Idiomatic Expressions
“Idiomatic Expression” are common phrases or sayings whose meanings cannot be understood by the individual words or elements. Examples of these idioms are “Baker’s Dozen”, “Funny Farm” and “Cold War”.
“Idiomatic expressions are also non-standard speech, slang or dialect that are natural to native speakers of a language. Examples of these idioms are “Apples and Pears” for stairs and “Ruby Murray’ for curry.”
List of idiomatic Expressions
1. ” Between a rock and a hard place “
Meaning – In a very difficult situation when any resolution will be unpleasant.
2. ” Blow your top “
Meaning – To lose your temper.
3. ” Break a leg ”
Meaning – Used to wish good luck to stage performers before an opening.
4. ” By the skin of your teeth “
Meaning – Complete a task at the very last minute.
5. ” Drop someone a line “
Meaning – To write to someone.
6. ” Excuse my French “
Meaning – An apology for swearing.
7. ” Fire someone “
Meaning – To end someone’s employment.
8. ” Get your wires crossed “
Meaning – A misunderstanding.
9. ” Have an axe to grind “
Meaning – To have an ulterior motive or a long term grudge against someone.
10. ” Hit the sack “
Meaning – To go to bed.
11. ” Keep an eye out for “
Meaning – To look after another.
12. ” Tickled pink “
Meaning – Made very happy.
14. ” Hands down ”
Meaning – No Competition.
15. ” Down in the dumps ”
Meaning – Sad or depressed.
16. ” Sick as a dog ”
Meaning – very sick.
17. ” Under the weather ”
Meaning – Not well
18. ” Rise and shine “
Meaning – Wake up and be happy.
19. ” Till the cows come home “
Meaning – For a very long time.
20. ” Raining cats and dogs “
Meaning – very hard rain.
21. ” Drive up the wall “
Meaning – To annoy.
22. ” A piece of cake “
Meaning – Very easy.
23. ” Slap on the wrist “
Meaning – A mild punishment.
24. ” An arm and a leg “
Meaning – Extremely expensive.
25. ” Pulling one’s leg “
Meaning – Just joking.
26 . ” Greek to me! “
Meaning – I don’t understand.
27. ” Keep your chin up “
Meaning – Remain cheerful in difficult circumstances.
28 . ” Hold your horses “
Meaning – Be patient.
29. ” In the same boat “
Meaning – To be in the same position.
30. ” Loose cannon “
Meaning – Unpredictable.
31. ” When pigs fly “
Meaning – a way of saying that something will never happen.
