What is an Idiom? 

It's a phrase or sentence whose meaning is not obvious through knowledge of the individual meanings of the constituent words, but must be learnt as a whole.

This page is a study guide with a selection of some of the most frequent Idiomatic Expressions found in everyday American English, which were divided into categories. You will also find tips, practice material, links, games, etc.

Animal Idioms

Wow! It's raining cats and dogs! I wish I'd brought my umbrella.

(It's raining heavily.)

When Melissa told her Mom she'd gotten a zero on the test, she had a cow.

(Her Mom was really upset.)

'How did you know it was my birthday?' 'Well, a little bird told me.'

(Someone told me about it.)

Food Idioms 

I'm freezing my buns off! I wish I'd brought my coat.

(I am very cold.)

'My wife and I went to the doctor and ... guess what? She has a bun in the oven.' 'That's great, Mike. Congratulations!'

(She is going to have a baby.)

English is a piece of cake.

(It's very easy.)

Relationship Idioms

Little Tommy drives me up a wall!

(He makes me angry.)

Sandra broke up with Joshua last week.

(She is not dating him anymore.)

Horse Idioms

'We're really sorry, Mom. But we broke your favorite vase.' 'I bet you and your brother were horsing around the house again.'

(The kids were playing inside the house and broke the vase.)

 'How did you know today was Christine's birthday?' 'I got it straight from the horse's mouth.'

(Christine told me about her own birthday.)

'Darling, hurry up! We'll be late for the show.' 'OK. Hold your horses. I'm coming, honey.'

(Wait a minute.)

Helen's going to tell John she loves him, then she's going to invite him to her party. I think she's putting the horse before the cart.

(She should invite him to the party first.)

'Are you coming to my birthday party on Saturday, Charles?' 'Of course I am. Wild horses couldn't keep me away!'

(Yes! Charles is definitely going to the party.)

'What a ticklish situation! You should talk to Alex. He has good horse sense.' 'Good idea. I think he'll know what to do.'

(Alex has good common sense.)

Body Idioms

I had to give an in-class presentation, but I got cold feet and didn't show up at school.

(I got very nervous.)

'Hey! I've got great news!' 'I am all ears.'

(I am listening to you.)

I just finished doing my homework. Get off my back now!

(Leave me alone and stop telling me to do my homework.)

My brother talked to me heart-to-heart and told me about his feelings.

(He spoke to me very honestly.)

The cops caught the thief red-handed stealing the car.

(The cops caught him when he was stealing the car.)

'Susan has been giving me the cold shoulder for a week or so...' 'Yeah, Ted. She really didn't like what you said about her.'

(Susan hasn't talked to Ted because she's angry.)

When I arrived home late last night, my father gave me an earful.

(My father scolded me.)

What does it mean ...

1) to say that someone is quite as a mouse?

It means that the person is quiet and doesn't talk much.

2) to say that someone is a babe in the woods?

It means that the person is an innocent person going through a difficult situation.

3) to put one's foot in one's mouth?

It means that the person said the wrong thing at the wrong time.

4) to say that money doesn't grow on trees?

It means that you have to work hard to get what you want.

5) to say that the grass is always greener (on the other side of the fence)?

It means that what you don't have always looks better than what you have.

6) to say that a penny saved is a penny earned?

It means that even small amounts of money are worth saving.

7) to say that someone hit the nail on the head?

It means that someone was precise.

8) to say that someone is in the dog house?

It means that the person is in trouble.

9) to say that something seems a little fishy?

It means that something is suspicious.

10) to say that someone has a sweet tooth?

It means that the person has a desire to eat much sweet food, especially candy.

11) to say that one has eyes bigger than one's stomach?

It means to have a desire for more food than one could possibly eat.

12) to send someone packing?

It means to send someone away usually in a rude way.

13) to get someone under one's thumb?

It means to have control over someone.