5 Most Commonly Used Idioms by Native English Speakers
- Bwanko NF
- Nov 26, 2024
- 2 min read
Idioms are a fun and essential part of English. They bring color to conversations and help you sound more natural. But what exactly is an idiom? It’s a phrase where the meaning isn’t literal but understood through context or culture. Today, we’ll dive into five idioms native speakers use all the time—and how you can start using them, too!
1. "Break the ice"
Meaning: To start a conversation in a comfortable way or ease the tension in a new or awkward situation.
Example:
At a meeting: “To break the ice, let’s each share one fun fact about ourselves!”
On a first date: “I told a joke to break the ice, and we ended up laughing the whole night.”
How to Use It: Use this idiom when you want to describe making people feel more comfortable in social or professional settings.
2. "A piece of cake"
Meaning: Something that is very easy to do.
Example:
Talking about a task: “The test was a piece of cake—I finished it in 20 minutes!”
Describing a skill: “Once you get the hang of cooking pasta, it’s a piece of cake.”
How to Use It: Use this idiom when describing something simple or effortless.
3. "Hit the nail on the head"
Meaning: To describe something accurately or do something exactly right.
Example:
In a meeting: “When you said the project failed because of poor communication, you hit the nail on the head.”
Offering feedback: “Your summary really hit the nail on the head—it’s exactly what I was thinking.”
How to Use It: Use this idiom when someone perfectly captures an idea, point, or solution.
4. "Under the weather"
Meaning: Feeling unwell, either physically or emotionally.
Example:
At work: “I’m feeling a bit under the weather, so I’m going to stay home today.”
With friends: “She’s been under the weather all week, but she’s starting to feel better now.”
How to Use It: Use this idiom when describing illness or feeling slightly off.
5. "Cost an arm and a leg"
Meaning: Something that is very expensive.
Example:
Talking about a purchase: “This new phone cost an arm and a leg, but it’s worth it!”
Discussing prices: “I’d love to go on vacation, but flights right now cost an arm and a leg.”
How to Use It: Use this idiom when describing something with a high price tag.
Why Learn Idioms?
Using idioms in your conversations:
Makes you sound more natural: They’re a staple of native English communication.
Shows cultural understanding: Idioms are deeply rooted in culture, so using them connects you with how native speakers think and talk.
Enhances your fluency: Once you understand how idioms work, they make your English more expressive and colorful.
Practice Challenge
Pick one of these idioms and use it in a sentence today! Whether you’re chatting with a friend, writing in English, or watching a movie, listen for these phrases and try to apply them in context.
Which idiom is your favorite? Share it in the comments below!
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