English Idioms & Idiomatic Expressions

Learn all about English Idioms. Browse our large dictionary of idioms and idiomatic expressions, containing clear definitions and examples of use, and which is categorised by topic and country of origin.

What is an Idiom?

An idiom is a unique type of phrase in English, made up of words that together have a meaning that's commonly understood by speakers of the language, but not necessarily obvious from the normal meanings of the individual words.

Simply, idioms have established meanings that go beyond what the words might suggest on their own, often painting vivid or metaphorical pictures to express ideas or emotions.

Our Idiom Dictionary

Our idiom dictionary contains clear definitions and examples of 7,230 English idioms and idiomatic expressions, categorised by topic and country of origin.

Search Our Idioms

Idioms Listed by Subject

376 Entries
25 Entries
119 Entries
75 Entries
54 Entries
9 Entries
203 Entries
22 Entries
8 Entries
6 Entries
22 Entries
49 Entries
110 Entries
28 Entries
66 Entries
46 Entries
48 Entries
21 Entries
71 Entries
27 Entries
19 Entries
67 Entries
18 Entries
99 Entries
96 Entries
60 Entries
55 Entries

Idioms Listed by Variety of English

189 Entries
19 Entries
204 Entries
1 Entries
3 Entries
5 Entries
1 Entries
4 Entries

Recently Added Idioms

Young at Heart
Added on 18 Feb 2024
Stuff Your Face
Added on 18 Feb 2024
Be in deep water
Added on 5 Sep 2023
Go to the foot of our stairs
Added on 15 Dec 2022
Tankie
Added on 13 Mar 2022
Close to the vest
Added on 12 Feb 2022
Close to the chest
Added on 12 Feb 2022
Pound sand
Added on 14 Dec 2021
Read the runes
Added on 17 Nov 2021
Punch above your weight
Added on 8 Oct 2021
Off your oats
Added on 13 Sep 2021
Trials and tribulations
Added on 13 Sep 2021
Get your oats
Added on 13 Sep 2021
In fine fettle
Added on 7 Jun 2021
Lose track
Added on 9 Mar 2021
Run with the ball
Added on 17 Dec 2020
Whale
Added on 9 Nov 2020
Hairy eyeball
Added on 29 Oct 2020
Poke one's nose
Added on 13 Oct 2020
Throw in the sponge
Added on 1 Oct 2020
Feel your oats
Added on 28 Jun 2020
Ball of chalk
Added on 21 Jun 2020
Shake in your boots
Added on 8 Jun 2020
Fill your boots
Added on 8 Jun 2020
Queer as a three-dollar bill
Added on 2 Jun 2020
Up in arms
Added on 25 May 2020
Dish it out
Added on 15 May 2020
Rivers of
Added on 4 May 2020
Hill of beans
Added on 14 Apr 2020

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