The English language is full of idiomatic expressions. While it’s nearly impossible to learn all of these expressions, you should be familiar with the most important ones. Here is a list of the most widely used idiomatic expressions in English.
A penny for your thoughts
This expression is another way of asking what somebody is thinking.
Add insult to injury
To add insult to injury is to make a bad situation worse.
A hot potato
A hot potato is a topic or an issue that is widely discussed.
Once in a blue moon
If something happens once in a blue moon it happens very rarely.
Caught between two stools
When you are caught between two stools, you have difficulty choosing between two alternatives.
See eye to eye
When two people see eye to eye, they agree on something.
Hear it on the grapevine
To hear it on the grapevine is to hear a rumor.
Miss the boat
To miss the boat is to miss your chance at something.
Kill two birds with one stone
To kill two birds with one stone is to do two profitable things at the same time.
On the ball
When you are on the ball, you understand the situation very well.
Cut corners
To cut corners is to do something badly to save money.
Costs an arm and a leg
If something costs an arm and a leg, it’s very expensive.
Sit on the fence
When you sit on the fence, you don’t make a decision.