20 English Idioms With Meanings And Examples

The English language is strange, breaking  a leg or getting knocked out is something  

most of us want to avoid, but  we use positive phrases like  

‘break a leg’ and ‘knock yourself out’  - and these are positive instructions.

Are you confused?

In today’s lesson I am going to cover 20 funny and  

weirdly wonderful English phrases that  are commonly used in everyday English.

You can download the lesson notes and worksheet by  

clicking on the link below  and entering your details.

So, let’s get started.

The first phrase is “hold your horses.”

This phrase means ‘wait a moment’ or ‘calm down’.

“I know you’re hungry but hold  your horses, I haven't finished  

dishing up yet, and you need to wash your hands.”

“The best thing since sliced bread.”

This phrase means that something  is very good or innovative.

“This new toaster is the best  thing since sliced bread,  

it makes perfect toast and can  even boil an egg at the same time.”

Next, we have “elephant in the room.”

This phrase refers to a problem or issue that  everyone is aware of but no one is discussing.

Everyone is simply ignoring it or not  talking about the most obvious thing.

- Hi Sarah.

- Hi.

- Ermmm, so I… Is everything ok?

- Yes, yes fine… I just wondered…

- What?

- I just wondered whether you had  read this letter from Mr Green?

- No, no I haven’t.

- Ok…errmmm, can we just address the  elephant in the room for a minute, please?

Why are you wearing a blue  T-shirt on your head to work?”

- Oh, this. Sorry,  

I should have said when I came in… I had a  little accident with the nose hair trimmers…

Next is “couch potato.”

This phrase refers to someone  who is lazy and spends a lot  

of time sitting on the couch watching TV.

“I used to be a couch potato,  

but then I got up and realised there was  a whole world outside my living room.”

“Go bananas” or “Go nuts.”

This phrase means to become very excited or  angry and to let loose, release all your energy.

“I’ve been on hold for 25 minutes.  

I’m going to go bananas if they don’t pick  up soon (disconnect tone). They cut me off.”

“Knock yourself out.”

Now ‘knock out’ can mean to be made unconscious,  usually through an impact like a punch.

“A boxer knocks out his opponent.”

But if I tell you to knock yourself out  it means ‘go ahead’ or ‘do as you please’.

- Can I have some more pizza?

- Yeah, knock yourself out.

“I've got a bone to pick with you.”

This phrase means ‘I have a problem or an  issue that I need to discuss with you’.

It often suggests that you  are in some sort of trouble.

“Annabelle come here,  

I’ve got a bone to pick with you. You ate the  last of the ice cream and didn't save me any.”

“Don't give up your day job.”

This phrase is used to tell someone that  they are not very good at something.

Be careful with this one as it  may upset the listener to hear it.

- I love singing in the shower.

- Yeah, I heard you wailing  in the shower this morning.

- Oh, sorry was I a bit loud?

- Just don’t give up your day job.

“Pardon my French.”

This phrase is used as an  apology for using a swear word.

“Sorry, I’m late, the traffic  was a real pain in the a**.

Oh, pardon my French.”

“Put a sock in it.”

If you tell someone to put a sock in it then  you are asking them to be quiet or stop talking.

It shouldn’t be used in formal situations.

“Can you put a sock in it?

I'm trying to watch this movie.”

“Lights are on but no one's home.”

This phrase means someone is not paying  attention or they're not fully present.

“I keep trying to explain to  my teenage boy that he needs  

to put his laundry into the laundry  basket if he wants me to wash it,  

but it’s pointless, it’s like the  lights are on but no one's home.”

“Drink like a fish.”

This phrase means to drink a lot of alcohol.

“I imagine that his liver is very unhappy, he has  a terrible diet and always drinks like a fish.”

Next, we have “Break a leg.”

And this phrase is used as a way  of wishing someone good luck,  

especially before a performance.

“Oh, I’ll be in the front row watching you on  stage. Break a leg, you're going to be great.”

“Not playing with a full deck.”

This phrase means that someone is  not quite sane or not very smart.

“We should speak to the doctor about Dad. I  don’t think he's playing with a full deck,  

he just tried to put his shoes on his hands.”

“Keep your eyes peeled.”

This phrase means to be alert and  watchful, to look out for something.

“Right keep your eyes peeled, we're  looking for the perfect picnic spot.”

“Keep your shirt on.”

This phrase means to stay calm and  not get too excited, in an angry way.

- Oh, I am very angry!

- Keep your shirt on, there's no need to shout.

