Idioms are like secret codes or puzzles in language. They use words to paint a picture that means something different from what the words actually say. In this post, we’ll unlock 20 such secret codes in English to help you sound like a native speaker!
Deep Idioms
Here are 20 deep idioms in English with meaning and example sentence for each.
1. Break the ice
Meaning: Start a conversation
Example: I told a joke to break the ice.
2. Hit the hay
Meaning: Go to sleep
Example: It’s late; time to hit the hay.
3. Piece of cake
Meaning: Very easy
Example: The test was a piece of cake.
4. Costs an arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive
Example: That car costs an arm and a leg.
5. Spill the beans
Meaning: Reveal a secret
Example: He spilled the beans about the party.
6. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling ill
Example: I’m staying home, feeling under the weather.
7. When pigs fly
Meaning: Never
Example: I’ll clean my room when pigs fly.
8. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: Reveal a secret accidentally
Example: She let the cat out of the bag early.
9. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: Get something exactly right
Example: You hit the nail on the head with that idea.
10. Out of the blue
Meaning: Unexpectedly
Example: He arrived out of the blue.
11. Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: Mistaken or misguided
Example: You’re barking up the wrong tree with your guesses.
12. Bite the bullet
Meaning: Endure a painful experience
Example: I had to bite the bullet and get the injection.
13. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: Stay up late working
Example: We burned the midnight oil to finish the project.
14. Cut to the chase
Meaning: Get to the point
Example: Let’s cut to the chase—what’s your decision?
15. Hit the road
Meaning: Start a journey
Example: It’s time to hit the road and head home.
16. Jump the gun
Meaning: Do something too early
Example: He jumped the gun and sent the email prematurely.
17. Kick the bucket
Meaning: Die
Example: My old car finally kicked the bucket.
18. Let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning: Avoid disturbing a situation
Example: Don’t ask him about it; let sleeping dogs lie.
19. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Very rarely
Example: I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon.
20. Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: Joke with someone
Example: I was just pulling your leg; don’t be mad.
