Idioms are frequently used in everyday conversation. Once you achieve a good comprehension of the English language, it’s helpful to add idioms to your vocabulary. An idiom is a common expression whose meaning does not correspond to the literal meaning of its words. By adding these English idioms to your conversations, you´ll be one step closer to speaking like a native!
Use these 7 English idioms to improve your language skills:
Pull (someone’s) leg
If you’re pulling someone’s leg, it means that you’re only kidding or joking with them.
Example:
Don’t be angry! I’m just pulling your leg!
Hear through the grapevine
When you hear something through the grapevine, it means that you heard a rumor about someone or something.
Example:
I heard through the grapevine that Jane and Jim are getting a divorce, but I don’t have any more information.
Get a slap on the wrist
When someone gets a slap on the wrist, it means that they have received a mild reprimand or punishment for something bad that they’ve done.
Example:
He was lucky, the judge only gave him a slap on the wrist for stealing from the store.
Don´t put all your eggs in one basket
If someone tells you to not put all your eggs in one basket, they’re telling you to not risk everything on one venture, to not be dependent on one thing, or put all of your resources in one place. This idiom comes from the idea that, if you put all of your hen’s eggs in one basket and then you drop it, all of your eggs will be broken and you’ll be left with nothing.
Example:
You should invest your money in several companies instead of just one – don’t put all your eggs in one basket!
Go back to the drawing board
When you go back to the drawing board, it means that after a failed attempt at something, you must start over from the beginning and try a different plan or idea.
Example:
The director didn’t approve their marketing plan, so they went back to the drawing board.
Let the cat out of the bag
When someone lets the cat out of the bag, they have told a secret carelessly or by mistake.
Example:
I told my sister to keep the party a secret, but she let the cat out of the bag and ruined the surprise.
Beat around the bush
To beat around the bush is to talk about something without mentioning it directly or avoid talking about the specific subject.
Example:
If you want to ask me for a favor, just ask me! Don’t beat around the bush!
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