Idioms

Imagine your friend says, “I worked 70 hours this week—I’m totally burned out.” She doesn’t mean fire; she means empty, tired, and done. The phrase burn out is a common way to describe extreme tiredness or sudden failure, and you’ll hear it at work, school, and even about car engines. What Does “Burn Out” Mean?…

Imagine your friend says, “If you study every day, it stands to reason you’ll pass the test.” You instantly know the speaker sees a clear, logical result. The phrase stands to reason is a neat way to say “it makes sense” or “it’s only logical,” and you’ll hear it in friendly chats, podcasts, and even…

Imagine your friend says, “Let’s break out of this boring weekend!” He doesn’t want to escape jail—he just wants fun. The phrase to break out is a handy idiom you’ll hear in movies, cafés, and group chats. What Does “To Break Out” Mean? To break out means to escape from something or to start suddenly….

Have you ever been talking about weekend plans with a friend and then wanted to ask about their job? You might say, “We’re going hiking on Saturday… as for your new job, how’s it going?” In English, as for is a smooth, natural way to change the subject or shift attention to a new person,…

Have you ever said, “I used to play soccer as a kid,” or “She used to live in London”? In English, used to is a key phrase for talking about past habits, routines, or situations that no longer happen or exist. It’s not about current actions—it’s about what was true “back then,” but isn’t true…

Have you ever been surprised by how many people showed up to a party? Or noticed that you’ve watched quite a few episodes of a show without realizing it? In English, “quite a few” is a useful phrase that means “a fairly large number”—more than expected, but not an exact count. It’s friendly, flexible, and…

We often need to reduce our spending, consume less of certain things, or decrease harmful activities. In English, we say we need to cut down on these things. This practical idiom is essential for talking about moderation and improvement in daily life. What Does “Cut Down On” Mean? “Cut down on” means to reduce the…

Have you ever said, “I’ll be ready in no time,” or heard someone promise, “You’ll learn this in no time”? In English, in no time is a friendly, reassuring phrase that means “very quickly” or “almost immediately.” It’s used to show that something will happen fast—sooner than expected—and it’s perfect for encouraging others or describing…

Have you ever gone to a party, a concert, or even a quiet dinner with friends and felt happy, relaxed, and entertained? In English, you can say you had a good time. This warm and common phrase is used to describe any situation where you enjoy yourself—and it’s also what you say when you wish…

Have you ever said, “I’ll call you as soon as I land,” or “She left as soon as the meeting ended”? In English, as soon as is a key phrase for showing that one thing happens immediately after another. It’s used constantly in speaking, writing, and instructions—and it’s essential for talking about timing clearly and…

Have you ever organized a team project, managed a household budget, or supervised an event at work? In English, you can say you are in charge of it. This clear and practical phrase is used whenever someone has responsibility, authority, or leadership over a task, person, or situation. What Does “Be in Charge Of” Mean?…

Have you ever heard an alarm go off in the morning? Or realized—maybe too late—that you’ve been ignoring an important truth? In English, both moments use the phrase wake up. This everyday phrasal verb has two main meanings: (1) to stop sleeping, and (2) to become aware of a reality you’d overlooked. It’s simple, vivid,…