Idioms are very common in all regions of the world, so it is not unusual to find aphorisms and idioms in English, one of the most spoken languages on the planet.
These types of phrases arise from past cultural dynamics reproduced by the ancestors of English speakers, who shared their popular wisdom in this way, based on lessons learned through their experiences over time.
If you want to know more about these expressions, keep reading; In this article you will find a selection of phrases made in English with its meaning.
Very common phrases in English (with their meaning)
This is a compilation with the best phrases in English that show us a certain way of understanding reality.
1. Cross your fingers.
It means ‘cross your fingers’, and is used to hope that something turns out well.
2. Washing my hair.
It is an excuse not to attend a meeting or party. It translates to ‘washing my hair’.
3. The last straw.
Its equivalent would be ‘the straw that breaks the camel’s back’, when you lose patience with someone.
4. To make ends meet.
‘making ends meet’, something we identify with worldwide.
5. In for a penny in for a pound.
It is used widely in the United Kingdom and is to express that someone will finish what they start, even if it is difficult or expensive.
6. Is giving him hell.
It is said when something is giving a person a lot of problems.
7. Out if sight, out of mind.
‘out of sight, out of mind’ would be the equivalent of ‘out of sight, out of mind’.
8. It costs an arm and a leg.
‘It cost me an arm and a leg.’ When something is very expensive.
9. To be a piece of cake.
‘It’s a piece of cake’ is used when something is very easy.
10. To miss the boat.
‘Missing the boat’, that is, missing an opportunity.
11. Knowledge is no burden.
‘Knowledge is not a burden.’ It never hurts to learn something new.
12. A stitch in time saves nine.
Its meaning would be that a problem must be solved immediately, before it grows further.
13. Bob’s your uncle and Fanny’s your aunt.
‘Bob is your uncle and Fanny is your aunt’, an expression to denote a result obtained.
14. Go bananas!
‘Come on bananas!’ It is used when someone acts crazy.
15. Hit the roof.
‘Hitting the ceiling’ is when someone gets very angry.
16. To feel blue.
‘Feeling blue’ is feeling sad or melancholic.
17. To make a living.
Usually it’s to say how hard it is to make a living.
18. It gives me the goosebumps.
‘It gives me chills’, when something doesn’t give you a good feeling.
19. It’s bullshit.
‘It’s shit or rubbish’ refers to someone when they tell a lie or excuse.
20. Where there’s smoke there’s fire.
It’s the equivalent of, ‘Where there was fire, ashes remain.’
21. Better late than never.
It translates as: ‘Better late than never’.
22. To save for a rainy day.
‘Save for a rainy day’, save money for any emergency.
23. The elephant in the room.
‘The elephant in the room’ is said when there is tension in a place.
24. Every law has its loophole.
‘The law is made, the trap is made’, the law is not always fair.
25. Birds of a feather flock together.
It would be the equivalent of the Spanish saying: ‘God creates them and the devil brings them together’.
26. A chip off the old block.
It is said when someone has a character similar to their parents or acts like parents.
27. To make someone’s day.
‘Make someone’s day’, have a nice gesture with a person.
28. Like father, like son.
It’s the equivalent of, ‘Like wood, like wood.’
29. Over the moon.
‘Being over the moon’ is when someone is ecstatic and happy.
30. It’s finger licking good.
‘It’s finger-licking good’, when a meal is delicious.
31. To take (something) with a pinch of salt.
‘Grab something with tweezers’, take carefully something that you have been told…
32. It’s in the lap of the Gods.
It would be translated as ‘it is in God’s hands’, when we cannot control a situation.
33. He let the cat out of the bag.
‘Letting the cat out of the bag’ refers to someone talking about a secret.
34. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
When you do something, you can’t go back.
35. Once in a blue moon.
‘Once in a blue moon’, something that doesn’t happen often.
36. To (not) be rocket science.
It is said when something is not that difficult to do or understand.
37. You’ve got another thing coming.
‘You are clear’, that someone must wait for the consequences of their actions.
38. Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched.
It’s the equivalent of, ‘Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.’
39. A hot potato.
When no one wants to take care of something that is annoying.
40. Kill two birds with one stone.
It means, ‘Killing two birds with one stone.’
41. A stone’s throw away.
‘A stone’s throw’. It is when something is very close.
42. To each their own.
It is to refer to the fact that each person has their own tastes.
43. The early bird catches the worm.
‘The quick bird catches the worm’, who is agile, can take advantage of opportunities.
44. To be the bee’s knees.
It translates as ‘be the bee’s knees’, it is used when something is exquisite.
45. To have sticky fingers.
It’s a way of telling someone that you like taking other people’s things.
46. Barking dogs never bite.
It is similar to ‘a dog that barks does not bite’.
47. Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know.
‘Better old known than new to know’, when you don’t trust the abilities of a newbie.
48. I’ve enough on my plate
‘I have too much on my plate’, meaning that I can’t handle more things.
49. Keep an eye on.
It is said to keep an eye on something or someone who looks suspicious.
50. Break a leg!
‘Break a leg’ is used to wish good luck.
51. He who laughs last, laughs best.
It’s the same as, ‘he who laughs last, laughs best.’
52. Kiss and make up.
It is the equivalent of ‘clean slate’.
53. Like water off duck’s back.
It is the English form of: ‘to foolish words, deaf ears’.
54. Every cloud has a silver lining.
It is used to mean that, no matter the problem, there can always be a solution.
55. God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.
It is similar to the saying: ‘God squeezes but does not choke’.
56. Turn a blind eye.
It would be, ‘turning a blind eye’, that is, ignoring something that happens.
57. To be music to someone’s ears.
‘It’s music to my ears’, when someone gives you good news.
58. Easy come, easy go.
It is the same as the phrase, ‘Easy come, easy go’.
59. Make up your mind.
It is deciding to do or want something.
60. Be in the doghouse.
It’s when someone is furious with you.
61. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
‘Don’t put your eggs in one basket.’ Don’t put all your hopes on one thing.
62. What can’t be cured must be hardened.
It’s the equivalent of, ‘what doesn’t kill you, makes you strong.’
63. To catch someone red-handed.
It’s the same as saying you caught someone red-handed.
64. To be in the red.
‘Being in the red or in the red’ means having a lot of debt.
65. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
‘Bite off more than you can chew’, trying to do more things than you actually can.
66. You snooze, you lose.
‘You sleep, you lose’, is for people who are not proactive and miss opportunities.
67. Make yourself at home.
It is an expression of courtesy, making someone feel at home.
68. Not be someone’s cup of tea.
It is said when you are not interested in something the other person is saying.
69. Easy-peasy.
It is a way of saying that something is very easy.
70. Where there’s a will there’s a way.
It is similar to ‘Whoever wants, can’.
71. Keep me in the loop.
It’s a way of saying, ‘keep me posted.’
72. Like mother, like daughter.
It is the feminine equivalent of ‘like father, like son’.
73. Feeling a bit under the weather.
It is used when someone has an illness or is sick.
74. The shoemaker’s son always goes barefoot.
It would be the same as ‘in the blacksmith’s house, a wooden knife’.
75. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’, an oath of revenge.
76. A penny for your thoughts!
‘A penny for your thoughts’ is said when you want to know what the other person is thinking.
77. Speak of the devil!
‘Talking about the devil. When a person he was talking about arrives.
78. She hit the nail on the head.
It is knowing and describing the reason that is causing a problem.
79. To murder something.
An informal way to say that you want to eat or drink something.
80. It sounds Greek to me.
‘Sounds like Greek to me.’ It’s when something is very difficult to understand.
81. It gives me creep.
It is said when something gives you a very bad vibe.
82. To be on the ball.
It is the way to react or understand something quickly.
83. To go pear-shaped.
It is said when things do not go as planned.
84. It’s water under the bridge.
‘It’s water under the bridge.’ It is used to say that something is not a problem, because it has been left in the past.
- You may be interested: “165 wise phrases to reflect on life”
85. What a mess!
It is to say that something is a disaster.
86. When pigs fly.
‘When pigs fly’, denotes in case something is impossible or will never happen.
87. Put the icing on the cake.
It is the equivalent of saying: ‘putting the icing on the cake’.
88. Easier said than done a stretch.
It means: ‘It’s easier said than done.’
89. A word is enough to the wise.
‘One word is enough for the wise.’ We don’t need to give so many explanations about something.
90. To give someone the cold shoulder.
It is the action of deliberately ignoring someone.
91. He’s walking on thin ice.
‘Walking on ice’, that is, discussing a sensitive topic or doing something that bothers another.
92. It’s raining cats and dogs.
‘It’s raining cats and dogs’, it is said when it is raining very hard.
93. Nothing lasts forever.
It translates as: ‘Nothing lasts forever.’
94. It is cutting edge.
It is said when someone or something gives one person an advantage over another.
95. Keep your hair on!
It’s a way of telling someone to calm down.
96. In for a dime in for a dollar.
It’s the American version of ‘In for a penny in for a pound’.
97. Off the top of my head.
It means ‘to be upside down’ or to have a lot on one’s mind.
98. Off the beaten track.
It refers to a very distant place to which very little goes.
99. It’s a rip off.
It is a colloquial way of saying that something is a scam.
100. Better safe than sorry.
It is a warning to be careful and cautious.
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