Animal Idioms
Let the cat out of the bag
let ði kæt aʊt ʌv ðə bæɡ
Reveal a secret unintentionally
Example: She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
Hold your horses
hoʊld jʊər ˈhɔːrsɪz
Wait or be patient
Example: Hold your horses! The show will start in five minutes.
Kill two birds with one stone
kɪl tuː bɜrdz wɪð wʌn stoʊn
Achieve two goals with a single action
Example: By studying on the train, I kill two birds with one stone.
Color Idioms
Once in a blue moon
wʌns ɪn ə bluː muːn
Very rarely
Example: He visits us once in a blue moon.
Green with envy
ɡrin wɪθ ˈɛnvi
Very jealous
Example: She was green with envy when she saw his new car.
In the red
ɪn ðə rɛd
In debt or losing money
Example: The company has been in the red for several months.
Food Idioms
Piece of cake
pis ʌv keɪk
Something very easy
Example: That exam was a piece of cake.
Spill the beans
spɪl ðə binz
Reveal a secret
Example: Don't spill the beans about the new project.
Cool as a cucumber
kul æz ə ˈkjuːkʌmbər
Very calm and relaxed
Example: She was cool as a cucumber during the interview.
Weather Idioms
Under the weather
ˈʌndər ðə ˈwɛðər
Feeling ill
Example: I'm feeling under the weather today, so I will rest.
Every cloud has a silver lining
ˈɛvri klaʊd hæz ə ˈsɪlvər ˈlaɪnɪŋ
There is something good in every bad situation
Example: Don't be sad about losing the game; every cloud has a silver lining.
Take a rain check
teɪk ə reɪn ʧɛk
Postpone an invitation or offer
Example: I can't meet today, but I will take a rain check.
Body Part Idioms
Cost an arm and a leg
kɔst æn ɑrm ænd ə lɛɡ
Very expensive
Example: That new phone costs an arm and a leg.
Break a leg
breɪk ə lɛɡ
Good luck
Example: Break a leg on your performance tonight!
Keep an eye on
kip ən aɪ ɑn
Watch carefully
Example: Can you keep an eye on my bag while I go to the restroom?
Time Idioms
Beat the clock
bit ðə klɑk
Finish something before time runs out
Example: We need to beat the clock to submit the report on time.
In the nick of time
ɪn ðə nɪk ʌv taɪm
Just in time
Example: She arrived in the nick of time to catch the train.
Around the clock
əˈraʊnd ðə klɑk
All day and all night
Example: The hospital works around the clock to care for patients.
Money Idioms
Break the bank
breɪk ðə bæŋk
Spend all of one's money
Example: Buying a new car will break the bank.
Money doesn't grow on trees
ˈmʌni dʌzənt ɡroʊ ɑn triz
Money is limited and must be used carefully
Example: Be careful with your spending; money doesn't grow on trees.
Pay through the nose
peɪ θru ðə noʊz
Pay too much
Example: We had to pay through the nose for the concert tickets.
Relationship Idioms
Hit it off
hɪt ɪt ɔf
Get along well from the start
Example: They hit it off immediately at the party.
On the same wavelength
ɑn ðə seɪm ˈweɪvˌlɛŋθ
Share similar ideas and feelings
Example: We are on the same wavelength when it comes to work.
Bury the hatchet
ˈbɛri ðə ˈhætʃɪt
Make peace after a disagreement
Example: After years of fighting, they finally buried the hatchet.