Allen Career Institute
If you want to excel in English both in terms of speaking and writing, one very important thing to learn is ‘Idiom’. Idioms are basically a group of words, also known as phrases that have a hidden meaning which isn’t always evident when read.
Often idioms might come across as confusing or very random. However, it is interesting to know that many of these idioms, no matter how strange they might sound, were originated hundreds of years ago but slowly became a part of our everyday communication.
They can in fact be a progression to your English communication and help you cast a lasting impression.
So, to help you get familiar with the world of idioms and their hidden meanings, we’ve got to you some of the highly common idioms used in daily life.
Let’s have a look:
1. Shedding Crocodile Tears
Meaning: This idiom means to cry about something or someone without really caring. It’s basically fake crying.
Use in Sentence: First, she took away his job and now that he is leaving the place forever, she is shedding crocodile tears.
2. Spill the Beans
Meaning: This idiom means to reveal any secret.
Use in Sentence: As I was the only one to know about the party held at New Year, everyone wanted me to spill the beans.
3. It’s Raining Cats and Dogs
Meaning: Well, this idiom has nothing to do with cats or dogs falling down from sky. It means heavy rainfall.
Use in Sentence: I don’t think you should go out right now. Trust me, it’s raining cats and dogs.
4. To Give Up
Meaning: This idiom can be used when someone accepts defeat or is ready to quit something.
Use in Sentence: Rohan was such a brilliant boy. I can’t believe he is giving up after putting so much effort.
5. Break a Leg
Meaning: At one glance, this idiom might sound too violent but in fact, it means wishing good luck. So next time you need to say good luck, simply say ‘Break a Leg’.
Use in Sentence: Her friends told her to “break a leg” right before she went up on stage for her performance.
6. Kill Two Birds with One Stone
Meaning: Again, there is no killing of birds happening here. This idiom means getting two tasks or things accomplished with a single action or at the same time.
Use in Sentence: I have some work at the office, and on the way back, I’ll pick up the wedding dress as well, killing two birds with one stone.
7. A Piece of Cake
Meaning: In the literal sense, you might think it to be an offering of a cake piece. But the idiom actually means something is extremely simple and easy.
Use in Sentence: Singing is a piece of cake for her. She can do it in front of anyone without fear.
8. Letting Cat Out of Bag
Meaning: Just like spilling the bean, this idiom also defines revealing a secret to someone.
Use in Sentence: I tried hard to keep her arrival a secret, but Ajit went and let the cat out of the bag.
9. Judging a Book by Its Cover
Meaning: This idiom means judging or forming perceptions about a person based on appearance.
Use in Sentence: She didn’t look like she could dance so well. It’s true; you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
10. Under the Weather
Meaning: If you are under the weather, it means you are not feeling well or are slightly ill.
Use in Sentence: I decided to skip the office lunch at my friend’s place as I was feeling a bit under the weather.
While you practice these idioms, we will dig more such phrases and bring to you a new list of commonly used idioms. Keep Learning!
Tags: Learning English | Common Idioms | Idioms | Everyday Speaking | Idioms for Daily Life | Common Phrases
