Commonly used idioms

Speak of an issue which many people are talking about and which is usually disputed A hot potato

A way of asking what someone is thinking A penny for your thoughts

People's intentions can be judged better by what they do than what they say. Actions speak louder than words

To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an unfavorable situation. Add insult to injury

Very expensive or costly. A large amount of money. An arm and a leg

Meaning: without any hesitation; instantly. At the drop of a hat

When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over. Back to the drawing board

It is up to you to make the next decision or step Ball is in your court

Looking in the wrong place. Accusing the wrong person Barking up the wrong tree

Be happy when a person leaves. Be glad to see the back of

Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue. Beat around the bush

Meaning: All the advantages. Best of both worlds

A good invention or innovation. A good idea or plan. Best thing since sliced bread

To take on a task that is way too big. Bite off more than you can chew

Something good that isn't recognized at first. Blessing in disguise

To work late into the night, alluding to the time before electric lighting. Burn the midnight oil

Cannot judge something primarily on appearance. Can't judge a book by its cover

When someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives. Caught between two stools

This idiom is used when something is very expensive. Costs an arm and a leg

Deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary, not before. Cross that bridge when you come to it

When you complain about a loss from the past. Cry over spilt milk

Being Inquisitive can lead you into an unpleasant situation. Curiosity killed the cat

When something is done badly to save money. Cut corners

To succeed; to come up to expectations; adequate enough to compete or participate Cut the mustard

To present a counter argument Devil's Advocate

This idiom is used to express "Don't make plans for something that might not happen". Don't count your chickens before the eggs have hatched

You are not very good at something. You could definitely not do it professionally. Don't give up the day job

Do not put all your resources in one possibility. Don't put all your eggs in one basket

When you are extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions. Drastic times call for drastic measures

The show has come to an end. It's all over. Elvis has left the building

Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days. Every cloud has a silver lining

Very different from. Far cry from

Meaning: Feeling slightly ill. Feel a bit under the weather

Believe someone's statement, without proof. Give the benefit of the doubt

This idiom means 'to hear rumors' about something or someone. Hear it on the grapevine

Do or say something exactly right Hit the nail on the head

To go to bed. Hit the sack / sheets / hay

Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment. In the heat of the moment

Actions or communications need more than one person It takes two to tango

Join a popular trend or activity. Jump on the bandwagon

Keep something away. Keep something at bay

This idiom means, to accomplish two different things at the same time. Kill two birds with one stone

The final problem in a series of problems. Last straw

Do not disturb a situation as it is - since it would result in trouble or complications. Let sleeping dogs lie

To share information that was previously concealed Let the cat out of the bag

Come to the point - leave out details Make a long story short

An assertion that, despite one's approach seeming random, there actually is structure to it. Method to my madness

This idiom is used to say that someone missed his or her chance Miss the boat

Meaning: No manners Not a spark of decency

Someone who lacks intelligence. Not playing with a full deck

Crazy, demented, out of one's mind, in a confused or befuddled state of mind, senile. Off one's rocker

When someone understands the situation well. On the ball

Meaning: Happens very rarely. Once in a blue moon

A visual presentation is far more descriptive than words. Picture paints a thousand words

A job, task or other activity that is easy or simple. Piece of cake

This means to deceive someone into thinking well of them. Put wool over other people's eyes

This idiom is used to say that two (or more people) agree on something. See eye to eye

This is used when someone does not want to choose or make a decision. Sit on the fence

This expression is used when the person you have just been talking about arrives. Speak of the devil!

To take the credit for something someone else did. Steal someone's thunder

This means not to take what someone says too seriously. Take with a grain of salt

Means that something happens to you, or is done to you, that you have done to someone else Taste of your own medicine

To hear something from the authoritative source. To hear something straight from the horse's mouth

Everything. All of it. Whole nine yards

Would never like to do something Wouldn't be caught dead

To have no idea, do not know the answer to a question Your guess is as good as mine

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