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Common English Idioms for Daily Conversations
English idioms are phrases that have a figurative meaning different from the literal meaning of the words. They are a common part of everyday conversation and can make your speech sound more natural and fluent. This resource provides a list of common English idioms that are easy to use in daily conversations. It aims to help English learners expand their vocabulary and improve their fluency by understanding and using these idiomatic expressions.
Basic Idioms for Everyday Use
Here are some basic idioms that you can use in everyday conversations:
| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Break a leg | Good luck | "Break a leg on your presentation!" |
| Cost an arm and a leg | Very expensive | "That new car cost me an arm and a leg." |
| Hit the books | Study hard | "I have a big exam tomorrow, so I need to hit the books." |
| Once in a blue moon | Rarely | "I only see my family once in a blue moon." |
| Piece of cake | Easy | "The test was a piece of cake." |
Idioms Related to Time
Here are some idioms that are related to time:
| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| In the nick of time | Just in time | "I got to the airport in the nick of time." |
| Time flies | Time passes quickly | "Time flies when you're having fun." |
| Run out of time | Not have enough time | "I ran out of time to finish the assignment." |
| Kill time | Do something to pass the time | "I killed time by reading a book." |
| Time is money | Time is valuable | "Don't waste time; time is money." |
Idioms Related to Feelings
Here are some idioms that are related to feelings:
| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Get cold feet | Become nervous or scared | "I got cold feet about giving the presentation." |
| See eye to eye | Agree | "We don't always see eye to eye, but we respect each other's opinions." |
| Have butterflies in your stomach | Feel nervous | "I had butterflies in my stomach before the interview." |
| Be over the moon | Be very happy | "I was over the moon when I got the job." |
| Be down in the dumps | Be sad | "I've been down in the dumps lately." |
Tips for Using Idioms
Here are some tips for using idioms in your conversations:
- Use idioms sparingly. Too many idioms can make your speech sound unnatural.
- Make sure you understand the meaning of the idiom before you use it.
- Use idioms in appropriate contexts. Some idioms are more formal than others.
- Don't be afraid to ask for clarification if you don't understand an idiom.
By using idioms in your conversations, you can sound more natural and fluent. You can also make your speech more interesting and engaging. So start using idioms today and see how they can improve your English skills!