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– 9 min read

35 Common idioms and their meanings

Masooma Memon

Before I shifted my house, I had a full list of idioms in English that I printed out and referred to whenever I put pen to paper. This was about a decade ago, around the time I finished college. Now, I frequently look up idioms online. If I like an idiomatic phrase in a movie or show, I quickly jot it down in my pocket-sized notebook or a sticky note.

You could say I’m obsessed with idioms. But, it’s a healthy obsession to be honest. Because idioms add life to your writing and help you succinctly explain things, there’s no reason not to use them.

Interested in coloring your writing with idioms? Let’s give a bookmark-worthy list of idioms alongside why you should be as obsessed with idioms.

What is an idiom?

Idioms are phrases or expressions that don’t literally mean what the individual words in the phrase stand for. Idioms emerge from an incident or past story. Overtime, however, they lose their meaning and become figurative.

For example : a piece of cake

The literal meaning of this is cake slice (lava cake, anybody?). But, when you use it as an idiom, you mean something that’s easy to do — that’s this phrase’s figurative meaning . 

With the formal idioms definition out of the way, let’s look at some examples of idioms that you’ve probably already heard or used before:

Fun fact: There are an estimated 25,000 idioms in English language. Talk about variety!

Why do we use idioms?

The short answer is: idioms add life to your writing. But exactly how do these groups of words polish your English ?

Here are five ways idiomatic expressions help you:

1. Idioms paint a visual picture for your readers

Even if it’s plain content that you’re working on – you can up your writing’s description game by using idioms.

Look at this example:

The idiom means having to choose from equally difficult paths. By using it, not only does the sentence sound better, but the particular idiom creates a visual picture in the readers’ mind. They can imagine Mara having to choose between sinking in the dark sea and the devil itself. Either way, Mara’s dead.

2. They add impact to your writing

In the example above, there’s a third favor that this idiom does to the sentence: it adds meaning.

Think of it like this: saying ‘choosing between equally unpleasant scenarios’ is dull and boring, even meh . And, it doesn’t leave much of an impact. But, when you, as a reader, imagine Mara standing between the ‘devil and the deep blue sea,’ you can tell things are gettin’ serious.

3. These expressions add humor to your writing

Besides adding flavor to otherwise dull writing, some idioms can help you brighten your readers’ mood.

Frankly, humor isn’t easy to work into your writing. Unless, you’re a master at cracking jokes. Most of us, however, aren’t good at that. So, instead of making a fool of ourselves, it’s better to pull out an idiom like the one below:

Literally, Sophie isn’t a chicken and, of course, she has her head intact. The idiom just means that like a panicked chicken, Sophie is running around in a haphazard manner. This is a funny, light-hearted way of explaining Sophie’s situation.

4. Idioms make you sound like native speakers

This is another good reason for slipping idioms into your writing. Every language has its own idioms that emerge from its culture. Or, they originate from stories specific to a region.

This means that if you want to impress a Brit English speaker , for example, you should use idioms of British origin. Some of these are:

Meaning: Asking someone to share their thoughts with you.

Meaning: A plan that didn’t work, requiring you to sketch it from the start.

If you’re into novel writing, you can draw on these region-specific idioms to write dialogue for a character from a particular region. So that’s another plus of using idioms.

5. They help you explain complex ideas simply and succinctly

Lastly, idioms can help you simplify ideas. Use an idiom instead of going into unnecessary details. In all the examples you’ve read so far, you’ll note that the idioms make it easy to explain something.

Take the idiom ‘back to the drawing board.’ Using it means you don’t need to rely on tons of words to explain that a plan went bust and now you’ve got to regroup and plan again. You can simply say, let’s go back to the drawing board.

Similarly, when you want someone to get to the point, you can simply say: stop beating about the bush.

Tips on using idioms

Convinced you need to work more idioms into your writing? Cool. We’ll give you a list of common English idioms in the next section to make things easy for you.

Plus, here are some things to keep in mind as you dabble into the use of idioms , an essential part of learning English :

  Don’t overdo them

Some idioms are so over used they turn into clichés . Your writing is always better off without clichés as they’re unoriginal. So use idioms sparingly, where they help you summarize or deliver any of the benefits discussed above.

See if a specific detail would be better

For example, once in a blue moon is a good idiom. But, if you find that your readers can benefit from a detail like ‘someone visited on the third of every month,’ skip the idiom. Be specific instead.

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35 popular idioms and their meaning.

Ready to use idioms? Use this list:

• Beef up: To strengthen or increase something.
• Turn turtle: Turn turtle means to turn upside down or flip the side.
• Eager beaver: Someone who is all charged up or enthusiastic about a job is an eager beaver.
• Spill the beans: To tell something that was supposed to stay hidden or under wraps (yep, another idiom).
• Couch potato: Someone who binge watches Netflix, sitting on a couch all day – popcorn in hand.
• Hit the sack: This idiom is a fancy way of saying that someone’s tired and they’re going to sleep. You can also say hit the hay.
• Bite the bullet: To do something no matter how unpleasant it is.
• In the doldrums: When you’re sad or depressed, you’re in the doldrums. Once out of it, you can write: out of the doldrums.

• In fine fettle: In good health.
• A hot potato: A controversial topic that no one wants to discuss – same as no one wants to hold a hot potato.
• Go bananas: Go bananas is a fun way of saying someone’s excited or angry.
• An arm and a leg: When something’s overpriced, you can say it costs an arm and a leg. Alternatively, you can say: it costs a fortune or it costs a bomb.
• Under the weather: Slightly unwell or feeling low.
• Lose your touch: Literally, that’s losing your sense of touch. But the idiom doesn’t mean that, of course. It means you lose some skill or talent you previously had.
• Twist someone’s arm: To twist someone’s arm is to convince them to do something like a kid twisting their mum’s arm to get ice cream.
• Pie in the sky: Something that’s unlikely, therefore, wishful thinking.
• The ball in your court: Have two or more people or parties deciding on something and one side has made their move? Great, there’s only one party that’s to decide now and a good way to say that is: the ball in their court.
• Curiosity killed the cat: Sometimes prodding too much into a situation or question can get you into trouble. That’s what this idiom means.
• Bark up the wrong tree: Barking up the wrong tree is blaming the wrong person, following a wrong thought/plan, or looking in the wrong place.
• Hit the nail on the head: When you get something done perfectly, you hit the nail on the head. After all, it’s only when you hit the nail on the head that you can drill it in the right spot.
• The elephant in the room: The story behind this idiom is that a man walked into a museum and noticed every tiny thing there except for an elephant. Today, the phrase denotes a chief issue that everyone knows is present, but no one addresses it.
• Taste your own medicine: It’s when someone gets treated the way they’ve been treating others (good time to think of karma, no?).
• Steal someone’s thunder: Taking someone else’s credit or taking the spotlight when you don’t deserve it.
• Stab someone in the back: This one’s a snazzy way of saying you’re backbiting or planning against someone in their absence.
• Kill two birds with one stone: When you get two things done in one shot, you’re killing two birds with one stone. Example, I’m writing this piece and revising idioms too.
• Best thing since sliced bread: The idiom means hyped up enthusiasm in someone, something, or some idea.
• Bite more than you can chew: When you commit to more than you do/deliver, you’ve officially bitten more than you can chew.
• Every cloud has a silver lining: A good result after bad things.
• Look at the bright side: When you choose to see the positive in an overall bad situation (or may I say, shituation).
• You can’t judge a book by its cover: This means you can’t jump to conclusions only by looking at the cover or outward appearance.
• More holes than a Swiss cheese: Seeing holes in a story or plan? Congratulations, Sherlock! Now, voice your concern using this idiom.
• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket: It’s when you put all your resources or hopes (figuratively: eggs) in one source (basket).
• Get up on the wrong side of the bed: When you wake up in a bad mood.
• Everything but the kitchen skin: It means everything imaginable including the unnecessary stuff.
• Pick a bone with someone: To discuss something at length with someone.

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Top 20 Commonly Used Idioms for Research Writing

In the realm of academic writing, researchers strive to create impactful and persuasive research papers. One powerful tool at their disposal is the use of academic idioms. These idiomatic expressions, when used appropriately, can enhance the clarity, sophistication, and persuasive power of research papers.

In this blog post, we will explore the top 20 idioms commonly used by researchers , providing their definitions and accompanied by examples.

1. “In the realm of”

Definition: Within a particular field or area of study.

Example: “In the realm of neuroscience, this study examines the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive function

2. “Lay the groundwork”

Definition : To establish a foundation or basis for further development.

Example: “This paper lays the groundwork for future research by providing a comprehensive review of existing literature.”

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3. “Bridge the gap”

Definition: To connect or reconcile differences between two concepts or ideas.

Example: “This study aims to bridge the gap between theoretical models and practical applications in the field of artificial intelligence.”

4. “Give rise to”

Definition : To cause or initiate something.

Example: “The emergence of new technologies has given rise to innovative approaches in the field of renewable energy.”

5. “Shed light on”

Definition : To provide clarification or understanding about a particular topic.

Example: “This research sheds light on the impact of social media usage on mental health among adolescents.”

6. “Unveil the mysteries”

Definition : To reveal or uncover unknown aspects or secrets.

Example: “Through advanced imaging techniques, this study unveils the mysteries of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.”

7. “Navigate uncharted waters”

Definition: To explore or deal with unfamiliar or unexplored territory.

Example : “This research navigates uncharted waters by investigating the ethical implications of gene-editing technology.”

8. “Carve out a niche”

Definition: To create a specialized area within a broader field.

Example: “This study carves out a niche by examining the role of mindfulness practices in workplace productivity.”

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9. “Pave the way”

Definition : To prepare or facilitate progress or development.

Example: “This research paves the way for future advancements in cancer treatment through its investigation of targeted therapies.”

10. “Break the mould”

Definition : To challenge established norms or conventions.

Example: “This research breaks the mold by proposing a new framework for understanding consumer behavior in the digital age.”

11. “Build on solid foundations”

Definition: To rely on established principles or knowledge

Example: “This paper builds on solid foundations by integrating economic theories with sociological perspectives to analyze income inequality.”

12. “Paint a comprehensive picture”

Definition: To provide a thorough and complete understanding of a subject or phenomenon. Example: “Through extensive data analysis, this study paints a comprehensive picture of climate change impacts on coastal ecosystems.”

13. “Take center stage”

Definition: To assume a prominent or influential position.

Example: “This research takes center stage in the debate on renewable energy policies and their impact on economic growth.”

14. “Push the envelope”

Definition: To go beyond conventional boundaries or limitations.

Example: “This study pushes the envelope by exploring the potential of nanotechnology in drug delivery systems.”

15. “Set the stage”

Definition: To create the necessary conditions or context for something to happen.

Example: “The introduction sets the stage for the subsequent analysis by providing an overview of the research problem and its significance.”

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16. “Stand on the shoulders of giants”

Definition : To build upon the achievements or knowledge of those who came before.

Example: “This research stands on the shoulders of giants by incorporating and expanding upon seminal works in the field.”

17. “Plant the seeds”

Definition : To initiate or lay the foundation for future development or growth.

Example: “This study aims to plant the seeds for future research by identifying key research gaps in the field of cybersecurity.”

18. “Hold the key”

Definition: To possess the solution or answer to a particular problem.

Example: “This research holds the key to understanding the genetic factors contributing to the onset of neurological disorders.”

19. “Add fuel to the fire”

Definition: To exacerbate or intensify an existing problem or conflict.

Example: “The controversial findings of this study added fuel to the fire in the ongoing debate surrounding the use of genetically modified organisms in agriculture.”

20. “Reap the benefits”

Definition: To enjoy the positive outcomes or rewards of an endeavor.

Example: “By implementing sustainable farming practices, farmers can reap the benefits of increased crop yields and environmental conservation.”

