33 Useful English Idiomatic Expressions & Their Meanings

They say that the sun belongs to everyone. They also say that the moon belongs to everyone. And that the best things in life are free. Well, sorta. Surely, there are many things in life that cost an arm and a leg.

However, there are also things in life that are free. One of the best things in life that’s free is words. Words that we use. Words that we say. Words that we write. Words that we sing. Words that we scream. Sometimes, when we combine particular words, they form something that means something. For example, when you combine the words cost + arm + and + a + leg = this would refer to something very expensive.

It definitely sounds like a funky combination, but the expression works just fine. This type of expression is known as an idiom or idiomatic expression in English. There are plenty of idiomatic expressions in the English language. And they are used to explain, describe, and talk about everything under the sun.

Oh, the phrase “everything under the sun” is also an idiom that describes everything that exists. Let’s be honest, that colorful expression makes a lot of sense. But would you say the same after hearing the phrase “it is raining cats and dogs” which again sounds silly because rain is water droplets, not animals? Scroll below and find out what “raining cats and dogs” and more idiomatic expressions mean.

• It costs an arm and a leg: Something very expensive (Example: His new watch costs an arm and a leg.)
• A dime a dozen: Something that happens very commonly
• Call it a day: Time to stop working
• Break a leg: Good luck
• Beat around the bush: Avoid saying what you actually mean
• Hit the sack: To go to bed
• Once in a blue moon: Rarely
• Saving for a rainy day: Save money for later
• As right as rain: In great condition
• Burn bridges: Ruin relationships
• Leave no stone unturned: To keep trying until you find a solution
• Like two peas in a pod: Really similar to one another
• Time is money: To use time wisely
• On cloud nine: Feeling very happy
• Run like the wind: To be very fast
• Eat like a horse: To eat a large amount of food
• Take a rain check: Postponing and rescheduling something
• Like a cakewalk: Very simple and easy
• Fish out of water: Feeling uncomfortable in a specific situation
• Spill the beans: Reveal a secret
• A second wind: A renewal of energy
• Hit the books: To study
• Ship has sailed: The chance has already passed
• A piece of cake: Something that can be done easily
• Cool as a cucumber: Very calm and relaxed
• Go cold turkey: To completely stop something right away
• A penny for your thoughts: Share what's on your mind
• Under the weather: Feeling unwell or sick
• Go bananas: Go crazy
• Lose your marbles: Becoming insane
• Spice things up: Making something more interesting
• Raining cats and dogs: Raining very hard
• Feeling blue: Feeling sad