Common English Idioms with Two Words

Post author:Harry
Post last modified:23/02/2022
Post category:English Idioms
Reading time:7 mins read

The following are very common English idioms with two words. They are used in everyday conversations. In modern communication more informal language is now frequently used to substitute for more formal words and phrases.

Harry

Harry is a native English teacher with over 10 years of experience both online and in face-to-face lessons. With his extensive experience in business, he specialises in Business English lessons but happily teaches ESL students with any English learning needs.

11 Common English idioms with two words

fuddy-duddy

this refers to a person who is overly fussy in their actions. They usually do not relax, do not dress casually and always operate by the rules.

Example:

Michael always wears a suit and a tie even when he goes to McDonald’s!! His friends said he was a real fuddy-duddy.

topsy-turvy

used to describe a situation when everything is confused, or untidy, or unsure

Example:

The weather was very bad. He was due to fly at noon, but he wasn’t sure whether the airport was open or closed. No one could answer a simple question. Everything was topsy turvy.

mumbo jumbo

when what you understand is written in English (or your native tongue), but you cannot understand it as it may be written in ‘legalistic’ language

Example:

Nobody could understand the mortgage document from the bank. It was written in mumbo jumbo.

Intermediate to Advanced English Marathon

INSANITY: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Albert Einstein

What you'll learn:
better understanding of more complex grammar structures
advanced English vocabulary words
British & American slang
perfect your listening skills through practing different accents

This marathon is for you if you're:
stuck at an intermediate English level
tired of confusing explanations
a mature student
shy & introverted

wishy-washy

When a person is unable to make a decision decisively and is stuck between two choices. We can describe him as wishy-washy.

Example:

John could not decide whether to complain about the bad food in the restaurant. Eventually, he decided not to say anything ad even gave the waiter a tip!! His wife said he was wishy-washy.

hotshot

someone who thinks he is better than everyone at everything, but in fact is not

Example:

He hired a hotshot lawyer from London to defend him in his law case but he was still found guilty.

hush-hush

when something is kept secret or covered up so no one can find out the facts.

Example:

He worked for the secret service but nobody knew exactly what he did it was all hush hush.

English Idioms with Two Words

to dilly-dally

to delay without cause or reason and not to rush.

Example:

He was late for the meeting but continued to do this and that in his office and took his time in everything. He dilly-dallied for over an hour.

humdrum

this refers to ordinary routine aspects of our lives. People often look for some distraction from the humdrum of life.

Example:

He worked every day from 8 am to 6 pm and after six months decided to take a long holiday away from the humdrum of his work.

pitter-patter

usually refers to the sound that small footsteps make and is used to refer to a happy announcement that a woman is expecting a baby.

Example:

She was delighted to tell her husband that after 2 years of marriage they were going to hear the tiny pitter-patter of baby feet. She would have her baby in about six months.

tip-top

when you are in good health or when everything is working well.

Example:

He went to the doctor and was in perfect health. His business was doing well and his family were happy. He was tip-top. In fact, everything was tip-top.

wheeler-dealer

used to describe a businessman who deals in lots of business transactions on a regular basis, buying and selling.

Example:

He bought and sold cars every day in all parts of the country. He bought them cheap and sold them for a small profit quickly. He was a real wheeler-dealer.

Idioms are fun to use and appear regularly in formal and informal speech. Enjoy using these common English idioms with two words where and when you can!