111 Advanced English Idioms in Context

- Hello everyone and welcome back to English with  Lucy. Today I have got a mammoth video for you. As  

I'm sure you've seen in the title, you are going  to learn 111 idioms, but actually there might be  

a couple more in there. You'll have to see. Now  I'm sure you've got ants in your pants. I'm sure  

you're very excited to start this lesson. That was  an idiom, number one, but before we get started,  

I have got the most fantastic free gift for you to  download right now. In this lesson, we're going to  

discuss over 111 idioms with the pronunciation,  with the definition and an example. Well, I have  

created a free e-book to go with today's lesson.  It contains all of the information and loads of  

quizzes so that you can test your understanding  of the idioms. If you'd like to download that free  

e-book that I've made, especially for this lesson,  all you've got to do is click on the link in the  

description box, you enter your name and your  email address. You sign up to my mailing list,  

and then the free e-book will arrive directly in  your email inbox. After that you've joined the  

PDF Club, you will automatically receive all of my  free weekly lesson PDFs along with all of my news,  

course updates and offers. It's a free service  and you can unsubscribe at any time. Okay,  

let's get started with the idioms. So to make  this easier for you and more comprehensive, I've  

separated today's idioms into various categories  so that everything is nice and organised for you.  

It also looks beautiful in the e-book. My aim  is to train you to have idioms ready for any  

situation. I think that the best place to start  is to learn some idioms to talk about different  

levels of happiness and excitement. Number  one, in seventh heaven, this means extremely  

happy or joyful. She was in seventh heaven  after finding out she was pregnant. Two, to  

paint the town red. To go out and enjoy oneself by  engaging in lively activities. After their exams,  

Oliver and his mates decided to paint the town  red by hitting as many pubs as they could. Three,  

over the moon. This means extremely delighted or  thrilled. When he received his dream job offer, he  

was over the moon with excitement. Four, similar,  on cloud nine. This is a state of complete  

happiness or euphoria. Tabitha was on cloud nine  when she found out her mum was coming for a visit.  

Five, on top of the world. Feeling extremely  successful, confident and happy. I just landed the  

lead part in a play; I'm on top of the world. Six,  to have a whale of a time. To have an extremely  

enjoyable and exciting time. During their  vacation, they had a whale of a time exploring the  

beautiful beaches. And seven, to have the time of  one's life. To have an exceptionally enjoyable or  

memorable experience. With the wind in their hair  and the ocean beneath their boards, they surfed  

having the time of their lives. Full of the joys  of spring. This is slightly more old fashioned.  

To be extremely happy, cheerful or full of  enthusiasm. Even though the rain showed no signs  

of letting up, she sat in her cosy chair with her  book full of the joys of spring. Nine, to make  

One's day. This is to greatly please or delight  someone. Receiving a handwritten letter from her  

favourite author made her day. And number 10, to  conclude this section in raptures about or over,  

in raptures about, in raptures over. In a state  of extreme delight or excitement about something.  

The audience was in raptures over the hilarious  performance by the improv comedy act. Let's move  

on to our next topic. We also like to use idioms  to talk about our overall health, so let's have a  

look at some of my favourites. We have number 11,  to kick the bucket. This is to die or pass away.  

No, Bob isn't coming to the reunion; he kicked the  bucket last spring. 12th, a clean bill of health.  

This is a statement or certification of being in  good health. After a thorough medical examination,  

the doctor gave me a clean bill of health. 13,  like death warmed up. Looking extremely ill or  

unhealthy. Sarah caught a terrible cold but went  to work anyway despite looking like death warmed  

up. 14, as fit as a fiddle. This means in  excellent physical health and condition.  

John exercises regularly to remain as fit  as a fiddle at the ripe old age of 86. 15,  

to go under the knife. This is to undergo surgery  or a medical operation. 16, to have one foot in  

the grave. This is to be near death or in very  poor health. After his heart attack, Tom felt  

like he had one foot in the grave and wasn't  about to waste a single moment. 17, to recharge  

one's batteries. This is to take a break and rest  to regain energy and strength. Julia decided it  

was finally time to have a weekend getaway to  recharge her batteries. 18, as right as rain.  

This is in perfect order or condition, perfectly  fine. Although she had been feeling unwell, after  

a good night's sleep, she woke up feeling as right  as rain. Number 19, as fresh as a daisy. This is  

feeling or appearing refreshed and energetic. I  felt as fresh as a daisy after my long shower,  

followed by a warm cup of tea. 20, as pale  as a ghost or as pale as death, not a death,  

as death. This is having a very pale complexion,  often due to fear, illness or shock. The loud  

crashing sound downstairs caused Jane to turn as  pale as a ghost. Number 21, a bag of bones. If  

someone looks like a bag of bones, they are very  thin, typically with prominent bones visible.  

