The news cycle can be a whirlwind of information, sometimes leaving you scratching your head. But what if there were hidden gems within the reports, little nuggets of language that add flavor and meaning? Well, there are! Enter the world of news idioms, those familiar expressions that pack a punch and enhance your understanding of current events.
List of News Idioms
Break the news
Hot off the press
Extra, extra, read all about it
Front-page news
News flash
Make headlines
Yesterday’s news
Stop the presses
Off the record
Scoop
Spill the beans
Catch someone’s eye
Headliner
Hold the front page
In the headlines
In the news
Old news
Press conference
Read between the lines
Slow news day
Spread like wildfire
Breaking news
Cover story
Lead story
Media circus
Off the beaten track
On the record
Out of print
Press release
Publicity stunt
Run a story
Run by someone
Tabloid journalism
Under wraps
Wheel out someone/something
Yellow journalism
Extra! Extra!
All the news that’s fit to print
Front-page material
Headline news
In black and white
On the front page
Out of the headlines
Pass under the radar
Plant a story
Put something in print
Run a news story
Run with a story
The latest news
Whistleblower
Hit the Ground Running
News Idioms with Meaning and Examples
Break the news
Meaning: To inform someone about something important or serious.
Example: I had to break the news to her that her car had been stolen.
Hot off the press
Meaning: Something that has just been printed or published and is very new.
Example: The newspaper was hot off the press, and the ink was still fresh.
Extra, extra, read all about it
Meaning: A call traditionally used by newspaper vendors to attract attention to their papers.
Example: Extra, extra, read all about it! The mayor has announced his resignation.
Front-page news
Meaning: Something that is considered important enough to be featured on the front page of a newspaper.
Example: The scandal was front-page news for weeks.
News flash
Meaning: A brief bulletin conveying important news.
Example: We interrupt this program for a news flash: there has been a major earthquake in the region.
Make headlines
Meaning: To become the subject of news stories.
Example: The celebrity’s controversial remarks made headlines around the world.
Yesterday’s news
Meaning: Something that is no longer new or important.
Example: The company’s bankruptcy is yesterday’s news; everyone’s moved on to the latest scandal.
Stop the presses
Meaning: An exclamation used to convey urgency, typically to halt the printing of a publication due to breaking news.
Example: Stop the presses! We need to include the latest development in the front-page story.
Off the record
Meaning: Information shared in confidence and not for publication.
Example: I can’t confirm that officially, but off the record, it’s true.
Scoop
Meaning: A news story that is published before any of its competitors.
Example: The journalist got a scoop on the celebrity’s secret wedding.
Spill the beans
Meaning: To reveal a secret or disclose information.
Example: She promised not to spill the beans about the surprise party.
Catch someone’s eye
Meaning: To attract someone’s attention.
Example: The colorful advertisement caught my eye as I was walking down the street.
Headliner
Meaning: The main story or performer in a show, event, or publication.
Example: The rock band was the headliner at the music festival.
Hold the front page
Meaning: An exclamation used to convey urgency, typically to request that a publication include breaking news.
Example: Hold the front page! We have breaking news coming in from the capital.
In the headlines
Meaning: Being discussed or featured prominently in news stories.
Example: The politician found himself in the headlines once again after making controversial comments.
In the news
Meaning: Being currently discussed or reported in the media.
Example: The environmental crisis has been in the news a lot lately.
Old news
Meaning: Something that is no longer of interest or relevance because it is well known or has been discussed extensively.
Example: His scandalous affair is old news now; nobody cares anymore.
Press conference
Meaning: A formal meeting or event where journalists are invited to hear and ask questions about a specific announcement or event.
Example: The CEO called a press conference to address the company’s recent losses.
Read between the lines
Meaning: To understand the hidden meaning or significance of something.
Example: When reading the contract, make sure to read between the lines to avoid any surprises.
Slow news day
Meaning: A day when there is little or no significant news to report.
Example: The journalists struggled to find stories to cover—it was a slow news day.
Spread like wildfire
Meaning: To spread rapidly and uncontrollably.
Example: The rumor spread like wildfire through the office, causing panic among the employees.
Breaking news
Meaning: New information that is just coming in and is being reported as it happens.
Example: We interrupt this program for breaking news: there has been a terrorist attack in the city.
Cover story
Meaning: The main story featured on the cover of a magazine or newspaper.
