When learning English, idioms are like secret keys that make your conversations more colorful, natural, and fluent. An idiom is a phrase where the meaning cannot be understood just by looking at the individual words.
For example, if someone says “break the ice”, it doesn’t mean smashing frozen water—it means starting a friendly conversation.
Idioms for conversation are especially useful because they help you sound less robotic and more like a native speaker. They add personality, humor, and charm to everyday talk.
Whether you’re chatting with friends, writing an email, or participating in a meeting, these idioms can make your communication smoother and more engaging.
In this article, we’ll explore a collection of idioms that you can start using right away to make your conversations more dynamic and memorable.
Did You Know?
The idiom “shoot the breeze” comes from the early 1900s and originally described sailors chatting casually on ships while waiting for favorable winds. Today, it simply means talking in a relaxed, informal way!
Everyday Conversation Idioms
These idioms are commonly used in casual chats with friends, family, or colleagues.
Break the ice
Meaning: To start a conversation in a friendly way.
Example: “The teacher told a funny story to break the ice on the first day of class.”
Alternative: Start the ball rolling
Note: Common in social gatherings or meetings.
Shoot the breeze
Meaning: To chat casually without any serious topic.
Example: “We sat on the porch and shot the breeze all evening.”
Alternative: Chit-chat
Note: Informal, used in relaxed conversations.
Small talk
Meaning: Light conversation about simple topics like weather or daily life.
Example: “Making small talk at parties can be difficult for shy people.”
Alternative: Chit-chat
Note: Used in social situations, formal and informal.
Spill the beans
Meaning: To reveal a secret.
Example: “She spilled the beans about the surprise party.”
Alternative: Let the cat out of the bag
Note: Informal, used in friendly talks.
Chew the fat
Meaning: To talk in a relaxed, friendly way.
Example: “We stayed up late chewing the fat about old times.”
Alternative: Shoot the breeze
Note: Informal, often in nostalgic or casual settings.
Call it a day
Meaning: To end a discussion or activity.
Example: “After two hours of chatting, we called it a day.”
Alternative: Wrap it up
Note: Used in both casual and professional talk.
A hot potato
Meaning: A sensitive or controversial topic.
Example: “Politics is a hot potato at family dinners.”
Alternative: Touchy subject
Note: Both formal and informal.
In a nutshell
Meaning: To sum something up briefly.
Example: “In a nutshell, the meeting was successful.”
Alternative: To cut a long story short
Note: Common in both speech and writing.
Get the ball rolling
Meaning: To start something, usually a discussion.
Example: “Let’s get the ball rolling with introductions.”
Alternative: Kick things off
Note: Popular in meetings and group discussions.
Put in a word
Meaning: To recommend someone or mention them positively.
Example: “I’ll put in a word for you with my boss.”
Alternative: Speak up for
Note: Often used in professional conversations.
Expressing Feelings in Conversations
Idioms often express emotions better than plain words.
On cloud nine
Meaning: Very happy.
Example: “She was on cloud nine after the good news.”
Alternative: Over the moon
Note: Informal, daily life.
Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick.
Example: “I’m a bit under the weather today.”
Alternative: Not feeling well
Note: Daily casual talk.
Bite your tongue
Meaning: To stop yourself from speaking.
Example: “I wanted to argue, but I bit my tongue.”
Alternative: Hold your tongue
Note: Informal, shows self-control.
Cat got your tongue?
Meaning: Said when someone is unusually quiet.
Example: “You’re so quiet—cat got your tongue?”
Alternative: Why so silent?
Note: Playful and informal.
Have a lot on your plate
Meaning: To be very busy.
Example: “I can’t chat now, I have a lot on my plate.”
Alternative: Snowed under
Note: Daily and professional usage.
Speak of the devil
Meaning: When the person being talked about appears.
Example: “Speak of the devil! We were just talking about you.”
Alternative: Talk of the town (slightly different)
Note: Informal and playful.
Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To say something exactly right.
Example: “You hit the nail on the head with that comment.”
Alternative: Right on point
Note: Used in discussions and debates.
Keep in the loop
Meaning: To stay informed.
Example: “Please keep me in the loop about the project.”
Alternative: Keep updated
Note: Professional conversations.
On the same wavelength
Meaning: To think or feel the same way as someone.
Example: “We’re on the same wavelength about this plan.”
Alternative: See eye to eye
Note: Both formal and informal.
A slip of the tongue
Meaning: Saying something by mistake.
Example: “It was just a slip of the tongue, don’t worry.”
Alternative: Misspeak
Note: Common in casual and professional use.
