Idioms are expressions in English which are used informally and can determine the difference between speaking a medium English to a fluent English, in your process of learning English.
Top 10 idioms in
English that you should know
Idioms are expressions
in English which are used informally and can determine the difference
between speaking a medium English to a fluent English, in your process of learning English. Native people in
English love using them in their conversations, and very often we also find
them in books, television series or in the movies. If you want to improve
your English, you should familiarize yourself with them. They will help
you to understand English better and to know, for example, the difference
between “breaking a leg” and “pulling someone's leg”.
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| Top 10 idioms in English |
1. Under the weather
Meaning: feeling unwell
Meaning: feeling unwell
Usage: In England they love to talk about time and it is very often
done, but don't let the phrase fool you. If someone tells you: "I'm
feeling under the weather," your answer should be something like: "I
hope you recover soon".
2. The ball is in your court
Meaning: Whatever you say or as you see.
Meaning: Whatever you say or as you see.
Usage: This idiom refers both to cases in
sport and in real life. If you have the ball (ball), the decision is yours
and someone is waiting for you to take.
3. Spill the beans.
Meaning: Spread a secret
Usage: Let’s suppose you tell someone who has a surprise
party, you have “spilled the beans” or “let the cat out the bag”. You have
revealed the secret.
4. Break a leg
Meaning: Wishing someone luck
Usage: This idiom, although it seems so, is not at all a
threat. Moreover, it is often accompanied by a thumbs up. This expression
comes from the ancient theater actors who bowed so many times while the
audience applauded that they could break a leg.
5. Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: Make a heavy joke
Usage: This is the perfect English expression for
fans of heavy jokes. You can also use “wind someone up”. It
can be used in the following context: “Relax, I'm just pulling your
leg! ”or“ Wait, are you pulling my leg? ". In
Spanish it would be something like Are you kidding me?
6. Sat on the fence
Meaning: Undecided
Usage: If you are “ sat on the fence ”, you have
not yet decided which part of a debate or discussion you are.
7. To fall back upon
Meaning: to rely and depend on something
Usage: When Najeeba lost her job; she had to fall back upon her
savings.
8. Once in blue moon
Meaning: Rarely, very rare.
Usage: This beautiful phrase is used to describe something
that doesn't happen very often.
9. it’s the best thing since sliced bread
Meaning: Something that is really good
Usage: Sliced bread must have revolutionized life in
England because it has since been used as an analogy for things that are very
good.
10. Take it with a pinch of salt
Meaning: Don't take something seriously
Usage: ‘I heard that elephants can fly now, but Sam often makes up
stories so I take everything he says with a pinch of salt.
Thanks
Spoken English Corner
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