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English Vocabulary
Without grammar very little can be conveyed; without vocabulary nothing can be conveyed
D.A. Wilkins, Linguistics in Language Teaching - Edward Arnold, 1972
English Idioms
Idioms are fun and useful expressions that usually cannot be understood by defining the separate words. For example, if your host mother says, "I think it's time to hit the hay ", she means, "I think it's bed-time"! You would not be able to understand her by looking up the words hit and hay. Like phrasal verbs, these expressions need to be memorized as a whole. Try visualizing them or drawing pictures when you study them. For example, draw a picture of a cow sleeping in some hay. The idiom out of the blue means "unexpectedly". Your teacher or homestay family will call you one smart cookie if you come up with an idiomatic expression like that when they least expect it!
Most idioms don't seem to make any sense because their origins are so old. Some of them come from ancient literature or even classic films. Learning the background of idioms can help you to remember them. Try checking your dictionary or asking a teacher or native speaker if they know the origin. Remember, not all idioms are considered standard English. Some English-speaking regions use specific idioms that other native English speakers have never heard before. You can find information about most expressions by looking them up online.
Try studying these idioms by learning one list at a time. Or, use these lists to help you when you come across an idiom you don't understand. One important thing to remember is that the subject of the idiom doesn't usually relate to the meaning.
- Animal Idioms
- Body Idioms
- Colour Idioms
- Clothing Idioms
- Food Idioms
- Geography and Weather Idioms
- Sports Idioms
After you study the idioms, try writing your own sentences with them. If you have studied hard enough, you will find that the quizzes are a piece of cake!
Animal Idioms
Idiom Meaning Example Sentence
ants in one's pants
unable to sit still or remain calm out of nervousness or excitement
Lisa had ants in her pants the day before her interview.
(the) birds and the bees
sex education I learned about the birds and the bees when my baby brother was born.
cat nap a short sleep I'm going to have a cat nap while you're cooking dinner.
cat's got one's tongue
said about someone who doesn't speak (usually due to shyness)
It looks like the cat's got your tongue, Lucy. Are you always this quiet?
chicken out to decide not to do something out of fear (usually just before)
I was going to take a ride on Geoff's motorcyle, but I chickened out when he gave me a helmet to wear.
clam up (^) become quiet suddenly Arthur clammed up when I asked him about his family.
copy cat a person who does the same thing as someone else
My sister is such a copy cat. First she bought the same car as me, and now she's applying to my school.
dog days very hot days I sleep in the basement during the dog days of August.
dropping like flies
dying/giving up quickly My roses are dropping like flies in this early frost.
eager beaver a person who is excited about doing certain work
Ever since he got his new drill set my husband has been an eager beaver around the house.
fishy odd, suspicious I knew something fishy was going on when I saw all of my friends' cars in my mom's driveway.
have a cow (^) get extremely upset (often over something minor)
My teacher had a cow when she realized nobody had done the homework.
hold your horses
wait and be patient Hold your horses! I'll be done in the washroom in a minute.
holy cow! (^) Wow, I'm surprised! Holy cow! I can't believe you ate everything on your plate.
horse around (^) play roughly If you're going to horse around , please go outside.
get the lion's share
get the greatest percentage My aunt^ got the lion's share^ of the inheritance.
in the dog house
in trouble with another person I don't think Marsha is coming out tonight. She's still in the dog house for forgetting Aaron's birthday.
kill two birds with one stone
get two things done at once If you pick the groceries up when you drop George off for his shift, you will kill two birds with one stone.
kitty corner diagonal direction The gas station is kitty corner to the library.
let the cat out of the bag
reveal a secret Who let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party?
(a) little bird told me
I heard something (usually secretive or unknown) from someone (not named)
A little bird told me that you are thinking of quitting your job.
make a beeline go straight for something My grandma made a beeline for the smoking room as soon as she got off the airplane.
give a hand, lend a hand
help (someone) do something I can give you a hand when you move if you like.
have one's head in the clouds
be unaware or unrealistic about something
Amy has her head in the clouds if she thinks she's going to pass her exams without studying.
head over heels deeply in love My brother is head over heels for his new girlfriend.
head start an earlier start The kids gave Anthony a head start in the bicycle race because he was the youngest.
in over one's head taking on a task that you can't handle I was in over my head when I agreed to babysit the triplets and the dogs.
keep an eye on take care of, watch in order to protect I'll keep an eye on the dinner while you're on the phone.
keep one's chin up try to be cheerful Keep your chin up. I'm sure you'll make some friends soon.
learn by heart, know by heart
memorize I learned my multiplication tables by heart in the fourth grade.
let one's hair down relax, have fun Go to the cottage and let your hair down this weekend.
