- A hot potato
Speak of an issue which many people are talking about and which is usually disputed - A penny for your thoughts
A way of asking what someone is thinking - Actions speak louder than words
People's intentions can be judged better by what they do than what they say. - Add insult to injury
To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an unfavorable situation. - An arm and a leg
Very expensive or costly. A large amount of money. - At the drop of a hat
Meaning: without any hesitation; instantly. - Back to the drawing board
When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over. - Ball is in your court
It is up to you to make the next decision or step - Barking up the wrong tree
Looking in the wrong place. Accusing the wrong person - Be glad to see the back of
Be happy when a person leaves. - Beat around the bush
Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue. - Best of both worlds
Meaning: All the advantages. - Best thing since sliced bread
A good invention or innovation. A good idea or plan. - Bite off more than you can chew
To take on a task that is way to big. - Blessing in disguise
Something good that isn't recognized at first. - Burn the midnight oil
To work late into the night, alluding to the time before electric lighting. - Can't judge a book by its cover
Cannot judge something primarily on appearance. - Caught between two stools
When someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives. - Costs an arm and a leg
This idiom is used when something is very expensive. - Cross that bridge when you come to it
Deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary, not before. - Cry over spilt milk
When you complain about a loss from the past. - Curiosity killed the cat
Being Inquisitive can lead you into an unpleasant situation. - Cut corners
When something is done badly to save money. - Cut the mustard
To succeed; to come up to expectations; adequate enough to compete or participate - Devil's Advocate
To present a counter argument - Don't count your chickens before the eggs have hatched
This idiom is used to express "Don't make plans for something that might not happen". - Don't give up the day job
You are not very good at something. You could definitely not do it professionally. - Don't put all your eggs in one basket
Do not put all your resources in one possibility. - Drastic times call for drastic measures
When you are extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions. - Elvis has left the building
The show has come to an end. It's all over. - Every cloud has a silver lining
Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days. - Far cry from
Very different from. - Feel a bit under the weather
Meaning: Feeling slightly ill. - Give the benefit of the doubt
Believe someone's statement, without proof - Hear it on the grapevine
This idiom means 'to hear rumors' about something or someone. - Hit the nail on the head
Do or say something exactly right - Hit the sack / sheets / hay
To go to bed. - In the heat of the moment
Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment. - It takes two to tango
Actions or communications need more than one person - Jump on the bandwagon
Join a popular trend or activity. - Keep something at bay
Keep something away. - Kill two birds with one stone
This idiom means, to accomplish two different things at the same time. - Last straw
The final problem in a series of problems. - Let sleeping dogs lie
Do not disturb a situation as it is - since it would result in trouble or complications. - Let the cat out of the bag
To share information that was previously concealed - Make a long story short
Come to the point - leave out details - Method to my madness
An assertion that, despite one's approach seeming random, there actually is structure to it. - Miss the boat
This idiom is used to say that someone missed his or her chance - Not a spark of decency
Meaning: No manners - Not playing with a full deck
Someone who lacks intelligence - Off one's rocker
Crazy, demented, out of one's mind, in a confused or befuddled state of mind, senile. - On the ball
When someone understands the situation well. - Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Happens very rarely. - Picture paints a thousand words
A visual presentation is far more descriptive than words. - Piece of cake
A job, task or other activity that is easy or simple. - Put wool over other people's eyes
This means to deceive someone into thinking well of them. - See eye to eye
This idiom is used to say that two (or more people) agree on something. - Sit on the fence
This is used when someone does not want to choose or make a decision. - Speak of the devil!
This expression is used when the person you have just been talking about arrives. - Steal someone's thunder
To take the credit for something someone else did. - Take with a grain of salt
This means not to take what someone says too seriously. - Taste of your own medicine
Means that something happens to you, or is done to you, that you have done to someone else - To hear something straight from the horse's mouth
To hear something from the authoritative source. - Whole nine yards
Everything. All of it. - Wouldn't be caught dead
Would never like to do something - Your guess is as good as mine
To have no idea, do not know the answer to a question
Join our whatsapp group for latest updates
Tap Here to Download for 30/-
Get on WhatsApp for 30/-
Download List of Idioms - Class 8 English Revision Notes.
Tap Here to Download for 30/-
Get on WhatsApp for 30/-
Why download?
- ✔ To read offline at any time.
- ✔ To Print at your convenience
- ✔ Share Easily with Friends / Students