Idioms

When you need to grab something firmly so you don’t drop it, what do you do? Or what happens when a strong feeling, like panic, starts to control you? In English, the phrase take hold of covers both situations. This phrase is useful both literally (to grab) and figuratively (to influence strongly). Let’s learn how…

Sometimes you face a difficult challenge—maybe a very hard exam, a tough workout, or a bad time in life. When you successfully finish that challenge, what do you say? In English, we use the useful phrasal verb get through. This verb is essential for talking about endurance, survival, and completion. Let’s learn how to use…

Do you sometimes decide to change a bad habit, like eating too much sugar? When you make a decision that affects your future behavior, you use this common phrase. In English, we say that change starts from now on. This simple phrase is essential for talking about future plans, rules, or commitments. Let’s learn how…

Do you ever make a list to remember all the things you need to do? Or maybe you watch your bank account to see where your money goes? When you watch things carefully, we say you keep track of them. This is a very common and practical phrase used every day to mean monitoring information…

Have you ever been so excited or emotional about something that you lost control a little bit? Maybe you spent too much money or got too angry during a game. In English, we say you were carried away. This phrase is great for explaining when someone loses control due to strong feelings. Let’s learn how…

Do you always have the latest news or the newest software on your phone? If yes, you are up to date! This helpful phrase is the opposite of “out of date.” It means something is current, correct, or modern—whether it’s information, a skill, or technology. Using this phrase will help you sound confident and current…

Imagine you have an old map that doesn’t show the new roads. That map is not useful anymore! In English, we have a perfect phrase for things that are too old or incorrect: out of date. This simple expression is very useful for talking about information, fashion, or food. Let’s learn how to use it…

Imagine your friend says, “Her phone blew up after she posted the dance video.” He doesn’t mean it exploded—he means messages came flooding in. The phrase blow up is a lively way to talk about explosions, sudden anger, or instant fame, and you’ll hear it in movies, group chats, and news headlines. What Does “Blow…

Have you ever promised to fix a mistake, repay a debt, or follow through on a commitment—and then actually did it? Or watched someone turn a failure into a success through hard work? In English, you might say they made good. This meaningful phrasal verb means to fulfill a promise, compensate for a loss, or…

Buildings are destroyed by fire, emotions reach intense levels, and structures are completely consumed by flames. In English, we say these things burn down. This dramatic idiom describes complete destruction by fire in various contexts. What Does “Burn Down” Mean? “Burn down” means to destroy something completely by fire, especially buildings or structures. Think of…

Imagine your friend says, “Her new song caught fire overnight.” He doesn’t mean real flames—the song just became super popular. The phrase catch fire is a bright, easy way to talk about both real burning and fast-growing success, and you’ll hear it on the news, sports shows, and casual chats. What Does “Catch Fire” Mean?…

Fevers reach dangerous levels, objects are destroyed by fire, and vehicles move at incredible speeds. In English, we use the phrase burn up to describe these intense situations. This dramatic idiom appears in both medical and everyday contexts. What Does “Burn Up” Mean? “Burn up” has several meanings. It can mean to have a very…