(my) lips are sealed
promise to keep a secret Don't worry, I won't tell your mother how much you spent. My lips are sealed.
makes my blood boil
makes me very angry It makes my blood boil when people don't tie up their dogs.
neck of the woods nearby location or region I heard that they might be opening a post office in our neck of the woods soon.
(an) old hand an experienced person My uncle's an old hand at car repair. He'll know what the problem is.
over my dead body
not unless I'm dead and can't stop you My daughter wants a tatoo. I told her she'd get one over my dead body.
pat on the back (^) recognition or a thank-you The party organizers deserve a pat on the back for a job well done.
play something by ear
do something without a plan We don't know if the weather will be good enough for camping. We'll have to play it by ear.
pull one's leg joke or tease someone I was just pulling your leg. I'm not really a police officer.
rule of thumb basic rule (not always followed) The rule of thumb is that the students wear black pants and white shirts.
see eye to eye agree The couple don't see eye to eye on how to
train their pets.
(by the) skin of one's teeth
just barely I passed my exam by the skin of my teeth.
stick your neck out
help someone a lot, with possible bad consequences for oneself
I stuck my neck out for Bessie when she was thrown out of her house.
sweet tooth (^) a love of sugar or sweet things I need three spoonfuls of sugar in my tea. I have a sweet tooth.
thick in the head (^) not very intelligent I'm a bit thick in the head when it comes to reading a map.
wash one's hands of something
stop dealing with an issue or problem I'm^ washing my hands of^ Mary's addiction. She is going to have to get some professional help.
Colour Idioms
Idiom Meaning Example Sentence
beet red dark red (usually to describe face)
My sister's face turned beet red when I caught her singing in front of a mirror.
black and blue bruised and beaten We found the poor guy black and blue near the train tracks.
black and white straight forward, very clear The rules we gave the kids were black and white. No answering the phone or the door.
black out faint I always black out at the sight of blood.
black sheep the odd or bad member of the group
My oldest brother was the black sheep in our family. He dropped out of school at fifteen.
born with a silver spoon in one's mouth
born into a rich family Keiko hasn't worked a day in her life. She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
catch red handed catch someone in the act of doing something wrong or illegal
The kids were caught red handed stealing chocolate bars.
golden opportunity the perfect chance The models' conference was a golden opportunity for me to sell my beauty products.
grass is always greener on the other side
you always want what you don't have
I always wanted to go to university, but now I wish I had time to get a job. Grass is always greener on the other side.
grey area, gray area (^) something without a clear rule or answer
Writing personal email in the office is a grey area that needs to be discussed at the next meeting.
the green light permission The builders were given the green light to begin
below the belt beyond what is fair or socially acceptable
His comment about Manfred's handicap was below the belt.
bursting at the seams
not fitting anymore I ate too much. I'm^ bursting at the seams^ in these jeans.
caught with one's pants down
unprepared My students^ caught me with my pants down^ on Monday. I forgot about the field trip.
(have a) card up one's sleeve
have a secret or reserve plan
I think Josh has a card up his sleeve cause he wants me to wear a dress to the fast-food restaurant.
buckle down (^) work extra hard It's almost exam time, so I need to buckle down this weekend.
burn a hole in one's pocket
money that one is tempted to spend
Let's go to the mall after school. There's a hundred dollar bill burning a hole in my pocket.
dress to kill, dress to the nines
dress in nice or sexy clothes
My cousin was dressed to kill on her birthday.
fit like a glove fit perfectly (tight to one's body)
Anita's prom dress fits me like a glove.
fine-tooth comb in great detail, extremely carefully
The police looked for fingerprints with a fine-tooth comb.
fly by the seat of one's pants
do by instinct, not by plan I had never taught art to kids before. I had to fly by the seat of my pants.
handle with kid gloves
treat delicately Please handle my grandmother's tea set with kid gloves.
Food Idioms
Idiom Meaning Example Sentence
apple of one's eye a person that is adored by someone
Baby Jessica is the apple of her father's eye.
(have a) bun in the oven be pregnant I don't think Jan will come to the bar because she has a bun in the oven.
bad egg a person who is often in trouble
I don't want my little brother hanging around with the bad eggs on the street.
big cheese very important person (VIP) I thought I was just going to interview the secretary, but they let me talk to the big cheese himself.
bread and butter (^) necessities, the main thing Just explain the bread and butter of your report. You don't have to go into details.
bring home the bacon (^) earn the income My husband has had to bring home the bacon ever since I broke my leg.
