English is a language that is rich with colourful sayings and phrases. Unfortunately, though, this can make it pretty hard to understand. That’s why we’ve listed some of the strangest English idioms to help you understand its most interesting expressions while you study with us at BSC Education.
What is an idiom?
An idiom is a phrase or group of words with a meaning that’s different from the literal meaning of the words. Sometimes we might use idioms in a conversation or in writing to make it more creative and interesting.
Why do English speakers use so many idioms?
You may have noticed idioms being used a lot in British books, films, music, and TV shows. English speakers often like to use these phrases to add humour or lighten a mood, in order to make better personal connections. If you are learning to speak English or trying to have deeper conversations with native speakers, becoming familiar with these expressions is a great idea.
What are some common English Idioms?
1. Turn a blind eye
Turning a blind eye means pretending something isn’t happening. For example, a police officer might ‘turn a blind eye’ to a minor crime if the person doing it was polite and apologised a lot.
Example: “I’ll turn a blind eye this time, but don’t let it happen again”.
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2. To kick the bucket
As in many cultures, talking about death in English can be difficult. That’s why we have a number of euphemisms that refer to death or dying. ‘To kick the bucket’ is an informal and sometimes crass way of saying ‘to die.’
Example: “There are loads of things I want to do before I kick the bucket.”
3. To drop the ball
To ‘drop the ball’ is to make a mistake, normally by doing something stupid or careless.
Example: “I’m really sorry everyone, I really dropped the ball on this one.”
4. A different kettle of fish
To say something is a ‘different kettle of fish’ is to say that something is very different from the subject being spoken about.
Example: “Wanting a car is one thing, paying for it is a whole different kettle of fish.”
5. Happy as a pig in muck
Saying you’re ‘as happy as a pig in muck’ is to say that you are very happy and serene. The phrase also conveys the fact that you are in your favourite place or particularly at ease.
Example: “When those kids are in the swimming pool they’re happy as a pig in muck.”
6. Barking up the wrong tree
‘Barking up the wrong tree’ is an English phrase that is used to suggest a mistaken conclusion. The phrase relates to when dogs mistakenly think that their prey has gone up a tree when it has actually flown away.
Example: “If you think it was me that ate the last brownie, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
10. Hold your horses
Sometimes in the UK when we want someone to stop rushing, we say “hold your horses”. This means “slow down” or “be patient“, and may come from the days when people would travel by horse and cart.
Example: “We can’t leave until everyone is ready! Hold your horses!”
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8. A chip on your shoulder
To have a chip on your shoulder generally means that you are holding a grudge against someone, which is causing you to be in a bad mood. Similarly, the phrase can also mean that someone is entitled or full of themselves.
Example: “Pete thinks he’s so clever. He’s got such a chip on his shoulder.”
9. Born with a silver spoon in your mouth
In English, the word ‘silver spoon’ is used to describe someone who was born into money. The phrase is often used to say that the person does not deserve their inherited privilege.
Example: “He’s from such a wealthy family, he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.”
7. Once in a blue moon
To do something ‘once in a blue moon’ is do it very infrequently. The phrase relates to the appearance of a ‘blue moon,’ which is the second full moon within one calendar month. This generally only happens once in around 32 months.
Example: “You get up early once in a blue moon!”
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11. Wild goose chase
Saying something is a ‘wild good chase’ is a way of describing a hopeless search or pursuit of an impossible solution.
Example: “I’ve been on a wild goose chase this morning trying to find a birthday present for your Dad.”
12. The greatest thing since sliced bread
‘The greatest thing since sliced bread’ is an idiom that means that something is a particularly innovative or useful invention. Although sliced bread was invented in 1928, the phrase was not used in written language until the 1950s.
Example: “These new wireless headphones are the best thing since sliced bread.”
13. Bob’s your Uncle!
The expression’s meaning is similar American phrase “easy as pie”. You might say it instead of “It’s as simple as that” when explaining how to do something.
Example: “Just plug the toaster into the wall, and Bob’s your uncle!”
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14. Walking on eggshells
An eggshell is the fragile outer part of an egg that breaks easily. To say you are walking (or ‘treading’) on eggshells is to say that you are being very careful not to offend anyone, normally because of a delicate or sensitive social situation.
Example: “My aunt is so sensitive. When she comes to stay, I feel like I’m walking on eggshells.”
15. Beat around the bush
If you are beating around the bush, you are avoiding or delaying talking about a difficult topic.
Example: “Just stop beating around the bush and tell me what’s wrong.”
16. A piece of cake
If you say that something is a ‘piece of cake’ it means that the task is really easy, as easy as eating a piece of cake.
Example: “Mental maths is a piece of cake.”
17. Raining cats and dogs
Nobody is sure where this phrase comes from, but it means that the weather is terrible and the rain is very heavy. It has nothing to do with animals falling from the sky!
Example: “Don’t forget your umbrella, it’s raining cats and dogs out there!”
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18. Let the cat out of the bag
To ‘let the cat out of the bag’ is to reveal a secret, either deliberately or accidentally.
Example: “I accidentally let the cat out of the bag and told Sarah about her surprise birthday party.”
Vocabulary you may have learned from this article
- Barking – the noise a dog makes
- Euphemism – a different, less direct way of saying something difficult to talk about
- Kettle – traditionally a cooking pot, but in modern times, a kettle usually boils water to make tea or coffee with
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