Language is more than just words—it’s a reflection of culture, tradition, and shared wisdom. One of the most colorful parts of any language is idioms.
Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say but instead carry a deeper or symbolic meaning. They are like little windows into how people think, feel, and see the world.
When we talk about idioms of the world, we explore expressions that come from different cultures but are now widely used or understood in English.
Learning these idioms helps you not only improve your vocabulary but also understand cultural connections across nations.
Whether you’re learning English for school, business, or travel, knowing idioms makes your speech sound natural, creative, and engaging.
They also help you connect with people because many idioms show shared human experiences—happiness, challenges, love, or wisdom.
Did You Know?
The word idiom comes from the Greek word idíōma, meaning “special feature” or “peculiarity.” That’s exactly what idioms are—special ways of expressing things that make a language unique. Interestingly, many idioms across the world have similar meanings, even if their words are different. For example, in English we say “break the ice” to start a conversation, while in Spanish people say “romper el hielo”—the same idea, just in another language!
Idioms About Life and Wisdom
Break the Ice
Meaning: To start a conversation in a friendly way.
Example: At the meeting, John told a joke to break the ice.
Similar Idiom: Start the ball rolling.
Note: Common in casual and professional conversations.
A Blessing in Disguise
Meaning: Something that looks bad at first but turns out to be good.
Example: Losing that job was a blessing in disguise because I found a better one.
Similar Idiom: Every cloud has a silver lining.
Note: Used often in daily life when reflecting on challenges.
The Tip of the Iceberg
Meaning: A small visible part of a bigger problem.
Example: The broken machine is just the tip of the iceberg; the whole system needs fixing.
Similar Idiom: Just scratching the surface.
Note: Used more in formal or analytical discussions.
Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day
Meaning: Important things take time.
Example: Don’t worry if your English improves slowly—Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Similar Idiom: Good things take time.
Note: Encouraging and motivational, often informal.
Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
Meaning: Don’t depend on one plan or option.
Example: He invested in several companies because he didn’t want to put all his eggs in one basket.
Similar Idiom: Spread your risk.
Note: Very common in business and finance talk.
The Ball Is in Your Court
Meaning: It’s your decision or responsibility now.
Example: I’ve given you all the details—the ball is in your court.
Similar Idiom: The next move is yours.
Note: Widely used in workplace conversations.
Once in a Blue Moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.
Example: I only see my cousins once in a blue moon.
Similar Idiom: Rare as hen’s teeth.
Note: Casual, often used in storytelling.
When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do
Meaning: Follow the customs of the place you’re in.
Example: When in Rome, do as the Romans do—so I ate with chopsticks in Japan.
Similar Idiom: Go with the flow.
Note: Often used when traveling or adapting to new cultures.
Curiosity Killed the Cat
Meaning: Being too curious can get you into trouble.
Example: Don’t ask too many questions about his job—curiosity killed the cat.
Similar Idiom: Let sleeping dogs lie.
Note: Mostly informal, used as a warning.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Meaning: What people do is more important than what they say.
Example: He promised to help, but never showed up—actions speak louder than words.
Similar Idiom: Talk is cheap.
Note: Suitable in personal and professional settings.
Idioms About Emotions and Relationships
Over the Moon
Meaning: Extremely happy.
Example: She was over the moon when she passed her exams.
Similar Idiom: On cloud nine.
Note: Common in daily conversations.
A Shoulder to Cry On
Meaning: Someone who listens and supports you in sadness.
Example: After the breakup, her best friend gave her a shoulder to cry on.
Similar Idiom: A listening ear.
Note: Informal and empathetic.
Hit the Nail on the Head
Meaning: To describe something exactly right.
Example: You hit the nail on the head when you said we need more staff.
Similar Idiom: Right on the money.
Note: Very popular in professional discussions.
Spill the Beans
Meaning: To reveal a secret.
Example: She spilled the beans about the surprise party.
Similar Idiom: Let the cat out of the bag.
Note: Casual, used in everyday talk.
The Apple of Someone’s Eye
Meaning: A person who is deeply loved.
Example: His daughter is the apple of his eye.
Similar Idiom: Treasure of the heart.
Note: Common in affectionate speech.
Tie the Knot
Meaning: To get married.
Example: They tied the knot last summer in Italy.
Similar Idiom: Walk down the aisle.
Note: Often used in social and informal contexts.
Birds of a Feather Flock Together
Meaning: People with similar interests stick together.
Example: Those two are always together—birds of a feather flock together.
Similar Idiom: Like attracts like.
Note: Widely used in social observations.
Break Someone’s Heart
Meaning: To make someone very sad, usually in love.
Example: He broke her heart when he left.
Similar Idiom: Shatter someone’s dreams.
Note: Informal, used in emotional situations.
Cold Shoulder
Meaning: To ignore someone on purpose.
Example: She gave him the cold shoulder after their argument.
Similar Idiom: Silent treatment.
Note: Informal and common in daily life.
Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve
Meaning: To openly show your emotions.
Example: He wears his heart on his sleeve, so you always know how he feels.
Similar Idiom: An open book.
Note: Used casually about emotional people.
Idioms About Work and Success
Climb the Corporate Ladder
Meaning: To get promoted in a company.
Example: She’s determined to climb the corporate ladder.
Similar Idiom: Rise through the ranks.
Note: Professional, career-related.