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Home — Essay Samples — Science — English Language — 50 Most Common English Idioms

50 Most Common English Idioms

• Categories: English Language Language Diversity

About this sample

Words: 1574 |

Published: Jan 21, 2020

Words: 1574 | Pages: 3 | 8 min read

What are idioms?

• Add fuel to the flames
• Answer nature’s call
• Accidentally on purposeIt refers to when somebody does something deliberately and then pretends that it was an accident.
• Badger someone
• Balancing act
• Be ones best bet
• Bare your soul
• Binge drinking
• Biting the hand that feeds youIf you are so harsh to someone who a lot to you and they are kind to you then they can say you are biting the hand that feeds you.
• Breathing down someone’s neck
• Clinch a deal
• A done deal
• In black and white
• Gentleman’s agreement
• No strings attached
• With one voice
• Like the back of one’s handWhenever you have a complete knowledge of something it means you know it like the back of your hand.
• Back into shape
• Back on your feet
• Up in armsWhenever somebody is up in arms, they are so angry over something.
• Get off my back
• Bite someone’s head off
• Be in a black mood
• Blow a fuse
• Bone to pick with someone
• Come down to someone like a ton of bricks
• Dressed to kill
• Down at heel
• Face like a bulldog chewing a wasp
• Mutton dressed as a lamb
• Big fish in a small pond
• Bring to heel
• Bulldoze someone into doing something
• Call the shots
• Too many chiefs, not enough Indians
• Crack the whip
• Dancing to someone’s tune
• Drawing a line in the sand
• Force someone’s hand
• At all costs
• Having a bee in your bonnet
• Blood, sweat and tears
• Having something on your brain
• Explore all avenues
• Embarrassment of riches
• on the fence
• Horns of a dilemma
• Come to a bad end

Works Cited

• Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.). Idiom. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/idiom
• Chiu, Y.-L. (2017). The Use of Idioms in English Language Teaching. Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, 9(2), 49–54.
• Crystal, D. (2008). A dictionary of linguistics and phonetics. Wiley-Blackwell.
• Idiomsite. (n.d.). Idioms and Their Meanings. https://www.idiomsite.com/
• Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Idiom. In Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idiom
• Phan, H. (2020). A survey on the use of idioms in English language teaching in Vietnam. Journal of Language and Linguistics Studies, 16(1), 1–13.
• Prithviraj, B. (2017). The role of idioms in enhancing language learners’ language proficiency. Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, 4(2), 39–46.
• Seidl, J., & McMordie, W. (2010). English idioms exercises on phrasal verbs and idioms. Hueber.
• Tirkkonen-Condit, S., & Laukkanen, A.-M. (1996). Idioms in English: A corpus-based study of variation in current English usage. Walter de Gruyter.
• Wray, A. (2002). Formulaic language and the lexicon. Cambridge University Press.

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50 Common English Idioms and their Meanings (with Examples)

July 5, 2023

I studied German as an undergrad. I memorized the cases and disorienting verb placement, and after four semesters, I felt pretty slick. But then I went to Germany and didn’t understand a thing. My theory is that my cluelessness had something to do with the prevalence of idioms in German. Before we look at common English idioms and 50 idom examples, I’d encourage you to hold your horses (which is also #24 below) and first read the definition of precisely what an idiom is.

What is an idiom?

Idioms are phrases that can’t be understood by looking at the meanings of the words individually. Idioms are therefore an example of figurative language . What were people talking about when they said, “Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof” (literally: I only understand train station ), or, “Ich hab Schwein gehabt” (literally: I had a pig )? I knew what the words meant, but the meanings of the sentences as whole units remained a mystery. Of course, Germans aren’t the only ones who use idioms to get their points across (hey—there’s an idiom!). English is chock full of them (there’s another). What follows is a list of common English idioms, their meanings, and their sometimes funky backstories.

50 Common English Idioms

1) A dime a dozen: If something is a dime a dozen, it’s common, easy to come by, or not of much value—you can get a dozen of them for just ten cents! Fitness YouTubers are a dime a dozen these days .

2) A slap on the wrist : A slap on the wrist is a mild or inconsequential punishment, especially when a more severe punishment is warranted. The company had to pay a fine after causing the oil spill—a slap on the wrist!

 3) All Greek to me : I thought I was going to understand German after studying it for years, but once I was in Berlin, it was all Greek to me. I didn’t understand a word of it. When something is all Greek to you, you can’t understand what is being said.

 4) A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush : This is one of the many common English idioms that are intuitive when you break it down. It typically stands alone, and means that it’s better to keep something you already have than it is to risk it by trying to get something better.

Examples of Idioms (Continued)

 5) Achilles’ heel : An Achilles’ heel is a weakness or vulnerability that could lead to failure. For example: I’ve been trying to reduce the time I spend on my phone, but YouTube is my Achilles’ heel. The idiom comes from Greek mythology. Thetis, Achilles’ mom, grabbed her big boy by the heel and dipped him in the River Styx, which was said to confer the power of invincibility. But because she was holding his heel, that part of Achilles didn’t get wet. Fast forward to the Trojan War: Achilles takes an arrow to the you-know-what, and that was that.

 6) At the drop of a hat : If something’s done at the drop of a hat, it means it was done quickly, without hesitation. My friend John, for example, will start singing at the drop of a hat . The phrase has its roots in the 19th century when the drop of a hat was used to signify the start of a fight or race .

7) Barking up the wrong tree : If you’re barking up the wrong tree, you’re wrong, or mistaken about something. When I ask a coworker if I can take Friday off, he might tell me that I’m barking up the wrong tree—he doesn’t have the authority to give me a day off; I’d need to ask my manager instead.

8) To beat around the bush : To beat around the bush is to avoid an important, or difficult, part of a conversation. When you implore someone not to beat around the bush, you’re asking them to be direct, to get to the issue. As far as historians know, the phrase was first used in a hunting context in the 1440s . Hunters would beat around a bush to lure out their prey in the bush.

9) To be behind the eight ball : If you’re behind the eight ball, you’re at a disadvantage, or in trouble. I’m really behind the eight ball; my project is due in two days and I haven’t even started it .

10) (To be stuck) between a rock and a hard place : When you’re between a rock and a hard place, you’re in the uncomfortable position of having to choose between two equally unappealing or difficult options. If, for example, you hate your job, but don’t want to quit because you’d lose your insurance, you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place.

11) Beyond the pale : When something is beyond the pale, it’s unacceptable or immoral. “Pale” has an obscure meaning —“a wooden stake, fence, or area within a certain jurisdiction.” This suggests that anything beyond the pale is uncivilized. His behavior has been beyond the pale lately.

Common English Idioms (Continued)

12) To bite the bullet : When you bite the bullet, you decide to do something unpleasant that you’ve been avoiding. I really don’t want to go to the DMV today, but I’ll bite the bullet and get it over with .

13) To break a leg : This is one of those common English idioms that’s super specific and, at first glance, completely nonsensical. It’s really only used to wish someone luck before they perform—a play, concert, etc. It’s thought that the theater community, being a bit superstitious, believed saying “good luck” was actually bad luck . Somehow, they landed on “break a leg” instead. Break a leg! I can’t wait to hear your new songs.

14) To break the ice : To break the ice is to ease the tension or awkwardness amongst people who’ve just met. Let’s play a game to break the ice .

Common English Idioms 50 Examples (Continued)

15) (To score) brownie points : Brownie points are imaginary, but they’re doled out when someone has done a good deed, or earned favor in the eyes of another. Personally, I earn my brownie points by offering to do the dishes whenever I’m a guest in someone’s home. The phrase is a common American idiom—it goes back to the youngest class of Girl Scouts, called Brownies.

16) By the skin of your teeth : I’m including this one because it’s one of those totally bizarre common English idioms. When you do something by the skin of your teeth, you’ve just barely managed to do it. The sitting senator won reelection by the skin of her teeth —she won by an extremely close margin. The idiom goes all the way back to the Book of Job in the Old Testament of the Bible.

17) Butterflies in my stomach : When you have butterflies in your stomach, you’re nervous. Nervy anticipation really does feel like butterflies flapping around in your belly. I always get butterflies in my stomach before I go on a long trip.

18) To bury the hatchet : When you make peace, settle a dispute or fight, or come to an agreement to end a conflict, you’ve buried the hatchet. The phrase has its roots in Native American custom : it was Iroquois tradition to bury their weapons—literally—in times of peace.

19) (To have) a chip on your shoulder : When someone has a chip on their shoulder, they’re angry or indignant because they believe they’ve been treated unfairly in the past. Gary’s had a chip on his shoulder ever since he was passed over for that promotion .

20) To get cold feet : If you get cold feet, you’ve lost the courage to do something. True story: I once convinced my dad to get a tattoo with me, but he got cold feet at the last moment and backed out.

21) (To quit something) cold turkey : To quit something cold turkey—or go cold turkey—is to stop doing something abruptly. It’s not quite known where the phrase comes from, but there are several compelling theories. One suggests that the withdrawal symptoms experienced when coming off certain drugs—goosebumps, chills— evoke images of a cold, raw turkey . I’m a bit of a coffee addict, and when I tried to quit cold turkey, I started to get nasty headaches.

22) Elephant in the room : The elephant in the room is a problem that everyone knows about but that no one wants to acknowledge. The fact that the politicians had flown on private jets to the conference on carbon emissions was the elephant in the room .

23) Grasping at straws : When someone grasps at straws, they’re attempting to do something that has a low probability of succeeding. I kept looking for the ring, but I was grasping at straws; deep down, I knew it was gone . The phrase comes from Thomas More , who wrote, “A drowning man will clutch at straws.” Here, “straws” probably refer to reeds growing in the water—not much use to that drowning man.

24) Hold your horses : This common English idiom means to be patient or wait. Hold your horses! I’m not ready to go yet.

25) Tongue in cheek : When you say something tongue in cheek, you’re being sarcastic, ironic, jokey, or otherwise unserious. The idiom’s roots are literal-ish: it’s thought that pushing one’s tongue into the cheek was a gesture used to indicate sly irony or humorous insincerity .

26) There are more ways than one to skin a cat : This common English idiom is brutal, but one that I find myself using often. It means that there is more than one way to accomplish something. For example: My doctor told me I need to lose some weight, but there are more ways than one to skin a cat. She said I could either change my diet, take up jogging, or begin lifting weights .

27) To think outside the box : When you think outside the box, you’re thinking in a creative, innovative, or unconventional way. The company prided itself on its ability to think outside the box, but in reality, it was just recycling a decades-old idea .

28) To strike while the iron is hot : It’s usually a good idea to strike when the iron is hot, which means to take advantage of an opportunity. Picture a blacksmith: they’ve got to shape the iron while it’s still hot, before it cools. We should strike while the iron is hot and make an offer before the price goes up.

29) To push the envelope : Pushing the envelope is approaching or going beyond the limits of what is possible. This common English idiom can have a positive connotation— The artist has been pushing the envelope in her recent work —or a negative— The unruly student was really pushing the envelope with his teacher .

30) Silver lining : A silver lining is a benefit or advantage that comes from a negative or difficult situation. Accidentally dropping my phone in the toilet had a silver lining: I stopped spending so much time on social media.

31) To move the goal posts : Moving the goal posts means changing the rules or expectations to advantage oneself. The administration said it was going to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour. But, now they’re saying that’s too high—they’re moving the goalposts!

Common English Idioms Examples (Continued)

32) To have skin in the game : If you have skin in the game, you’re personally invested (financially, emotionally, etc.) in its success. He kept telling me how I should be spending my money, but he has no skin in the game .

33) The ball is in (your, someone’s) court : When the ball is in someone’s court, it’s up to them to make the next move. The ball is in their court. I said my offer was final, so now they can either choose to accept or decline .

34) In the ballpark : When you’re in the ballpark, you’re approximately correct. As you can see, a number of common English idioms are sports-derived. My first guess wasn’t even in the ballpark—I was way off!

35) Like pulling teeth : When something is like pulling teeth, it’s extremely difficult to do because you—or someone else—doesn’t want to do it. Forcing myself to sit down and write is like pulling teeth sometimes .

