Idioms

Have you ever shared information but weren’t 100% sure it was correct? Maybe a friend asked if the store is open today, and you think it is, but you’re not certain. That’s when you say “as far as I know.” This phrase helps you share what you believe is true while staying honest about what…

Have you ever seen two friends competing to have the best phone, the newest shoes, or the coolest gadgets? When people keep trying to outdo each other, that’s like an arms race. This idiom helps you describe situations where competition keeps growing and growing in everyday life. What Does “Arms Race” Mean? An arms race…

Have you ever tried to compare two things that were totally different? Maybe you wanted to choose between two job offers, but one included benefits and the other didn’t. That’s when you need an apples-to-apples comparison. This idiom helps you talk about fair and equal comparisons in everyday conversations. What Does “Apples-to-Apples” Mean? When you…

You’re applying for a job, and you speak three languages. That gives you an edge over other candidates. Or maybe your team wins a game because they practiced more—they had an edge. The phrase **an edge** is a common, natural way to say someone has a small but important advantage. It’s used in sports, school,…

Who uses the public library? You will see students, retirees, professionals, and parents. People from all walks of life go there. This common idiom describes a diverse group of people from different social, economic, and professional backgrounds. Learning all walks of life will help you talk about diversity and inclusion. What Does “All Walks of…

Imagine you open social media and see everyone talking about the same song, outfit, or game. When something becomes very popular like that, you can say it is all the rage. This idiom in lowercase is great for talking about trends in everyday English. It helps you describe what many people like or are excited…

Have you ever worked on a project with total commitment? You were all in. This common idiom means to be fully dedicated to something. It can also mean you are very tired, or in poker, it means you have bet all your money. Learning all in will help you talk about dedication, exhaustion, and risk….

You’re describing a new movie and say, “It’s **akin to** a dream—soft, strange, and beautiful.” Or maybe your teacher says, “Your essay is **akin to** professional writing!” The phrase akin to is a smooth, slightly formal way to say “similar to” or “like.” It’s common in speaking and writing when you want to compare things…

Imagine someone makes a decision for you, and you have no choice. You feel uncomfortable because it happened against your will. This idiom in lowercase is useful when you want to say that something happened without your permission or agreement. It helps you express lack of control in a clear and natural way. What Does…

When you look at your monthly bills, you add up the costs. But sometimes, a story someone tells you doesn’t add up. This common idiom has two meanings. It can mean to calculate a total. It can also mean that facts or information seem logical and consistent. Learning add up will help you talk about…

Your doctor says, “You need more sleep,” and you go to bed earlier that night—you’ve just **acted on** their advice. Or your friend warns you about a scam, and you delete the email—again, you **acted on** a warning. The phrasal verb act on is used whenever you respond to something by doing something about it….

Have you ever seen a wobbly ladder or a messy, cluttered staircase? That is an accident waiting to happen. This common idiom describes a very dangerous situation where something bad is very likely to occur. Learning accident waiting to happen will help you warn others about potential dangers. What Does “Accident Waiting to Happen” Mean?…