Back to the Drawing Board
Meaning: To start again after failure.
Example: Our plan didn’t work, so it’s back to the drawing board.
Similar Idiom: Start from scratch.
Note: Common in workplaces.
Burn the Midnight Oil
Meaning: To work late into the night.
Example: He burned the midnight oil preparing for exams.
Similar Idiom: Pull an all-nighter.
Note: Used in study or work contexts.
Get the Ball Rolling
Meaning: To start something.
Example: Let’s get the ball rolling with introductions.
Similar Idiom: Kick things off.
Note: Business and casual conversations.
Corner the Market
Meaning: To control most of the business in a market.
Example: That company has cornered the smartphone market.
Similar Idiom: Dominate the field.
Note: Formal, business usage.
Learn the Ropes
Meaning: To understand how to do a new job.
Example: It took her a week to learn the ropes at her new company.
Similar Idiom: Get the hang of it.
Note: Workplace and casual use.
In the Same Boat
Meaning: In the same situation as others.
Example: We’re all in the same boat when it comes to deadlines.
Similar Idiom: All together now.
Note: Professional and daily life.
On the Same Page
Meaning: To agree on something.
Example: Let’s meet tomorrow to make sure we’re on the same page.
Similar Idiom: In agreement.
Note: Very common in meetings.
Think Outside the Box
Meaning: To be creative and different.
Example: The company wants employees who think outside the box.
Similar Idiom: Break the mold.
Note: Mostly professional, sometimes casual.
Clutch at Straws
Meaning: Trying anything when you’re desperate.
Example: He’s clutching at straws to keep his business alive.
Similar Idiom: Last-ditch effort.
Note: Often used in serious situations.
Idioms About Nature and Culture
Under the Weather
Meaning: Feeling sick.
Example: I couldn’t go to work because I was under the weather.
Similar Idiom: Feeling off-color.
Note: Daily life usage.
A Fish Out of Water
Meaning: Feeling uncomfortable in a new situation.
Example: I felt like a fish out of water at the fancy dinner.
Similar Idiom: Out of place.
Note: Informal and common.
Storm in a Teacup
Meaning: Making a big deal out of a small problem.
Example: Their fight was just a storm in a teacup.
Similar Idiom: Much ado about nothing.
Note: British English, but understood widely.
Hit the Road
Meaning: To leave or start a journey.
Example: It’s late; we should hit the road.
Similar Idiom: Set off.
Note: Informal and friendly.
Make a Mountain Out of a Molehill
Meaning: To exaggerate a small issue.
Example: Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.
Similar Idiom: Blow things out of proportion.
Note: Very casual.
Walking on Air
Meaning: Feeling extremely happy.
Example: She was walking on air after the concert.
Similar Idiom: Floating with joy.
Note: Informal, expressive.
A Drop in the Ocean
Meaning: A very small amount compared to what’s needed.
Example: The donation was a drop in the ocean compared to the expenses.
Similar Idiom: A drop in the bucket.
Note: Used in discussions about money or resources.
Let the Dust Settle
Meaning: Wait until a situation becomes calmer.
Example: Let the dust settle before making a decision.
Similar Idiom: Cool down.
Note: Professional and casual.
Chase Rainbows
Meaning: To try to achieve something impossible.
Example: He spends his life chasing rainbows.
Similar Idiom: Build castles in the air.
Note: Poetic and informal.
As Right as Rain
Meaning: Perfectly fine.
Example: After resting, I felt as right as rain.
Similar Idiom: Good as new.
Note: Informal, everyday English.
How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life
- Speaking: Use idioms in conversations to sound more natural. For example, instead of saying “I’m very happy,” you can say, “I’m over the moon.”
- Writing: Idioms make essays, blogs, or creative writing more engaging. But use them wisely—too many can confuse readers.
- Professional Usage: In workplaces, idioms like the ball is in your court or think outside the box can make communication clear and professional.
Common Mistakes Learners Make With Idioms
- Using them too literally
❌ “He literally spilled the beans on the table.”
✅ “He spilled the beans about the secret project.” - Mixing two idioms together
❌ “Don’t put all your chickens in one basket.”
✅ “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” - Overusing idioms in one sentence
❌ “She was over the moon, hit the nail on the head, and walking on air all at once.”
✅ Better to use one idiom naturally in context.
FAQs
1. What are idioms of the world?
They are expressions that often come from different cultures and languages but are commonly used in English to describe situations, emotions, or ideas.
2. Why should I learn idioms?
Idioms make your English sound natural, expressive, and closer to how native speakers communicate.
3. Are idioms formal or informal?
Most idioms are informal, but some are used professionally, like “on the same page” or “back to the drawing board.”
4. Do all cultures have idioms?
Yes! Every culture uses idioms to share wisdom, humor, and traditions. They may sound different but often carry similar meanings.
5. How can I practice idioms?
You can practice by using them in sentences, writing small stories, or adding one idiom a day in your conversations.
Conclusion
Idioms of the world are a fascinating way to learn not just English but also the culture and wisdom behind it.
They add color, humor, and depth to your language. By using idioms, you sound more confident and natural whether you’re speaking with friends, writing creatively, or even presenting in a professional setting.
Start small, use one or two idioms in daily life, and you’ll soon notice how they transform your communication. Remember, idioms are not just phrases—they are the stories of the world carried in words.