She felt like a bag of bones after losing weight  unintentionally. Okay, next topic. I'm British,  

it's going to be the weather. Weather is always a  big topic here in the UK, so it's no surprise that  

we have loads and loads of idioms that utilise  different natural phenomena. 22, to kick up a  

storm. This is to cause a significant commotion  or controversy. The scandalous revelation kicked  

up a storm of media frenzy sparking intense public  interest. 23, the calm before the storm. This is a  

period of relative peace or tranquillity before  a more turbulent or difficult situation arises.  

The office seemed quiet, but everyone knew it was  just the calm before the storm of the new product  

launch. 24, to steal someone's thunder, this is  to take attention or credit away from someone by  

doing or saying something that outshines or  eclipses their achievement or idea. Phyllis  

had prepared an elaborate surprise, but Jan's  unexpected announcement stole her thunder. 25,  

where there's smoke, there's fire. This  means if there are signs or indications of  

a problem or issue, it is likely that a problem  or issue exists. Rumours about layoffs that the  

company have been circulating and where there's  smoke, there's fire. 26, to throw caution to the  

wind. To act without considering the possible  risks or consequences. Despite the warnings,  

he threw caution to the wind, quite literally and  went skydiving for the first time. 27, to chase  

rainbows. To pursue unrealistic or unattainable  goals or dreams. Instead of focusing on practical  

career options, he spent his life chasing rainbows  and never achieved stability. 28 a storm in a  

teacup. That's so British. We love the weather  and we also love tea. A storm in a teacup. This  

is a situation that is exaggerated or blown out  of proportion making it seem more significant or  

serious than it actually is. The argument between  the colleagues turned out to be a storm in a  

teacup and was quickly resolved. 29, snowed under.  This is overwhelmed with a large amount of work  

tasks or responsibilities. With the approaching  exams, she was completely snowed under and had to  

study late into the night. 30, to have one's head  in the clouds. This is to be daydreaming or not  

paying attention to or not being aware of what is  happening around oneself. During the meeting, Pia  

seemed to have her head in the clouds and didn't  contribute much. 31, to take a rain check. This is  

to decline an offer or invitation at the present  time, but suggest doing it at a later date.  

Sorry, I can't make it tonight. Can I take a rain  check and reschedule? Okay, next topic. Now, I  

tend to catch the travel bug from time to time and  I'm sure a lot of you do too, so let's learn some  

idioms related to travel as well as some idioms  that utilise travel related vocabulary. Starting  

with number 32, thirst for adventure. This is a  strong desire or craving for exciting and daring  

experiences. My group of friends and I planned an  epic road trip to satisfy our collective thirst  

for adventure. 33, off the beaten track. This  means in a remote or less travelled location away  

from the mainstream or popular tourist areas.  They decided to go camping in a small village  

off the beaten track to escape the crowds. 34, to  have itchy feet. This is to have a strong desire  

or restlessness to travel or explore new places.  After staying in the same city for years, we had  

itchy feet and wanted to experience new cultures.  35, to get away from it all. This is to escape  

or to take a break from one's usual routine or  responsibilities, often in search of relaxation.  

Escaping to a remote tropical island is the  perfect way to get away from it all. 36,  

to hit the road. This is to begin a journey or  trip, usually by driving. It's time to hit the  

road and start our next adventure. We can  also use this one to say we are leaving.  

It's time to hit the road, see you tomorrow.  37, hustle and bustle. This is busy and noisy  

activity often associated with a crowded or lively  environment. The city centre was full of hustle  

and bustle with people rushing around. 38, to  catch some rays. This is to spend time in the  

sun often to relax or sunbathe. They headed to the  beach to catch some rays and enjoy the warm summer  

weather. 39, a mile a minute. This is at a very  fast or rapid pace; quickly and energetically.  

She talks a mile a minute but always has something  interesting to say. 40, in the same boat. This  

means in the same situation or predicament as  others, facing a common challenge or circumstance.  

We may have different backgrounds, but during  tough times we're all in the same boat. 41,  

right up one's street. This is perfectly suited  or aligned with one's interests or preferences.  

