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. The learner asks it as shown here: phrase first, meaning second.
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
Swap question and answerSomething very easy to do
What does the idiom “a piece of cake” mean?
The exam was a piece of cake; I finished in ten minutes.
To say or do something to ease tension and start a conversation
What does the idiom “break the ice” mean?
He told a joke to break the ice with the new team.
To go to bed
What does the idiom “hit the sack” mean?
I am exhausted, so I am going to hit the sack.
Feeling slightly ill or unwell
What does the idiom “under the weather” mean?
She stayed home because she was feeling under the weather.
Very rarely; almost never
What does the idiom “once in a blue moon” mean?
We only see each other once in a blue moon these days.
To reveal a secret
What does the idiom “spill the beans” mean?
Do not spill the beans about the surprise party.
To be very expensive
What does the idiom “cost an arm and a leg” mean?
The new phone cost an arm and a leg.
To be exactly right about something
What does the idiom “hit the nail on the head” mean?
You hit the nail on the head with that explanation.
To reveal a secret, often by accident
What does the idiom “let the cat out of the bag” mean?
He let the cat out of the bag about their engagement.
Extremely happy
What does the idiom “on cloud nine” mean?
She was on cloud nine after getting the job.
To stop working on something for now
What does the idiom “call it a day” mean?
We have done enough; let us call it a day.
To become nervous or hesitant about something you planned to do
What does the idiom “get cold feet” mean?
He got cold feet just before the wedding.
A situation with the advantages of two different things at once
What does the idiom “the best of both worlds” mean?
Working from home part-time gives her the best of both worlds.
Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good
What does the idiom “a blessing in disguise” mean?
Losing that job was a blessing in disguise.
Said when someone you were just talking about appears
What does the idiom “speak of the devil” mean?
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 →