Sometimes, learning English is like pulling teeth. You have to unveil layers by layers of the language before fully wrapping your brain around it. One thing that cannot be separated during English learning is the existence of idioms.
You can easily spot idioms in daily life conversations or writings as it is common knowledge for most people.
However, there are numerous English best idioms—and it is quite impossible to memorize all of them. Therefore, we have a list of the most popular English idioms to use for all occasions.
8 English Idioms with Meanings and Sentences
Do you want to step up your idiom game? This list has it all prepared for you. Check these most commonly used idioms in English out!
1. Wear (Someone’s) Heart in (Someone’s) Sleeve
When someone wears their heart in their sleeves, they openly show or express their true feelings or emotions. This idiom is usually categorized as an English idiom about love and has been widely used in song lyrics.
For instance:
- “He broke my heart again. I guess it is the price that I have to pay for wearing my heart on my sleeve.”
- “Janice is a good partner for me because she wears her heart on her sleeve most of the time.”
2. Elephant in the Room
Elephant in the room refers to a fact that is an “open secret” for everyone in that situation, but it remains unspoken.
For example:
- “I notice that there’s an elephant in the room throughout our monthly meeting.”
- “The issue of our secretary has become the elephant in the room during last week’s town hall meeting.”
3. Go Down in Flames
When something goes down in flames, it successfully fails.
For example:
- “My test went down in flames because my tummy ached the whole time.”
- “I thought we could last forever. However, our relationship went down in flames.”
4. Like a Broken Record
When someone is like a broken record, they keep repeating the same thing repeatedly.
For instance:
- “Dad has been complaining about the weather this morning. He started to sound like a broken record.”
- “I remember what my mother has taught me about recycling. It plays like a broken record on my mind.”
5. Hit the Sack
When you feel sleepy and want to go to sleep due to exhaustion, use this idiom instead of merely saying, “I will go to sleep.” Despite its literal meaning, hit the sack.
For example:
- “Today’s very exhausting. I will hit the sack immediately once I get home.”
- “It’s midnight already. Let’s hit the sack and continue our work tomorrow.”
6. Costs an Arm and a Leg
Use this idiom when referring to something that costs a lot of money. This idiom will elevate your speech instead of saying, “It is very expensive” or “It costs a lot of money.” This idiom brings a sense that you have to cut your arms and legs to be able to afford it.
For instance:
- “The newest gaming laptop is very tempting, but it costs an arm and a leg. Maybe I will buy it next time.”
- “Buying a house in this economy will cost an arm and a leg.”
7. Once in a Blue Moon
When something happens once in a blue moon, it means that it is super rare to happen.
For instance:
- “I want to reach my ideal weight but I exercise once in a blue moon.”
- “She wanted to be the best performer yet she practiced once in a blue moon.”
8. Rub (Someone) the Wrong Way
When something rubs someone the wrong way, it is annoying or irritating.
For example:
- “Alex offered me a ride last night. However, it rubbed me the wrong way.”
- “Chyntia’s behavior at yesterday’s party rubbed me the wrong way.”
Do you want to learn more about the most popular English idioms? Fun English Course offers great programs for you. Find out more about our fun, interesting way of learning by contacting us here!