Conversation Idioms for Agreeing or Disagreeing
On the fence
Meaning: Not able to decide.
Example: “I’m on the fence about going to the party.”
Alternative: Undecided
Note: Casual daily talk.
Give someone a piece of your mind
Meaning: To express anger openly.
Example: “She gave him a piece of her mind after the argument.”
Alternative: Tell off
Note: Informal and emotional.
A bone of contention
Meaning: A subject people argue about.
Example: “Money has always been a bone of contention between them.”
Alternative: Disputed issue
Note: More formal, used in serious discussions.
Sit on your hands
Meaning: To avoid getting involved.
Example: “They sat on their hands instead of joining the debate.”
Alternative: Stay out of it
Note: Both casual and formal.
Put your foot in your mouth
Meaning: To say something awkward or embarrassing.
Example: “He put his foot in his mouth by asking about her ex.”
Alternative: Awkward slip
Note: Common in informal talk.
Agree to disagree
Meaning: To accept that people won’t have the same opinion.
Example: “We agreed to disagree about the movie.”
Alternative: Let’s leave it there
Note: Friendly way to end arguments.
Rock the boat
Meaning: To cause trouble or disturb harmony.
Example: “Don’t rock the boat by bringing up old issues.”
Alternative: Stir the pot
Note: Casual and professional usage.
Conversation Idioms for Storytelling
These idioms make stories sound more vivid.
Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Something that happens rarely.
Example: “We meet only once in a blue moon.”
Alternative: Rarely ever
Note: Common in everyday speech.
At the drop of a hat
Meaning: Immediately, without hesitation.
Example: “She’s ready to travel at the drop of a hat.”
Alternative: In a heartbeat
Note: Informal daily talk.
Hear it on the grapevine
Meaning: To hear gossip or rumors.
Example: “I heard on the grapevine that they are getting married.”
Alternative: Word on the street
Note: Casual, informal.
The elephant in the room
Meaning: An obvious issue people avoid discussing.
Example: “Let’s address the elephant in the room: budget cuts.”
Alternative: Unspoken truth
Note: Used in both meetings and daily talks.
Make a long story short
Meaning: To explain briefly.
Example: “To make a long story short, we missed the flight.”
Alternative: In a nutshell
Note: Casual storytelling.
By word of mouth
Meaning: Information passed by people talking.
Example: “The restaurant became popular by word of mouth.”
Alternative: Through gossip
Note: Common in daily life.
To cut to the chase
Meaning: To get to the main point quickly.
Example: “Let me cut to the chase—we need more time.”
Alternative: Straight to the point
Note: Informal and professional.
Face the music
Meaning: To accept the consequences.
Example: “He had to face the music after lying.”
Alternative: Pay the price
Note: Informal, often in serious contexts.
How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life
- Speaking: Sprinkle idioms naturally in chats with friends or colleagues. For example, instead of saying “I’m very happy,” say “I’m on cloud nine.”
- Writing: Use idioms in emails, essays, or blogs to make your language lively. Just avoid overusing them in very formal reports.
- Professional Settings: Idioms like “keep in the loop” or “get the ball rolling” are excellent for workplace communication, making you sound natural yet professional.
Common Mistakes Learners Make With Idioms
- Using idioms too literally
❌ “He broke the ice with a hammer.”
✅ “He told a joke to break the ice.” - Overusing idioms in one sentence
❌ “I was on cloud nine, under the weather, and rocking the boat.”
✅ “I was on cloud nine after the promotion.” - Using informal idioms in formal writing
❌ “The CEO told us to shoot the breeze.”
✅ “The CEO encouraged casual conversation.”
FAQs
1. What are idioms in English conversation?
Idioms are phrases whose meanings are not literal. They make conversations more natural and expressive.
2. Are idioms used in professional communication?
Yes, but choose wisely. Use workplace-friendly idioms like “keep in the loop” or “get the ball rolling”.
3. How many idioms should I learn for fluency?
Learning 50–100 common idioms can greatly improve your conversational English.
4. Can idioms be used in writing?
Yes, they add style to blogs, essays, and stories. Avoid them in very formal documents.
5. How do I remember idioms?
Practice by using one new idiom daily in your speech or writing. Repetition builds memory.
Conclusion
Idioms for conversation are like spices in cooking—they bring flavor, warmth, and life to your words. By learning and practicing these expressions, you can connect more deeply with others, sound more fluent, and enjoy richer communication.
Start small, add idioms naturally, and soon they’ll become a natural part of your English. So next time you chat, don’t just “talk”—make your conversation shine with idioms!
