English idioms are fixed expressions whose meaning isn’t obvious from the individual words, like “break the ice” (start a conversation in an awkward situation) or “a piece of cake” (very easy). For conversation, learn a small set of common, modern idioms that people actually use, understand when they sound natural, and practise them in real sentences. Avoid old-fashioned idioms from textbooks like “raining cats and dogs”, and don’t overuse idioms: one or two in a conversation sound natural, ten sound strange.
- Learn idioms people still use today, not old textbook ones.
- Learn each idiom with a real example sentence.
- Use them naturally and sparingly.
- Most idioms are informal. Avoid them in formal writing.
- Try them out in conversation in free live rooms on ChatterNest.
“It’s raining cats and dogs!”
Imagine a student who memorised a list of 100 idioms for an exam. On her first video call with an English friend, she looks out of the window and proudly says, “It’s raining cats and dogs!” Her friend laughs kindly and says, “Ha, my grandmother says that.”
The idiom wasn’t wrong. It just sounded old-fashioned. The idioms that make you sound natural are the ones people use every day: “I’m on the fence”, “let’s call it a day”, “it’s not my cup of tea”. This list focuses on those.
30 useful idioms for conversation
Everyday situations
| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| break the ice | start a conversation in an awkward situation | He told a joke to break the ice. |
| a piece of cake | very easy | The quiz was a piece of cake. |
| under the weather | slightly ill | I’m feeling a bit under the weather today. |
| call it a day | stop working for today | It’s late, let’s call it a day. |
| hit the road | leave, start a journey | We should hit the road before traffic. |
| once in a blue moon | very rarely | I eat fast food once in a blue moon. |
| not my cup of tea | not something I like | Horror films aren’t my cup of tea. |
| cost an arm and a leg | be very expensive | That phone costs an arm and a leg. |
| on the same page | agree, understand the same thing | Let’s make sure we’re on the same page. |
| in a nutshell | in short | In a nutshell, the plan worked. |
Work and study
| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| get the ball rolling | start something | Let’s get the ball rolling on the project. |
| back to square one | start again from the beginning | The client rejected it, so we’re back to square one. |
| cut corners | do something cheaply or badly | Don’t cut corners on safety. |
| learn the ropes | learn how to do a job | I’m still learning the ropes at my new office. |
| burn the midnight oil | work or study late at night | I burned the midnight oil before the exam. |
| think outside the box | think creatively | We need to think outside the box. |
| up in the air | not decided yet | Our plans are still up in the air. |
| the ball is in your court | it’s your decision now | I’ve sent the offer. The ball is in your court. |
| a steep learning curve | a lot to learn quickly | The new software has a steep learning curve. |
| touch base | contact briefly | Let’s touch base next week. |
Feelings and opinions
| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| on the fence | undecided | I’m on the fence about the job offer. |
| over the moon | extremely happy | She was over the moon about her results. |
| have butterflies in my stomach | feel nervous | I had butterflies before my interview. |
| see eye to eye | agree | We don’t always see eye to eye. |
| get cold feet | become nervous and want to cancel | He got cold feet before the speech. |
| let off steam | release stress | I play football to let off steam. |
| a blessing in disguise | something bad that turns out good | Missing the bus was a blessing in disguise. |
| keep my fingers crossed | hope for good luck | I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the visa. |
| spill the beans | reveal a secret | Come on, spill the beans! |
| hang in there | don’t give up | Hang in there, exams are nearly over. |
How to learn idioms properly
- Pick three a weekChoose ones that fit your life.
- Write your own exampleA sentence about something real in your week.
- Listen for themYou’ll start noticing them in videos and series.
- Use one in conversationTry it in a live room or with an AI partner.
- Check the toneMost idioms are informal. Use neutral language in formal emails and reports.
Use them in real conversation
Try one idiom per session in a free live room on ChatterNest. Combine them with 30 common phrasal verbs and the tips in how to make small talk for English that sounds natural and relaxed.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What is an idiom in English?
An idiom is a fixed expression whose meaning cannot be guessed from the individual words, such as “break the ice” or “a piece of cake”.
Which English idioms are most common in conversation?
Common ones include break the ice, a piece of cake, call it a day, on the same page, on the fence, under the weather and the ball is in your court.
Should I use idioms in formal writing?
Usually not. Most idioms are informal. In formal emails, reports and essays, choose clear, neutral language instead.
Is "raining cats and dogs" still used?
It is understood but sounds old-fashioned to many speakers. “It’s pouring” or “It’s raining really hard” is more natural today.
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