Funny English Idioms
English is full of surprises and idioms are one of its funniest, quirkiest features. Sometimes they sound downright ridiculous (“raining cats and dogs,” really?), yet they carry meanings that are both clever and expressive.
What Are Idioms?
An idiom is a group of words whose meaning isn’t literal but figurative. For example, if someone says “Break a leg!” they don’t actually want you to get hurt! They’re wishing you good luck.
Funny English Idioms with meaning and example
When pigs fly – Something that will never happen.
Example: He’ll clean his room when pigs fly!
A piece of cake – Something very easy to do.
Example: That exam was a piece of cake.
Let the cat out of the bag – To reveal a secret by accident.
Example: Sam let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
Hold your horses – Wait or slow down.
Example: Hold your horses, I’m not ready yet!
Raining cats and dogs – Raining very heavily.
Example: We got soaked because it was raining cats and dogs.
The lights are on, but nobody’s home – Someone who seems mentally absent or not very smart.
Example: He looks serious, but the lights are on, and nobody’s home.
A sandwich short of a picnic – A little crazy or not very intelligent.
Example: That guy is a sandwich short of a picnic.
Put a sock in it – Be quiet or stop talking.
Example: Put a sock in it, I’m trying to concentrate!
More holes than Swiss cheese – Full of flaws or problems.
Example: Your plan has more holes than Swiss cheese.
To have a few screws loose – To act a bit strange or crazy.
Example: He must have a few screws loose to try that stunt.
Mad as a hatter – Completely crazy.
Example: Everyone thought the inventor was mad as a hatter.
All hat and no cattle – Someone who talks big but doesn’t act.
Example: He claims to be rich, but he’s all hat and no cattle.
Butter someone up – To flatter someone to gain favor.
Example: She’s buttering up the boss for a promotion.
Kick the bucket – To die (humorous way).
Example: The old computer finally kicked the bucket.
Go bananas – To become very excited or crazy.
Example: The kids went bananas at the circus.
Under the weather – Feeling ill.
Example: I’m a bit under the weather today.
Cat got your tongue? – Said when someone is unusually quiet.
Example: What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?
Bite off more than you can chew – Take on too much responsibility.
Example: He bit off more than he could chew by accepting two jobs.
Not playing with a full deck – Slightly crazy or not very bright.
Example: That guy isn’t playing with a full deck.
Cool as a cucumber – Very calm and relaxed.
Example: She stayed cool as a cucumber during the interview.
Until the cows come home – For a very long time.
Example: You can argue until the cows come home, but I won’t change my mind.
Have ants in your pants – To be restless or excited.
Example: The kids had ants in their pants waiting for the show.
Go cold turkey – To suddenly quit a bad habit.
Example: He went cold turkey on smoking last week.
The elephant in the room – An obvious problem everyone ignores.
Example: Let’s talk about the elephant in the room — our budget issues.
Hit the sack – To go to bed.
Example: I’m exhausted, I’m going to hit the sack.
Big cheese – An important or influential person.
Example: He’s the big cheese in that company.
Break a leg – A way to wish someone good luck (especially before a performance).
Example: Break a leg! You’ll do great on stage.
Jump on the bandwagon – To join something popular.
Example: Everyone’s jumping on the bandwagon with that new app.
Like a bull in a china shop – Very clumsy or careless.
Example: He’s like a bull in a china shop when he gets nervous.
Barking up the wrong tree – To make a wrong assumption or pursue a mistaken idea.
Example: If you think I broke it, you’re barking up the wrong tree!
Most idioms sound strange because they don’t mean what they say and that’s what makes them funny! Imagining cats and dogs falling from the sky or pigs flying through the air can make anyone laugh.