36) To play it by ear : When you play something by ear, you’re doing it without plan; you’re improvising. The phrase comes from music: when musicians play something by ear, they’re playing without reading sheet music. When I travel to a new place, I don’t like to make an itinerary. I prefer to play it by ear .

37) (To jump, get, or be) on the bandwagon : When you jump on a bandwagon, you begin to participate in a popular activity or trend. This common American idiom has a bit of a negative aftertaste: it suggests doing something just because everyone else is. I urged my friends not to jump on the TikTok bandwagon .

38) Six of one, half dozen of the other : When two choices are six of one, half dozen of the other, they will both result in the same outcome. Whether we take an Uber or drive ourselves is six of one, half dozen of the other—we’re going to be sitting in traffic for a while.

39) To pass the buck : To pass the buck is to shift the responsibility or blame to someone else. It’s usually used in a pejorative way. For example: Don’t try to pass the buck; paying the electric bill was your responsibility, not mine .

40) To shoot the breeze : Shooting the breeze is chatting, making small talk, conversing aimlessly without a serious subject. The two old friends sat on the porch and shot the breeze .

41) To spill the beans : If you’ve spilled the beans, you’ve revealed a secret. One origin story goes back to ancient Greece , where votes were cast using white or black beans. If someone spilled the beans, onlookers could easily figure out who’d won the election. I was planning a surprise party for my brother, but my parents spilled the beans .

42) To be a piece of cake : When something is a piece of cake, it’s super easy. The homework assignment was a piece of cake .

What is an Idiom? (Continued)

43) To take a rain check : To take a rain check is to politely decline an invitation, with the implication that you might accept later. Can we take a rain check on that? I’m busy this week .

44) To get something off one’s chest : When you get something off your chest, you publicly admit to something that’d been worrying you or making you feel guilty. Wow, it feels great to get that off my chest .

45) (To feel) under the weather : When you feel under the weather, you’re sick, not feeling well. I can’t come in to work today; I’m feeling under the weather .

46) To not see the wood for the trees : If you don’t see the wood for the trees, you’re failing to assess the whole situation or problem because you’re too focused on minute details. He was so focused on the design of the wallpaper, but the entire house was about to crumble—he couldn’t see the wood for the trees .

47) Once in a blue moon : When something happens once in a blue moon, it happens rarely. This is a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity!

48) To put your foot in your mouth : When you put your foot in your mouth, you say something embarrassing, inappropriate, or tactless. I shouldn’t have mentioned that—I really put my foot in my mouth .

49) Rule of thumb : A rule of thumb is a heuristic, or approximate guide for doing something. For example: my partner and I just adopted a kitten, and the vet told us, as a rule of thumb, to expect the kitten to start eating solid food by the age of 5 weeks. That might not always happen, but it’s a good general guideline.

50) To take (someone’s advice) with a grain of salt : This is one of those common English idioms that has a not-so-clear backstory . It means to be skeptical because the information one is getting could be faulty or dubious. She always exaggerates—take what she says with a grain of salt .

Common English Idioms 50 Examples – Additional Resources:

If you enjoyed our list of the 50 idioms high school students must know, you may also wish to check out the following College Transitions blogs:

• 250 SAT Vocab Words
• 130 GRE Words You Must Know
• 20 Rhetorical Devices High School Students Should Know
• 10 Ways to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills
• High School Success

Dane Gebauer

Dane Gebauer is a writer and teacher living in Miami, FL. He received his MFA in fiction from Columbia University, and his writing has appeared in Complex Magazine and Sinking City Review .

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How to Use Idioms in Your Essays

Each language has special phrases native speakers use to express themselves. When you speak with English speakers , you will hear idioms in context. This will help you to use them like a native English speaker. You shouldn’t overuse idioms or use them in the wrong context. Learn and use the simple ones first if you want to connect in a more meaningful way. Using idioms in daily situations will make you sound more like a native speaker. 

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) focuses on how well you use idiomatic language . Knowing idioms and phrases for IELTS shows how well you speak English and helps you to improve your score. Learning how to write in English also involves using idioms in the right context. 

What is an idiom?

An idiom is a group of words that has a meaning different from the literal meanings of the words that make it up. “ I’m feeling under the weather today ” is an example of an idiom. The phrase doesn’t mention illness , but it tells the listener that you aren’t feeling well . There are many idioms in the English language. If you don’t understand and learn common idioms, it is hard to communicate like a native speaker.

Appropriateness : Ensure that the idiom you choose fits the tone and formality level of your essay. Academic or formal essays may require a more restrained use of idioms compared to creative or narrative pieces.

Clarity : Avoid using obscure or overly complex idioms that might confuse your readers. Opt for idioms that are widely understood and relevant to your topic.

Explanation : If you use a less common idiom or one that might not be familiar to all readers, provide context or a brief explanation to ensure clarity.

Variety : Don’t overuse idioms throughout your essay. Incorporate them strategically where they enhance your message or add emphasis.

Editing : During the editing phase, review your use of idioms to ensure they contribute positively to your writing without overshadowing your main points.

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ha first comment

I am an English teacher 7-9 grade and I always try to introduce my students to idioms as a way to understand both the language and the culture. I always find a song, a movie, or something to show them whatever I´m teaching. For example, I was teaching the word BREW and and show them the song STRANGE BREW, abviously you can teach many other words or expressions from the lyrics.

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• 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument. Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of  summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine  and engineering .

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100+ Interesting Idioms for Essays writing – Pro Idioms

Interesting Idioms for Essays writing!

Here is the list of useful idioms related to essays writing in English and paragraphs writing, must go through all of these idioms and memorize these useful idioms list, you can also save this idiom list for your later use.

Interesting Idioms for Essays writing Infographics – 1

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Interesting idioms for Essays

Idioms for Essay Writing

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• Learn English /

5 Best Idioms with Meaning for Essay Writing

• Updated on  
• Jun 8, 2024

Willing to know more about English Idioms for Essay Writing, expressions and proverbs? They all are an essential part of the English language. Both spoken and written English are combined with expressions and proverbs. 

To have a perfect grasp of the meanings and usage of idioms is mandatory for students. However, we know how complicated it can get to understand and familiarize ourselves with the usage of English idioms in everyday life. 

So let’s discover some meaningful idioms of essay writing mentioned below for your reference. 

This Blog Includes:

To sugarcoat, around the clock , stay the course, the pot calling the kettle black, don’t put all your eggs in one basket, once in a blue moon.

“To sugarcoat” is an expression term for adding sweetness to something in order to make it palatable or appealing. In essence, “to sugarcoat” is a metaphorical term derived from the idea of adding sugar to something bitter or sour to make it taste better. 

Examples : Although she tried to sugarcoat, it was still tough to receive the dreadful news.

The idiom “around the clock” is used to describe continuous, non-stop, or 24/7 activity or effort. It implies that something is being done all day and all night without any breaks. 

Example: The medical staff worked around the clock to treat the patients during the flu epidemic.

Also Read: Understanding Idioms: Examples and Meanings

“Stay the course” is an idiom that means to continue with a plan or course of action despite challenges, difficulties, or obstacles. It suggests perseverance, determination, and the commitment to follow through with a chosen path, even when faced with adversity.

Example : Despite the initial setbacks, the project team decided to stay the course and work diligently to meet their deadline.

When someone says, “You’re just like the pot calling the kettle black,” they are pointing out the hypocrisy of the accuser, who is guilty of the same fault they are criticizing in someone else. It serves as a reminder to be self-aware and honest about one’s own actions and behaviours before casting judgment on others. 

Example: You’re saying I’m too judgemental. That’s the pot calling the kettle black!

The idiom “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” is a popular saying that advises against putting all your resources, efforts, or hopes into a single place or venture. Instead, it encourages diversification and spreading your resources across multiple options to reduce the potential risks and increase your chances of success.

Example : When it comes to job searching, don’t put all your eggs in one basket, keep applying to multiple companies to increase your chances of getting hired.

Also Read: Idioms for IELTS

The idiom “ once in a blue moon ” is used to describe something that happens very rarely or infrequently, typically referring to an event or occurrence that doesn’t happen often. 

Example: My sister lives in Australia, so we only get to see each other once in a blue moon.

#idioms pic.twitter.com/ebKYvmvGMN — Math English For All (@mathenglish4all) May 30, 2024

Explore more blogs on Idioms and Proverbs here:

These were all the idioms for essay. To read more about idioms you can check our page at Leverage Edu .

Vaishnavi Shukla

Vaishnavi has 2+ years of experience in SEO and Content Marketing. She is highly proficient in English, possessing exceptional language skills and a deep understanding of English grammar and communication. Currently working on Ed Tech, Finance, Lifestyle, and other niches. All her works are infused with love for writing!

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40 Common English Idioms

ThoughtCo / Hilary Allison

• Pronunciation & Conversation
• Writing Skills
• Reading Comprehension
• Business English
• Resources for Teachers

• B.A., English, University of Michigan

Learning English isn’t as easy as some might think. First, grammar muddies the waters, making things complicated with a vast array of rules, and idiomatic expressions only add fuel to the fire, making things worse.

An idiom is a set expression that means something other than the literal meanings of its individual words. In other words, it's almost designed to trip you up, especially if you're not familiar with the language already.

If you’re taking the TOEFL or the TOEIC , or just want to know more common idioms, study this list of 40 common idiomatic expressions before you take the test. They may just help your English language acquisition soar (get much better).

