Idioms and Slang for Natural English
Tired of your English sounding, well, too English? Want to add some flavor and personality to your conversations? Look no further than the world of idioms and slang! These linguistic gems can transform your speech from bland to brilliant, from formal to friendly.
Here are 60+ idioms and slang phrases commonly used in natural English, along with their meanings and example sentences:
- Piece of cake
- Meaning: Something very easy to do.
- Example: “Don’t worry, passing this exam will be a piece of cake for you.”
- Hit the nail on the head
- Meaning: To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
- Example: “You hit the nail on the head with your analysis of the issue.”
- Bite the bullet
- Meaning: To endure a painful experience or situation bravely.
- Example: “She had to bite the bullet and tell her boss about the mistake.”
- Break the ice
- Meaning: To initiate conversation or start a relationship in a social setting.
- Example: “He told a joke to break the ice at the party.”
- Cost an arm and a leg
- Meaning: To be very expensive.
- Example: “Buying a new car can cost an arm and a leg.”
- Caught red-handed
- Meaning: To be caught in the act of doing something wrong.
- Example: “The thief was caught red-handed stealing from the store.”
- Burning the midnight oil
- Meaning: Working late into the night.
- Example: “She’s been burning the midnight oil to finish her project before the deadline.”
- A piece of the action
- Meaning: A share in an activity or opportunity.
- Example: “He wanted a piece of the action in the new business venture.”
- Hit the hay
- Meaning: To go to bed or go to sleep.
- Example: “I’m exhausted; I think it’s time to hit the hay.”
- Caught between a rock and a hard place
- Meaning: To be in a situation where you have to choose between two equally difficult options.
- Example: “She’s caught between a rock and a hard place—she needs the job but can’t afford the commute.”
- A dime a dozen
- Meaning: Something common and easily obtained.
- Example: “Those trinkets are a dime a dozen at the flea market.”
- Break the bank
- Meaning: To spend more money than one can afford.
- Example: “I want to buy a new laptop, but it would break the bank.”
- Kick the bucket
- Meaning: To die.
- Example: “When I’m old and gray, I hope to kick the bucket peacefully in my sleep.”
- Fish out of water
- Meaning: To feel uncomfortable or out of place in a particular situation.
- Example: “As an introvert, I always feel like a fish out of water at big parties.”
- Let the cat out of the bag
- Meaning: To reveal a secret.
- Example: “I accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.”
- Under the weather
- Meaning: Feeling ill or not in good health.
- Example: “I can’t come to work today; I’m feeling under the weather.”
- Break a leg
- Meaning: Good luck.
- Example: “Break a leg on your audition; I know you’ll do great!”
- Cost a pretty penny
- Meaning: To be very expensive.
- Example: “That new designer dress must have cost a pretty penny.”
- Jump on the bandwagon
- Meaning: To join others in doing something that has become fashionable or popular.
- Example: “After the team won the championship, everyone jumped on the bandwagon and became fans.”
- Back to the drawing board
- Meaning: To start over because a plan has failed.
- Example: “The project didn’t go as planned, so it’s back to the drawing board.”
- Spill the beans
- Meaning: To reveal a secret.
- Example: “She accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party.”
- Hold your horses
- Meaning: To wait or be patient.
- Example: “Hold your horses; I’ll be ready in just a minute.”
- Put all your eggs in one basket
- Meaning: To risk everything on a single venture.
- Example: “I wouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket when investing.”
- In the same boat
- Meaning: In the same difficult situation as someone else.
- Example: “We’re all in the same boat when it comes to dealing with this project.”
- A blessing in disguise
- Meaning: Something that seems bad or unlucky at first but results in something good happening later.
- Example: “Losing my job turned out to be a blessing in disguise; it pushed me to pursue my passion.”
- Throw in the towel
- Meaning: To give up or surrender.
- Example: “After hours of arguing, I finally threw in the towel and agreed to his terms.”
- Break a sweat
- Meaning: To work hard or exert effort.
- Example: “I didn’t even break a sweat during the marathon; it was too easy.”
- Catch some Z’s
- Meaning: To go to sleep or take a nap.
- Example: “I need to catch some Z’s before the big presentation tomorrow.”
- Bite off more than you can chew
- Meaning: To take on more responsibilities than one can handle.
- Example: “I think I bit off more than I can chew by agreeing to help organize the event.”
- Cut to the chase
- Meaning: To get to the point without wasting time.
- Example: “Let’s cut to the chase and discuss the main issue at hand.”
- Grin and bear it
- Meaning: To endure a difficult or unpleasant situation with a smile.
- Example: “I don’t enjoy public speaking, but I grin and bear it when necessary.”
- Burn the midnight oil
- Meaning: To work late into the night.
- Example: “I burned the midnight oil to finish the report before the deadline.”
- Jump the gun
- Meaning: To act prematurely or before the appropriate time.
- Example: “I think we’re jumping the gun by making plans before we know all the details.”
- Spill the tea
- Meaning: To gossip or share juicy information.
- Example: “She spilled the tea about what happened at the party last night.”
- Have a blast
- Meaning: To have a great time.
- Example: “I had a blast at the concert last night; the music was amazing!”