(score) brownie points things done or said that make someone else like you better
I scored brownie points with my teacher by bringing her a cup of coffee.
butter someone up (^) be extra nice to someone (usually for selfish reasons)
We'll have to butter Angie up before we tell her the news about the broken vase.
(have one's) cake and eat it too
want more than your fair share or need
Rick wants to have his cake and eat it too. He wants to be single but he doesn't want me to date anyone else.
carrot top person with red or orange hair Simon is the first carrot top I've ever gone out with.
cheesy silly I love reading cheesy romance novels because I don't have to think.
cool as a cucumber very relaxed I thought I was afraid of flying, but I was cool as a cucumber all the way to England.
cream of the crop the best We hired the cream of the crop to entertain us at the Christmas party.
(don't) cry over spilled milk
get upset over something that has happened and cannot be changed
The mirror is broken and we can't fix it. There's no need to cry over spilled milk.
cup of joe (^) cup of coffee Let's stop for a cup of joe before we head to work.
(not my) cup of tea something you enjoy (usually used negatively)
Opera isn't exactly my cup of tea.
egg someone on (^) urge someone to do something
The gang tried to egg us on but we didn't want to fight.
freeze one's buns off (^) be very cold I froze my buns off at the ice rink.
full of beans have a lot of (silly) energy The kids were full of beans after the circus.
gravy train extremely good pay for minimal work
The unionized grocers have been enjoying the gravy train for twenty years.
(have something) handed to someone on a silver platter
receive without working for something
The professor's daughter had her college diploma handed to her on a silver platter.
hard nut to crack (^) difficult to understand (often a person)
Angelo is a hard nut to crack when something is bothering him like this.
hot potato (^) a controversial or difficult subject
Choosing a location for our new store is a hot potato right now.
in a nutshell (^) simply In a nutshell , I'm having a bad day.
nuts about something, someone
like a lot I'm^ nuts about^ classical music these days.
part-time job.
go with the flow continue in the same way as others
Nobody trained me at work. I just went with the flow.
hit the hay go to sleep I'm exhausted. I think I'll hit the hay early tonight.
hit the road leave It's getting late. We had better hit the road.
keep one's head above water
have just enough money to live It's hard to keep my head above water with all of these medical bills.
know which way the wind blows
know how things will turn out Who knows which way the wind will blow? I just hope Jesse gets one of the jobs he's applied for.
make a mountain out of a molehill
make a small problem seem big The car only got a tiny dent. You're making a mountain out of a molehill.
out of the woods (^) clear of danger The doctor said my heart is doing better, but I'm not out of the woods yet.
over the hill (^) past middle age I knew I was over the hill when I started needing glasses to read.
rain on someone else's parade
ruin somebody else's happiness Whenever I had a dance recital, my older brother always rained on my parade.
stick-in-the-mud (^) a loner or person who won't join in They didn't bother inviting Charles to the party because he's alway a stick-in-the-mud.
(as) quick as lightning
very fast Wow! Your shower was as quick as lightning.
the tip of the iceberg
a small part of a large problem The lost tickets were just the tip of the iceberg.
take a raincheck accept at a later date I'd love to go out for dinner, but can I take a raincheck?
under the weather ill I was feeling under the weather so I went back to bed.
up the creek in trouble If my Dad finds out I had a party I'll be up the creek.
win by a landslide win by a lot of points The skiier in the green coat won by a landslide.
(get) wind of something
overhear something about someone or something (often gossip)
My Dad has a new girlfriend. I got wind of it over dinner tonight.
Phrasal Verbs List
This is a list of about 200 common phrasal verbs, with meanings and examples. Phrasal verbs are usually two- word phrases consisting of verb + adverb or verb + preposition. Think of them as you would any other English vocabulary. Study them as you come across them, rather than trying to memorize many at once. Use the list below as a reference guide when you find an expression that you don't recognize. The examples will help you understand the meanings. If you think of each phrasal verb as a separate verb with a specific meaning, you will be able to remember it more easily. Like many other verbs, phrasal verbs often have more than one meaning. As well as learning their meanings, you need to learn how to use phrasal verbs properly. Some phrasal verbs require a direct object ( someone/something ), while others do not. Some phrasal verbs can be separated by the object, while others cannot. Review the grammar lesson on phrasal verbs from time to time so that you don't forget the rules!
Most phrasal verbs consist of two words, but a few consist of three words, which always stay together.
