Idioms are expressions that are used in informal situations. They are similar to phrasal verbs, but rather than performing the function of a verb, they can give more detail and interest to what you are saying. To find out more about phrasal verbs visit our Phrasal Verb Introduction page.

Idioms can be difficult for non-natives as their meanings are not automatically clear, although the context they are used in can help.

The good news is that most languages have versions of idioms and some are virtually the same! For example in Spanish they use ‘ser pan comido’ to express when something is easy. In English we say ‘a piece of cake’! “El trabajo es pan comido” is “the job is a piece of cake”

Check out our idioms that use

● The weather

● Animals

● Work

● To agree or disagree

Idioms using the weather

Idioms are expressions that are used in informal situations. They can give more detail and interest to what you are saying and help you impress whoever you are talking to! To find out more about idioms visit our Idioms Introduction page.

Below are some idioms that use the weather.

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Links to –
● Animals idioms
● Work idioms
● Agree or disagree idioms

Every cloud has a silver lining – even in a bad situation, there is something good
During the pandemic it was horrible to be stuck at home all the time, but at least I got to spend more time with my dog – every cloud has a silver lining!

To be snowed under – to have lots of things to do
I would love to come to the party, but I’m snowed under at work.

Come rain or shine – something will happen, even if bad things happen to stop it
It doesn’t matter if you pass the test or not, we’ll be proud of you come rain or shine!

To steal someone’s thunder – to take credit for someone’s achievement or take attention from them at an important moment
Marie was so angry, Andrea stole her thunder by telling everyone about her new job before she did.

To have a face like thunder – when someone looks very angry
I wouldn’t talk to mom at the moment. She has a face like thunder as she didn’t sleep well.

To be/feel as right as rain – to feel better (normally used after an illness or injury)
Typical, I was sick all weekend, but I feel as right as rain now that it’s Monday!

Don’t forget to check out more vocabulary on our Phrasal Verbs page

Idioms using animals

Idioms are expressions that are used in informal situations. They can give more detail and interest to what you are saying and help you impress whoever you are talking to! To find out more about idioms visit our Idioms Introduction page.

Below are some idioms that use animals.

(Infographic to be uploaded)

Links to –
● Weather idioms
● Work idioms
● Agree or disagree idioms

It’s raining cats and dogs – it’s raining heavily
I wanted to have a BBQ later, but it’s raining cats and dogs!

To chicken out – to be too scared to do something
I wanted to do a parachute jump, but I chickened out at the last minute. I was so scared!

To drop like flies – to give up or die easily
It’s my birthday at the weekend, but my party is going to be very quiet as my friends are dropping like flies.

To be in the dog house – to be in trouble
I forgot to defrost the chicken for lunch so I am in the doghouse with my parents.

To kill two birds with one stone – to do/achieve two things at once

If we go to the shopping centre we can get some new clothes and have lunch. Kill two birds with one stone.

Straight from the horse’s mouth – to hear the truth from the source

I heard they were breaking up, but I won’t believe it until I hear it straight from the horse’s mouth.

Don’t forget to check out more vocabulary on our Phrasal Verbs page

Idioms to use at work

Idioms are expressions that are used in informal situations. They can give more detail and interest to what you are saying and help you impress whoever you are talking to!

To find out more about idioms visit our Idioms Introduction page.

Below are some idioms that you can use at work.

(Infographic to be uploaded)

Links to –
● Weather idioms
● Animals idioms
● Agree or disagree idioms

To cut corners – to do something as quickly as possible, although it’s normally not done to a high standard
He’s a nightmare because he never does anything correctly. He always cuts corners and then things go wrong.

To get the ball rolling – to start something
Come on guys, we really need to get the ball rolling on the meeting. We were meant to start an hour ago.

To go back to the drawing board – to start something again after the first attempt was not successful
The trials of the product didn’t yield the results we needed. We need to go back to the drawing board.

To think outside the box – to approach a problem or situation in a new or original way
Ok, does anyone have any new ideas for the marketing campaign? We should try thinking outside the box to make the most impact.

To throw the towel in – to quit on a project or situation
That’s it, I’ve had enough of this. I’m throwing the towel in!

To have a lot on your plate – to have lots of work / things to do

Can we reschedule the meeting? I have a lot on my plate at the moment.

Don’t forget to check out more vocabulary on our Phrasal Verbs page

Idioms to use to agree or disagree

Idioms are expressions that are used in informal situations. They can give more detail and interest to what you are saying and help you impress whoever you are talking to! To find out more about idioms visit our Idioms Introduction page.

Below are some phrasal idioms that you can use to agree or disagree.

(Infographic to be uploaded)

Links to –
● Weather idioms
● Animals idioms
● Work idioms

To see eye to eye – to agree with someone’s views
She’s very interesting. I really see eye to eye .with her about most things

To be of the same mind – to strongly agree
If everyone is of the same mind, I will book the hotel.

To kiss and make up – to settle an argument and become friends again
I think they’ve finally kissed and made up after that massive argument the other night.

A bone of contention – a particular point that is causing disagreements
Point 6 is a real bone of contention in the negotiations.

To have a bone to pick with someone – to have a complaint about something someone else has done / said
I have a bone to pick with you – I heard you about what you said the other night.

To jump down someone’s throat – to get angry very suddenly at someone and shout at them
He has such a quick temper. He’s always jumping down people’s throats.