IdiomsWeb: Complete List of Idioms

  • Idioms from Around the World: A Cultural Comparison

    Idioms from Around the World: A Cultural Comparison

    Idiomatic expressions, also known as idioms, are quirky linguistic phrases that convey meaning beyond the literal definition of their individual words. They are a ubiquitous aspect of human language and serve as a means to succinctly express complex ideas and emotions. The idioms of a language are a reflection of the cultural and historical background […]

  • The Origins of 10 Common Idioms

    The Origins of 10 Common Idioms

    The English language, a tapestry woven from a rich diversity of linguistic threads from various cultures and tongues, is famous for its habit of borrowing. These adopted words, phrases, and expressions often mirror the beliefs, values, and cultural legacy of their users. One such type of linguistic borrowing that has woven its way deep into […]

  • Understanding the Differences between Active and Passive Vocabularies

    Understanding the Differences between Active and Passive Vocabularies

    In the world of language, there are two types of vocabulary that are commonly used: active and passive. Both are important for effective communication, but they serve different purposes and are used in different ways. In this article, we will explore the differences between active and passive vocabulary and how they can be used to […]

  • thanks for nothing

    thanks for nothing

    Idiom: thanks for nothing The phrase “thanks for nothing” is an idiomatic expression that means “you have not done anything useful or helpful” or “I am not grateful for your help or support.” It is often used as a sarcastic or sarcastic way to express disappointment or frustration with someone’s lack of assistance or effort. […]

  • Eat like a horse

    Eat like a horse

    Idiom: Eat like a horse Meaning Now, a horse is much bigger than a bird. So how much do you think a horse eats? That’s right, to eat like a horse is to eat a large amount of food. When someone eats like a horse, they always eat a lot of food. Examples “My mother […]

  • that’s my girl

    that’s my girl

    Idiom: that’s my girl Meaning An expression used to express praise or pride for a female with whom one has a close relationship, especially one’s daughter. Examples That’s my girl, another report card with straight A’s!It gave me a lot of encouragement to hear my parents shouting “That’s our girl!” during the football game. You […]

  • To go from rags to riches

    To go from rags to riches

    Idiom: To go from rags to riches Meaning To go from being poor to having a lot of money. go from being very poor to being very wealthy be very poor in the beginning then later become very rich go from poverty to wealth Examples “Actor Jim Carrey went from rags to riches. At one […]

  • be taken by surprise

    be taken by surprise

    Idiom: be taken by surprise Meaning To be happened upon when one is not ready, prepared, or on no surprise when you showed up at my office this afternoon for lunch. I wish you would have called ahead! Happen when someone is not prepared or is expecting something different. Examples The enemy encampment was taken […]

  • Pay an arm and a leg for something

    Pay an arm and a leg for something

    Idiom: Pay an arm and a leg for something Meaning To pay a lot of money for something. You can also say that something “costs an arm and a leg.” a very large amount of money To pay an exorbitant amount of money for something. Examples “The price of chocolate has doubled. I nearly paid an arm and a leg for a small […]

  • get taken to task (by someone)

    get taken to task (by someone)

    Idiom: get taken to task (by someone) Meaning To be scolded, rebuked, reprimanded, or criticized (by someone). Examples I got taken to task by the headmaster for disrupting class again It’s not entirely fair that the bankers are the only ones getting taken to task for the economic collapse when a great many politicians are […]

Got any book recommendations?