Life is a journey filled with ups, downs, surprises, and challenges. To describe these experiences, people often use idioms—colorful expressions that don’t always mean exactly
what the words say, but instead carry deeper cultural or emotional meaning. Idioms make language more interesting, and they often share timeless lessons about living, learning, and growing.
Idioms about life are especially useful because they capture universal truths in simple, memorable ways. Whether you’re talking about facing challenges, chasing dreams, or finding happiness, idioms help you express your thoughts with richness and creativity.
They also make your English sound more natural, since native speakers often use them in daily conversations, writing, and storytelling.
In this article, we’ll explore 35+ idioms about life, organized into themes like wisdom, challenges, and happiness. You’ll learn their meanings, see practical examples, discover similar phrases, and understand when to use them.
Did You Know?
The phrase “life of Riley” (meaning an easy and comfortable life) became popular in the early 20th century from a humorous Irish-American song. It shows how idioms often come from songs, stories, or historical events and then live on for generations in everyday speech.
Idioms About Wisdom and Lessons in Life
Live and learn
Meaning: We grow wiser through experience, even mistakes.
Example: “I thought I could finish the project in two hours, but it took six—live and learn!”
Alternative: “You learn something new every day.”
Note: Often used casually after realizing a mistake or lesson.
Easy come, easy go
Meaning: Things gained quickly can be lost just as easily.
Example: “I lost the money I won in the lottery—easy come, easy go.”
Alternative: “Here today, gone tomorrow.”
Note: Common in informal talks about money or luck.
The school of hard knocks
Meaning: Learning life lessons through difficult experiences.
Example: “He never went to college, but he graduated from the school of hard knocks.”
Alternative: “Life is the best teacher.”
Note: Often used in storytelling or motivational contexts.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: Don’t risk everything on one plan.
Example: “I invested in two different businesses because I didn’t want to put all my eggs in one basket.”
Alternative: “Spread your risks.”
Note: Useful in both daily life and professional advice.
You can’t judge a book by its cover
Meaning: Don’t judge people or situations based only on appearance.
Example: “He looked quiet, but he turned out to be the best speaker—you can’t judge a book by its cover.”
Alternative: “Appearances can be deceiving.”
Note: Very common in everyday conversations.
Idioms About Challenges and Struggles
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade
Meaning: Turn difficulties into opportunities.
Example: “She lost her job, but started her own business instead—when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
Alternative: “Every cloud has a silver lining.”
Note: Often motivational and encouraging.
Against all odds
Meaning: Succeed despite difficulties.
Example: “He became a doctor against all odds.”
Alternative: “Beat the odds.”
Note: Common in inspirational stories.
Burn the candle at both ends
Meaning: Work too hard without rest.
Example: “You’ll get sick if you keep burning the candle at both ends.”
Alternative: “Run yourself ragged.”
Note: Casual warning about overwork.
Rome wasn’t built in a day
Meaning: Important things take time.
Example: “Don’t expect instant success—Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
Alternative: “Good things take time.”
Note: Widely used in both formal and informal settings.
Bite the bullet
Meaning: Face something difficult with courage.
Example: “He finally bit the bullet and asked for a raise.”
Alternative: “Face the music.”
Note: Popular in daily conversations.
Between a rock and a hard place
Meaning: Stuck between two bad choices.
Example: “She was between a rock and a hard place—either lose her job or work weekends.”
Alternative: “Caught in a bind.”
Note: Common in everyday English.
A blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something that seems bad but turns out good.
Example: “Losing that job was a blessing in disguise—it pushed me to find a better one.”
Alternative: “Silver lining.”
Note: Often used when reflecting on life events.
At the end of the day
Meaning: After considering everything, the main truth.
Example: “At the end of the day, family is more important than money.”
Alternative: “Bottom line.”
Note: Popular in both casual and formal speech.
Idioms About Happiness and Success
The best of both worlds
Meaning: Enjoying two different advantages at the same time.
Example: “Working from home gives me the best of both worlds—time for family and career.”
Alternative: “Have your cake and eat it too.”
Note: Widely used in both daily talk and professional settings.
In seventh heaven
Meaning: Extremely happy.
Example: “She was in seventh heaven when she got the scholarship.”
Alternative: “Over the moon.”
Note: Used in casual and cheerful contexts.
