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.
Do you have a big exam or project coming up? It’s time to buckle down and focus. This common idiom means to start working seriously and with concentration on a specific task. Learning buckle down will help you talk about getting serious and putting in the necessary effort. What Does “Buckle Down” Mean? “Buckle down”…
When most stores are losing money, but one is making a profit, that store bucks the trend. This common idiom means to successfully resist or go against a general pattern or what everyone else is doing. Learning buck the trend will help you talk about exceptions and successful opposition. What Does “Buck the Trend” Mean?…
Has someone ever given you bad news and you didn’t let it worry you? You brushed it off. This common idiom means to treat something as unimportant or to ignore a person or problem. Learning brush off will help you talk about dismissing issues or dealing with rudeness. What Does “Brush Off” Mean? “Brush off”…
Have you ever seen an old, tired neighborhood get new parks, shops, and homes? A renovation project can breathe new life into it. This common idiom means to make something old, tired, or unsuccessful become fresh, active, and successful again. Learning breathe new life into will help you talk about renewal and positive change. What…
What is the main thing you do to earn money? For a plumber, fixing pipes is their bread and butter. This common idiom refers to a person’s or company’s main source of income or their most basic, reliable product or service. Learning bread and butter will help you talk about what is essential for survival…
Have you ever bought a car straight from the showroom or opened a phone fresh from its box? That item is brand new. This common idiom emphasizes that something is completely new, unused, and often freshly made or acquired. Learning brand new will help you describe things that are at the very start of their…
Did your favorite sports team win the championship? Now their fans have bragging rights. This common idiom refers to the permission or privilege to boast proudly about an achievement or a victory. Learning bragging rights will help you talk about friendly competition and earned pride. What Does “Bragging Rights” Mean? “Bragging rights” means the temporary…
Has a friend ever told you to “brace yourself” before sharing bad news? This common idiom is a warning. It means to prepare yourself mentally or physically for something difficult, shocking, or unpleasant that is about to happen. Learning brace yourself will help you give and understand important warnings. What Does “Brace Yourself” Mean? “Brace…
Have you ever seen a company change a policy after many customers complained? The company bowed to pressure. This common idiom means to finally agree to what someone wants after they have strongly insisted or forced you. Learning bow to pressure will help you talk about giving in to demands. What Does “Bow to Pressure”…
Imagine a pot of water on the stove. As the heat rises, the bubbles grow bigger and bigger until the water suddenly spills out. This is exactly the image behind the expression boil over. In English, this phrase is not only used for cooking—it is also a powerful way to talk about emotions or situations…
You have a perfect plan for the weekend. Suddenly, it starts to rain heavily, and all your outdoor plans are blown off course. This idiom is perfect for describing when something unexpected stops your plans or progress. It’s a great way to explain why you are late or why a project is delayed. What Does…
Your friend is upset about a small fight and keeps texting. You want to say, “Wait, it will blow over.” This short idiom helps you talk about problems that soon disappear. What Does “Blow Over” Mean? It means a problem, argument, or bad feeling ends without more trouble. Think of it like wind pushing away…
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