The document explains idioms and phrases, their meanings, and provides numerous examples. Idioms are expressions whose meanings differ from their literal interpretations, while phrases have direct meanings. The text includes various common idioms, their meanings, and contextual examples to illustrate their usage.

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“Everyday may not be good,
But there is something good in
Every day”

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INTRODUCTION
What are Idioms and phrases? What is it all about?
• An idiom (also called idiomatic
expression) is an expression, word,
or phrase that has a figurative
meaning conventionally understood
by native speakers. This meaning is
different from the literal meaning of
the idiom's individual elements. In
other words, idioms don't mean
exactly what the words say. They
have, however, hidden meaning
• A phrase is a group of words in a
sentence that does not have a
subject nor a verb. They do not
figurative meanings, the expression
means what the words indicate.
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Most common Idioms
and Phrases

5. It’s raining
cats and dogs.
It’s raining
heavily/tremendously.
Means …
Examples:
• When we were returning from
the picnic, it was raining cats
and dogs.
• It's raining cats and dogs I am
worried about how my kids
will reach home.
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6. A piece of cake.
Something is very easy.
Means …
6
Example :
• The English test was a
piece of cake.
• The project is a piece of
cake. It can be finished
in five minutes.
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7. As fresh as a daisy.
You are full of energy.
Means …
7
Example:
• After getting some sleep,
I was as fresh as a daisy.
• Now that I've showered,
I'm fresh as a daisy!
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8. You are not able to sit
still.
Have ants in your pants.
Means …
8
Examples:
• The young students just
can't sit still; they must
have ants in their pants.
• Can't you sit still for
minute? Do you
have ants in your pants?
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9. You are the first to do or
say something.
Break the ice.
Means …
9
Examples:
• Jim organized a few party
games to break the ice when
people first arrived.
• I have to break the ice with a
long pole before I can lower a
bucket into water.
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10. You have
an embarrassing secret.
Skeletons in your closet.
Means …
10
Examples:
• Most families have one or
two skeletons in the closet.
• We have shared some real
personal experiences and
all the usual skeletons in
the closet.
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11. Hurry up!
Shake a leg!
Means …
11
Examples:
• Hey, kids, shake a leg! You're
going to be late for school!
• I want to get there before sun
down, so let's shake a leg.
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12. Be patient.
Hold your horses.
Means …
12
Examples
• Hold your horses! We have
not won yet, so don't start
celebrating.
• We haven't quite finished
yet. Hold your horses till
we complete this last bit.
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13. Be very happy or excited.
On cloud nine.
Means …
13
Examples:
• She's been on cloud nine since
she heard the news of her gold
medal in the Olympics.
• I felt like I was on cloud 9
when my mother told me that
we are going to US next week.
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14. A very small part of
something.
A drop in the bucket.
Means …
14
Examples:
• What few changes there have
been are a drop in the bucket.
• The technical geniuses he is
talking about are a drop in
the bucket of the total
immigration picture.
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15. People can't change their
basic nature.
A leopard can't change his spots.
Means …
15
Examples:
• He is bound to fail the exam
again, a Leopard cannot
change his spots after all.
• She is still arguing with him. It
is impossible for a Leopard to
change his spots.
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16. A visual presentation is more
descriptive than words.
A picture paints a thousand words.
Means …
16
Examples:
• A good presentation should
contain more of graphics and less
of text, since a picture is worth a
thousand words.
• Its easier to learn how a machine
works from pictures rather than
descriptions, since a picture is
worth a thousand words.
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17. To not judge someone or
something based solely
on appearance.
You can’t judge a book by
its cover
Means …
17
Examples:
1.The candidate did not look very
intelligent, but you can't judge a
book by its cover.
2.The hotel looked attractive from
outside, but the rooms were damp
and not well maintained. You can't
judge a book by its cover!
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18. When something
happens rarely.
Once in a blue moon.
Means …
Examples:
• He comes around once in a
blue moon.
• That kind of chance comes
once in a blue moon.
• It only happens like this once
in a blue moon.
• We go out to eat once in a
blue moon.
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Get the ball rolling To begin an idea or process
A blessing in disguise Something that appears bad at first but ends up having good results.
Actions speak louder than
words
What you do is more important than what you say; someone’s words
may not be trustworthy.
Add fuel to the fire. When someone does something to make a bad situation worse.
Beat around the bush. To talk unimportant things because you are avoiding a particular topic.
Better late than never. It’s better to do something late than not at all.
Curiosity killed the cat. A warning that being inquisitive or curious can get you in trouble.
Every cloud has a silver lining. Even a bad situation may have a positive aspect to it
It’s not rocket science. To say something isn’t very complicated.
Kill two birds with one stone. To achieve two things at once.
The best of both worlds. Where you can enjoy the advantages of two different things at the same
time – an ideal situation
We’ll cross that bridge when
we come to it
To deal with something when it happens rather than worrying about it
before.
In a nutshell In summary, in a few words
When pigs fly Something that will never happen
Pen is mightier than the sword Communication and writing is more effective than military power or
violence
An apple a day keeps the
doctor away
Apples are good for health.
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SOME MORE IDIOMS …

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