With her passion for cooking, this culinary  class is going to be right up her street. Okay,  

next topic, time. We also have loads of idioms to  talk about time and getting tasks done. We don't  

have a moment to lose, so let's get on with the  first one. We have 42, round the clock. This means  

all day and all night without stopping. My mum was  a nurse who often worked round the clock to take  

care of her patients. 43, to call it a day or to  call it a night. This is to stop what you're doing  

because you don't want to do anymore or you think  you have done enough. After hours of negotiations  

that were going around in circles, they decided  to call it a night. 44, the moment of truth. This  

is the time when a person or thing is tested or  a decision has to be made. The job interview had  

arrived and it was the moment of truth to showcase  his skills and qualifications. 45, love this one,  

donkey's years. This means a very long time. He's  been telling that same joke for donkey's years,  

but it still manages to get a few laughs. 46, once  in a blue moon. This means very rarely. He doesn't  

heat out often; it only happens once in a blue  moon. 47, round the corner. This is very near or  

happening soon. The deadline for this project is  just round the corner, so we need to pick up the  

pace. 48, like clockwork. This means happening  exactly as planned without any trouble or delay.  

The wedding went like clockwork, with every detail  perfectly timed. Okay, these next three are all  

quite similar in meaning. We have 49, down to the  wire, meaning until the last possible moment. With  

only seconds left on the clock, the game went  down to the wire keeping spectators on edge. 50,  

at the 11th hour. At the last possible moment. The  deal was saved at the 11th hour when an unknown  

investor stepped in with the necessary funds. And  51, in the nick of time. This means just in time  

or at the last possible moment. He arrived at the  airport in the nick of time just as his flight was  

due to depart. Okay, next topic. Who doesn't  enjoy gossiping about love and relationships?  

Well, these idioms will be perfect for your  next chinwag. Let's start with number 52,  

to fall head over heels. This is to fall deeply  in love or to become infatuated with someone  

or something like an animal. When she saw the  adorable puppy, she fell head over heels and knew  

she had to adopt it. 53, the apple of one's eye.  This is someone or something that is cherished or  

highly valued by someone else. His daughter  is the apple of his eye. He adores her. 54,  

to tie the knot. This is to get married or enter  into a formal union. After years of dating,  

they decided it was time to finally tie the knot.  55, to steal one's heart. This is to captivate or  

charm someone in a way that they fall in love or  become deeply attracted. Her infectious laughter  

and warm personality instantly stole his heart.  56, to pop the question. This is to propose  

marriage to someone. With the diamond ring hidden  in his coat pocket, he planned the perfect moment  

to pop the question. 57, to play hard to get.  This is to act uninterested in order to increase  

one's desirability or attractiveness to another  person. It was clear she was interested but she  

couldn't resist playing hard to get, adding  to the excitement. 58, to hit it off with  

someone. This is to have an instant connection or  rapport with someone. From the moment they met,  

they hit it off and became close friends. 59,  to be stood up. This is to be intentionally or  

unexpectedly left waiting for someone who doesn't  show up for a planned meeting or date. Glenda  

arrived at the restaurant eagerly only to be stood  up by her date. And 60, a match made in heaven.  

This is a couple or pairing that is perfectly  suited for each other and seems destined to be  

together. With their shared interests and values,  they truly are a match made in heaven. 61, an old  

flame. This is a past romantic partner or love  interest. When Marsha moved back to her hometown,  

she reconnected with an old flame from sixth form.  Okay, next topic. We have so many color-related  

idioms. You've actually already seen a couple, but  let's go over some of the most common. 62, to get  

the green light. This is to receive permission  to proceed with a project or action. We finally  

got the green light to start the new marketing  campaign. 63, out of the blue. This is suddenly  

and unexpectedly. I hadn't heard from him in  years, but then he called me outta the blue. 64,  

green with envy. This is very jealous or envious.  She was green with envy when she saw her friend's  

new car. 65, to be tickled pink. This is to be  very pleased or amused. Tony was tickled pink  

by the surprise party his friends threw for him  at the office. 66, golden opportunity. This is  

an excellent opportunity that is not likely to  be repeated. This job is a golden opportunity  

for someone with a background in journalism  like yourself. 67, rose-colored or rose-tinted  

spectacles. This is an optimistic perception of  something or a really positive perspective, often  

used when we look back in the past. Note that  you can also say glasses instead of spectacles.  

She always sees the world through rose-tinted  spectacles, but sometimes I feel she really  

needs a reality check. There's a bonus  idiom there. Reality check. This is an  

event or situation that brings a person back to  the harsh or practical realities of life. 68,  

a grey area. This is a situation not clearly  defined or that falls between two extremes.  

