English idioms are fixed phrases that convey specific meanings not obvious from their literal words. Common in literature, daily speech, and exams like IELTS, idioms add vividness and natural flow to English communication.
1. What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a set expression with a figurative meaning derived from usage. These phrases often use metaphor, simile, or other literary devices to reflect native-speaker culture and thought patterns.
Example: To be a couch potato → Not literally a potato on a couch, but someone lazy who spends time watching TV.
2. 500 Common English Idioms
Idiom |
|---|
a bear with a sore head |
a bit of a dark horse |
a bitter pill to swallow |
a different kettle of fish |
a dog's life |
a fish out of water |
a long shot |
a memory like a sieve |
a night owl |
a pain in the neck |
a piece of cake |
a red rag to a bull |
a red-letter day |
a sitting duck |
a storm in a teacup |
a wild-goose chase |
above board |
Achilles heel |
against all odds |
agree to disagree |
all along |
all but |
all in |
all in all |
all the same |
all told |
an old wives' tale |
an unknown quantity |
as a last resort |
as the crow flies |
at close quarters |
at large |
at the cutting edge |
bark up the wrong tree |
be ahead of one's time |
be all at sea |
be all fingers and thumbs |
be all very well |
be as busy as a bee |
be as thick as a brick |
be beside oneself with anger |
be born yesterday |
be broke |
be caught red-handed |
be dying for sth |
be fit for |
be for the high jump |
be full of beans |
be green |
be in a quandary |
be in sb's black books |
be in sb's shoes |
be in the dark about sth |
be in the doghouse |
be in the know |
be in the same boat |
be in two minds about sth |
be on the cards |
be on the defensive |
be on the up and up |
be out of practice |
be over the moon |
be second to none |
be sound asleep |
be the apple of sb's eye |
be the perfect image of sb |
be the splitting image of sb |
be thrown off balance |
be tickled pink |
be up and about |
be up in arms |
be worn out |
be/get soaked to the skin |
be/have a close shave |
bear fruit |
beat about/around the bush |
beat sb black and blue |
before one can say Jack Robinson |
beg the question |
behind bars |
behind the scenes |
below the belt |
bide one's time |
big cheese |
big-headed |
bite off more than sb can chew |
black and blue all over |
black tie |
blaze a trail |
blessing in disguise |
blow a fuse |
blue-eyed boy |
bolt from the blue |
brainwave |
break even |
break the ice |
bring sth home to sb |
bring to one's knees |
browned off |
bury one's head in the sand |
butter sb up |
by and large |
by definition |
by force of habit |
by trial and error |
call it quits |
call sb names |
cast aspersions |
catch sb red-handed |
chair a meeting |
chip off the old block |
chop and change |
claim to fame |
clear the air |
come clean |
come out of one's shell |
come to a head |
come to a standstill |
come to terms with |
come to the fore |
come to the point |
cook one's goose |
cost a bomb |
cost an arm and a leg |
cramp one's style |
crocodile tears |
cross one's mind |
cry over spilt milk |
cut corners |
cut sb dead |
cut sb to the quick |
cut to the bone |
deal a blow to |
every nook and cranny |
face the music |
fair and square |
fall head over heels |
fall into place |
feel down in the mouth |
feel in one's bones |
feel one's ears burning |
few and far between |
fight like cat and dog |
fine kettle of fish |
flat broke |
flog a dead horse |
fly off the handle |
fly on the wall |
for all |
for all I care |
for all I know |
for donkey's years |
for the time being |
frosty welcome |
gatecrasher |
get a bit hot under the collar |
get a move on |
get a problem off one's chest |
get cold feet |
get cold feet |
get nowhere fast |
get off on the wrong foot |
get on one's nerves |
get out of bed on the wrong side |
get out of hand |
get rid of sth |
get the hang of it |
get the sack |
get the wrong end of the stick |
get wind of |
get your own back |
give and take |
give chapter and verse |
give sb the cold shoulder |
give sb the slip |
give the green light to sth |
give vent to |
give way to |
go back on one's word |
go by the board |
go for a song |
go to any lengths |
go to one's head |
go to the dogs |
go without saying |
golden opportunity |
grease sb's palm |
green belt |
green with envy |
grey matter |
grow out of sth |
hand in glove with sb |
have a bee in one's bonnet |
have a frog in one's throat |
have a job to do sth |
have a sharp tongue |
have a yellow streak |
have an early night |
have an eye for |
have an eye for |
have at one's fingertips |
have butterflies in one's stomach |
have kittens |
have many irons in the fire |
have no fixed abode |
have no option but |
have one's heart in one's mouth |
have sb's hands full |
have the cheek |
have the gift of the gab |
have time on one's hands |
have words with sb |
hear it through the grapevine |
hit the nail on the head |
hit the roof |
hit the sack |
hold one's horses |
ill at ease |
in a flash |
in a nutshell |
in a rut |
in a tick |
in abeyance |
in arrears |
in black and white |
