Idioms

Have you ever needed to support a friend’s story, save your phone photos, or move your car in reverse? In English, we often use the phrase to back up for all these situations! This versatile idiom appears in daily chats, tech talk, and even driving—so it’s helpful to know how to use it correctly. What…

Have you ever really, really wanted something—like a new phone, a trip, or even a specific job? In English, we often say you have your heart set on it. This idiom is useful for talking about strong wishes in everyday conversations with friends, family, or coworkers. What Does “to have one’s heart set on” Mean?…

Have you ever seen a store run out of a popular item—like concert tickets, holiday toys, or limited-edition sneakers—because someone bought them all? In English, we say they bought it up! This practical phrasal verb means to purchase large amounts of something, often quickly or completely, before others can get it. What Does “Buy Up”…

Have you ever been about to send an email, make a purchase, or start a project—but someone said, “Wait, not yet!”? In English, you can say you decided to hold off. This practical phrasal verb means to delay or postpone doing something, usually because you’re waiting for more information, better timing, or a clearer situation….

Have you ever heard that a big company purchased a smaller one completely? Or that a business partner paid their co-owner to take full control? In English, we say they bought them out. This practical phrase—“to buy out”—means to pay someone to take full ownership of a business, property, or asset, or to pay to…

Have you ever taken medicine that stopped working after a few hours? Or felt nervous before a speech—but then calmed down? In English, we say the effect began to wear off. This useful phrase helps you describe how feelings, pain, excitement, or even makeup gradually disappear with time. What Does “to wear off” Mean? “To…

Have you ever seen a musician change their style just to get more fans? Or a small business start using cheap materials after becoming famous? In English, people might say they sold out! This strong idiom describes someone who gives up their principles, authenticity, or original values—usually for money, fame, or popularity. What Does “Sell…

Have you ever tried a new hobby, job, or challenge—and realized it just wasn’t right for you? Maybe you signed up for acting class but hated being on stage, or took a coding course and felt completely lost. In English, you might say, “I’m just not cut out for this!” This honest idiom means someone…

We often need to get rid of old things or say no to bad ideas. In English, a common way to say this is to throw out. You can throw out trash, or you can throw out a suggestion. This idiom is very practical for daily life. What Does “To Throw Out” Mean? “To throw…

Have you ever been in a situation where someone was gossiping, complaining too much, or about to say something they shouldn’t? Maybe a friend started revealing a secret, or a coworker began arguing loudly in public. In English, you might hear someone say, “Button your lip!” This old-fashioned but vivid idiom is a direct way…

Sometimes a situation is confusing, or the weather is bad. Then, things get better and become easy to understand. In English, we often say we need to clear up a misunderstanding, or that the sky will clear up. This is a very useful and common idiom. What Does “To Clear Up” Mean? “To clear up”…

Have you ever felt so sick that you needed to rush to the bathroom? In English, we say someone is going to throw up. This phrase is very common in everyday conversations, especially when talking about health or feeling unwell. Learning how to use “to throw up” will help you express yourself clearly in real-life…