English Idioms

Master the colorful expressions that make English vibrant and engaging

What Are Idioms?

Idioms are phrases or expressions that have a figurative meaning different from their literal meaning. They add color, personality, and cultural richness to language. From "raining cats and dogs" to "break a leg," idioms make English more expressive and fun!

Popular Idiom Categories

Weather & Nature

Raining cats and dogs

Raining very heavily

Under the weather

Feeling sick or unwell

A ray of sunshine

Someone who brings happiness

Every cloud has a silver lining

Good can come from bad situations

Body Parts

Keep an eye on

To watch carefully

Pull someone's leg

To joke or tease someone

Cost an arm and a leg

To be very expensive

Get it off your chest

To share your feelings

Animals

Let the cat out of the bag

To reveal a secret

Kill two birds with one stone

To accomplish two things at once

The elephant in the room

An obvious problem no one discusses

Curiosity killed the cat

Being too curious can be dangerous

Idioms in Context

It's raining cats and dogs outside, so we'll stay home.

Keep an eye on the children while I'm gone.

That new car will cost an arm and a leg!

Let the cat out of the bag and tell us the surprise!

Interactive Quiz 1: Match the Idiom

Match each idiom with its meaning:

What does "raining cats and dogs" mean?

Show Answer

Answer: Raining very heavily

What does "cost an arm and a leg" mean?

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Answer: To be very expensive

What does "let the cat out of the bag" mean?

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Answer: To reveal a secret

Interactive Quiz 2: Complete the Idiom

Complete these common idioms:

Every cloud has a _____ lining

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Answer: silver

Kill two _____ with one stone

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Answer: birds

The _____ in the room

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Answer: elephant

Interactive Quiz 3: Use in Sentences

Use these idioms in sentences:

Use "under the weather" in a sentence

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Answer: I'm feeling under the weather today, so I'll stay home.

Use "pull someone's leg" in a sentence

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Answer: Don't worry, I was just pulling your leg about the surprise party.

Use "get it off your chest" in a sentence

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Answer: If something is bothering you, just get it off your chest.

Interactive Quiz 4: True or False

Determine if these idiom meanings are correct:

True or False: "A ray of sunshine" means someone who brings happiness.

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Answer: True

True or False: "Curiosity killed the cat" means cats are naturally curious.

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Answer: False - it means being too curious can be dangerous

True or False: "Keep an eye on" means to watch carefully.

Show Answer

Answer: True

Tips for Using Idioms

1

Understand the Context

Make sure you understand when and how to use each idiom appropriately.

2

Practice Regularly

Use idioms in conversation and writing to become more comfortable with them.

3

Learn the Origins

Understanding where idioms come from helps you remember and use them better.

Quick Reference

Idiom Categories:15+ categories
Common Idioms:200+ expressions
Difficulty:Intermediate

Pro Tip

Idioms make your English more colorful and engaging - practice them regularly to sound more natural!