Idioms

Have you ever shared a great idea—only to have someone else present it as their own? Or planned a big announcement, but someone else made news that stole all the attention? In English, we say they stole your thunder! This dramatic idiom describes when someone takes credit for your idea or overshadows your special moment….

Have you ever been talking about someone—and right at that moment, they walk into the room? Maybe you said, “I haven’t seen Sam in weeks,” and then Sam showed up at the door! In English, we say, “Speak of the devil!” This playful idiom is used when the person you’ve just been mentioning appears unexpectedly….

Have you ever said something you immediately regretted—like making a joke that offended someone, asking a personal question by mistake, or commenting on something you didn’t understand? In English, we say you put your foot in your mouth! This relatable idiom describes saying something awkward, tactless, or embarrassing—usually by accident. What Does “Put Your Foot…

Have you ever skipped making a detailed plan and just decided what to do based on how things felt in the moment? Maybe you didn’t book dinner reservations but chose a restaurant after seeing what looked good—or you waited to see the weather before deciding on a hike. In English, we say you’ll play it…

Have you ever gotten a phone call from someone you haven’t heard from in years? Or heard news that completely surprised you—like a sudden rainstorm on a sunny day? In English, we say it happened out of the blue! This vivid idiom describes something that occurs suddenly and without warning. What Does “Out of the…

Sometimes, people avoid saying something directly. They talk about other things first because the main topic is difficult or uncomfortable. In English, we call this to beat around the bush. It is a very common idiom you will hear in conversations. What Does “To Beat Around the Bush” Mean? “To beat around the bush” means…

Have you ever seen kids playing silly games instead of doing homework, or friends joking so much they can’t finish a task? Or maybe you’ve heard someone say, “They’re just fooling around,” about two people flirting? In English, to fool around has two main meanings: (1) to waste time by playing or joking instead of…

Everything finishes eventually. A great movie, a long workday, or a fun vacation—they all finish. In English, we often say these things to come to an end. It’s a common and natural way to say something is finishing. What Does “To Come to an End” Mean? “To come to an end” means to finish or…

Have you ever stayed in a hotel room with a stunning view of the ocean, or lived in an apartment that faces a quiet park? In English, you can say your window or balcony looks out on that view! This descriptive phrase is used when a room, building, or space faces and offers a view…

Have you ever tried to explain an idea to someone—and after a while, they finally “get it”? Or maybe a friend kept making the same mistake until one day, they realized a better way? In English, we say they finally saw the light! This encouraging idiom means someone has suddenly understood something, changed their opinion,…

Have you ever heard a name, song, or place that felt familiar—but you couldn’t remember exactly where you knew it from? Maybe someone said, “Dr. Patel from Maple Street,” and you thought, “Hmm… that sounds familiar.” In English, we say it rings a bell! This handy idiom means something sounds familiar, even if you can’t…

Have you ever worked with someone who always notices details, responds quickly, and stays one step ahead? Maybe a teammate who fixes problems before they happen or a friend who remembers everyone’s birthdays. In English, we say they’re on the ball! This energetic idiom describes someone who is sharp, organized, and ready to act. What…