Idioms

Have you ever pointed out a mistake in a document or highlighted an important detail in a meeting? You were trying to call attention to it. This common idiom means to make people notice or focus on a particular person, thing, or issue. Learning call attention to will help you direct focus and highlight what…

Have you ever noticed a project getting more complicated, or a child growing taller? It can feel like the change happens by the day. This common idiom means that something is changing, increasing, or decreasing steadily with each passing day. Learning by the day will help you describe gradual, daily progress or change. What Does…

When you want to say that something is true in most cases, you can use the phrase by and large. This common idiom means “generally,” “for the most part,” or “on the whole.” It is used to summarize a situation, acknowledging that there might be a few exceptions. Learning by and large will help you…

You’re about to buy a used phone online for a great price—until a friend says, “Wait… buyer beware.” Or you see a sign at a garage sale: “All sales final—buyer beware.” The phrase buyer beware is a short, powerful warning that the responsibility is on you, the buyer, to check things carefully before spending your…

Has a friend ever tried to convince you of a new idea? If you started to believe it, you bought into it. This common idiom means to accept that an idea or belief is true or valid. It can also mean to purchase a share or stake in a company. Learning buy into will help…

Do you ever go to a warehouse store and get a huge package of toilet paper or a giant box of cereal? You buy in bulk. This common idiom means to purchase items in large quantities, usually to get a lower price per item. Learning buy in bulk will help you talk about smart shopping…

Have you ever been to a concert that was so packed, the room felt like it could not hold one more person? It was bursting at the seams. This common idiom describes something that is extremely full, crowded, or successful, often to the point of almost breaking. Learning bursting at the seams will help you…

Have you ever received a paycheck and spent it all in a few days? You burned through your money. This common idiom means to use up a resource—like money, time, or supplies—very quickly and often wastefully. Learning burn through will help you talk about rapid consumption and poor resource management. What Does “Burn Through” Mean?…

Have you ever eaten a big dessert and then gone for a run to burn off the calories? Or have you seen morning fog disappear as the sun comes up? The sun burns off the fog. This common idiom means to get rid of something through activity or a natural process. Learning burn off will…

When the weather is freezing, your mom might tell you to bundle up before going outside. And if you lose your keys, you might have to comb through your entire bag to find them. These two common idioms are very useful for daily life. Learning bundle up and comb through will help you talk about…

Have you ever seen someone start going to the gym to get bigger muscles? They are trying to bulk up. This common idiom means to gain muscle mass and body size, usually through exercise and diet. It can also mean to make something larger or more substantial in a general sense. Learning bulk up will…

Think about a child’s toy set with colorful bricks. Those bricks are the building blocks for creating a castle or a car. This common idiom refers to the fundamental parts or pieces that are necessary to create or understand something larger. Learning building blocks will help you talk about the basics of any complex system…