On top of the world
Meaning: Feeling very happy or successful.
Example: “He was on top of the world after winning the match.”
Alternative: “Walking on air.”
Note: Often used in celebrations.
The sky’s the limit
Meaning: There are no limits to what you can achieve.
Example: “With her talent, the sky’s the limit.”
Alternative: “Endless possibilities.”
Note: Common in motivational speech.
Fortune favors the bold
Meaning: Success comes to those who take risks.
Example: “He started his own company because fortune favors the bold.”
Alternative: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
Note: Often used in encouragement.
Hit the jackpot
Meaning: To have sudden success or luck.
Example: “She hit the jackpot when she found her dream job.”
Alternative: “Strike gold.”
Note: Mostly informal.
Strike while the iron is hot
Meaning: Take advantage of an opportunity quickly.
Example: “Apply now, strike while the iron is hot.”
Alternative: “Make hay while the sun shines.”
Note: Common in business and daily talk.
Idioms About Everyday Life
Life is not a bed of roses
Meaning: Life is not always easy.
Example: “Life is not a bed of roses, but challenges make us stronger.”
Alternative: “Life is full of ups and downs.”
Note: Often philosophical in tone.
Circle of life
Meaning: The natural cycle of birth, growth, and death.
Example: “The movie showed the circle of life beautifully.”
Alternative: “Cycle of nature.”
Note: Popular in poetic or reflective usage.
Live life to the fullest
Meaning: Enjoy life completely.
Example: “She travels often because she wants to live life to the fullest.”
Alternative: “Seize the day.”
Note: Common in motivational speech.
Life is what you make it
Meaning: Your choices shape your life.
Example: “He believes life is what you make it, so he works hard for his dreams.”
Alternative: “You reap what you sow.”
Note: Used in both casual and inspirational talk.
A matter of life and death
Meaning: Something extremely important.
Example: “For doctors, every surgery is a matter of life and death.”
Alternative: “Critical situation.”
Note: Often formal or serious.
To each his own
Meaning: Everyone has different tastes and choices.
Example: “I don’t like horror movies, but to each his own.”
Alternative: “Different strokes for different folks.”
Note: Informal and conversational.
All walks of life
Meaning: People from all kinds of backgrounds.
Example: “The event attracted people from all walks of life.”
Alternative: “Every corner of society.”
Note: Often used in formal and journalistic writing.
How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life
- Speaking: Idioms make your conversations more natural. Instead of saying “I’m very happy,” you can say “I’m on top of the world.”
- Writing: In essays or blogs, idioms add style and impact. For example, “Rome wasn’t built in a day” makes your point memorable.
- Professional usage: Idioms can enrich presentations, emails, or speeches, but choose wisely. Use clear ones like “the sky’s the limit,” not confusing ones.
Common Mistakes Learners Make With Idioms
- Literal usage:
❌ “He is burning the candle at both ends to light the room.”
✅ “He is burning the candle at both ends with work and study.” - Wrong context:
❌ “I hit the jackpot when I lost my wallet.”
✅ “I hit the jackpot when I got the promotion.” - Mixing idioms:
❌ “Don’t put all your eggs in the same boat.”
✅ “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
FAQs
1. Why should I learn idioms about life?
Idioms about life help you express emotions, experiences, and lessons in a natural and engaging way. They make your English sound richer and more fluent.
2. Are idioms used in professional English?
Yes, but with care. In formal settings, simple idioms like “at the end of the day” or “the sky’s the limit” are more acceptable than overly casual ones.
3. How can I remember idioms easily?
Practice with examples, use them in daily conversations, and connect them to your own experiences.
4. Do all cultures use the same idioms?
No. While some are universal, many idioms are culture-specific. However, English idioms are widely understood globally.
5. Can idioms be used in academic writing?
Generally, idioms are avoided in academic papers. They are better for conversations, creative writing, or speeches.
Conclusion
Life is a complex journey, and idioms about life capture its wisdom, struggles, and joys in memorable ways. From “easy come, easy go” to “the sky’s the limit,” these expressions make language more colorful and meaningful.
Using them in conversations, writing, or speeches not only improves your English fluency but also helps you connect with people more deeply. So the next time you want to talk about challenges or happiness, try one of these idioms—and add life to your words.
