Common English Idioms for Daily Conversations

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!