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Break a leg
e.g. Good luck with your performance tonight, Emma! Break a leg!
This theatrical idiom is believed to have originated in the world of show business. Wishing someone to "break a leg" is considered a way to wish them good luck without saying the actual words.
Bite the bullet
e.g. I hate going to the dentist, but I'll just have to bite the bullet and make an appointment.
This idiom has a military origin, dating back to the 19th century. Soldiers were sometimes given a bullet to bite on during surgery to help them endure the pain without making noise.
Cost an arm and a leg.
e.g. That designer handbag costs an arm and a leg, but it's so beautiful!
This idiom is often associated with the high cost of something. Its origin is unclear, but it likely originated in the United States during the mid-20th century.
Cat's out of the bag.
e.g. We were trying to keep the surprise party a secret, but now the cat's out of the bag.
This idiom has a naval origin. The phrase likely refers to the practice of carrying a cat-o'-nine-tails (a type of whip) in a bag. When the cat was let out of the bag, its purpose was revealed
Don't cry over spilled milk.
e.g. We missed the bus, but don't cry over spilled milk. Another one will come soon.
This idiom dates back to the 17th century and reflects the idea that there's no use in being upset about things that have already happened. The first recorded use is in a book by James Howell in 1659.
Curiosity killed the cat.
e.g. You shouldn't have read her diary—curiosity killed the cat.
The origin of this idiom is uncertain, but it's believed to have originated in the late 19th or early 20th century. It warns against being too inquisitive or nosy.
Hit the hay.
e.g. It's been a long day, so I'm going to hit the hay early tonight.
This idiom, meaning to go to bed or go to sleep, comes from the days when mattresses were often filled with hay. "Hit the hay" refers to lying down to sleep.
Burning the midnight oil.
e.g. She’s been burning the midnight oil to finish her thesis on time."
This idiom has its roots in the 17th-century practice of working late into the night by the light of an oil lamp. It became more widely used during the 19th century.
Hold your horses.
e.g. Hold your horses! We still need to pack before we leave.
Dating back to the 19th century, this idiom advises someone to be patient and is often associated with horse-drawn carriages. It originally meant to keep a tight hold on the reins to control the horses.
Spill the beans.
e.g. I can't believe he spilled the beans about the promotion before the announcement.
The exact origin is uncertain, but the phrase likely comes from ancient Greece where beans were used in voting. Spilling the beans would reveal the secret votes and disrupt the process.
Cut to the chase.
e.g. Let's cut to the chase—are you going to accept the offer or not?
This idiom comes from the early days of filmmaking. Directors would often include chase scenes in movies, and cutting to these scenes was a way to get to the most exciting and crucial parts of the film quickly.
Let the cat out of the bag.
e.g. When Jane let the cat out of the bag about the merger, everyone was shocked.
This idiom's origins are believed to be connected to markets in the 18th century. Unscrupulous traders would sometimes substitute a less valuable animal for a pig and sell it in a bag, only to reveal the switch once the bag was opened.
Kick the bucket.
e.g. The old washing machine finally kicked the bucket after 20 years of service.
This idiom, meaning to die, has unclear origins. One theory suggests that "bucket" could refer to a beam or yoke used to hang animals for slaughter, while another theory connects it to a Middle English word for a beam or pulley.
Hit the nail on the head.
e.g You hit the nail on the head when you said the presentation needed more visuals.
This idiom likely comes from the practice of hitting a nail directly on the head with a hammer, symbolizing precision and accuracy in understanding or solving a problem.
When pigs fly.
e.g. I'll let you borrow my car when pigs fly!
This idiom is used to express extreme skepticism or the unlikelihood of something happening. Its origins are uncertain, but it's thought to have originated in various cultures and has been used in different forms since the 17th century.
The ball is in your court.
e.g. I've made my decision, now the ball is in your court.
This idiom comes from tennis, where the responsibility to play the next shot is with the player whose side of the court the ball is on. It's often used to indicate that someone has the responsibility to take action or make a decision.
Walking on eggshells.
e.g. Ever since the argument, we've been walking on eggshells around each other."
This idiom is derived from the delicate and cautious act of walking on eggshells to avoid breaking them. It's used to describe a situation where one must be extremely careful to avoid causing offense or problems.
A piece of cake.
e.g. That math test was a piece of cake. I finished it in 10 minutes.
This idiom, meaning something very easy to do, has unclear origins. Some believe it originated from the 19th-century practice of giving cake as a prize for winning a competition.
Break the ice.
e.g. I told a funny story to break the ice at the start of the meeting.
Dating back to the 16th century, this idiom originally referred to breaking the ice on a waterway to allow ships to pass. It's now used metaphorically to describe initiating a conversation in a social setting.
The whole nine yards.
e.g. They went the whole nine yards for their wedding, from a live band to a five-course meal."
The origin of this idiom is uncertain, but it's often associated with the length of ammunition belts in military aircraft during World War II. Using the "whole nine yards" meant using the entire ammunition supply.