Their relationship was undefined, existing in  a grey area between friendship and romance. 69,  

to be caught red-handed. This is to catch someone  in the act of doing something wrong. My daughter  

was caught stealing biscuits red-handed, or should  I say, biscuit-faced. 70, yellow-bellied or just  

yellow. This means cowardly or easily scared.  He was too yellow-bellied to confront his boss  

about the ongoing issues he faced. And last one  for this topic. On a silver platter. If you are  

given something on a silver platter, it's given  to you without having to work or make an effort  

for it. He expected success to come to him  effortlessly, always wanting things served  

on a silver platter. Okay, new topic like colours,  animals are also really popular subjects in idioms  

and luckily they tend to be some of the best ones.  Let's look at number 72. Eager beaver. This is a  

person who is enthusiastic, energetic, and eager  to work or participate. Rommel is always the first  

one to volunteer for new projects. He's such an  eager beaver. 73, to take the bull by the horns.  

This is to confront a difficult or challenging  situation directly and decisively. Instead of  

avoiding the issue, he decided to take the bull  by the horns and address the problem head-on. 74,  

to let the cat out of the bag. This is to reveal  a secret or disclose confidential information  

unintentionally or carelessly. My dad couldn't  contain his excitement and let the cat out of the  

bag about our vacation destination. 75, until the  cows come home. This means for a very long time,  

indefinitely or without a definite end. I know you  want to play video games until the cows come home,  

but eventually you need to do your homework. 76,  to drop like flies. This is to rapidly decrease  

in number or weaken significantly, often due  to illness or other negative factors. During  

the flu season, people were dropping like  flies and the hospital was overwhelmed. 77,  

to hold one's horses. This is to be patient, wait  or stop rushing. I know you're excited, but hold  

your horses and let's make a plan first. 78, is to  pig out. To pig out. This means to eat excessively  

or indulge in large quantities of food often in  an uncontrolled manner. After weeks of dieting,  

he decided to pig out and enjoy a cheat day with  all his favourite snacks. 79, is to smell a rat.  

This is to suspect or sense that something is  wrong or suspicious. Carolina's instincts told  

her to be cautious as she began to smell a rat in  their business dealings. 80, did you hear this one  

at the start? To have ants in one's pants. This is  to be unable to sit still or to be restless due to  

impatience, excitement, or anxiety. I've got ants  in my pants about this presentation tomorrow. Help  

me calm down. 81, to have other or bigger fish to  fry. This is to have more important or pressing  

matters to attend to; to be preoccupied with other  tasks or concerns. Sorry I can't join you for  

dinner tonight. I have other fish to fry with this  project deadline. Okay, new topic. Next up, we  

have some incredible idioms that are perfect for  describing people, specifically people with unique  

character traits. Let's start with 82, chatterbox.  This is a person who talks a lot. My little niece  

is such a chatterbox; she can talk for hours about  the most random things. 83, loose cannon. And my  

husband sometimes calls me loose as in short  for Lucy Cannon. This is a person who behaves  

in an uncontrolled or unpredictable manner, often  causing damage or danger. He's a loose cannon,  

you never know what he might say or do next. 84,  wet blanket. This is a person who spoils other  

people's fun by failing to join in with or by  disapproving of their activities. Don't invite him  

to the party, he's such a wet blanket. 85, to blow  one's own trumpet. This is to boast or brag about  

one's own abilities or achievements. He never  misses an opportunity to blow his own trumpet. 86,  

the salt of the earth. This is a person or  people of great kindness, reliability or honesty.  

She's the salt of the earth, always ready to  help those in need. 87, fair-weather friend.  

This is a person who is only a friend when  circumstances are pleasant or profitable.  

When I was rich, I had many friends, but I found  out most of them were just fair-weather friends.  

Number 88 is a jack of all trades. This is a  person who can do many different types of work  

but who is not necessarily very competent at any  of them. We often call it a jack of all trades  

but a master of none. An example, he's a jack of  all trades; he can fix anything in the house. 89,  

a worrywart. This is a person who tends to worry a  lot habitually and also needlessly. Don't be such  

a worrywart; everything will be fine. Number 90  is an armchair critic. This is a person who offers  

advice or an opinion on something in which they  have no expertise or involvement. He's an armchair  

critic always talking about football but never  playing it. And number 91, the last in this topic,  

free spirit. This is a person who lives according  to their own wishes and beliefs, unconstrained by  

society's conventions. Shannon's a true free  spirit, finding joy in simple pleasures and  

embracing life's little adventures. Okay, now  let's learn some common idioms that utilise  

numbers. There are loads of these idioms as  well, so we're going to just scratch the surface  

right now. We have number 92, to dress to the  nines. This is to dress in a stylish, elegant,  

or glamorous manner. You can also say to dress  to kill as well, but no numbers involved there.  

