- “I have a big exam tomorrow and I’m nervous.”
- “Oh, really? Break a leg!”
Have you ever heard someone say this phrase and think “Why would you tell someone to break a leg??”
Well, it’s because they are actually using a phrase called an idiom. Idioms are expressions with a figurative meaning that differs from the literal meaning. Idioms can help to express something in a different and more interesting way and can give a visual representation to what is being said.
So, “break a leg” actually means “good luck”. They are used very commonly in conversation and they are a great way to sound more native. There are hundreds of idioms, but here are twenty examples of the some of the most commonly used English idioms:
Also, we’ve recently made a video to follow up on this blog post. Watch it below:
1. A blessing in disguise: something good that seemed bad at first
Example: Being fired from her job was a blessing in disguise for Maria because she found her true passion for photography.
2. A dime a dozen: something common
Example: Empanada shops in Santiago are a dime a dozen.
3. Beat around the bush: avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is uncomfortable
Example: I wanted to talk to my boss about giving me a raise, but I was too nervous. So, I beat around the bush and asked him about the weather instead.
4. Bite the bullet: get something over with because it is inevitable
Example: I’m going to bite the bullet and finish my essay so I can enjoy the weekend.
5. Call it a day: to stop working (on something)
Example: We’ve been working on the business proposal since 8am. Let’s call it a day and go home.
6. Hang in there: don’t give up
Example: Learning English can be challenging and frustrating, but it’s important to hang in there!
7. Hit the sack: go to sleep
Example: It’s been a long day and I’m very tired. It’s time to hit the sack.
8. That’s the last straw: to no longer have any patience
Example: She forgot to do her chores again for third time this week. That’s the last straw!
9. So far so good: things are going well so far
Example:
- “How is the project going?”
- “So far, so good.”
10. Under the weather: sick
Example: I can’t come to the office today because I’m feeling under the weather.
11. On the ball: doing a good job
Example: The new employee we recently hired is really on the ball.
12. Pull yourself together: calm down
Example: We can figure out this problem. Pull yourself together!
13. It’s not rocket science: it’s not complicated
Example: I’ll show you how to fix the problem. It’s not rocket science.
14. Get out of hand: get out of control
Example: We need to talk to the director about the accounting problem before it gets out of hand.
15. Go back to the drawing board: start over, look for a new solution
Example: Since our first plan didn’t work, we need to go back to the drawing board.
16. Easy does it: slow down
Example: Easy does it! We have plenty of time to finish the activity.
17. Get your act together: work better or leave, you need to improve something
Example: This report is missing a lot of important information. Get your act together.
18. To make matters worse: make a problem worse
Example: I just missed the bus. To make matters worse, I forgot my wallet at home.
19. You can say that again- that’s true, I agree
Example:
- “I’m so glad we have a long, holiday weekend.”
- “You can say that again!”
20. Your guess is as good as mine: I have no idea
Example: - “Do you know where the subway station is?”
- “Your guess is as good as mine.”
Written by: Ian Kennedy
Connectors help us to link our ideas, sentences and paragraphs together in English. If you want to speak at an Intermediate or Advanced level you must know how to use these 20 connectors!