Example: The scandalous affair was the cover story of every tabloid magazine.
Lead story
Meaning: The most important or prominent story in a news broadcast or publication.
Example: The lead story of tonight’s news is the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Media circus
Meaning: A situation characterized by frenzied media coverage and attention.
Example: The celebrity’s arrest turned into a media circus, with reporters camped outside the courthouse.
Off the beaten track
Meaning: Away from the usual or popular route or course.
Example: We decided to take a detour and explore some of the off-the-beaten-track villages.
On the record
Meaning: Information that is officially documented and can be attributed to a particular source.
Example: Anything you say to the press will be considered on the record and may be quoted.
Out of print
Meaning: No longer available for sale in printed form.
Example: The book went out of print years ago, but you might find a copy in a used bookstore.
Press release
Meaning: An official statement or announcement issued to the media for publication.
Example: The company issued a press release to announce its new product launch.
Publicity stunt
Meaning: A planned event or action intended to attract media attention and generate publicity.
Example: The celebrity’s skydiving stunt was just a publicity stunt to promote his new movie.
Run a story
Meaning: To publish or broadcast a news story.
Example: The newspaper decided not to run the story until they had verified the facts.
Run by someone
Meaning: To share information or seek approval from someone, especially before making it public.
Example: Before publishing the article, I’ll run it by the editor to get her feedback.
Tabloid journalism
Meaning: Sensationalist and often irresponsible journalism practiced by tabloid newspapers.
Example: The tabloid journalism was criticized for spreading rumors and misinformation.
Under wraps
Meaning: Kept secret or concealed from public knowledge.
Example: The details of the new product are still under wraps until the official announcement.
Wheel out someone/something
Meaning: To bring out or present someone or something, especially for public display or attention.
Example: The company will wheel out their latest innovations at the trade show next week.
Yellow journalism
Meaning: Sensationalist and biased reporting, often characterized by exaggeration and distortion of facts.
Example: The newspaper was accused of engaging in yellow journalism to boost its circulation.
Extra! Extra!
Meaning: An exclamation used by newspaper vendors to announce the latest edition of a newspaper with exciting news.
Example: Extra! Extra! The president has been impeached!
All the news that’s fit to print
Meaning: The slogan of The New York Times, implying that the newspaper covers all important news stories.
Example: The New York Times prides itself on publishing all the news that’s fit to print.
Front-page material
Meaning: Something that is deemed worthy of being featured on the front page of a newspaper.
Example: The scandal was definitely front-page material for the tabloids.
Headline news
Meaning: News stories considered important enough to be featured prominently in newspapers or broadcasts.
Example: The plane crash was headline news for days.
In black and white
Meaning: In writing or in print; clearly stated or documented.
Example: We have the agreement in black and white, so there should be no misunderstandings.
On the front page
Meaning: Featured prominently on the front page of a newspaper.
Example: The story about the earthquake was on the front page of every newspaper.
Out of the headlines
Meaning: No longer attracting attention or being discussed in the media.
Example: The scandal is finally out of the headlines, and things are starting to return to normal.
Pass under the radar
Meaning: To go unnoticed or undetected.
Example: The suspicious transactions somehow managed to pass under the radar of the regulators.
Plant a story
Meaning: To secretly arrange for a story to be published in the media in order to manipulate public opinion.
Example: The politician tried to plant a story about his opponent’s personal life to discredit him.
Put something in print
Meaning: To publish something in written form.
Example: The journalist decided to put her findings in print in a series of investigative articles.
Run a news story
Meaning: To publish or broadcast a story as news.
Example: The network decided to run the news story despite concerns about its accuracy.
Run with a story
Meaning: To pursue or continue reporting on a particular news story.
Example: The media outlets decided to run with the story after it gained traction on social media.
The latest news
Meaning: The most recent information or updates.
Example: Tune in to our website for the latest news on the election results.
Whistleblower
Meaning: A person who exposes wrongdoing or illegal activities within an organization or government.
Example: The whistleblower revealed evidence of corruption at the highest levels of government.
Hit the Ground Running
Meaning: To start something immediately and with full effort, energy, and preparation.
Example: As soon as the project was approved, we hit the ground running and began working on it tirelessly.
So next time you’re catching the news, keep your ears peeled for these idioms. They might just be the key to unlocking a deeper understanding of the world around you!