Common English Idioms

• 24/7: Twenty-four hours a day; seven days a week; all the time; constantly. My little sister irritates me 24/7!
• A short fuse: A quick temper. Jamie is known for his short fuse; just a few days ago he screamed at his coach for not letting him play.
• A taste of your own medicine: Bad treatment deservedly received for treating other people badly.  After constantly being prank-called, Julian decided to give Juan a taste of his own medicine and ordered twenty-seven pizzas to be delivered to Juan’s house.
• Butterflies in my stomach: To be nervous.   Liam had butterflies in his stomach before he went on stage to play the violin.
• By the skin of your teeth:  To just barely get by or make it.  Lester made the dance team by the skin of his teeth; you can tell he hasn't been dancing jazz for very long. 
• Cat got your tongue?: Can’t you speak? (Usually said to embarrass the other person).   I just saw you kissing my boyfriend. What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?
• Crying wolf:  To ask for help when you don't need it.  You have cried wolf so many times that no one believes you when you're really hurt. 
• Cut someone some slack:  To not judge someone too harshly.  Hey. Cut me some slack. I was really busy with my frog-hunting business last week and forgot to call. I'm sorry!
• Down for the count: Tired; giving up; unable or unwilling to participate any longer.   No, you can’t take my dog for a walk—she’s down for the count after chasing cats all day.
• Draw the line: To stop; to know the point where something goes from okay to not okay.  Now I draw the line at speaking in front of 34,000 people.
• Easier said than done: Not as easy as it appears to be.  You want me to come to work at 6:00 AM? Easier said than done!
• Every cloud has a silver lining: You can find good in every bad situation.  E ven though you just got fired, remember that every cloud has a silver lining—at least you don’t have to work for that grouchy boss anymore!
• Finding a needle in a haystack: Virtually impossible to find.  Trying to get a new job these days is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
• Fish out of water: To be out of place.  Tom felt like a fish out of water at the Star Trek convention his new girlfriend begged him to attend.
• Get something off your chest: To talk about something that has been bothering you for a long time; to admit something you have done wrong.  I have to get this off my chest—I copied your answers on the SAT . Thanks for the 15th percentile score , by the way. 
• Give it a whirl: To try something.  I’ve never gone kite-boarding, but I’m prepared to give it a whirl!
• Go down in flames:  To fail suddenly and spectacularly.  The football player's career went down in flames after the media learned he'd been losing on purpose to settle gambling debts. 
• Go the extra mile:  To make an extra effort.  My dentist always goes the extra mile, offering free back massages at the end of a stressful tooth extraction. 
• Hang in there:  Be patient. Wait it out.  I know you're struggling right now in school but just hang in there. It'll get easier. I promise. 
• In the fast lane: A life filled with excitement.  When Curtis turned 40, he decided he needed to live life in the fast lane, so he quit his job as a dentist and decided to tour Europe by motorcycle.
• In the nick of time: Almost too late.  You gave me that main idea help in the nick of time—my teacher just gave us a quiz on that reading skill and I passed it!
• Let the cat out of the bag: Tell a secret.  Brady’s surprise party is going to be great if you don’t let the cat out of the bag.
• Let the chips fall where they may:  To let something happen, no matter if it's good or bad.  Look. I'm going to just try out for the cheerleading squad and let the chips fall where they may. 
• Lose your marbles: To go crazy; insane.  Mom has really lost her marbles; she's making me practice writing the ACT essay seven times this week!
• Once in a blue moon: Rarely.  In Florida, the temperature drops below freezing only once in a blue moon.
• Plain as day: Obvious; clear.  It’s plain as day that you’re in love with her, so just admit it.
• Play second fiddle: To be less important.  I hate playing second fiddle to my sister; she always does things better than I do!
• Put your foot in your mouth: Saying something you shouldn’t have.  Jessica really put her foot in her mouth when she asked about John’s job right after he lost it.
• Pull yourself together:  Calm down and behave normally.  Pull yourself together, man! Sure, your girlfriend just dumped you and then you got hit by a car, but you can't let those things get you down. 
• Sick and tired: To be bothered or annoyed by.   She is sick and tired of her dog chewing up her shoes every day.
• Sleep on it: To think about something for a while before making a decision.  Don’t tell me whether you’ll move to Texas with me or not today. Sleep on it, and get back to me tomorrow.
• Snug as a bug in a rug: Warm and cozy; content. That baby looks as snug as a bug in a rug cuddled up next to his mother.
• Step up your game:  To start performing better.  Listen, Jen. You'd better step up your game if you want to get all A's in Miss Finch's Physics class. She isn't easy!
• Stick your nose into something: To interfere.  Sharon always sticks her nose into everyone else’s business.
• Straight from the horse’s mouth: Directly from the person involved.  Listen to the news straight from the horse’s mouth; we’re all getting bonuses this week!
• Take it easy: Relax.  I know you’re not feeling well, so try to take it easy today.
• Tip of the iceberg: The small easily visible part of a larger problem.  The fact that Carrie is dating a member of the mafia is just the tip of the iceberg; she’s also smuggling contraband into the country.
• To not see the wood for the trees: To be so involved with the details that you don’t get the most important facts.  She always argues about the silliest things; it’s like she can’t see the wood for the trees.
• Up a creek without a paddle: In an unlucky/bad situation.  If you don’t have any money to pay for the repairs we just made to your car, I guess you’re up a creek without a paddle because you can’t have your car back.
• You rock! : You are great.  Dude. You rock. Thanks for offering to watch my pet iguana all week. 

Additional Examples of Idioms

These are just a few of the thousands of idioms in the English language . Get your feet wet (start) with these, and then move on to more idioms that will knock your socks off (astound you).

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100 Idioms: Meanings & Examples

Let’s learn idioms + examples of how they are used!

Here are 100 common English idioms with meanings and example sentences:

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1. A blessing in disguise

• Meaning: Something that seems bad or unlucky at first but turns out to be good.
• Example: Losing that job was a blessing in disguise because it pushed me to start my own business.

2. A dime a dozen

• Meaning: Very common and easy to find.
• Example: Those souvenir keychains are a dime a dozen at the tourist shops.

3. All ears

• Meaning: Fully listening and paying attention.
• Example: Go ahead, I’m all ears. Tell me what’s been on your mind.

4. All in the same boat

• Meaning: In the same situation or predicament.
• Example: Everybody on staff got a pay cut – we’re all in the same boat.

5. Barking up the wrong tree

• Meaning: Accusing or blaming the wrong person.
• Example: If you think I took your book, you’re barking up the wrong tree . I haven’t seen it.

6. Beat around the bush

• Meaning: Avoiding the main topic or being indirect.
• Example: Stop beating around the bush and tell me why you didn’t show up to my birthday party.

7. Bite the bullet

• Meaning: To face a difficult or unpleasant situation bravely.
• Example: I have to bite the bullet and tell him the truth, even though it might hurt him.

8.Bury the hatchet

• Meaning: To reconcile or make peace after a conflict.
• Example: After years of not speaking to each other, they finally decided to bury the hatchet and become friends again.

9. By the skin of your teeth

• Meaning: Just barely or narrowly escaping a difficult situation.
• Example: I passed the exam by the skin of my teeth ; I got the minimum required score.

10. Call it a day

• Meaning: To stop working or to end an activity.
• Example: We’ve been painting all afternoon; let’s call it a day and continue tomorrow.

11. Cold feet

• Meaning: Feeling nervous or hesitant about doing something.
• Example: I was going to ask her out, but I got cold feet at the last moment.

12. Cost an arm and a leg

• Meaning: To be very expensive.
• Example: That luxury car must have cost him an arm and a leg.

13. Cry over spilled milk

• Meaning: To worry or complain about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
• Example: Yes, we made a mistake, but there’s no use crying over spilled milk. Let’s focus on finding a solution.

14. Cut corners

• Meaning: To do something quickly or take shortcuts, often sacrificing quality.
• Example: Don’t cut corners on this project; it needs to be excellent to impress the new client.

15. Drive someone up the wall

• Meaning: To irritate or annoy someone greatly.
• Example: Her constant humming drives me up the wall; I can’t concentrate with that noise.

16. Silver lining

• Meaning: something positive in a difficult situation.
• Example: Losing my job was tough, but the silver lining was that I found a new career opportunity.

17. Face the music

• Meaning: To confront the consequences of one’s actions.
• Example: You made a mistake, and now you have to face the music and accept the criticism.

18. Get a taste of your own medicine

• Meaning: Experience the same negative treatment you have given to others.
• Example: After constantly making fun of others, he finally got a taste of his own medicine when they started teasing him.

19. Get the ball rolling

• Meaning: To start a process or activity.
• Example: Let’s get the ball rolling on this project and assign tasks to the team members.

20. Give someone the benefit of the doubt

• Meaning: To believe someone’s statement or excuse without being too suspicious.
• Example: I don’t have any evidence, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and trust his explanation.

21. Go the extra mile

• Meaning: To put in extra effort or do more than what is expected.
• Example: If you want to succeed in this competitive industry, you need to go the extra mile.

22. Hit the nail on the head

• Meaning: To identify or describe something accurately.
• Example: She hit the nail on the head when she said that our team needs better communication.

23. In the heat of the moment

• Meaning: In a moment of intense emotion, when we act or speak impulsively without thinking.
• Example: I didn’t mean to say those hurtful words; I said them in the heat of the moment.

24. It’s a piece of cake

• Meaning: Something is very easy or simple to do.
• Example: Don’t worry about the test; it’s a piece of cake . You’ll do fine.

25. Keep your chin up

• Meaning: To remain positive and optimistic during difficult times.
• Example: Even though he faced many rejections, he kept his chin up and continued to pursue his dream.

26. Kill two birds with one stone

• Meaning: Accomplish two things at the same time with a single action.
• Example: By taking the train instead of driving, she kills two birds with one stone – saves money and helps the environment.

27. Let the cat out of the bag

• Meaning: To reveal a secret or confidential information.
• Example: She accidentally let the cat out of the bag and spoiled the surprise party.

28. Like a fish out of water

• Meaning: Feeling uncomfortable or out of place in a particular situation.
• Example: As a city person, I feel like a fish out of water when I visit rural areas.

29. Make a long story short

• Meaning: To give a brief summary or conclusion.
• Example: He rambled on about his trip, but to make a long story short , he had an amazing time.

30. Miss the boat

• Meaning: To miss an opportunity or chance.
• Example: I didn’t apply for the scholarship on time, so I missed the boat.

31. Not my cup of tea

• Meaning: Something that is not to your liking or preference.
• Example: I tried skiing, but it’s not my cup of tea – I don’t enjoy the cold.

32. On cloud nine

• Meaning: Feeling extremely happy or joyful.
• Example: When she got the job offer, she was on cloud nine; it was her dream job.

33. Once in a blue moon

• Meaning: Happens very rarely.
• Example: We eat at home most of the time; we go to restaurants once in a blue moon – for special occasions.

34. Out of the blue

• Meaning: Unexpectedly or without any warning.
• Example: I hadn’t spoken to her in years, and then out of the blue, she called me yesterday.

35. Over the moon

• Meaning: Delighted or extremely happy.
• Example: She was over the moon when she received her acceptance letter from the university.

36. Pull someone’s leg

• Meaning: To tease or joke with someone.
• Example: He’s just pulling your leg ; he doesn’t really mean what he said.

37. Put the cart before the horse

• Meaning: Doing things in the wrong order.
• Example: You’re putting the cart before the horse by buying furniture before finding a place to live.

38. Raining cats and dogs

• Meaning: Raining heavily.
• Example: We can’t go outside; it’s raining cats and dogs.

39. Not ring a bell

• Meaning: Not sound familiar or trigger a vague memory.
• Example: I don’t think I know him – his name doesn’t ring a bell.

40. Rule of thumb

• Meaning: A general principle or guideline.
• Example: As a rule of thumb, it’s better to arrive early for meetings.

41. Shoot yourself in the foot

• Meaning: To do something that harms oneself unintentionally.
• Example: He shot himself in the foot by quitting his job without having another one lined up.

42. On the fence

• Meaning: To remain neutral or undecided in a dispute or issue.
• Example: I can’t decide which car to buy, so I’m on the fence for now.

43. Skeletons in the closet

• Meaning: Hidden or embarrassing secrets from the past.
• Example: The journalist investigated the famous singer, trying to find some skeletons in the closet.

44. Take a rain check

• Meaning: To postpone or reschedule a plan or invitation.
• Example: I’m sorry, I can’t make it to the concert tonight. Can I take a rain check?

45. The ball is in your court

• Meaning: It’s your turn to take action or make a decision.
• Example: I’ve given you all the information; now the ball is in your court.

46. The best of both worlds

• Meaning: Enjoying the benefits of two different things at the same time.
• Example: Working part-time allows me to have a career and spend time with my family. It’s the best of both worlds.

47. Show someone the ropes

• Meaning: teach someone the details of a task or procedure
• During my first week on the job, my co-workers showed me the ropes.

48. The whole nine yards

• Meaning: Everything, or the full extent of something.
• Example: I’ll make sure you have everything you need—equipment, resources, the whole nine yards.

49. Through thick and thin

• Meaning: Supporting or being loyal to someone during good times and bad times.
• Example: We’ve been friends for over 20 years, through thick and thin.

50. Throw in the towel

• Meaning: To give up or surrender.
• Example: After struggling with the homework for hours, he finally threw in the towel.

51. Turn a blind eye

• Meaning: To ignore or pretend not to notice something.
• Example: The teacher turned a blind eye to the students whispering during the exam.

52. Under the weather

• Meaning: Feeling sick.
• Example: I won’t be able to come to work today; I’m feeling under the weather.

53. Off The Hook

• Meaning: Freed from an obligation
• Example: I was going to give a class on Saturday, but they found another teacher to do it, so I’m off the hook.

54. Up in the air

• Meaning: Uncertain or not confirmed.
• Example: The date for the meeting is still up in the air; we need to schedule it.

55. When it rains, it pours

• Meaning: Bad things often happen in clusters or all at once.
• Example: First, my car broke down, then I lost my wallet. When it rains, it pours!

56. Wrap your head around something

• Meaning: To understand or comprehend something complex or difficult.
• Example: It took me a while to wrap my head around the new software, but now I understand how to use it.

