearly

• Sentence: I had to set the record straight when everyone thought I broke the vase.

5. Kill two birds with one stone

• Meaning: Do two things at the same time with one action.

• Sentence: By going to the market, I killed two birds with one stone — I bought groceries and met my friend.

6. Snowed under

• Meaning: Very busy

• Sentence: My teacher is snowed under with exam papers to check.

7. Walk on eggshells

• Meaning: Be very careful with your words or actions.

• Sentence: When Dad is angry, we all walk on eggshells around him.

8. Bite the bullet

• Meaning: To do something difficult or unpleasant without delay

• Sentence: I didn’t want to go to the dentist, but I bit the bullet and went.

9. Make ends meet

• Meaning: To manage money just enough for daily needs

• Sentence: During the lockdown, many families found it hard to make ends meet.

10. Pretty penny

• Meaning: Very expensive

• Sentence: That watch costs a pretty penny!

11. Break a leg

• Meaning: A way to wish someone good luck

• Sentence: Before her singing contest, we all told her to break a leg.

Read More - Vowels -Definition, Rules and Example

12. Through thick and thin

• Meaning: In both good and bad times

• Sentence: My best friend stood by me through thick and thin.

13. Beat around the bush

• Meaning: Not saying something clearly or directly

• Sentence: Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened.

14. Hang in there

• Meaning: Don’t give up; stay strong.

• Sentence: I know the exam is hard, but hang in there; you’re doing well.

15. Cut corners

• Meaning: Do something in the easiest or cheapest way.

• Sentence: Don’t cut corners while building the project. Do it properly.

16. Call it a day

• Meaning: Stop working for the day

• Sentence: We were tired, so we called it a day after lunch.

17. Better late than never

• Meaning: It’s okay to be late as long as you do it.

• Sentence: He came to class after it started, but better late than never.

18. Steal someone’s thunder

• Meaning: Take attention or praise away from someone.

• Sentence: Tina wore a bright dress and stole her sister’s thunder at the party.

19. Blue in the face

• Meaning: Very tired or angry after trying something many times

• Sentence: I explained it till I was blue in the face, but he didn’t listen.

20. A blessing in disguise

• Meaning: Something that looks bad at first but turns out good

• Sentence: Missing the bus was a blessing in disguise; I avoided the traffic jam.

Read More-  Antonyms - Definition, Types, and Examples

Practice Questions on Idioms and Phrases

Check your understanding of phrases and idioms by answering the practice questions given below. 

1. Which phrase means "to stop doing something for the day"?

• A. A blessing in disguise

• B. Call it a day

• C. Jump the gun

• D. Bite the bullet

Ans. B

2. What does the idiom "pulling someone’s leg" mean?

• A. Helping someone

• B. Teasing or joking with someone

• C. Hurting someone

• D. Ignoring someone

Ans. B

3. What is the meaning of the idiom "drop in the bucket"?

• A. A small or unimportant amount

• B. A big mistake

• C. A rainy day

• D. A full bucket

Ans. A

4. What does the idiom "under the weather" mean?

• A. Going out in the rain

• B. Feeling unwell

• C. Very happy

• D. Feeling strong

Ans. B

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