15 Most Common English Idioms

15 MOST COMMON ENGLISH IDIOMS AND
PHRASES
Every language has its own idioms and expression and the English language has
plenty of phrases that is useful to learn. Idioms are words or phrases that aren’t
meant to be taken literally and usually have a cultural meaning behind them. Most of
the English idioms you hear are offering advice’s but also contain some underlying
principles and values. You have probably heard some of them, especially in TV-
shows and movies, and wondered why you can’t understand these idioms even
though you fully understand the words. To learn English idioms and expression it can
take some time but there are some of them that are more popular than others that
will come handy if you know them. When you learn English idioms and phrases you
will sound more confident especially when you speak with native English speakers. If
you can’t understand idioms you will not be able to understand the context. That is
why we have gathered some of the most common English idioms and phrases so
you will understand the true meaning of them.
Here are the most common English idioms and phrases that will enrich
your English vocabulary and make you sound like a native speaker. Now with even
more idioms and phrases added!
1. ‘The best of both worlds’ – means you can enjoy two different opportunities at
the same time.
“By working part-time and looking after her kids two days a week she managed to
get the best of both worlds.”
2. ‘Speak of the devil’ – this means that the person you’re just talking about actually
appears at that moment.
“Hi Tom, speak of the devil, I was just telling Sara about your new car.”
3. ‘See eye to eye’ – this means agreeing with someone.

“They finally saw eye to eye on the business deal.”
4. ‘Once in a blue moon’ – an event that happens infrequently.

“I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon.”
5. ‘When pigs fly’ – something that will never happen.

“When pigs fly she’ll tidy up her room.”
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6. ‘To cost an arm and a leg’– something is very expensive.

“Fuel these days costs and arm and a leg.”
7. ‘A piece of cake’– something is very easy.

“The English test was a piece of cake.”
8. ‘Let the cat out of the bag’ – to accidentally reveal a secret.

“I let the cat out of the bag about their wedding plans.”
9. ‘To feel under the weather’ – to not feel well.

“I’m really feeling under the weather today; I have a terrible cold.”
10. ‘To kill two birds with one stone’ – to solve two problems at once.
“By taking my dad on holiday, I killed two birds with one stone. I got to go away but
also spend time with him.”
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11. ‘To cut corners’ – to do something badly or cheaply.

“They really cut corners when they built this bathroom; the shower is leaking.”
12. ‘To add insult to injury’ – to make a situation worse.

“To add insult to injury the car drove off without stopping after knocking me off my
bike.”
13. ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover’ – to not judge someone or something
based solely on appearance.
“I thought this no-brand bread would be horrible; turns out you can’t judge a book by
its cover.”
14. ‘Break a leg’ – means ‘good luck’ (often said to actors before they go on stage).
“Break a leg Sam, I’m sure your performance will be great.”
15. ‘To hit the nail on the head’ – to describe exactly what is causing a situation or
problem.
“He hit the nail on the head when he said this company needs more HR support.”
16. ‘A blessing in disguise’ – An misfortune that eventually results in something

good happening later on.
17. ‘Call it a day’ – Stop working on something
18. ‘Let someone off the hook’ – To allow someone, who have been caught, to not
be punished.
19. ‘No pain no gain’ – You have to work hard for something you want.
20. ‘Bite the bullet’ – Decide to do something unpleasant that you have avoiding
doing.
21. ‘Getting a taste of your own medicine’ – Being treated the same unpleasant
way you have treated others.
22. ‘Giving someone the cold shoulder’ – To ignore someone.
23. ‘The last straw’ – The final source of irritation for someone to finally lose
patience.
24. ‘The elephant in the room’

– A matter or problem that is obvious of great importance but that is not discussed o
penly.
25. ‘Stealing someones thunder’ – Taking credit for someone else achievements.

15 Most Common English Idioms

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15 MOST COMMON ENGLISH IDIOMS AND

3. ‘See eye to eye’ – this means agreeing with someone.

4. ‘Once in a blue moon’ – an event that happens infrequently.

5. ‘When pigs fly’ – something that will never happen.

6. ‘To cost an arm and a leg’– something is very expensive.

7. ‘A piece of cake’– something is very easy.

8. ‘Let the cat out of the bag’ – to accidentally reveal a secret.

9. ‘To feel under the weather’ – to not feel well.

11. ‘To cut corners’ – to do something badly or cheaply.

12. ‘To add insult to injury’ – to make a situation worse.

16. ‘A blessing in disguise’ – An misfortune that eventually results in something

17. ‘Call it a day’ – Stop working on something

22. ‘Giving someone the cold shoulder’ – To ignore someone.

24. ‘The elephant in the room’

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