57. Throw someone for a loop

• Meaning: Distract, confuse, or surprise someone suddenly.
• Example: I think I answered all the questions in the job interview pretty well – except for the random one about my personal life. I wasn’t expecting it, so it threw me for a loop.

58. At the drop of a hat

• Meaning: Immediately or without hesitation.
• Example: He’s always ready to help at the drop of a hat.

59. At the end of your rope

• Meaning: Completely annoyed, exhausted, or desperate, with no more patience or energy.
• Example: After dealing with two disobedient kids all day, I was at the end of my rope. 

60. Pipe down!

• Meaning: Be quiet!
• Example: Hey kids, pipe down! This is a library and people are trying to study.

61. Cross that bridge when you come to it

• Meaning: To deal with a problem or worry about something when it actually happens.
• Example: I’m not sure what to do if I fail the test, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

62. Drop the ball

• Meaning: To make a mistake or fail to do something properly.
• Example: He dropped the ball by forgetting to send the important email on time.

63. Elephant in the room

• Meaning: An obvious problem or issue that no one wants to address.
• Example: We need to talk about the budget cuts; it’s the elephant in the room.

64. Get off on the wrong foot

• Meaning: To start a relationship or situation poorly or with a misunderstanding.
• Example: We got off on the wrong foot, but we can still work things out and improve our communication.

65. Go down in flames

• Meaning: To fail spectacularly or experience a significant defeat or failure.
• Example: Their new product launch went down in flames, and they lost a lot of money.

66. Go with the flow

• Meaning: To adapt to a situation or accept things as they come.
• Example: I don’t have a specific plan for the weekend; I’ll just go with the flow and see what happens.

67. Hang in there

• Meaning: To persevere or keep going despite difficulties or challenges.
• Example: I know it’s tough, but hang in there; things will get better.

68. In hot water

• Meaning: In trouble or facing difficulties due to a mistake or wrongdoing.
• Example: He found himself in hot water after missing an important deadline.

69. Jump on the bandwagon

• Meaning: To join or support something that is currently popular or successful.
• Example: Everyone is using that new social media platform, so I decided to jump on the bandwagon.

70. Kick the bucket

• Meaning: Die (very informal)
• Example: I’d love to visit Jamaica someday before I kick the bucket.

71. Swallow something hook, line, and sinker

• Meaning: To believe something completely – usually something that is not true.
• Example: When I got back late from the party, I told my mom I had been studying for a final exam at a friend’s house. She swallowed it hook, line, and sinker.

72. Show your true colors

• Meaning: Reveal the true nature of your character
• Example: When things get stressful, that’s when people start to show their true colors

73. On thin ice

• Meaning: In a dangerous situation.
• Example: He’s on thin ice with his boss after making multiple mistakes.

74. Play it by ear

• Meaning: To decide or act based on the situation as it develops, rather than having a fixed plan.
• Example: We don’t have a specific itinerary; we’ll just play it by ear and see what we feel like doing.

75. Save your breath

• Meaning: To stop wasting your time and effort saying things that won’t have any effect.
• Example: Trying to convince him to change his mind is pointless; save your breath.

76. Steal the show

• Meaning: To attract the most attention or praise.
• Example: Her performance was incredible; she stole the show with her singing and dancing.

77. Take it with a grain of salt

• Meaning: To receive/consider information with skepticism or doubt.
• Example: I heard a rumor, but I took it with a grain of salt until I had more information.

78. clear as mud

• Meaning: information or communication is NOT clear at all.
• Example: My friend tried to explain how to get to his house, but his directions were as clear as mud and we got lost.

79. jump the gun

• Meaning: Do something too early, before the appropriate time
• Example: She jumped the gun and announced the winner before the final results were officially declared.

80. get your wires crossed

• Meaning: Have a miscommunication
• Example: We must have gotten our wires crossed – I wanted you to come at 7 PM, not 7 AM.

81. Throw caution to the wind

• Meaning: To take a risk or act without considering the potential consequences.
• Example: Despite her friends’ warnings, she decided to throw caution to the wind and quit her job to pursue her passion.

82. Lose your touch

• Meaning: To lose the skill or ability that one once had.
• Example: After years of not playing the piano, he realized he had lost his touch and struggled to play a simple melody.

83. Off the chain

• Meaning: Refers to something that is exciting, exceptional, or out of control.
• Example: The concert last night was off the chain! The energy in the crowd was unbelievable.

84. Eyeball it

• Meaning: To estimate or measure something by using one’s judgment or visual assessment.
• Example: We didn’t have a ruler, so we had to eyeball the length of the table and hope it would fit in the room.

85. Spice things up

• Meaning: To add excitement or variety to a situation or relationship.
• Example: Let’s try a new restaurant tonight to spice things up.

86. Bring home the bacon

• Meaning: To earn a living or provide financial support for one’s family.
• Example: She works two jobs to bring home the bacon and support her children.

87. Nip something in the bud

• Meaning: To stop or prevent a problem or situation from developing further.
• Example: My 5-year-old started telling lies; we had to discipline her to nip that habit in the bud.

88. The last straw

• Meaning: The final event or action that makes a situation unbearable or prompts a strong reaction.
• Example: When he forgot their anniversary, it was the last straw for her, and she decided to end the relationship.

89. A whole new ballgame

• Meaning: A completely different situation or set of circumstances.
• Example: We had to change our lifestyle after we had kids – it was a whole new ballgame.

90. Burn the midnight oil

• Meaning: To work or study late into the night.
• Example: I’m exhausted because I was burning the midnight oil yesterday.

91. Between a rock and a hard place

• Meaning: Trapped in a difficult or impossible situation, having to choose between two unfavorable options.
• Example: She was between a rock and a hard place when both job offers required her to relocate.

92. Play devil’s advocate

• Meaning: Argue an opposing perspective in order to generate critical thinking or debate.
• Example: I know everyone’s in favor of this plan, but let me play devil’s advocate – what will we do if it all goes wrong?

93. Put your foot in your mouth

• Meaning: To say something embarrassing, inappropriate, or offensive by accident.
• Example: I put my foot in my mouth when I asked her if she was pregnant, but she wasn’t.

94. Get a grip

• Meaning: To regain control over one’s emotions or behavior.
• Example: He needs to get a grip and stop letting his anger affect his relationships.

95. Piece of work

• Meaning: Used to describe someone who is difficult, eccentric, or challenging to deal with.
• Example: I love my cousin, but she’s a real piece of work – she gets offended over the slightest things.

96. Put someone on the spot

• Meaning: To ask someone a difficult question or request an immediate response, often in a public or challenging situation.
• Example: During the meeting, the boss put him on the spot by asking him to present his idea without any preparation.

97. a night owl

• Meaning: Someone who likes to stay up late.
• Example: My son’s a night owl – he never goes to bed before 2 AM.

98. has seen better days

• Meaning: Something is old and in not-so-great condition.
• Example: I’ve had this car for over fifteen years… it’s seen better days.

99. get bent out of shape

• Meaning: Become angry, upset or offended, especially about something which in your opinion doesn’t justify such a reaction.
• Example: My roommate is a neat freak, and he gets bent out of shape if I leave a single spoon on the kitchen counter.

100. Play your cards right

• Meaning: Use your resources in a way that leads to success.
• Example: Your supervisor really likes you. If you play your cards right , you could get promoted soon.

Now you know 100 common idiomatic expressions and their meanings. I hope these idioms + examples are helpful!

• Learn more: List of idioms with their definitions

You’ll learn lots more idioms & examples in my 300+ Idioms Course !

This course is an EFFECTIVE way to learn and practice common idiomatic expressions in the English language. It’s not just a list of idioms – instead, each lesson helps you learn the expressions more actively.

The lessons start by showing you examples of idioms in sentences, and you’ll try to guess what they mean from the context. Then, you can watch a video where I teach the idioms’ meanings. Next, try a quiz to see how well you remember the idiomatic expressions. Finally, there are short-answer questions to help you practice using these common idioms yourself – and you can get feedback and correction from an Espresso English teacher!

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Hi, I’m Shayna. I create courses helping English as a Second Language learners become more fluent in just a few minutes a day – so they can speak English naturally and confidently in work and daily life.

English Idioms for Review, expressions, and proverbs are an essential part of the English language, both spoken and written English are saturated with them.

For English Learners idioms are hard to learn, the reason being Idioms don’t make common sense.

To learn the meanings and usage of idioms, learners must practice and familiarize themselves with their everyday usage.

The team at Lillypad understands the pain and difficulties English Learners encounter comprehending the true meaning and right usage. This idioms list of Review makes learning painless, with common Review idioms, definitions, and example sentences that make the meaning clear.

Learning to use common idioms and expressions will make your English sound more native, so it’s a good idea to master some of these expressions with daily practice, so bookmark this page or share it with your friends; now let us learn about idioms for Review together.

Idioms for Review with Meanings, Definitions & Example Sentences

1. good thinking, definition and meaning: good thinking.

The expression means someone has thought of a good solution to an issue or problem.

Good Thinking Example Sentences:

• He changed venue at the last minute because the new one was better. Good thinking.
• She edited the material with a sympathetic perspective. Good thinking on her part.
• Good thinking! I knew I could count on the team.
• Are you telling me they came up with this elegant solution by themselves? Good thinking.
• Who changed the background colors? It made the installation pop. Good thinking!

2. That’ll Be The Day

Definition and meaning: that’ll be the day.

The expression “that’ll be the day” is used to express disbelief or doubt.

That’ll Be The Day Example Sentences:

• I’ll be able to run a marathon in under two hours – that’ll be the day!
• My brother said he’ll clean his room without being asked – that’ll be the day!
• My cat said she’ll stop sleeping on my laptop – that’ll be the day!
• My friend said he’ll stop eating junk food – that’ll be the day!
• My sister said she’ll stop talking on the phone all night – that’ll be the day!

3. Hats Off To (Someone)

Definition and meaning: hats off to (someone).

This expression gives credit to the person who did an impressive job.

Hats Off To (Someone) Example Sentences:

• Hats off to Nathan for modifying the floor plan.
• You did this? Hats off to you!
• Hats off to everyone at Darlant for organizing this event.
• Wow, hats off to your interior designer!
• Hats off to Matilda. She finished great quality work in only two days.

4. The Last Straw

Definition and meaning: the last straw.

The expression “the last straw” is used to describe a situation where someone has had enough and can’t take anymore.

The Last Straw Example Sentences:

• After my boss yelled at me for the third time this week, the last straw was when he made me stay late to finish a project.
• After months of dealing with my roommate’s messiness, the last straw was when I found mold growing in the kitchen.
• After my car broke down for the third time this year, the last straw was when I had to pay for a costly repair.
• After my partner’s constant criticism, the last straw was when they belittled me in front of my friends.
• After my child’s poor grades, the last straw was when they were suspended from school for fighting.

5. I’m Not Convinced

Definition and meaning: i’m not convinced.

The speaker is not convinced by the argument that has been presented.

I’m Not Convinced Example Sentences:

• I’m not convinced that the new policy will be beneficial for the company.
• I’m not convinced that the new diet will help me lose weight.
• I’m not convinced that the new technology will be successful in the market.
• I’m not convinced that the new product will be a hit with customers.
• I’m not convinced that the new marketing strategy will be effective.

6. I’m Not A Fan

Definition and meaning: i’m not a fan.

The expression “I’m not a fan” is used to indicate that the speaker is not interested in or supportive of the person or thing being discussed.

I’m Not A Fan Example Sentences:

• I’m not a fan of horror movies
• I’m not a fan of spicy food
• I’m not a fan of rap music
• I’m not a fan of cold weather
• I’m not a fan of early mornings

7. I’m Not A Believer In That

Definition and meaning: i’m not a believer in that.

The speaker is saying that they don’t believe in what the other person is saying.

I’m Not A Believer In That Example Sentences:

• I’m not a believer in the idea that money can buy happiness.
• I’m not a believer in the concept of fate.
• I’m not a believer in the notion that all people are equal.
• I’m not a believer in the theory that the world is flat.
• I’m not a believer in the superstition that black cats bring bad luck.

