Have you ever bumped into an old friend while shopping, or suddenly faced an issue like a flat tire or a software error? In English, you can say you ran into them! This versatile phrasal verb has two main meanings: (1) to meet someone unexpectedly, or (2) to encounter a problem, obstacle, or situation—often by…

Have you ever started a road trip, launched into a big project, or clearly explained your goals at the beginning of a meeting? In English, you can say you set out! This versatile phrasal verb has three common uses: (1) to begin a journey, (2) to start a task or mission with purpose, or (3)…

Have you ever faced a decision where both options felt bad? Maybe you had to choose between telling a painful truth or keeping a hurtful secret, or between quitting a toxic job or staying in a stressful situation. In English, we say you’re between a rock and a hard place! This powerful idiom describes being…

Have you ever been asked how much something costs, how long a project will take, or how many people might attend an event—but you don’t have the exact answer yet? In English, you can give a ballpark figure! This helpful idiom means a rough estimate or approximate number, not an exact one. What Does “Ballpark…

Have you ever worked hard on a plan—only to find out it won’t work? Maybe your recipe didn’t turn out, your app idea got rejected, or your travel itinerary fell apart. In English, we say it’s time to go back to the drawing board! This practical idiom means you need to start over with a…

Have you ever accused the wrong person of eating your lunch, searched the wrong drawer for your keys, or blamed the wrong cause for a problem? In English, we say you’re barking up the wrong tree! This playful idiom means you’re mistaken about something—especially about who or what is responsible. What Does “Barking Up the…

Have you ever seen someone sitting quietly, looking deep in thought—maybe staring out a window or lost in silence during a conversation? In English, a warm and polite way to ask what’s on their mind is to say, “A penny for your thoughts!” This kind idiom is a gentle invitation to share what someone is…

Have you ever tried to help with a huge problem—like donating $10 to a million-dollar fundraiser or recycling one plastic bottle in a sea of waste—and felt your effort barely made a difference? In English, we say it’s a drop in the ocean! This poetic idiom describes something so small that it’s almost meaningless compared…

Have you ever seen something so common that it’s almost boring? Maybe coffee shops on every corner, phone cases in every color, or people claiming to be “influencers”? In English, we say those things are a dime a dozen! This practical idiom describes something that’s very common, easy to find, and not particularly valuable or…

Have you ever walked into a situation where you felt completely out of place? Maybe you attended a fancy dinner without knowing the etiquette, joined a group of experts in a field you don’t understand, or moved to a new city where everything felt unfamiliar. In English, we say you felt like a fish out…

Have you ever been asked a question like, “When will the power come back on?” or “Why is the meeting delayed?”—and you honestly had no clue? In English, a natural way to say “I don’t know either” is: “Your guess is as good as mine!” This honest idiom means you have no more information or…

Have you ever heard a story that sounded too good—or too wild—to be true? Maybe a friend said, “This app made me rich in a week!” or a coworker claimed, “Everyone hates the new policy.” In English, we often respond by saying, “I’ll take that with a grain of salt.” This practical idiom means you…