Welcome to our fun exploration of idioms! Idioms are phrases that don’t mean what the words actually say. For example, when we say “it’s raining cats and dogs,” it means it’s raining a lot, not that pets are falling from the sky! Today, we’re going to learn about idioms that include the word “one.” Let’s dive in and discover the quirky ways “one” pops up in everyday language!
One Idioms
Here are 20 “one” idioms in English with meaning and example sentence for each.
One for the books
- Meaning: Something extraordinary or unusual
- Example: Winning that game was one for the books.
One-trick pony
- Meaning: Someone with only one skill
- Example: He’s just a one-trick pony in cooking.
One-hit wonder
- Meaning: Someone known for only one achievement
- Example: That band was a one-hit wonder.
One in a million
- Meaning: Something very rare
- Example: Her talent is one in a million.
One foot in the grave
- Meaning: To be very old or ill
- Example: He’s got one foot in the grave.
One fell swoop
- Meaning: All at once
- Example: She cleaned the house in one fell swoop.
One-up
- Meaning: To outdo or surpass someone
- Example: He always tries to one-up his friends.
One’s heart misses a beat
- Meaning: To be startled or excited
- Example: Her heart missed a beat when she met him.
One’s better half
- Meaning: One’s wife, husband, or partner
- Example: I’ll ask my better half to join us.
One and only
- Meaning: The only person or thing loved or esteemed
- Example: She is my one and only love.
One’s days are numbered
- Meaning: Not expected to last long
- Example: His car’s days are numbered.
One of these days
- Meaning: Sometime in the future
- Example: One of these days, I’ll visit Paris.
One too many
- Meaning: More than what is suitable or enough
- Example: He had one too many drinks.
One’s ears are burning
- Meaning: Feeling that one is being talked about
- Example: Are you talking about me? My ears are burning!
One’s bread and butter
- Meaning: Main source of income
- Example: Teaching is her bread and butter.
One’s cup of tea
- Meaning: What one likes or is interested in
- Example: Horror movies are not my cup of tea.
All in one
- Meaning: Combining multiple functions
- Example: This device is an all in one tool.
Back to square one
- Meaning: To start over
- Example: It’s back to square one with this project.
At one’s fingertips
- Meaning: Easily available; at hand
- Example: Information is at our fingertips online.
Kill two birds with one stone
- Meaning: To achieve two things with a single action
- Example: By cycling to work, he kills two birds with one stone.
Read More:
Money Idioms That You Should Know!
