Have you ever wondered what an idiom is? If yes then read more to find out.
What is an Idiom?
Idioms are a type of figurative language, which means that they are not to be taken literally. An idiom has only one meaning.
Why are idioms important?
It is important to know what an idiom is because they make your writing more creative and fun to read. Making one up is a piece of cake! They are also a shorter way to express things.
Examples of idioms:
That’s the last straw: This idiom means something completely different than what it sounds like. It means my patience has run out. This idiom is normally said by itself and not a sentence.
Perfect storm: What could a perfect storm mean? Well the answer to that is the worst possible situation. A way you could use this in a sentence is, this is like a perfect storm!
Barking up the wrong tree: To be mistaken, to be looking for solutions in the wrong place. As an example, I have been trying to find my laptop charger for the last 20 minutes, but I think I’ve been barking up the wrong tree.
Bite off more than you can chew: This phrase means to take on a project that you cannot finish. For example, I think I bit off more than I could chew when I promised to complete this worksheet in two days.
Give someone the cold shoulder: Giving someone the cold shoulder means to ignore someone. An example would be, she gave me the cold shoulder.
Comparing apples to oranges: Now you are probably thinking you cannot compare apples to oranges! If you were thinking that you were right. This idiom means to compare two things that cannot be compared. Example: You cannot compare salt with pepper, that’s like comparing apples to oranges!
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket means what you’re doing is too risky. This idiom is used by itself and not in a sentence.
He has bigger fish to fry: This means he has bigger things to take care of than what we are talking about now. This is also used by itself.
Rain on someone’s parade: The meaning to this is to spoil something. For example, it is not nice to rain on someone’s parade.
Take it with a grain of salt: Don’t take it too seriously. A way to use this in a sentence is, we take his predictions with a grain of salt.
A storm in a teacup: Now if you have siblings then this might relate to you. It means to have a big fuss about a small problem.
Cut the mustard: You are probably confused how you cut mustard but this is not what it sounds like. It actually means do a good job. An example of this idiom in a sentence would be, I didn’t cut the mustard as a dancer.
You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar: Now this one sounds very weird but it means that you can get what you want by being kind. This Idiom is not used in a sentence, it is by itself.
A blessing in disguise: A good thing that seemed bad at first. Example: failing in his exam was a blessing in disguise, because he realized that he was not liking his course and decided to try out something else.
Time flies when you’re having fun: You have probably heard this many times and yes it is an idiom. It means that you don’t notice how long it has been when you are doing something fun. This is also an idiom that is said by itself.
Go on a wild goose chase: This means to do something pointless. Example, he led me on a wild-goose chase
A tangled web: This is used to describe a very complicated, confusing situation. For example, being in this situation is like being in a tangled web.
Be on the up and up: This probably makes no sense but it means to be making successful progress. An example, this company is on the up and up these days.
A raw deal: The definition of this idiom means unfair. As an example, He had a bit of a raw deal.
A dry run: A dry run means a practice attempt or rehearsal. For example, The competition is planned as a dry run for the World Cup finals.
Let the dust settle: To give things time to calm down. This phrase is used by itself.
Easy as falling off a log: The definition of this idiom is extremely easy. As an example, Doing this math question is as easy as falling off a log!
Too many cooks spoil the broth: A lot of people are involved in one project and that can most likely hinder than help. This is normally said alone.
Against the clock: Being against the clock means to be in a hurry to get something done before a certain time. A way to put this in a sentence would be, The group was working against the clock to finish the project on time.
In apple-pie order: With everything tidy and correctly arranged. For example, I would like my room to be in apple pie order.
Get out of bed on the wrong side: To waken up and start the day in a very bad temper mood. As an example, I got out of bed on the wrong side.
Sweep the board: This phrase means to win all the prizes. A way you can write this in a sentence would be, The soccer team swept the board and won most of the awards!
Have a card up someone’s sleeve: This phrase means to have a secret plan or idea. Example, She had a card up her sleeve.
Clear as a bell: This means to be able to hear something very easily to hear. An as example, I heard my mom call me clear as a bell.
Achilles heel: Achilles heel means weakness. Now you are probably wondering where this phrase came from. Well Achilles was a Greek warrior who fought against Troy with his army. Unfortunately he got hit by an arrow in the heel and died. He knew that his weakness was his heel and that is why Achilles heel means weakness. An example for using this idiom is, Math is my Achilles heel.
