06 Mar, 2024
Idioms play a very important role in English as it is one of the best ways to express. Name it whether it’s a movie, literature, or music the use of idiom is widespread. The use of idioms not only enhances the conversation but also reflects a person’s deep understanding of the language.
Idioms have different meanings than the accurate meaning. The idioms are more or less a metaphor that is not meant to be taken literally. Idioms are an integral part of any language which adds wholeness making it more exciting. Idioms have become part and parcel of our daily English conversation. The idiom “Pull someone’s leg” is a good example. If you say “Pull someone’s leg” it means you are joking with that person. It has nothing to do with pulling the leg literal sense.
Here are 20 English idioms that everyone should know
1. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To find exactly the right answer
Application: You've spotted the flaw, Susma. You hit the nail on the head.
2. Cut to the chase
Meaning: to get to the point without wasting time
Application: Stop talking crap and cut to the chase.
3. Rock the boat
Meaning: to disturb a situation
Application: My parents are not people who would want to rock the boat.
4. To be in hot water
Meaning: to be in trouble
Application: My brother landed in hot water when he took Dad’s car without permission.
5. Get your foot in the door
Meaning: To enter an organization or industry
Application: Don't discount any job, see it as an opportunity to get a foot in the door.
6. Small talk
Meaning: a discussion about everyday topics
Application: After some polite small talk, the conversation had turned to religion.
7. Have your work cut out
Meaning: to have something very difficult to do
Application: He'll really have his work cut out to finish all those reports by the end of the week.
8. See eye to eye
Meaning: to agree
Application: They finally saw eye to eye on the project deal.
9. Call the shot
Meaning: to make the major decisions
Application: You're the manager here you get to call the shots.
10. Glass ceiling
Meaning: a metaphorical barrier preventing advancement to a higher position
Application: Suman Kumari shattered a glass ceiling when she became the first female BSF sniper in India.
11. Fine print
Meaning: details of a contract that are usually overlooked
Application: Read the fine print carefully before signing the contract.
12. Crunch the numbers
Meaning: to do a lot of calculations or to solve a problem
Application: Higher-level number crunching generally involves much larger numbers.
13. Have a lot on your plate
Meaning: to have a lot of responsibilities
Application: I have a lot on my plate right now, so I can't go to the party tonight.
14. Learning curve
Meaning: the rate of gaining experience or new skills
Application: The whole team has been on a steep learning curve since the project began.
15. Ramp up
Meaning: to increase
Application: The marketers quickly ramped up production to meet the demand.
16. In the red
Meaning: to be in debt
Application: The organization has been in the red for the last three years.
17. Off the top of one’s head
Meaning: to know immediately
Application: I can't tell you Max’s phone number off the top of my head.
18. By the book
Meaning: to do something by law or rule
Application: My teacher has taught me to go by the book.
19. Ballpark figure
Meaning: a rough estimate
Application: We are not sure about the exact number but the ballpark figure will be one lakh.
20. Blue-sky thinking
Meaning: ideas that are feasible in a perfect world
Application: The government has been doing some blue-sky thinking on how to improve school standards.
Benefits of learning English
- Easy to access the job market
- Multiple job options
- Easy world tour
- Boost confidence
- Easy to understand the online world
- Easy to settle abroad
- Clear IELTS with ease
The Bottom Lines
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You can join Senfine to Improve your English Speaking as the curriculum is the Fastest way to learn a new language. The academy is situated on MG Road where all the modern means of communication are available i.e. bus and metro.
English was first introduced in India by the Brits centuries ago but still, the language prevails making it one of the most commonly used in modern India. The languages has dominated all the major segments of society making it impossible to escape. So contact us today for spoken English course in Bangalore and Improve your English speaking skills and make your dream a reality.