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What is an Idiom: A Comprehensive Guide to Unraveling Tricky Phrases

Did you know that many common idioms in English have intriguing origins deeply rooted in history? Take, for example, the phrase 'raining cats and dogs,' which we often use to describe a heavy rainstorm. Its origin is believed to trace back to the 17th century when houses had thatched roofs. During heavy rains, animals seeking shelter, such as cats and dogs, would fall from the roof, giving the impression that it was literally raining them. This peculiar image stuck in people's minds, and the phrase 'raining cats and dogs' became a colorful way to describe a torrential downpour. This fascinating connection between idioms and historical events adds a layer of intrigue to our language, making it not only a means of communication but also a gateway to unraveling the captivating tales behind everyday expressions.

What Is an Idiom: Short Description

In this article, our essay writers online will explore a long list of idioms and their meanings. We'll also take a close look at their different types. So, whether you have a passion for language or simply find yourself curious about how we communicate, we invite you to select your favorite example of an idiom as we uncover the fascinating array of expressions that never cease to amaze and inspire us.

What Is an Idiom: Insight into Figurative Language

The word 'idiom' originates from the Greek word 'idios,' which denotes 'one's own' or 'private.' It is like a hidden treasure chest of language, filled with colorful expressions that add spice and creativity to our everyday conversations. It's a phrase or a group of words that doesn't have a literal meaning but is instead used to convey a figurative or symbolic message. These expressions are unique cultural gems that reflect the rich tapestry of a language.

Imagine someone saying, 'It's raining cats and dogs!' instead of simply stating that it's raining heavily. This peculiar expression captures the intensity of the rain in a whimsical and memorable way. Another fascinating phrase is 'to kick the bucket,' which means to die. Although it might sound strange, this phrase dates back to medieval times when people would stand on buckets to hang themselves.

Fun fact: There are an estimated 25,000 examples of these expressions in the English language, showcasing the incredible variety and creativity that exists within our linguistic heritage. From 'a piece of cake' to 'raining cats and dogs,' idioms make our language more vivid, engaging, and downright fun!

Types of Idioms: An In-Depth Look at Different Categories

Idioms are fascinating examples of figurative language that add color and depth to our conversations and writing. They are expressions that have a figurative meaning that is different from their literal interpretation. In this section, our coursework writing service will explore different categories of idioms and provide examples for each type.

Pure idioms are expressions that have a figurative meaning that cannot be deduced from the individual words used. These idiomatic expressions are so deeply embedded in the language and culture that native speakers inherently understand their meaning.

For example:

• 'Break a leg' means 'good luck' in the performing arts industry.
• 'Bite the bullet' means to face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage.

Binomial Idiom

They are idiomatic expressions that consist of two words or phrases linked by a conjunction such as 'and' or 'or.' These phrases are commonly used in day-to-day conversations to convey messages more vividly.

• 'Back and forth' means to move in a backward and forward motion.
• 'Safe and sound' means to be in a state of safety and without harm.

Partial Idiom

They are expressions that consist of one or more words that are idiomatic, while the rest of the phrase or sentence has a literal meaning. Studying idioms definition and examples is crucial as they often rely on context and cultural knowledge to be correctly understood.

• 'In a pickle' means to be in a difficult or troublesome situation.
• 'Under the weather' means to be feeling unwell or sick.

Prepositional Idiom

They are expressions that consist of a preposition followed by a noun or noun phrase, often having a figurative meaning that cannot be inferred from the individual words used.

• 'On cloud nine' means to be extremely happy or elated.
• 'In the doghouse' means to be in trouble or disfavored.

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Sample Essay with Idioms 

Here's an essay example brimming with idioms to illustrate how seamlessly they can be incorporated into the context of your narrative, enhancing its vividness and beauty.

Why Do We Use Idioms: Exploring the Purpose and Benefits

Why do we use idioms in writing? In short, they add life to your writing. These colorful phrases polish your English by infusing it with creativity, depth, and personality. They are indispensable tools for enhancing your expression. Here are some benefits they offer:

• Expressing Abstract or Complex Ideas

Idioms provide a shortcut to communicate ideas that may be challenging to express directly. In other words, they serve as a linguistic bridge, allowing us to convey nuanced meanings in a succinct and impactful way. Such transition sentences enhance our ability to convey complex thoughts effortlessly.

For example, the expression 'the ball is in your court' is commonly used to indicate that it is someone else's turn to take action or make a decision. While the literal meaning may seem unrelated, this idiomatic expression creates a smooth transition that conveys the idea of responsibility or decision-making being shifted to another person. This idiomatic phrase exemplifies how they contribute to making language richer and more expressive. In essence, they serve as linguistic connectors that enhance our ability to communicate effectively.

• Adding Color and Creativity to Language

They add color and creativity to language, making it more engaging and enjoyable. Through their unusual or imaginative manner, they can captivate listeners or readers. These phrases often have a poetic quality and can evoke emotions or create a sense of imagery.

For instance, the idiom in English, 'barking up the wrong tree,' is used to suggest that someone is pursuing the wrong course of action or directing their efforts toward an unproductive endeavor. The image of a barking dog at the base of the wrong tree creates a memorable and vivid expression of this concept.

• Enhancing Cultural Understanding

Idioms are deeply rooted in culture, and understanding them can provide insights into a community's values, beliefs, and history. Metaphors and analogies embedded in idiomatic expressions often reflect the cultural context in which they originate, including references to historical events, folklore, or specific traditions.

By studying these figures of speech from different cultures, we gain a deeper understanding of the nuances and subtleties of language. This understanding can foster cross-cultural appreciation and encourage communication between people from different backgrounds.

• Establishing Rapport and Camaraderie

Using idioms in conversation can help establish rapport and camaraderie with others. When two people share an understanding of idiomatic expressions, it creates a sense of connection and mutual understanding. When curious about 'what is an idiom?', remember that it can also serve as a conversation starter or icebreaker, sparking curiosity and engagement.

Furthermore, such sayings can be humorous, and sharing a funny idiom or using one in a lighthearted manner can foster a sense of camaraderie and lighten the mood in a conversation.

How Are Idioms Structured: Exploring the Anatomy of Expressive Phrases

Idioms are expressions or phrases that have figurative meanings that are different from the literal meanings of the individual words. They often reflect the cultural and linguistic nuances of a specific region. While their structure can vary, they typically follow certain patterns or formats within a language or region.

For example, in some regions of the United States, the phrase 'raining cats and dogs' is commonly used to describe heavy rain. The structure of this expression follows a pattern of combining two unrelated objects (cats and dogs) to convey a specific meaning (heavy rain).

However, they can also have unique structures that are specific to a particular region, as mentioned in the previous text. Here's another example:

In the Australian Outback, the idiom 'flat out like a lizard drinking' is used to describe someone who is extremely busy or working very hard. The structure of it includes the comparison of being 'flat out' (meaning very busy) to a lizard drinking (depicting a lizard lying flat on the ground while drinking water).

So, while these figures of speech may have some general patterns in their structure within a language or region, they can also have unique and peculiar structures that reflect the specific cultural context in which they are used.

In the meantime, if you find yourself still struggling with writing in AMA citation format , allow us to take care of the challenging aspects while you delve deeper into exploring idioms!

Tips on Using Idioms

Using idioms in writing can add depth and color to your language. Here are some tips to help you effectively incorporate such phrases into your conversations and writing:

Understand Idiomatic Variations

Idioms can vary in their wording and usage across different regions and cultures. So, next time you wonder how to title an essay with an idiom, be aware of these variations to ensure accurate communication. Some idiomatic expressions may have similar meanings but different phrasing. For example, in American English, the phrase 'kick the bucket' means to die, while in British English, 'pop your clogs' is equivalent.

To broaden your understanding of idiomatic variations, you can explore online resources and language forums or consult native English speakers of different dialects. Understanding these variations will help you communicate more effectively and avoid misunderstandings.

Blend Idioms with Context

While these figures of speech can be powerful tools for expression, it's crucial to use them appropriately in the context. Consider the following when using them:

• Familiarity : Make sure the person or audience you are communicating with is familiar with the idiom you are using. If they don't understand the phrase, it may confuse or alienate them.
• Relevance : Ensure that the saying you choose is suitable for the situation or topic at hand. Using it that doesn't fit the context may create confusion or make your language sound forced.
• Tone : Pay attention to the tone of your communication. Some idioms may be more casual or informal, while others may be more formal. Use those that align with the tone you want to convey.

For example, if you're writing an academic essay, it's best to avoid colloquial idioms and instead focus on using precise and formal language appropriate for the context.

Create Your Own Idioms

Idioms are not set in stone. Feel free to get creative and come up with your own idiomatic expressions. By creating your own sayings, you can add a personal touch to your language and enhance your ability to express unique thoughts or emotions. Just make sure that your phrases are clear and understandable to your intended audience.

For example, instead of saying, 'I'm feeling tired,' you could create your own expression by saying, 'I'm running on fumes.' This expression conveys the idea of extreme fatigue in a more vivid and memorable way.

How to Use Idiom in Essay

When curious about how to start an essay with an idiom, it is important to strike a balance between its appropriate usage and the overall clarity and coherence of your writing. Carefully consider the purpose and target audience of your essay to ensure that idioms enhance rather than hinder your message.

Purposes of Using Idioms in an Essay:

• Expressive Language : Idioms can add color, vividness, and expressiveness to your writing. They help you convey complex ideas or emotions in a concise and impactful manner, making your essay more engaging and memorable.
• Cultural Relevance : They are deeply rooted in a specific language and culture. Including them in your essay can demonstrate your understanding of cultural nuances and enrich your writing, especially when discussing topics related to traditions, customs, or local experiences.
• Enhancing Creativity : They can infuse creativity into your writing by using figurative language. They provide an opportunity to think outside the box and craft imaginative descriptions, allowing your essay to stand out and captivate the reader's attention.
• Communicating Familiarity : They are often used in everyday speech, and incorporating them into your essay can create a sense of familiarity and relatability with your audience. This can help establish a connection and make your writing more approachable.
• Adding Depth and Nuance : These sayings carry underlying meanings that extend beyond their literal interpretations. By utilizing idioms, you can add depth and nuance to your arguments or analysis, contributing to a more sophisticated and nuanced essay.
• Engaging and Memorable : They can make your essay more interesting and memorable by providing distinct and colorful language.
• Cultural Understanding : Utilizing them shows your familiarity with the language and culture, highlighting your appreciation for diverse expressions and perspectives.
• Expressive Communication : They express complex ideas succinctly, allowing for more effective communication of your thoughts and arguments.
• Misinterpretation : Many idioms can be ambiguous and subject to misinterpretation, especially if the reader is unfamiliar with them. This may lead to confusion or a loss of clarity in your essay.
• Inappropriate Usage : Some of them may not be suitable for formal writing or academic contexts. Improper usage can undermine the credibility and professionalism of your essay.
• Language Barriers : Idioms tend to rely heavily on the cultural and linguistic context in which they are used. If your essay targets an international audience, these sayings may pose a barrier to understanding and hinder effective communication.
• Overuse and Clutter : Excessive or forced use of them can clutter your writing, making it sound contrived or distracting the reader from the main points you are trying to convey.

Idioms Examples: Exploring Their Symbolic Meaning

Below, you'll find an exciting list of idioms and their meanings. Brace yourself for a linguistic adventure like no other!

