20 Stunningly Beautiful English Idioms
Siti Maharani Salsabilla
November 27, 2019
0 Comments
There are many English idioms that you might not be familiar
with. An idiom is a phrase or an expression that has a particular meaning that
differs from the meaning of the individual words, e.g. if someone said “you’ve
bitten off more than you can chew”- they are saying that you have tried to do
something that is too difficult for you. Practice these idioms when you are
learning English to impress your friends and your teachers by explaining what
they mean:
1. It takes two to tango
It means that both parties or people
involved in a situation or argument are equally responsible for it. Ex: “we need
to come to a compromise here – it does take two to tango after all.”
2. Every cloud has a silver lining
Every difficult or sad situation has
a comforting or more hopeful aspect, even though this may not be immadiately
apparent.
Ex: “ I was upset that I failed that
first interview but now I have my dream job – every cloud has a silver lining.”
3. To burn the midnight oil
This mean to work or study late into
the night.
Ex: “ I’ve been burning the midnight
oil trying to finish a very important course”
4. To burn the candle at both ends
This means to work or to do something
from very early in the morning to very late at nighy, thus, getting very little
rest.
Ex: “ I was worried about Feby this
summer because she was burning the candle at both ends.”
5. Water under the bridge
Used to refer to events that are in
the past and consequently no longer to be regarded as important.
Ex: “Yes, we did have our
disagreements but that’s water under the bridge now.”
6. To wear your heart on your sleeve
It means that you openly share your feelings
rather than keeping them inside.
Ex: “ I wear my heart on my sleeve –
I’m not afraid to tell someone if I like them.”\
7. Lovely weather for ducks
A humorous phrase for very wet,
rainy weather.
Ex: “ It’s going to be lovely
weather for ducks!”
8. To burn your bridges
This is the act of unpleasantly and
permanently ending relations with another person, or an organization.
Ex: “ I’m so glad I didn’t burn my
bridges with my old boss because she’s just offered me an amazing new job in
her new company!”
9. Variety is the spice of life
This mean new and exciting
experiences make life more interesting.
Ex: “ I never like to visit the same
restaurant twice because variety is the spice of life!”
10. To lend an ear
This is mean to listen to somebody
with sympathy.
Ex: “Take my mobile number, I’m
always here to lend an ear if you need one.”
11. A change of heart
This mean a move to a different
opinion or attitude.
Ex: “ The troll had a change of heart
and decide to dedicate their life to supporting anti-bullying campaigns.”
12. To touch someone’s heart
This mean to make someone feel a particular
emotion or stron feelings.
Ex: “ The handmade birthday card
from the little down the roa really touched my heart”
13. To take one’s breath away
If you say that something takes your
breath away, you are amphasizing that it is extremely beautiful or amazing.
Ex: “ The way he played that piano
took my breath away”
14. The calm before the storm
This is a period of unusual peace,
silence and tranquillity that seems to come before more difficult or chaotic
times.
Ex: “ Every morning, before I open my
laptop, I sit down at my desk with my coffe and enjoying the calm before the
storm.”
15. To spread one’s wings
This means to become more independent
and confident and to try new things.
Ex: “ Moving to a new country at a
young age really gave me a chance to spread my wings.”
16. Those three little words
An indirect way of referring to the
words ‘ I Love You’
Ex: “ Has he said those three little
words to you yet?”
17. What comes around goes around
This means if you treat someone
badly, or do something negative, it is likely that the same thing will come
back to haunt you.
Ex: “ She picked on me in middle
school and now her boss bullies her, what goes around comes around”
18. Hook, line and sinker
This used to emphasise that someone
has been completely deceived or tricked.
Ex: “ You got me hook, line and
sinker when you were going to be on the X factor”
19. To have a soft spot for someone
This means to have a great deal of
affection for someone or something.
Ex: “ I have a huge soft spot for
ginger cats.”
20. To only have eyes for someone
This means to only be attracted to
or interested in one person.
Ex: “ I only have eyes for William”
(Source: https://youtu.be/352CGJZmeeQ)
(Source: https://youtu.be/352CGJZmeeQ)
