30 Must-Know English Idioms for Fluent Conversation!

Maddie introduces 30 idioms to help understand English movies and TV series. After every 10 idioms, there will be a dialogue or questions to make it fun.

The idiom 'beat around the bush' means avoiding giving a direct answer to a simple question by talking about unimportant things instead.

The idiom 'bite off more than you can chew' means attempting to do too many things at once or taking on something too difficult. It comes from the literal meaning of having your mouth so full that you cannot chew. For example, Sarah took on three school projects.

The phrase 'a blessing in disguise' refers to something that seems bad at first but turns out to be really good. It's like when it rains and you can't go to the park, but then you have fun watching a movie at home instead.

The phrase 'give someone the benefit of the doubt' means to believe somebody's explanations or excuses even if you are not sure. It implies trusting someone despite uncertainty, as in giving them a chance without being certain about their honesty.

The phrase 'kill two birds with one stone' means solving two problems or achieving two great things by doing one thing. For example, studying with friends can help prepare for an exam and have fun at the same time.

Letting the cat out of the bag means revealing a secret or something that was not supposed to be said accidentally.

The phrase 'miss the boat' refers to missing a chance or opportunity because of being late or not quick enough. It signifies the feeling of regret for not acting fast enough to seize an opportunity, like buying limited edition sneakers that sold out quickly.

The phrase 'take something with a grain of salt' means not believing it completely, being skeptical, and unsure. It's like saying 'maybe it's not true.' This idiom is similar to the British version 'take something with a pinch of salt,' which also means to be skeptical.

The phrase 'up in the air' means that something is uncertain or not yet decided. It implies a lack of clarity and certainty, as in plans that are still undecided.

To stab someone in the back means to betray and hurt someone who trusted you. It's like breaking the trust of a friend by doing something harmful or deceitful.

Amy betrayed Sarah despite her trust. Tom is unable to attend Jack's party due to being overwhelmed with work, but hopes for understanding from his friend.

Losing your touch means losing your skills and not being as good at something as you used to be. For example, if someone hasn't practiced the piano for a long time, they may have lost their touch and forgotten their skills.

Sitting tight means waiting patiently without doing anything else.

Facing the music means accepting the consequences of your actions. It's like having to deal with the aftermath of something you did wrong, such as breaking a vase.

The idiom 'get over somebody/something' means to move past the sadness or emotional impact of a situation as time passes, leading to feeling better.

Crunch time is the period when quick decisions and hard work are necessary. It's a situation that requires intense effort, like preparing for a test or starting a business.

The idiom 'get out of hand' means to lose control over something and make quick decisions. When something gets out of hand, it becomes uncontrollable.

The idiom 'get something out of your system' refers to getting rid of a strong feeling, emotion, or urge. It does not mean removing something from a computer.

The idiom 'hang in there' means to stay strong and not give up when facing challenges. It encourages perseverance and resilience.

Throwing caution to the wind means to stop being cautious and do something risky without worrying about consequences. It's about taking a risk without overthinking it, like Jack asking out Jessica despite his fears of rejection.

Calling it a day means finishing what you were doing, indicating that it's over.

The quiz tests knowledge of idioms, including 'face the music,' 'hang in there,' and 'crunch time.' It also offers a PDF book with 30 idiom summaries for free download.

The idiom 'be on cloud nine' means to be extremely happy or joyful, as if floating in the clouds. It signifies a feeling of elation and contentment, often associated with achieving success or winning.

The phrase 'under the weather' means feeling a little bit sick or slightly unwell.

The phrase 'speak of the devil' is used when someone you were talking about suddenly appears. It's like me telling you about Jack and then Jack appears.

The concept of 'ignorance is bliss' is explained through the story of Sarah. Ignorance, in this context, refers to not paying attention or caring about things. The phrase suggests that those who do not know everything live a happier life because sometimes it's better not to know something that would make you worried or sad.

The idiom 'that ship has sailed' means it is too late to do something, and the opportunity has been lost because of delay.

The idiom 'bark up the wrong tree' means looking in the wrong place or accusing the wrong person.

The idiom 'on top of the world' means to be extremely happy.

The phrase 'full of the joys of spring' refers to feeling extremely happy and energetic. It signifies being in a state of great happiness, similar to the feelings associated with the arrival of spring, which is a beautiful season.

The phrase 'kick the bucket' means to die, although it sounds funny. It's an idiom used to describe someone's death in a lighthearted way. For example, when our old teacher passed away at 90 years old.

The idiom 'like death warmed up' means to be extremely ill, so sick that you are about to die.

Alex expresses feeling unwell for a few days, and his friend offers support. The conversation ends with Alex sharing a recent achievement.