in broad daylight |
in clover |
in deep water |
in full flow |
in public |
in the abstract |
in the act of |
in the air |
in the balance |
in the black |
in the flesh |
in the long run |
in the nick of time |
in the offing |
in the red |
it stands to reason |
it's all Greek to me |
jack of all trades |
keep a straight face |
keep an eye on sth |
keep in check |
keep one's chin up |
keep one's fingers crossed |
keep one's wits about one |
keep oneself to oneself |
keep sth quiet |
keep sth under one's hat |
keep up with the Joneses |
kick the bucket |
kill time |
kill two birds with one stone |
know the ropes |
lay bare |
lay the table |
lend an ear |
lend sb a hand |
let sleeping dogs lie |
no wonder |
not all it's cracked up to be |
not be one's cup of tea |
not count one's chickens before they're hatched |
not have it both ways |
not have the foggiest idea |
not hold water |
not lose any sleep over sth |
null and void |
no pain no gain |
of all people |
of its own accord |
of no consequence |
off colour |
off the cuff |
off the point |
off the record |
on a shoe string |
on account of |
on edge |
on no account |
on second thoughts |
on the air |
on the alert |
on the ball |
on the blink |
on the dole |
on the dot |
on the face of it |
on the level |
on the quiet |
on the spur of the moment |
on this/that account |
once and for all |
once in a blue moon |
one's flesh and blood |
open to debate |
out and about |
out in the open |
out of bounds |
out of print |
out of the blue |
out of the frying pan into the fire |
out of the question |
out of turn |
out-and-out |
paint the town red |
part and parcel of |
part company with |
pay sb's way |
pick someone's brains |
pitch black |
play cat and mouse with sb |
play it by ear |
play one's cards right |
play truant |
plenty more fish in the sea |
point the finger of suspicion |
pop the question |
pull a few strings |
pull one's leg |
pull one's socks up |
put a damper on |
put down roots |
put on a brave face |
put one's foot down |
put one's foot in it |
put one's heart and soul into sth |
put sb's name forward |
put the cat among the pigeons |
put two and two together |
put words into one's mouth |
rack sb's brains |
rain cats and dogs |
red herring |
red tape |
ring a bell |
rise to the challenge |
see eye to eye with sb |
see fit |
see red |
see the back of |
set in one's ways |
shed light upon |
short and sweet |
show one's true colours |
sleep like a dog |
sleep on it |
slip one's mind |
slow on the uptake |
smell a rat |
sour grapes |
speak volumes |
spill the beans |
stand in sb's way |
status symbol |
stay clear of |
stew in one's own juice |
sth comes in handy |
straight from the horse's mouth |
strike a chord |
strike gold |
sweet tooth |
swim like a fish |
take it easy |
take one's time |
take sb for granted |
take sth into account |
take sth on the chin |
take sth to heart |
take sth with a pinch of salt |
take the bull by the horns |
take things to pieces |
take to one's heels |
talk the hind legs off a donkey |
the black sheep of the family |
the ins and outs |
the last straw |
the life and soul of sth |
the lion's share |
the pot calling the kettle black |
the rat race |
the tip of the iceberg |
the year dot |
thick-skinned |
through thick and thin |
throw a party |
to no effect |
tongue in cheek |
tooth and nail |
touch and go |
turn a blind eye to sth |
turn over a new leaf |
under the weather |
until one is blue in the face |
until the cows come home |
up and coming |
ups and downs |
wash sb's hands of sb |
wet behind the ears |
wet blanket |
whet sb's appetite |
white elephant |
white-collar job |
with a view to doing sth |
with flying colours |
without fail |
work a miracle |
work to rule |
3. Using Idioms in IELTS
Speaking
Use idioms naturally and in moderation. They can boost your score for fluency and lexical resource, but must fit the context.
Example: “Global warming efforts have been a mixed bag. Governments have stepped up to the plate with emission cuts, but they need to act at the drop of a hat when extreme weather hits.”
Writing
In academic IELTS essays, use idioms sparingly and ensure they are appropriate. They can add flair but should not overpower formal tone.
4. Idioms Practice Exercise
Fill in the blanks with a suitable idiom:
Winning that scholarship was a real ___ for her.
He felt ___ after finally landing his dream job.
The news made him ___—he could not stop smiling.
Getting a day off turned out to be ___ when deadlines changed.
We are all ___ for the presentation and will perform well.
Suggested answers:
feather in the cap
on top of the world
over the moon
blessing in disguise
on the same page
Why Learn These Idioms?
Mastering idioms helps you speak like a native, communicate ideas concisely, and boost your IELTS Speaking and Writing scores. With this collection of 500 idioms, you’ll have a rich resource to enhance your fluency and natural expression.
For more practice and exam strategies, explore IDP’s free study materials. Choose between IELTS Academic and General tests on computer or paper. You can also register for an IELTS mock test to simulate real exam conditions.