• 'The apple of my eye' - Someone or something cherished or loved deeply. Example: In the movie 'The Lion King,' Mufasa tells Simba, 'You are the apple of my eye, Simba.'
• 'When pigs fly' - Something that is highly unlikely or improbable. Example: In the movie 'Shrek,' Donkey says, 'Yeah, right! Like that's ever gonna happen! When pigs fly!'
• 'Bend over backward' - Making a great effort to accommodate or help someone. Example: In the TV show 'Friends,' Joey says, 'I bent over backward to be nice to her, and she didn't even appreciate it!'
• 'Cold feet' - Feeling nervous or having second thoughts about a decision or commitment. Example: In the movie 'Runaway Bride,' Maggie says, 'I'm getting cold feet. I don't think I can go through with the wedding.'
• 'Like a fish out of water' - Feeling uncomfortable or out of place in a particular situation. Example: In the movie 'The Little Mermaid,' Ariel says, 'I feel like a fish out of water in this human world.'
• 'Walking on eggshells' - Being very cautious or careful about what you say or do to avoid upsetting someone. Example: In the TV show 'The Big Bang Theory,' Sheldon tells Leonard, 'Around Penny, we must tread lightly, like walking on eggshells.'
• 'The straw that broke the camel's back' - The final event or problem that causes a situation to become unbearable or unmanageable. Example: In the movie 'Spider-Man 3,' Peter Parker says, 'The fact that you betrayed me... that's the straw that broke the camel's back.'
• 'In the heat of the moment' - Acting impulsively or without thinking due to strong emotions. Example: In the movie 'Dirty Dancing,' Johnny says, 'I didn't spend all this time dancing with Penny in the kitchen just to get in trouble with the likes of you. This isn't the way it's supposed to be. I'm sorry, but I can't do this anymore.'
• 'The early bird catches the worm' - Taking action or being prepared ahead of time leads to success. Example: In the movie 'Wall Street,' Gordon Gekko says, 'The most valuable commodity I know of is information. Wouldn't you agree? The early bird catches the worm, Gordon.'
• 'Kill two birds with one stone' - Accomplishing two things at once. Example: In the movie 'Ocean's Eleven,' Rusty says, 'We can kill two birds with one stone. In exactly one week, we rob it.'
• 'Actions speak louder than words' - What someone does is more significant than what they say. Example: In the movie 'The Dark Knight,' Batman says, 'Sometimes the truth isn't good enough. Sometimes people deserve more. Sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded... Batman has no limits!'
• 'All bark and no bite' - Someone who talks tough but doesn't follow through with their threats. Example: In the TV show 'Breaking Bad,' Jesse Pinkman says, 'You want me to handle it? I'll handle it. All bark, no bite, man.'
• 'Don't judge a book by its cover' - Not forming an opinion based solely on appearance. Example: In the movie 'Zootopia,' Judy Hopps says, 'You know, I think life's a little bit messy. We all make mistakes. No matter what type of animal you are, change starts with you. We gotta try.'
• 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do' - Adopting the customs or behavior of the people in a particular place. Example: In the movie 'Eat Pray Love,' Richard from Texas says, 'You want to get to the castle, you've got to swim the moat. You want the prize; you've got to build the bridge. And if that bridge ain't long enough, you build it longer.'
• 'Every cloud has a silver lining' - There is something positive or hopeful in every difficult situation. Example: In the movie 'The Pursuit of Happyness,' Chris Gardner says, 'The world is your oyster. It's up to you to find the pearls.'
• 'Let the cat out of the bag' - Accidentally revealing a secret. Example: In the movie 'The Hangover,' Alan says, 'You probably get this a lot. This isn't the real Caesar's Palace, is it? What do you mean? Did, uh, did Caesar live here? No. I didn't think so.'
• 'Putting all your eggs in one basket' - Relying heavily on a single thing or course of action. Example: In the movie 'Apollo 13,' Gene Kranz says, 'I want you all to forget the flight plan. From this moment on, we are improvising a new mission: How do we get our people home?'
• 'The calm before the storm' - A peaceful period before a difficult or turbulent situation occurs. Example: In the movie 'The Fellowship of the Ring,' Gandalf says, 'There is a fell voice on the air, the enemy is moving. We have to draw his eye away from Frodo and Sam.'
• 'Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater' - Not discarding something valuable while getting rid of the undesirable parts. Example: In the movie 'The Sound of Music,' Maria says, 'Darling, haven't you ever heard of a delightful little thing called boarding school?'
• 'The pot calling the kettle black' - Criticizing someone for a fault that you also possess. Example: In the TV show 'The Office,' Dwight says, 'Michael, you are the master of saying things that you think are harmless but that people find insulting or offensive.'

In conclusion, idioms are an integral part of language that add color, depth, and cultural richness to our communication. Understanding them allows us to navigate the intricacies of figurative language, appreciating the unique expressions that convey meaning beyond the literal. Whether we 'break a leg' or 'let the cat out of the bag,' idiom examples encapsulate the beauty and creativity of human expression, reminding us of the power and versatility of language itself.

Ready to Kick Boring Writing to the Curb?

Then, level up your literary game with our handcrafted idioms!

When Are Idioms Used?

What are the most popular idioms.

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

How to write a review? | B2 First (FCE)

You always have to do two things describe and discuss something, for example, a film , a book , a restaurant , an experience or whatever the task might require you to talk about. Also, you have to make a recommendation at the end of your text.

Unlike an essay a review should be written in an informal or neutral register, this means:

• you CAN use phrasal verbs ,
• you CAN use idioms
• you CAN use contractions
• you CAN be creative!

Check our Writing Guide below – to see how to write an FCE review in detail.

B2 First (FCE) Review: Structure

FCE, CAE, CPE

Practice, write & improve, b2 first (fce) review: writing guide.

We will use the example FCE review topic below:

You see this announcement in your college English-language magazine.

Book reviews wanted Have you read a book in which the main character behaved in a surprising way?

Write us a review of the book, explaining what the main character did and why it was surprising. Tell us whether or not you would recommend this book to other people.

The best reviews will be published in the magazine.

Write your  review (140-190 words)

Step 1: Briefly analyse the given topic…

The first thing you need to do is to underline a description part -in other words, just find what needs to be described.

Secondly, find a discussion part   – in other words, try to find the specific points you need to comment on in your text.

Finally, find the  target reader so you know exactly who you are writing for and who is going to read your review.

You see this announcement in your college English-language magazine. (our readers)

Book reviews wanted Have you read a book in which the main character behaved in a surprising way? (to describe)

Write us a review of the book, explaining what the main character did and why it was surprising. ( to comment) 

Now we have all three elements we need to write a great review:

You need to describe: Book in which the main character behaved in a surprising way

You need to answer/discuss:

• What did the main character do?
• Why it  was surprising?

Who is the target reader: college English-language magazine.

We know now that the target readers are students, teachers and probably parents so the writing style should be neutral or informal.

We don’t need to be too formal because after all some of the readers are students, but we also don’t want to be too informal as some of the readers are teachers and parents.

Now we can start building our structure and writing a review.

Step 2: Title

The review should start with the title, and there are few simple ways to write it:

• imagine you’re reviewing a book you can write:  [Title] by [Author]
• if you were reviewing a restaurant you could write: [name of the restaurant] – a review

Title (book): Dark Souls by Stephen King (by) Title (restaurant): Taco Bell in London – a review (a review)

We will use this title in our guide : TITLE : Time Machine by Adam Smith

Tip : Nothing prevents you from writing something more unique but it has to point to what you are going to review.

Step 3: Introduction

The other function of your introduction is to engage the reader .   You can do it by asking a question.

Make your introduction at least 2 sentences long.

INTRODUCTION: What would you do if you could travel back in time? Most people would probably meet their great-great-grandparents or watch how the amazing pyramids in Giza were built, but Tom Lee, the main character of the novel Time Machine by Adam Smith finds himself in a completely unexpected situation and he has to make a very difficult decision that will change history as we know it.

                  – question

                  – details about the book and main character

Step 4: The body paragraphs (main content) 

The body paragraphs are the main parts of your review so they should be the longest and carry most of the information.  Also, here you describe the points you’ve found in (Step 1)

You can use idioms , and phrasal verbs   –  neutral/informal language is appropriate for your target reader – students and teachers.

See the example below, in which we dedicated one paragraph to one   point.

[Who is the main character and what did he do? – describe]

Tom, a teacher in a little town in Rotherham, finds a mysterious time portal in the back of a ragged diner which takes him back to the year 1935. He soon realises that every time he goes through the portal he gets to the exact same point in the past. Eventually, he makes the unexpected decision to stop Michael James Newton  from brutally killing President John F. Kennedy on 22.11.1963.

[Why it was surprising? – comment]

It seems to me that Tom could choose many other and more personal things to do, but he decides to try and change history to a degree that he cannot predict . In my opinion , that came definitely unexpected an d if I were in his position I probably wouldn’t even consider a task this far-reaching.

                      – own opinion

                   – descriptive/interesting vocabulary

                    – relevant details about the main character and book

Step 5: Conclusion / Recommendations

Finally, we need to make a recommendation because after all, that’s the only reason why anyone would read a review they want to know what the reviewer thinks about the book ,   film or restaurant .

A good final paragraph of a review does exactly two things 

• it includes a recommendation
• and a final sentence to round off the review

CONCLUSION: I definitely recommend “Time Machine” to everyone who has already read some of Adam Smith’s novels as well as to those who like stories with twists and turns around every corner plus you get some modern history on top of that. For me, it was absolutely worth reading and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. 

See full review…

Full review.

Time Machine by Adam Smith

What would you do if you could travel back in time? Most people would probably meet their great-great-grandparents or watch how the amazing pyramids in Giza were built, but Tom Lee, the main character of the novel Time Machine by Adam Smith finds himself in a completely unexpected situation and he has to make a very difficult decision that will change history as we know it.

Tom, a teacher in a little town in Rotherham, finds a mysterious time portal in the back of a ragged diner which takes him back to the year 1935. He soon realises that every time he goes through the portal he gets to the exact same point in the past. Eventually, he makes the unexpected decision to stop Michael James Newton from brutally killing President John F. Kennedy on 22.11.1963.

It seems to me that Tom could choose many other and more personal things to do, but he decides to try and change history to a degree that he cannot predict. In my opinion, that came definitely unexpected and if I were in his position I probably wouldn’t even consider a task this far-reaching.

I definitely recommend “Time Machine” to everyone who has already read some of Adam Smith’s novels as well as to those who like stories with twists and turns around every corner plus you get some modern history on top of that. For me, it was absolutely worth reading and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Check your (FCE) Review

B2 first (fce) review: model answers, model answer 1.

You have seen this notice in your school library:

REVIEWS NEEDED We want to buy some new books for the library. Have you read a good book in English recently? Write us a review of a book you enjoyed, explaining why you liked it and why you think it would be a good choice for the school library.

We will use your reviews to help us decide which books to buy

Model answer

THE THIEVES OF OSTIA

„The thieves of Ostia‟ by Caroline Lawrence is the first in a series of books entitled„The Roman Mysteries‟ and I think it‟s an absolute must for the school library.

The book is set in the Roman port of Ostia nearly two thousand years ago. It tells the story of Flavia and her three friends, and their attempts to discover who has been killing the dogs of Ostia and why. It‟s full of mystery and excitement, and the plot has many twists and turns, which make you want to keep reading.

The book is aimed at ten – to twelve – year  – old native English speakers, but it is very popular with older children and would be ideal for teenagers studying English. What‟s more, it gives a fascinating insight into life in Roman times, so readers learn about history as well as improve their language skills.

After finishing „The Thieves of Ostia‟, students will want to borrow further books from the series. By buying it, then, the library would be doing a lot to encourage students to read more in English

Model Answer 2

You have found the following advertisement online:

RESTAURANT REVIEWS WANTED!

Have you been to a great restaurant lately? If so, send us an honest review of the restaurant explaining what you liked and disliked of the place as well as its location, staff and how it looks on the inside.

We will publish the first 20 decent reviews we get!

Foster’s Hollywood

Being a huge fan of traditional American fast food and restaurant styles, it’s no wonder that my favourite restaurant in Granada is Foster’s Hollywood.

Located smack in the middle of the city, this fast-food chain serves a wide variety of mouthwatering, American dishes at a reasonable price. These range from typical Tex-Mex nachos or French fries to more elaborate meals like traditional, homemade Bourbon steak. And if you’re hungry, it’s the perfect place to go, as their servings are absolutely huge!