- Chew the fat
- Meaning: To have a casual conversation or chat.
- Example: “Let’s meet up and chew the fat over coffee.”
- Call it a day
- Meaning: To finish work or stop doing something for the day.
- Example: “We’ve been working hard all afternoon; let’s call it a day.”
- Spitballing ideas
- Meaning: Tossing around ideas or brainstorming.
- Example: “We spent the afternoon spitballing ideas for our next project.”
- Break the ice
- Meaning: To initiate conversation or start a relationship in a social setting.
- Example: “She broke the ice by telling a funny story.”
- In hot water
- Meaning: In trouble or facing consequences.
- Example: “He found himself in hot water after missing the deadline.”
- Put someone on the spot
- Meaning: To place someone in a difficult or uncomfortable situation by asking them a question or making a request.
- Example: “She put me on the spot by asking me to speak in front of the entire group.”
- Beat around the bush
- Meaning: To avoid addressing an issue directly or to speak indirectly.
- Example: “Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think.”
- Cutting corners
- Meaning: Doing something quickly or cheaply, often sacrificing quality.
- Example: “They’re cutting corners to finish the project on time, but it may not be up to standard.”
- The ball is in your court
- Meaning: It’s your turn to make a decision or take action.
- Example: “I’ve given you all the information you need; now the ball is in your court.”
- Throw someone under the bus
- Meaning: To betray or sacrifice someone else to save oneself.
- Example: “He threw his colleague under the bus to avoid taking responsibility for the mistake.”
- Fit as a fiddle
- Meaning: In good health and physical condition.
- Example: “After months of training, he’s fit as a fiddle for the marathon.”
- Out of the woods
- Meaning: Out of danger or a difficult situation.
- Example: “The patient is still recovering, but I think he’s out of the woods.”
- Penny pincher
- Meaning: Someone who is very frugal or careful with money.
- Example: “My grandfather is a penny pincher; he saves every penny he can.”
- Keep your chin up
- Meaning: To remain optimistic or cheerful in difficult circumstances.
- Example: “Things may be tough now, but keep your chin up; it’ll get better.”
- Burn bridges
- Meaning: To ruin a relationship or close off potential opportunities for the future.
- Example: “Be careful not to burn bridges with your colleagues; you never know when you’ll need their help.”
- Get a kick out of
- Meaning: To enjoy or find pleasure in something.
- Example: “He gets a kick out of playing practical jokes on his friends.”
- Cut the mustard
- Meaning: To meet expectations or perform satisfactorily.
- Example: “She didn’t think he could handle the job, but he proved he could cut the mustard.”
- Ace in the hole
- Meaning: A hidden advantage or resource that can be used if needed.
- Example: “Having a degree in computer science is my ace in the hole when applying for jobs.”
- Eyes are bigger than your stomach
- Meaning: To take more food than one can eat.
- Example: “She always fills her plate, but her eyes are bigger than her stomach.”
- Sleep like a log
- Meaning: To sleep deeply and soundly.
- Example: “After hiking all day, I slept like a log in my tent.”
- Steal someone’s thunder
- Meaning: To take attention or credit away from someone else.
- Example: “She announced her engagement, but her sister’s pregnancy stole her thunder.”
- Hit the sack
- Meaning: To go to bed or go to sleep.
- Example: “I’m exhausted; it’s time to hit the sack.”
- Barking up the wrong tree
- Meaning: To be mistaken or pursuing the wrong course of action.
- Example: “If you think I’m the one who took your keys, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
- Throw caution to the wind
- Meaning: To act without considering the risks.
- Example: “She decided to throw caution to the wind and travel the world alone.”
- Cost an arm and a leg
- Meaning: To be very expensive.
- Example: “Buying a new car can cost an arm and a leg.”
- In the red
- Meaning: Operating at a financial loss or being in debt.
- Example: “The company has been in the red for the past few quarters.”
- A penny for your thoughts
- Meaning: A way of asking someone what they are thinking.
- Example: “You seem lost in thought; a penny for your thoughts?”
- Hitting the nail on the head
- Meaning: To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
- Example: “You hit the nail on the head with your analysis of the issue.”
- Spill the beans
- Meaning: To reveal a secret.
- Example: “She accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party.”
- Throw in the towel
- Meaning: To give up or surrender.
- Example: “After hours of arguing, I finally threw in the towel and agreed to his terms.”
Spice Up Your Speech with These Tips:
- Start small: Don’t try to cram in every idiom and slang term you know. Introduce them gradually and in appropriate contexts.
- Context is key: Not all idioms and slang are suitable for every situation. Use them with your friends, not at a job interview!
- Listen and learn: Pay attention to how native speakers use idioms and slang. Mimic their usage and pronunciation.
- Don’t overdo it: A sprinkle of spice makes the dish, but too much can overpower the taste. Use idioms and slang sparingly for maximum impact.
- Have fun! Experiment, play around, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Learning a language is a journey, not a destination.
Remember, the key to using idioms and slang effectively is to be natural and authentic. Don’t force it, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become, and soon you’ll be speaking English like a true pro, peppering your conversations with gems that will make you sound like a native speaker.
