Discover the most common English idioms and learn how to use them naturally in conversation. Each lesson includes clear meanings, examples, and short dialogues to help you sound fluent and confident.
Have you ever deleted a photo from a scrapbook, quit eating sugar, or muted a noisy background during a video call? In English, you might say you cut out the photo, sugar, or noise! This practical phrasal verb means to remove, eliminate, or stop doing something—whether it’s physical, habitual, or digital. What Does “Cut Out”…
From birthday candles to flat tires, several everyday situations involve things being extinguished, damaged, or celebrated with force. In English, we use the phrase blow out to describe these various events. This versatile idiom appears in many daily contexts. What Does “Blow Out” Mean? “Blow out” has several common meanings. It can mean to extinguish…
Have you ever wondered what happened to an old friend you haven’t seen in years? Or asked, “What became of that startup everyone was talking about?” In English, you’re using the phrase become of! This formal and somewhat literary expression is used to ask about the fate, outcome, or current state of a person, thing,…
Sometimes people talk too much, or we hear surprising news that leaves us speechless. In English, we use the direct phrase shut up in these situations. This idiom can be rude or playful depending on context and tone. What Does “Shut Up” Mean? “Shut up” has two main meanings. It can be a direct command…
Have you ever said no to a party invitation, declined a job offer, or lowered the volume on your speaker because it was too loud? In English, all of these actions can be described with the phrase turn down! This versatile phrasal verb has two main meanings: (1) to refuse or reject something, and (2)…
When we talk about what we own, need to do, or must accomplish, we often use casual phrases in conversation. In English, have got is a common way to express possession, obligation, or necessity in everyday speech. This versatile idiom makes your English sound more natural and conversational. What Does “Have Got” Mean? “Have got”…
When something is very important or absolutely necessary, we need strong words to express this urgency. In English, we often use have got to to show strong obligation or necessity. This common idiom adds emphasis to things you must do. What Does “Have Got To” Mean? “Have got to” means must or have to, but…
In our fast-moving world, we often need to stay current with news, trends, or the pace of others. In English, we use the phrase keep up with to describe maintaining this pace or staying informed. This practical idiom is essential for talking about modern life challenges. What Does “Keep Up With” Mean? “Keep up with”…
When we consider different sides of an issue or compare alternatives, we need phrases to show contrast. In English, we use on the other hand to introduce an opposing or different viewpoint. This helpful idiom makes your conversations and arguments more balanced and thoughtful. What Does “On the Other Hand” Mean? “On the other hand”…
When chances are equal, costs are shared equally, or responsibilities are divided down the middle, we need a simple way to express this. In English, we use the term fifty-fifty to describe these perfectly equal situations. This idiom is very common in daily decisions and agreements. What Does “Fifty-Fifty” Mean? “Fifty-fifty” means divided equally into…
Have you ever tried to fix a laptop that crashes every 30 seconds, convince someone set in their ways to change their mind, or revive a plant that’s completely dried up? At some point, you might decide it’s just not worth the effort. In English, we call that a lost cause! This honest idiom describes…
People enter buildings illegally, interrupt conversations, and wear new shoes until they’re comfortable. In English, we use the phrase break in for all these situations. This versatile idiom appears frequently in daily conversations. What Does “Break In” Mean? “Break in” has three main meanings. It can mean to enter a building illegally by force. It…
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