Common Idioms
Idioms are where English stops being literal — "a piece of cake" has nothing to do with dessert, and knowing that is the difference between following a conversation and getting lost in it. This first set gathers the everyday idioms you will hear again and again in films, at work and among friends. Each card gives the plain meaning and a natural example sentence, so you learn not just what an idiom means but the kind of moment it belongs in.
Practice this set for free — no account needed. Loads 15 flashcards into the learner.
Practice in the free learnerHow to study this set
Picture the image behind each idiom, then remember it is not literal: "under the weather" paints someone standing out in the rain feeling ill. Once you can recall the meaning, listen for these idioms in shows or podcasts — hearing one in the wild is what fixes it for good.
All 15 flashcards
What does the idiom “a piece of cake” mean?
Something very easy to do
The exam was a piece of cake; I finished in ten minutes.
What does the idiom “break the ice” mean?
To say or do something to ease tension and start a conversation
He told a joke to break the ice with the new team.
What does the idiom “hit the sack” mean?
To go to bed
I am exhausted, so I am going to hit the sack.
What does the idiom “under the weather” mean?
Feeling slightly ill or unwell
She stayed home because she was feeling under the weather.
What does the idiom “once in a blue moon” mean?
Very rarely; almost never
We only see each other once in a blue moon these days.
What does the idiom “spill the beans” mean?
To reveal a secret
Do not spill the beans about the surprise party.
What does the idiom “cost an arm and a leg” mean?
To be very expensive
The new phone cost an arm and a leg.
What does the idiom “hit the nail on the head” mean?
To be exactly right about something
You hit the nail on the head with that explanation.
What does the idiom “let the cat out of the bag” mean?
To reveal a secret, often by accident
He let the cat out of the bag about their engagement.
What does the idiom “on cloud nine” mean?
Extremely happy
She was on cloud nine after getting the job.
What does the idiom “call it a day” mean?
To stop working on something for now
We have done enough; let us call it a day.
What does the idiom “get cold feet” mean?
To become nervous or hesitant about something you planned to do
He got cold feet just before the wedding.
What does the idiom “the best of both worlds” mean?
A situation with the advantages of two different things at once
Working from home part-time gives her the best of both worlds.
What does the idiom “a blessing in disguise” mean?
Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good
Losing that job was a blessing in disguise.
What does the idiom “speak of the devil” mean?
Said when someone you were just talking about appears
Speak of the devil — here is Tom now.
What to learn next
When these everyday idioms feel familiar, move on to level 2, "Phrasal Verbs" — the two-word verbs like give up and look after that spoken English leans on constantly.
Continue to Level 2: Phrasal Verbs →