Idioms

Idioms 1

100

to delay or avoid talking about something difficult or unpleasant (4)

hint: beat

beat around the bush

Don’t beat around the bush.

200

a seeming misfortune that turns out to be for the best (3)

hint: disguise

blessing in disguise

Getting fired turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

300

to not worry about a problem until it happens (7)

hint: bridge

cross that bridge when we get there

We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

400

to treat someone in a less critical way (4)

hint: cut

cut me some slack

Would you cut me some slack?

500

something that is very common (3)

hint: dozen

dime a dozen

These red poppies are a dime a dozen.

Idioms 2

100

to get out of control (4)

hint: get

get out of hand

She let things get out of hand.

200

to stick with something (3)

hint: hang

hang in there

Hang in there.

300

relieved of a duty, burden, responsibility, or pressure (5)

hint: hook

let someone off the hook

He decided to let her off the hook.

400

to do something very rarely (5)

hint: moon

once in a blue moon

I go out for walks once in a blue moon.

500

to calm down (3)

hint: pull

pull yourself together

Pull yourself together, man!

Idioms 3

100

to comment on the fact that someone you were talking about just appeared (4)

hint: speak

speak of the devil

There he is, speak of the devil.

200

to receive benefits or advantages from two situations (and no disadvantages) (5)

hint: best

the best of both worlds

Well, she’s got the best of both worlds.

300

to feel sick (3)

hint: weather

under the weather

I’m feeling under the weather.

400

to express agreement with something that was just said (5)

hint: say

you can say that again

Wow, you can say that again.

500

to accept a negative aspect of a situation in order to proceed (3)

hint: bite

bite the bullet

After some reflection, he decided to bite the bullet.

Idioms 4

100

Making a mistake, going in the wrong direction (5)

hint: barking

Barking up the wrong tree

Example: If you think I can help you with your math homework, you’re barking up the wrong tree. I’m terrible at math.

200

It’s better to do something late than not at all. (4)

hint: late

Better late than never

Example: I know I’m late, but I still want to wish you a happy birthday. Better late than never, right?

300

Worrying about something that can’t be changed. (4)

hint: cry

Cry over spilled milk

Example: Don’t cry over spilled milk. We can’t do anything about the bad weather, so let’s enjoy our vacation anyway.

400

Good luck! (3)

hint: break

Break a leg

Example: Break a leg on your big audition tomorrow!

500

to make a bad situation even worse (4)

hint: injury

Add insult to injury

Example: Not only did they cancel my flight, but they also lost my luggage. That really added insult to injury.

Idioms 5

100

Keep quiet or don’t speak. (3)

hint: lip

Zip your lip

Example: When we’re in the meeting with the boss, just zip your lip and let me do the talking.

200

Everyone has their own preferences and opinions. (4)

hint: each

To each his own

Example: I don’t like spicy food, but to each his own.

300

Someone who appears harmless or friendly but is actually dangerous or deceptive. (4)

hint: sheep

Wolf in sheep’s clothing

Example: He seemed like a friendly neighbor, but he turned out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing when we found out he was stealing from us.

400

Think carefully and make a smart decision. (3)

hint: head

Use your head

Example: Use your head and think before you act.

500

A strict policy that does not allow for any exceptions or excuses. (2)

hint: zero

Zero tolerance

Example: Our company has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment in the workplace.