Idioms

What are idioms?

• An idiom is a combination of words that has a figurative meaning, due to its common usage.

• Idioms are not literal.

• An idiom’s figurative meaning is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made.

Piece of cake

Refers to a job, task, or other activity that is considered easy or simple

Bend over backwards

To go out of one’s way to do something or accomplish something

Let the cat out of the bag

To reveal a secret or surprise by accident

Hit the nail on the head

To do or say something in exactly the correct way

When pigs fly

Used to express something that will never occur

Between a rock and a hard place

A situation offering at least two possibilities, none of which are acceptable

Bite off more than you can chew

To agree to do more that one person can actually accomplish

Costs an arm and a leg

Something that costs an excessively high amount

Pulling my leg

To play a joke one someone; to tease or deceive

It ain’t over till the fat lady sings

A saying that means one should not assume the outcome of an event/activity until it has actually finished

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

It is better to keep what you have than to risk losing it by trying to get something better

A taste of your own medicine

A deserved or needed punishment

All bark and no bite

An expression used to describe an individual that displays and intimidating front but will not actually act on their intimidating behavior

Beat a dead horse

A particular topic of conversation that has already been discussed and settled and any attempt to continue talking about it is pointless

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

To risk everything on a single venture

Never bite the hand that feeds you

A warning not to repay kindness or generosity with ingratitude or injury

On the fence

Undecided about a particular choice that needs to be made

People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones

People should not criticize people for faults that they have themselves

The straw that broke the camel’s back

The last in a series of unpleasant events which makes one feel that they cannot continue and must accept a bad situation

Water under the bridge

Something that has happened and cannot be changed