Learn 20 everyday English idioms and their meanings that are commonly used by native English speakers. Designed for intermediate to advanced learners, this lesson focuses on practical, everyday phrases that will help you improve your fluency, sound more natural, and boost your confidence in conversations.
Whether you’re preparing for exams, improving your professional communication, or just looking to grow your vocabulary, these idioms are easy to understand and can be used in many real-life situations. By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to use these expressions effectively, helping you stand out as a more confident and skilled English speaker.
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Essential idioms
20 Everyday English Idioms and Their Meanings
Harry
So in this particular lesson, we will go through 20 common and useful English idioms that native speakers use in daily conversations.
As always, I will give you a detialed meaning and a couple of examples so that you understand how to better understand them in English.
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hands down
Meaning: easily or without question/doubt
Examples:
Oh, this team will win this match hands down. They are much better than the other team.
He’ll get the job hands down because there’s no real opposition.
costs an arm and a leg
Meaning: very expensive or extremely costly
Example:
Of course, you can live in the city centre, but it will cost you an arm and a leg.
You’d like to drive a BMW? Oh, yeah, wouldn’t we all? But they cost an arm and a leg.
get cold feet
Meaning: suddenly become nervous or hesitant about something, especially before a big decision or event
Examples:
He was going to ask the girl in the office out on a date, but he got cold feet and he didn’t ask her.
He was going to ask his boss for a raise, but he got cold feet, thinking his boss might get annoyed.
under the weather
Meaning: feeling unwell, either physically or emotionally
Examples:
I’m feeling a little under the weather today. I woke up with a slight headache and a runny nose.
Michael won’t be at school today because he’s feeling under the weather. I’ll keep him at home so he doesn’t pass it on to the other children.
20 Everyday English Idioms and Their Meanings
pour your heart out
Meaning: to share your deepest feelings, often about something troubling, with someone you trust
Examples:
She broke up with her boyfriend and spent an hour pouring out her heart to her friend.
After losing the competition, he poured his heart out to his coach about how disappointed he felt.
at your wits’ end
Meaning: completely overwhelmed and unsure what to do next
Examples:
She was at her wits’ end when Jamie didn’t come home from school. She thought he’d been kidnapped.
He was at his wits’ end trying to think of a unique idea for the birthday celebration he had promised his partner.
blow a fuse
Meaning: to lose your temper or become very angry suddenly
Examples:
She blew a fuse when her colleague took credit for her idea because she couldn’t hold back her frustration.
He blew a fuse when his roommate forgot to lock the door again, something he had repeatedly asked him to do.
wrap your head (brain) around sth
Meaning: to understand or comprehend something that is complex or difficult
Examples:
I’ve been trying to wrap my head around this problem now for hours.
I’ve been wrapping my brain around this all day. I still can’t figure it out.
let your hair down
Meaning: to relax and enjoy yourself, especially after working hard
Examples:
After weeks of studying for her exams, Sarah finally decided to let her hair down and went out dancing with her friends.
We all need to let our hair down sometimes, so we planned a weekend getaway to relax and have fun.
the world is your oyster
Meaning: you have many opportunities or possibilities in life, and you can achieve whatever you want
Examples:
Now that you’ve graduated and have your degree, the world is your oyster.
With your talent and determination, the world is your oyster. You can achieve great things in your career.
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paint the town red
Meaning: to go out and enjoy yourself, usually by partying or celebrating in a lively and extravagant way
Examples:
After finishing their exams, they decided to paint the town red with a big party to celebrate.
When they got their first wages, they went out to paint the town red and celebrate their success.
break the ice
Meaning: to say or do something that makes people feel more comfortable and helps start a conversation
Examples:
When everyone was silently staring at the floor in the lift, she joked about the weather to break the ice.
He asked his new colleague about their train journey to the office to break the ice and start a conversation.
call it a day
Meaning: to stop working or doing something because it’s time to finish
Examples:
We’ve been working on this all day, and we’re too tired to focus now. Let’s call it a day.
After completing the project successfully, she decided to call it a day and move on to new challenges.
After running their business for decades, they decided to call it a day and enjoy their retirement.
fair-weather friend
Meaning: only supportive or around during good times but disappears when things get tough
Examples:
When she needed support, she realised he was just a fair-weather friend.
During tough times, he found out who his real friends were and who the fair-weather friends were.
make ends meet
Meaning: to earn just enough money to cover your basic expenses
Examples:
By the 28th of every month, I struggle to make ends meet and have to borrow money to cover my expenses.
Many low-income families rely on social welfare to make ends meet.
20 Everyday English Idioms and Their Meanings
on a shoestring
Meaning: doing something with a very small amount of money or a limited budget
Examples:
We managed to organise the entire event on a shoestring, and everyone still had a great time.
My boss never gives me enough money for the marketing budget, so I always have to work on a shoestring.
jump the gun
Meaning: to start something a little bit early
Examples:
My boss told me not to jump the gun on the new project and to wait until the staff meeting before starting anything.
The team was eager to start the new campaign, but the manager warned them not to jump the gun.
going places
Meaning: to achieve success or great things in life, often due to talent, ambition, or potential
Examples:
Mike in accounts is really going places. He’s smart, talented, and clearly has the boss’s favour.
I’ve finished my degree, and I know I’m going places. I just need the right job.
in the bag
Meaning: certain or guaranteed to be successful or achieved
Examples:
With our team eight points ahead and only a few games left, we’re confident the championship is in the bag.
I’ve been working on this client for months, and after our last meeting, I’m confident it’s in the bag.
make my day
Meaning: to do something that brings great happiness or excitement to someone
Examples:
When my boss told me I could have next week off to reward my hard work, it really made my day.
He also told me I was being promoted and that it would be announced to the staff that evening. It really made my day.
So here are my 20 everyday English idioms and their meaning to help you improve your speaking skills. Don’t forget to practise. Put them into your own sentences.
If you need any help, please contact me at englishlessonviaskype.com. Always happy to hear from you.
This is Harry saying goodbye. Thanks for watching. Thanks for listening. Join me again soon
speak better English with Harry podcast- episode 512
more information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
Learn English Idioms for Sickness
You can always study English advanced level at Learning English with the BBC and British Council Learn English.