Another cool thing about this place is its magnificent decor. If you’re a film buff, you will quickly fall in love with this place, since all the walls are covered in famous movie posters! Apart from that, it’s got a spacious dining hall, super friendly staff and an outdoor terrace which is absolutely fantastic on summer nights!

The only negative thing I can say is that it is right next to a gym, which sometimes makes me feel guilty for eating so much!

Nevertheless, Foster’s Hollywood offers delicious meals in an unbeatable atmosphere, so you should definitely give it a try. I promise you won’t regret it!

B2 First (FCE) Review: Example Topics

Example topic 1.

Your teacher has asked you to write a review for a book you have read recently. The best reviews will go in the school magazine. Review the book giving your opinion and say whether or not you would recommend it.

Example Topic 2

Your teacher has asked you to write a review for a film you have seen recently on DVD or at the cinema.The best reviews will go in the school magazine. Review the book giving your opinion and saying whether ornot you would recommend it.

Example Topic 3

At school, you are building a tourist website in English. Your teacher has asked you to write a review of arestaurant you have eaten at in your town. Review the restaurant giving your opinion and saying whetheror not you would recommend it.

B2 First (FCE) Review: Writing Checklist

After writing your text, you can check it yourself using the writing checklist below.

How to do that? Simply check your text/email by answering the questions one by one:

• Have I covered all the key information required by the task?
• Have I written only information which is relevant to the task?
• Have I developed the basic points in the task with my own ideas?

Communicative Achievement

• Have I achieved the main purpose(s) of the text (for example, explaining, persuading, suggesting, apologising, comparing, etc.)?
• Have I communicated a balance of straightforward and more complex ideas?
• Have I used a suitable style and register (formal or informal) for the task?

Organisation

• Have I used paragraphs appropriately to organise my ideas?
• Have I used other organisational features appropriately for the genre of the text (for example, titles, headings, openings, closings, etc.)?
• Is the connection between my ideas clear and easy for the reader to follow? (For example, have I used appropriate linking words, pronouns, etc. to refer to different things within the text?)
• Are the ideas balanced appropriately, with suitable attention and space given to each one?
• Have I used a wide range of vocabulary?
• Have I avoided repeating the same words and phrases?
• Have I used a range of simple and more complex grammatical structures?
• Have I correctly used any common phrases which are relevant to the specific task or topic?
• Is my use of grammar accurate?
• Is my spelling accurate?

More than Practice Tests

B2 first (fce) review: tips.

• Make sure you have at least 4 paragraphs.
• Choose an appropriate title.
• The introduction will talk about what’s being reviewed.
• Use a relaxed , friendly , chatty style.
• You can use contractions such as I’m, I’ve etc..
• Use a new paragraph for each point you want to make.
• In the concluding paragraph give your opinion.

B2 First (FCE) Review: Grammar & Vocabulary

The grammar and vocabulary that you need unfortunately depend heavily on the type of question you get.

One thing you can do though is to make sure your grammar and vocabulary are related to the tasks . So for example, if you are writing a review about a film make sure your vocabulary is related to films.

So include words like “s cripts, director, cast, plot, setting, special effects, and stunts”

If you want to mention who directed the film or who played the part of a certain character then make sure you use the passive  “The film was directed by Y”. “The the protagonist was played by X”.

If you are talking about an experience and you need to describe the experience then make sure you use narrative tenses because obviously this experience happened in the past.

This means you need to use the past simple, the past continuous and the past perfect. For example “I checked into the hotel at 10 am. I had been travelling all night and was feeling exhausted. The hotel staff were very welcoming and made me feel at home”.

B2 First (FCE) Review: Useful Phrases & Expressions

We will finish it with some useful vocabulary mostly used to organize information. Although it is taking a shortcut, if you learn several expressions for each paragraph in each type of text that could be on your exam, you will certainly be able to create a very consistent and well-organized text.

Giving background

This show stars…  The play is directed by… The film is about…  It‟s set in……….  The story is based on (a book…)  It‟s about…..  There are many memorable characters including ….  The main theme of the film is…..

Expressions that introduce a contrast

On the plus side,…  On the down side,… On the one hand,…  On the other hand,…

Recommending

Overall, I‟d recommend…  All in all, the film was…  I wouldn‟t hesitate to recommend…  I wouldn‟t encourage anyone to …  I would recommend this film to anyone.  Although I enjoyed it, I would not recommend it for….  It‟s one of the best (shows) I’ve ever seen.  Although I am not normally keen on (musicals),I am glad that I decided to go.  The (film) lifts you out of your everyday life

B2 First (FCE) Review: Frequently Asked Questions

Who will read the review.

Your review will be read by readers of a magazine.

What is the purpose of the review?

The review is intended to give information to the reader which will help them decide whether to attend the event themselves.

What style should I use?

Use a style similar to an article that is likely to interest the reader.

What information should I include?

Give essential information about the story, cast, band members, etc. Say what you like and didn‟t like about the performances. Make a recommendation to the reader about whether or not they should go.

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How to Write Critical Reviews

When you are asked to write a critical review of a book or article, you will need to identify, summarize, and evaluate the ideas and information the author has presented. In other words, you will be examining another person’s thoughts on a topic from your point of view.

Your stand must go beyond your “gut reaction” to the work and be based on your knowledge (readings, lecture, experience) of the topic as well as on factors such as criteria stated in your assignment or discussed by you and your instructor.

Make your stand clear at the beginning of your review, in your evaluations of specific parts, and in your concluding commentary.

Remember that your goal should be to make a few key points about the book or article, not to discuss everything the author writes.

Understanding the Assignment

To write a good critical review, you will have to engage in the mental processes of analyzing (taking apart) the work–deciding what its major components are and determining how these parts (i.e., paragraphs, sections, or chapters) contribute to the work as a whole.

Analyzing the work will help you focus on how and why the author makes certain points and prevent you from merely summarizing what the author says. Assuming the role of an analytical reader will also help you to determine whether or not the author fulfills the stated purpose of the book or article and enhances your understanding or knowledge of a particular topic.

Be sure to read your assignment thoroughly before you read the article or book. Your instructor may have included specific guidelines for you to follow. Keeping these guidelines in mind as you read the article or book can really help you write your paper!

Also, note where the work connects with what you’ve studied in the course. You can make the most efficient use of your reading and notetaking time if you are an active reader; that is, keep relevant questions in mind and jot down page numbers as well as your responses to ideas that appear to be significant as you read.

Please note: The length of your introduction and overview, the number of points you choose to review, and the length of your conclusion should be proportionate to the page limit stated in your assignment and should reflect the complexity of the material being reviewed as well as the expectations of your reader.

Write the introduction

Below are a few guidelines to help you write the introduction to your critical review.

Introduce your review appropriately

Begin your review with an introduction appropriate to your assignment.

If your assignment asks you to review only one book and not to use outside sources, your introduction will focus on identifying the author, the title, the main topic or issue presented in the book, and the author’s purpose in writing the book.

If your assignment asks you to review the book as it relates to issues or themes discussed in the course, or to review two or more books on the same topic, your introduction must also encompass those expectations.

Explain relationships

For example, before you can review two books on a topic, you must explain to your reader in your introduction how they are related to one another.

Within this shared context (or under this “umbrella”) you can then review comparable aspects of both books, pointing out where the authors agree and differ.

In other words, the more complicated your assignment is, the more your introduction must accomplish.

Finally, the introduction to a book review is always the place for you to establish your position as the reviewer (your thesis about the author’s thesis).

As you write, consider the following questions:

• Is the book a memoir, a treatise, a collection of facts, an extended argument, etc.? Is the article a documentary, a write-up of primary research, a position paper, etc.?
• Who is the author? What does the preface or foreword tell you about the author’s purpose, background, and credentials? What is the author’s approach to the topic (as a journalist? a historian? a researcher?)?
• What is the main topic or problem addressed? How does the work relate to a discipline, to a profession, to a particular audience, or to other works on the topic?
• What is your critical evaluation of the work (your thesis)? Why have you taken that position? What criteria are you basing your position on?

Provide an overview

In your introduction, you will also want to provide an overview. An overview supplies your reader with certain general information not appropriate for including in the introduction but necessary to understanding the body of the review.

Generally, an overview describes your book’s division into chapters, sections, or points of discussion. An overview may also include background information about the topic, about your stand, or about the criteria you will use for evaluation.

The overview and the introduction work together to provide a comprehensive beginning for (a “springboard” into) your review.

• What are the author’s basic premises? What issues are raised, or what themes emerge? What situation (i.e., racism on college campuses) provides a basis for the author’s assertions?
• How informed is my reader? What background information is relevant to the entire book and should be placed here rather than in a body paragraph?

Write the body

The body is the center of your paper, where you draw out your main arguments. Below are some guidelines to help you write it.

Organize using a logical plan

Organize the body of your review according to a logical plan. Here are two options:

• First, summarize, in a series of paragraphs, those major points from the book that you plan to discuss; incorporating each major point into a topic sentence for a paragraph is an effective organizational strategy. Second, discuss and evaluate these points in a following group of paragraphs. (There are two dangers lurking in this pattern–you may allot too many paragraphs to summary and too few to evaluation, or you may re-summarize too many points from the book in your evaluation section.)
• Alternatively, you can summarize and evaluate the major points you have chosen from the book in a point-by-point schema. That means you will discuss and evaluate point one within the same paragraph (or in several if the point is significant and warrants extended discussion) before you summarize and evaluate point two, point three, etc., moving in a logical sequence from point to point to point. Here again, it is effective to use the topic sentence of each paragraph to identify the point from the book that you plan to summarize or evaluate.

Questions to keep in mind as you write

With either organizational pattern, consider the following questions:

• What are the author’s most important points? How do these relate to one another? (Make relationships clear by using transitions: “In contrast,” an equally strong argument,” “moreover,” “a final conclusion,” etc.).
• What types of evidence or information does the author present to support his or her points? Is this evidence convincing, controversial, factual, one-sided, etc.? (Consider the use of primary historical material, case studies, narratives, recent scientific findings, statistics.)
• Where does the author do a good job of conveying factual material as well as personal perspective? Where does the author fail to do so? If solutions to a problem are offered, are they believable, misguided, or promising?
• Which parts of the work (particular arguments, descriptions, chapters, etc.) are most effective and which parts are least effective? Why?
• Where (if at all) does the author convey personal prejudice, support illogical relationships, or present evidence out of its appropriate context?

Keep your opinions distinct and cite your sources

Remember, as you discuss the author’s major points, be sure to distinguish consistently between the author’s opinions and your own.

Keep the summary portions of your discussion concise, remembering that your task as a reviewer is to re-see the author’s work, not to re-tell it.

And, importantly, if you refer to ideas from other books and articles or from lecture and course materials, always document your sources, or else you might wander into the realm of plagiarism.

Include only that material which has relevance for your review and use direct quotations sparingly. The Writing Center has other handouts to help you paraphrase text and introduce quotations.

Write the conclusion

You will want to use the conclusion to state your overall critical evaluation.

You have already discussed the major points the author makes, examined how the author supports arguments, and evaluated the quality or effectiveness of specific aspects of the book or article.

Now you must make an evaluation of the work as a whole, determining such things as whether or not the author achieves the stated or implied purpose and if the work makes a significant contribution to an existing body of knowledge.

Consider the following questions:

• Is the work appropriately subjective or objective according to the author’s purpose?
• How well does the work maintain its stated or implied focus? Does the author present extraneous material? Does the author exclude or ignore relevant information?
• How well has the author achieved the overall purpose of the book or article? What contribution does the work make to an existing body of knowledge or to a specific group of readers? Can you justify the use of this work in a particular course?
• What is the most important final comment you wish to make about the book or article? Do you have any suggestions for the direction of future research in the area? What has reading this work done for you or demonstrated to you?

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