“I'll show myself out.”

This phrase means to leave a place without waiting  for someone to show you the way or saying goodbye.

“I’ll just see myself out. Don't worry about me.”

“I’m sorry to say that you've run  out of cake, it was delicious.  

Erm, I will show myself out, shall  I? Sorry, for eating all your cake.”

“Up to my eyeballs in something.”

This phrase means to be extremely  busy or overwhelmed with tasks.

“I'm up to my eyeballs in work. I am  practically swimming in paperwork.”

“Fly off the handle.”

This phrase means to lose your temper  or become very angry very quickly.

“She flew off the handle when I told  her I’d eaten the last of her bananas,  

I didn't know they were her special bananas.”

“Cheesed off.”

I love this phrase.

“Cheesed off.”

This phrase means to be annoyed or irritated.

Like you're sniffing cheese.

“I'm really cheesed off. They cancelled the  concert and I was really looking forward to it.”

“Eat someone or something for breakfast.”

This phrase means to easily defeat  or overpower someone or something.

There’s a very funny line  in the film “Happy Gilmore”  

where the bully says to the main character Happy  

“I eat pieces of S*** like you for breakfast.”  and Happy replies, “You eat sh** for breakfast?”

“You better study for your Algebra test tomorrow.”

“Yeah, Algebra-smalgebra, I  eat Algebra for breakfast.”

Next, we shall hear these idioms  in the context of a conversation.

Idioms are important to learn if you  are hoping to become fluent in English,  

as native speakers use them regularly.

And if fluency is a real goal for you then you  should register for my free fluency masterclass.

I've put a link in the description below.

- How are things with your mum and Derek?

- Hold your horses, I need a  cuppa before I talk about him.

- Oh, what about a coffee instead.  I have a new coffee machine and  

it is the best thing since sliced  bread, does a gorgeous cappuccino.

- “So, how's things with you and your bloke?”

- Well he’s getting on my nerves to be honest.  He’s become a bit of a couch potato these past  

few months. He's just been lounging around  the house watching telly all the time.

- Oh, Really!?

- Do you mind…can we talk  about the elephant in the room?

- “Huh?”

- Julie, come on, you aren’t hiding it  very well. You’re pregnant aren’t you?

- Is it really that obvious?

- Ah, so you are pregnant. That’s so exciting.

- Ok, please don’t go bananas about  it. I’ve not got my head around it yet.  

I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, it’s been driving  me up the wall keeping it a secret from you.

- I bet. Oh, do you mind if I  put some more milk in my coffee?

- Oh, knock yourself out.

- I've got a bone to pick with you, remember I  asked you to keep the 3rd of March free so that  

we could do a spa day? Well, your mum told me that  you are now booked to go to Wales that weekend?”

- Oh no I totally forgot about your  spa day, I’m so sorry. I’ll keep my  

eyes peeled for another spa deal, if you  like? Please don’t be cheesed off with me.

- Don’t worry. So, what are  you planning to do in Wales?”

- It’s actually my cousin’s hen do. I am dreading  it because she drinks like a fish and well,  

I won’t be drinking at all. So, I think  I will most likely be looking after her.

- Your cousin Jane? Wow, yes she can be a handful,  well, break a leg. Who is she getting married to?

- Young Fred from the post office, you  know the guy… lights on but no one's  

home… Not sure if he’s playing with  a full deck… Do you know who I mean?

- Oh, FRED! Holy sh**, pardon my French…  

He is such a pushover, your  cousin will eat him for breakfast.

- I know, it’s crazy but they are in love so…

- So, my mum and Derek.

- Oh yes tell me.

- So, we were at a restaurant last week and my  mum was humming along to a song that was playing  

in the background. Derek told mum to put a sock  in it, which I thought was a bit rude, but mum  

just laughed and said she loved singing, to which  Derek replied, “Well, don’t give up your day job”.

My mum flew off the handle, like screaming  and shouting at him in front of everyone.

I told her to keep her shirt  on but she stormed off.

Then I had a heart to heart with Derek  who explained that he’d been up to his  

eyeballs in debt and really stressed out about it.

Oh, it's all a bit of a mess really.

- Oh no, that’s not good.

- Ahh is that the time. I’m sorry.  I’ve got to run, I’m late for work.

I’ll show myself out.

I'll catch you later.

Bye.

- See ya!

Now it’s your turn, comment below using  one of the idioms from today’s lesson,  

and boop the like button while you’re there.

Until next time, take care and goodbye.