Idioms are phrases with figurative meanings different from their literal words. Below are 10 common English idioms, their meanings, explanations, and examples:
- Bite the bullet
- Meaning: To endure a painful or difficult situation with courage.
- Explanation: This idiom comes from historical accounts where soldiers would bite a bullet during surgery without anesthesia to cope with pain. It now refers to facing tough situations head-on.
- Example: I didn’t want to tell her the bad news, but I had to bite the bullet and be honest.
- Break the ice
- Meaning: To start a conversation in a social situation to make people feel comfortable.
- Explanation: Derived from ships breaking ice to clear a path, it describes easing tension or awkwardness in social settings.
- Example: He told a funny joke to break the ice at the meeting.
- Kick the bucket
- Meaning: To die.
- Explanation: This phrase likely originates from the idea of someone standing on a bucket while being hanged, kicking it away in the process. It’s a casual, sometimes humorous way to refer to death.
- Example: The old car finally kicked the bucket after years of breakdowns.
- Let the cat out of the bag
- Meaning: To reveal a secret, often accidentally.
- Explanation: Possibly from markets where a piglet was sold in a bag, and revealing a cat instead exposed a scam. It now means disclosing something meant to be hidden.
- Example: She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
- Spill the beans
- Meaning: To disclose confidential information.
- Explanation: This may come from an ancient voting system where beans were used in secret ballots, and spilling them revealed the results. It refers to sharing secrets.
- Example: Come on, spill the beans—who won the contest?
- Under the weather
- Meaning: Feeling unwell or sad.
- Explanation: Maritime origins suggest sailors sent below deck (under the weather conditions) when sick. It describes mild illness or low spirits.
- Example: I’m feeling a bit under the weather, so I’ll skip the hike today.
- Barking up the wrong tree
- Meaning: Mistaking someone or something for the cause of a problem.
- Explanation: From hunting dogs barking at the wrong tree where prey wasn’t hiding. It means pursuing a mistaken course of action.
- Example: If you think I ate your lunch, you’re barking up the wrong tree!
- The ball is in your court
- Meaning: It’s your turn to make a decision or take action.
- Explanation: From tennis, where the ball being in your court means it’s your move. Used to urge someone to act.
- Example: I’ve sent you the proposal; now the ball is in your court.
- Burn the midnight oil
- Meaning: To work or study late into the night.
- Explanation: Refers to using oil lamps to work after dark before electricity. It implies dedication or effort late at night.
- Example: She burned the midnight oil to finish her project before the deadline.
- Piece of cake
- Meaning: Something very easy to do.
- Explanation: Likely from the ease of eating cake, it describes tasks requiring little effort.
- Example: The math test was a piece of cake for her.