Verb Meaning Example
ask someone out invite on a date Brian asked Judy out to dinner and a movie.
ask around ask many people the same question
I asked around but nobody has seen my wallet.
add up to something equal Your purchases add up to $205.32.
back something up reverse You'll have to back up your car so that I can get out.
back someone up support My wife backed me up over my decision to quit my job.
blow up explode The racing car blew up after it crashed into the fence.
blow something up (^) add air We have to blow 50 balloons up for the party.
break down stop functioning (vehicle, machine) Our car broke down at the side of the highway in the snowstorm.
break down (^) get upset The woman broke down when the police told her that her son had died.
break something down (^) divide into smaller parts Our teacher broke the final project down into three separate parts.
break in (^) force entry to a building Somebody broke in last night and stole our stereo.
check in arrive and register at a hotel or airport
We will get the hotel keys when we check in.
check out (^) leave a hotel You have to check out of the hotel before 11:00 AM.
check someone/something out (^) look at carefully, investigate The company checks out all new employees.
check out someone/something (^) look at (informal) Check out the crazy hair on that guy!
cheer up (^) become happier She cheered up when she heard the good news.
cheer someone up (^) make happier I brought you some flowers to cheer you up.
chip in (^) help If everyone chips in we can get the kitchen painted by noon.
clean something up (^) tidy, clean Please clean up your bedroom before you go outside.
come across something (^) find unexpectedly I came across these old photos when I was tidying the closet.
come apart separate The top and bottom come apart if you pull hard enough.
come down with something become sick My nephew came down with chicken pox this weekend.
come forward volunteer for a task or to give evidence
The woman came forward with her husband's finger prints.
come from somewhere originate in The art of origami comes from Asia.
count on someone/something rely on I am counting on you to make dinner while I am out.
cross something out draw a line through Please cross out your old address and write your new one.
cut back on something consume less My doctor wants me to cut back on sweets and fatty foods.
cut something down make something fall to the ground We had to cut the old tree in our yard down after the storm.
cut in interrupt Your father cut in while I was dancing with your uncle.
cut in pull in too closely in front of another vehicle
The bus driver got angry when that car cut in.
cut in start operating (of an engine or electrical device)
The air conditioner cuts in when the temperature gets to 22ºC.
cut something off remove with something sharp The doctors cut off his leg because it was severely injured.
cut something off (^) stop providing The phone company cut off our phone because we didn't pay the bill.
cut someone off (^) take out of a will My grandparents cut my father off when he remarried.
cut something out (^) remove part of something (usually with scissors and paper)
I cut this ad out of the newspaper.
do someone/something over (^) beat up, ransack (Br.E., informal) He's lucky to be alive. His shop was done over by a street gang.
do something over (^) do again (N.Amer.) My teacher wants me to do my essay over because she doesn't like my topic.
do away with something discard It's time to do away with all of these old tax records.
do something up fasten, close Do your coat up before you go outside. It's snowing!
dress up wear nice clothing It's a fancy restaurant so we have to dress up.
drop back move back in a position/group Andrea dropped back to third place when she fell off her bike.
drop in/by/over come without an appointment I might drop in/by/over for tea some time this week.
drop someone/something off take someone/something somewhere and leave them/it there
I have to drop my sister off at work before I come over.
drop out (^) quit a class, school etc I dropped out of Science because it was too difficult.
eat out (^) eat at a restaurant I don't feel like cooking tonight. Let's eat out.
end up eventually reach/do/decide We ended up renting a movie instead of going to the theatre.
fall apart (^) break into pieces My new dress fell apart in the washing machine.
fall down fall to the ground The picture that you hung up last night fell down this morning.
fall out separate from an interior The money must have fallen out of my pocket.
fall out (of hair, teeth) become loose and His hair started to fall out when he
around to something ) round to writing the thank you cards.
get together meet (usually for social reasons) Let's get together for a BBQ this weekend.
get up get out of bed I got up early today to study for my exam.
get up (^) stand You should get up and give the elderly man your seat.
give someone away (^) reveal hidden information about someone
His wife gave him away to the police.
give someone away (^) take the bride to the altar My father gave me away at my wedding.
give something away (^) ruin a secret My little sister gave the surprise party away by accident.
give something away (^) give something to someone for free
The library was giving away old books on Friday.
give something back (^) return a borrowed item I have to give these skates back to Franz before his hockey game.
give in reluctantly stop fighting or arguing My boyfriend didn't want to go to the ballet, but he finally gave in.
give something out give to many people (usually at no cost)
They were giving out free perfume samples at the department store.
give something up quit a habit I am giving up smoking as of January 1st.
give up stop trying My maths homework was too difficult so I gave up.
go after someone follow someone My brother tried to go after the thief in his car.
go after something try to achieve something I went after my dream and now I am a published writer.
go against someone compete, oppose We are going against the best soccer team in the city tonight.