My mum always dresses to the nines for special  occasions like parties and weddings. Number 93  

is to put two and two together. This is to infer  or deduce something by combining or connecting  

available information or clues. When she saw the  muddy footprints and wet raincoat, she put two  

and two together and realised he'd been outside  in the rain. Number 94, in two minds. This is to  

be uncertain or undecided to have conflicting  thoughts or opinions about something. My uncle  

was in two minds about accepting the job offer  because it meant moving to a different city. 95,  

nine-to-five. That works well, doesn't it? This is  referring to regular office or business hours; a  

typical full-time job. He works a nine-to-five job  from Monday to Friday and enjoys his weekends off.  

96 is back to square one or back at square one.  This is returning to the beginning or starting  

point of a task or process often due to a lack of  progress or a setback. After the computer crashed  

and deleted all the files, they had to start the  project back at square one. 97, the third degree.  

This is intense or thorough questioning often  to extract information or elicit a confession.  

Detective Roberts gave the suspect the third  degree, relentlessly questioning and probing  

for answers to solve the case. 98, two left feet.  This is lacking coordination or being clumsy,  

especially when it comes to dancing or physical  activities. I can't dance. I've got two left feet  

and always end up stepping on my partner's toes.  99, two peas in a pod. This means two people or  

things that are very similar or nearly identical,  often used to describe close friends or siblings.  

They have the same taste in music, fashion and  hobbies; they're like two peas in a pod. 100,  

forty winks. This is a short nap or brief period  of sleep, usually during the day. I'll just lie  

down and take forty winks before dinner; I'm  feeling a bit tired. And number 101, second to  

none. This is unmatched or unrivalled; the best or  highest quality. Their customer service is second  

to none. They always go above and beyond to assist  their clients. Okay, of course, I saved the best  

for last. Let's learn some food related idioms. We  have 102, to bring home the bacon. This is to earn  

a living or provide financial support for oneself  or one's family. He took on multiple jobs to bring  

home the bacon and save up for his dream holiday.  103, one's bread and butter. This is a person's  

primary source of income or livelihood. Writing is  her bread and butter; you should read some of her  

early works, masterpieces. 104 is a bad egg. This  is a person who is dishonest or untrustworthy.  

Watch out for him. He's known to be a bad egg who  can't be trusted. 105, the cream of the crop. This  

means the best or finest individuals or things in  a particular group or category. The Olympic Games  

bring together athletes who are considered the  cream of the crop in their respective sports. 106,  

to spill the beans. You often hear to spill the  tea as well. That's much more modern though often  

heard on YouTube. This is to reveal a secret or  disclose information that was meant to be kept  

confidential. Do you know who spilled the beans  about their affair? 107, love this one. Not one's  

cup of tea. This is something that one doesn't  enjoy, have an interest in or find appealing.  

Horror films are not her cup of tea. She prefers  a cheesy rom-com. 108, in a nutshell. This is in  

a concise or summarised form; briefly and clearly.  She explained the entire situation in a nutshell,  

highlighting only the relevant points. 109, to  eat humble pie. This is to admit one's mistake  

or defeat and show humility or remorse. After  realising his error, he had to eat humble pie  

and apologise for his rude behaviour. 110,  egg on one's face. This is to be embarrassed  

or humiliated by making a mistake or being  proven wrong. His incorrect prediction left  

him with egg on his face when the opposite outcome  occurred. And number 111, in a pickle. This is in  

a difficult, complicated or problematic situation.  We're in a pickle; the car broke down and we're  

late for an important meeting. Right, those were  your 111 idioms plus a few extra in there for you  

too. Well done for getting this far in the lesson.  Now, if you want to learn these and retain these  

for life and test your understanding, you need  to download the free e-book I made specifically  

for this lesson. Just click on the link in the  description box. It's there waiting for you.  

That's it for me today. I hope you enjoyed this  lesson. I hope you learned something. I would  

be surprised if you didn't learn something.  Don't forget, I have developed amazing English  

courses. We've got B1, B2, C1 and our Annunciation  programme. To see those, visit englishwithlucy.com  

or click on the links in the description  box. I will see you soon for another lesson.  

Muah.