Conversational English Lesson for Adults - Popular Idioms

Conversational English Lesson for Adults – 30 most useful English idioms and how to use them

Nearly every language is filled with idioms: expressions or phrases that have a figurative, rather than literal, meaning. They add colour, interest, and fun to conversations and writing, and can be regional or widely-adopted across a language. English has thousands of idioms, and new and non-native speakers may be confused when they hear them used with no explanation or context. In this Conversational English lesson, we are going to discuss some of the most common and useful idioms.

You probably already know that a picture is worth a thousand words: seeing an image or photograph can express more or explain something better than having someone tell you about it.

If someone tells you it’s a piece of cake, they’re not offering dessert, but telling you that something is really easy or simple.

When you’re in the same situation as a group of other people are (for instance, if you all got caught in the rain or lost your jobs) you might say you’re all in the same boat.

When you’re told to bite your tongue, the speaker is not asking you to actually chew your own body parts, but to stop speaking or be quiet. Usually this will happen if you say something the person does not want to hear or hopes will not happen.

Did you almost win the game, but end up losing by one point? Then you were close, but no cigar (no prize for you).

Cut to the chase: skip all the explanations and just tell me what happened!

If someone does something nice or helpful for you, don’t bite the hand that feeds you – treat them nicely and with respect, not the opposite.

Know all these idioms but still can’t speak fluently? Try a Conversational English lesson with a Native Teacher

It may be tempting to imagine wonderful things such as new jobs or lottery wins, but don’t count your chickens before they hatch, meaning don’t assume something is certain until it actually happens.

When a person (or thing) annoys you, it can drive you up the wall.

A recipe that calls for a huge number of ingredients or a long shopping list might seem to include everything but the kitchen sink.

Really enjoying an event or situation? You must be having a field day.

When you’re totally and madly in love with someone, we say you’re head over heels about them.

The situation is getting worse and worse: It’s going to hell in a handbasket.

If you lose your head then you’ve clearly gotten very angry or frustrated and shown it.

Hold your horses: slow down, don’t go so fast!

Winning the prize was the icing on the cake after the wonderful day she’d already had.

Let sleeping dogs lie: don’t look for trouble.

He told you about the surprise we had planned for you? Well, he really let the cat out of the bag.

I guess I can let you off the hook this time, but don’t expect to get away with doing something bad and not being punished for it again.

I’m on the fence: I can’t make a decision one way or the other about it!

Everyone agrees on what we should do? I’m so glad we’re all on the same page.

Over my dead body: I am absolutely not letting you do that!

He told you that pigs could fly, snow tastes like cotton candy, and the sky is green? He’s just pulling your leg.

I’d love to have tea with you, but I’m busy today. Can I take a rain check and we’ll do it some other time?

When you start from scratch, you have to start again at the very beginning and do it over.

The ball’s in your court: It’s up to you now to come to a decision or make the next move.

I’m feeling sick today, so I called my boss and told her I am under the weather and need to stay home.

They decided not to dwell on things that had happened in the past since they are all water under the bridge now.

You can’t judge a book by its cover: that man who’s dressed so casually in the ripped jeans over there is a billionaire who owns a successful company.

Last but not least, you should know that the last person or thing to be mentioned is not necessarily the least important.

Idioms are part of the living history of a language: new ones are invented and older ones fall out of use as time goes on. This list covers just a few of the ones that are widely used by a range of people in everyday situations. Ask your Skype English teacher to help you properly and smoothly incorporate idioms into your English conversations where appropriate, and you’ll be tossing them around at the drop of a hat!

Conversational English lesson

Free Conversational English lesson, Conversational English lesson for adults

September 20, 2016