Word list · Teens & Adults
Common English Idioms with Meanings
The idioms people really use, with the closest Russian and Spanish match.
- Age
- Ages 13+
- Level
- B1–C1
- Skill
- Vocabulary
- Format
- Interactive
- Phrasal verbs & idioms
- 25 words
Practise
Three ways to learn the list. Nothing is saved: start again whenever you like.
0 of 25 learned
a piece of cake
idiom
The list
Tap the speaker to hear each word.
a piece of cake
idiom · B1
something very easy to do
The exam was a piece of cake. I finished it in half an hour.
break the ice
idiom · B2
to make people who have just met feel more relaxed
Our teacher played a quick game to break the ice on the first day.
hit the nail on the head
idiom · C1
to describe a situation or problem exactly right
You've hit the nail on the head: the real problem is a lack of time.
under the weather
idiom · B2
slightly ill
I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so I'm going to stay at home today.
cost an arm and a leg
idiom · B2
to be very expensive
Their new kitchen must have cost an arm and a leg.
once in a blue moon
idiom · B2
very rarely
I only eat fast food once in a blue moon.
on the same page
idiom · B2
agreeing about what to do or how to do it
Before we start, let's make sure we're all on the same page.
get cold feet
idiom · B2
to suddenly feel too nervous to do something you planned
He got cold feet the night before his first parachute jump.
the last straw
idiom · B2
the final problem in a series that makes you lose patience
When he forgot my birthday again, it was the last straw.
keep an eye on
idiom · B1
to watch someone or something to make sure they are safe
Could you keep an eye on my bag while I buy a ticket?
pull someone's leg
idiom · B2
to joke with someone by telling them something that is not true
Don't worry, I'm only pulling your leg!
a blessing in disguise
idiom · C1
something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good
Losing that job was a blessing in disguise, because I found a much better one.
let the cat out of the bag
idiom · C1
to tell people a secret by mistake
Tom let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
call it a day
idiom · B2
to stop working for the rest of the day
It's nearly seven. Let's call it a day and finish this tomorrow.
sleep on it
idiom · B2
to wait until the next day before you make a decision
You don't have to answer now. Sleep on it and tell me tomorrow.
in hot water
idiom · B2
in trouble
He'll be in hot water if his boss finds out he lied.
a long shot
idiom · C1
something that is unlikely to succeed but is worth trying
It's a long shot, but maybe the shop still has one in stock.
see eye to eye
idiom · B2
to agree with someone
My sister and I don't always see eye to eye about politics.
go the extra mile
idiom · B2
to make more effort than is expected
The hotel staff really went the extra mile to make our stay special.
over the moon
idiom · B2
extremely happy
She was over the moon when she heard she'd passed her driving test.
a drop in the ocean
idiom · C1
a very small amount compared to what is needed
The donation was generous, but it's a drop in the ocean compared to what the hospital needs.
on the fence
idiom · B2
not able to decide between two choices
I'm still on the fence about moving to another city.
learn the ropes
idiom · B2
to learn how to do a new job or activity
It took me a few weeks to learn the ropes at my new job.
better late than never
idiom · B1
it is better to do something late than not to do it at all
You finally answered my email. Better late than never!
bite off more than you can chew
idiom · C1
to try to do more than you are able to
I bit off more than I could chew when I agreed to organise the whole conference.
Use it: speaking task
For pairs or small groups, about ten minutes.
Work in pairs. Choose four idioms. For each one, tell your partner about a real moment from your life when you could use it. Your partner guesses which idiom you are describing before you say it.
- Tell me about a test or task that was a piece of cake.
- When did you last get cold feet about something?
- Describe something that turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
- Who do you not always see eye to eye with? What about?
- When did someone go the extra mile for you?
Printable worksheet
One page of matching and gap-fill, the speaking task, and an answer key on a separate page.
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Present simple in its natural habitat: real days, real habits and the small differences that make conversation.
Name: ______________________ Date: ____________
A. Match each word with its meaning.
- 1. a piece of cake ____
- 2. hit the nail on the head ____
- 3. cost an arm and a leg ____
- 4. on the same page ____
- 5. the last straw ____
- 6. pull someone's leg ____
- 7. let the cat out of the bag ____
- 8. sleep on it ____
- 9. a long shot ____
- 10. go the extra mile ____
- a) the final problem in a series that makes you lose patience
- b) to describe a situation or problem exactly right
- c) agreeing about what to do or how to do it
- d) to tell people a secret by mistake
- e) to make more effort than is expected
- f) to wait until the next day before you make a decision
- g) to be very expensive
- h) something very easy to do
- i) something that is unlikely to succeed but is worth trying
- j) to joke with someone by telling them something that is not true
B. Complete the sentences with words from the box.
a blessing in disguise · break the ice · call it a day · got cold feet · in hot water · keep an eye on · once in a blue moon · over the moon · see eye to eye · under the weather
- 1. Our teacher played a quick game to on the first day.
- 2. I'm feeling a bit , so I'm going to stay at home today.
- 3. I only eat fast food .
- 4. He the night before his first parachute jump.
- 5. Could you my bag while I buy a ticket?
- 6. Losing that job was , because I found a much better one.
- 7. It's nearly seven. Let's and finish this tomorrow.
- 8. He'll be if his boss finds out he lied.
- 9. My sister and I don't always about politics.
- 10. She was when she heard she'd passed her driving test.
C. Use it: speak
Work in pairs. Choose four idioms. For each one, tell your partner about a real moment from your life when you could use it. Your partner guesses which idiom you are describing before you say it.
- Tell me about a test or task that was a piece of cake.
- When did you last get cold feet about something?
- Describe something that turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
- Who do you not always see eye to eye with? What about?
- When did someone go the extra mile for you?
Answer key
A. 1h · 2b · 3g · 4c · 5a · 6j · 7d · 8f · 9i · 10e
- B.
- 1. break the ice
- 2. under the weather
- 3. once in a blue moon
- 4. got cold feet
- 5. keep an eye on
- 6. a blessing in disguise
- 7. call it a day
- 8. in hot water
- 9. see eye to eye
- 10. over the moon