go ahead start, proceed Please go ahead and eat before the food gets cold.
go back return to a place I have to go back home and get my lunch.
go out leave home to go on a social event
We're going out for dinner tonight.
go out with someone (^) date Jesse has been going out with Luke
since they met last winter.
go over something review Please go over your answers before you submit your test.
go over visit someone nearby I haven't seen Tina for a long time. I think I'll go over for an hour or two.
go without something (^) suffer lack or deprivation When I was young, we went without winter boots.
grow apart (^) stop being friends over time My best friend and I grew apart after she changed schools.
grow back (^) regrow My roses grew back this summer.
grow up become an adult When Jack grows up he wants to be a fireman.
grow out of something (^) get too big for Elizabeth needs a new pair of shoes because she has grown out of her old ones.
grow into something (^) grow big enough to fit This bike is too big for him now, but he should grow into it by next year.
hand something down give something used to someone else
I handed my old comic books down to my little cousin.
hand something in submit I have to hand in my essay by Friday.
hand something out to distribute to a group of people We will hand out the invitations at the door.
hand something over give (usually unwillingly) The police asked the man to hand over his wallet and his weapons.
hang in stay positive (N.Amer., informal) Hang in there. I'm sure you'll find a job very soon.
hang on wait a short time (informal) Hang on while I grab my coat and shoes!
hang out spend time relaxing (informal) Instead of going to the party we are just going to hang out at my place.
hang up end a phone call He didn't say goodbye before he hung up.
hold someone/something back prevent from doing/going I had to hold my dog back because there was a cat in the park.
hold something back hide an emotion Jamie held back his tears at his grandfather's funeral.
hold on wait a short time Please hold on while I transfer you to the Sales Department.
made up at breakfast.
make someone up apply cosmetics to My sisters made me up for my graduation party.
mix something up confuse two or more things I mixed up the twins' names again!
pass away die His uncle passed away last night after a long illness.
pass out faint It was so hot in the church that an elderly lady passed out.
pass something out give the same thing to many people
The professor passed the textbooks out before class.
pass something up decline (usually something good) I passed up the job because I am afraid of change.
pay someone back (^) return owed money Thanks for buying my ticket. I'll pay you back on Friday.
pay for something (^) be punished for doing something bad
That bully will pay for being mean to my little brother.
pick something out (^) choose I picked out three sweaters for you to try on.
point someone/something out (^) indicate with your finger I'll point my boyfriend out when he runs by.
put something down put what you are holding on a surface or floor
You can put the groceries down on the kitchen counter.
put someone down insult, make someone feel stupid The students put the substitute teacher down because his pants were too short.
put something off postpone We are putting off our trip until January because of the hurricane.
put something out extinguish The neighbours put the fire out before the firemen arrived.
put something together assemble I have to put the crib together before the baby arrives.
put up with someone/something tolerate I don't think I can put up with three small children in the car.
put something on put clothing/accessories on your body
Don't forget to put on your new earrings for the party.
run into someone/something meet unexpectedly I ran into an old school-friend at the mall.
run over someone/something (^) drive a vehicle over a person or I accidentally ran over your bicycle in
thing the driveway.
run over/through something rehearse, review Let's run over/through these lines one more time before the show.
run away leave unexpectedly, escape The child ran away from home and has been missing for three days.
run out (^) have none left We ran out of shampoo so I had to wash my hair with soap.
send something back (^) return (usually by mail) My letter got sent back to me because I used the wrong stamp.
set something up (^) arrange, organize Our boss set a meeting up with the president of the company.
set someone up (^) trick, trap The police set up the car thief by using a hidden camera.
shop around (^) compare prices I want to shop around a little before I decide on these boots.
show off (^) act extra special for people watching (usually boastfully)
He always shows off on his skateboard
sleep over stay somewhere for the night (informal)
You should sleep over tonight if the weather is too bad to drive home.
sort something out organize, resolve a problem We need to sort the bills out before the first of the month.
stick to something continue doing something, limit yourself to one particular thing
You will lose weight if you stick to the diet.
switch something off stop the energy flow, turn off The light's too bright. Could you switch it off.
switch something on start the energy flow, turn on We heard the news as soon as we switched on the car radio.
take after someone resemble a family member I take after my mother. We are both impatient.
take something apart purposely break into pieces He took the car brakes apart and found the problem.
take something back return an item I have to take our new TV back because it doesn't work.
take off start to fly My plane takes off in five minutes.
take something off remove something (usually clothing)
Take off your socks and shoes and come in the lake!
take something out remove from a place or thing Can you take the garbage out to the street for me?
