Difference between revisions of "Language/English/Vocabulary/Funny-English-Idioms"
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<div | <div class="pg_page_title">Exploring the Quirkiest and Most Amusing English Idioms </div> | ||
[[File:Funny idioms.jpg|thumb]] | |||
[[File:English-Language-PolyglotClub.jpg|thumb]] | |||
To truly grasp the intricacies of conversational English, getting acquainted with idioms is a must. These quirky phrases are an essential part of the English language, often adding color, nuance, and a dash of humor to everyday conversations. | |||
Idioms are not just linguistic decorations; they serve as cultural signposts and can often reveal insights into a society's values, beliefs, and collective sense of humor. Using idioms appropriately can also make your language more vibrant and relatable, so don't shy away from incorporating them into your vocabulary. | |||
PS: After diving into the world of funny English idioms with this lesson, consider broadening your language skills further with these related topics: | |||
__TOC__ | |||
* [[Language/English/Vocabulary/Difference-between-ROBBER%2C-BURGLAR%2C-MUGGER-and-THIEF|Differences between ROBBER, BURGLAR, MUGGER, and THIEF]] | |||
* [[Language/English/Vocabulary/Words-ending-with-the-suffix-less|Words Ending with the Suffix "-less"]] | |||
* [[Language/English/Vocabulary/French-words-used-in-English|French Words Used in English]] | |||
These additional lessons will not only enhance your vocabulary but also provide you with a more comprehensive understanding of the English language and its idiosyncrasies. | |||
==Hold Your Horses== | ==Hold Your Horses== | ||
used to tell someone to stop and consider carefully their decision or opinion | *Meaning: used to tell someone to stop and consider carefully their decision or opinion about something. | ||
about something. | |||
*Example: Just hold your horses, Bill! Let’s think about this for a moment. | *Example: Just hold your horses, Bill! Let’s think about this for a moment. | ||
== | ==As Cool As a Cucumber== | ||
a | *Meaning: very calm or very calmly, especially when this is surprising. | ||
*Example: She walked in as cool as a cucumber, as if nothing had happened. | |||
==Kick the Bucket== | |||
*Meaning: a euphemistic, informal, or slang term meaning ‘to die’. | |||
*Example: Charlie finally kicked the bucket. He had cancer, you know. | *Example: Charlie finally kicked the bucket. He had cancer, you know. | ||
==Blue in the Face== | ==Blue in the Face== | ||
*Meaning: weakened or tired after trying many times. | |||
*Example: You can tell her to clean her room until you are blue in the face, but she won’t do it. | |||
==Storm in a Teacup== | |||
*Meaning: a lot of unnecessary anger and worry about a matter that is not important. | |||
*Example: My brother and sister had a big argument about the television yesterday, but it was just a storm in a teacup. | |||
==Bob’s Your Uncle== | |||
*Meaning: used to mean that something will happen very quickly and simply. | |||
*Example: Just tell them you’re a friend of mine and, Bob’s your uncle, you’ll get the job. | |||
==Head In The Clouds== | |||
*Meaning: living in a fantasy. To be separate from reality, to dream. | |||
*Example: He’s not right for this role, he has his head in the clouds. | |||
==Dead As A Doornail== | |||
*Meaning: completely dead. | |||
*Example: The fox in the road was as dead as a doornail. | |||
==A Piece Of Cake== | |||
*Meaning: something very easy to do. | |||
*Example: The test was a piece of cake. | |||
==Heart In Your Mouth== | |||
*Meaning: feeling nervous or scared. | |||
*Example: My heart’s in my mouth ever time it rings. | |||
==Walking On Air== | |||
*Meaning: To feel very good or confident about something | |||
*Example: After completing the examination she felt like she was walking on air. | |||
==Live Hand To Mouth== | |||
*Meaning: Because of economic constraints to be forced to live in a very frugal manner | |||
*Example: After he lost his job Steve was forced to live hand to mouth. | |||
==To Need Something Like You Need A Hole In The Head== | |||
*Meaning: Said when one receives, experiences, and/or desires to acquire something that is utterly unwanted, unnecessary, or otherwise detrimental. | |||
*Example: Said to a woman who owns 10 cats: "You need another cat like you need a hole in the head." | |||
==Have One's Ducks In A Row== | |||
*Meaning: To have things well organized; have things pertaining to a task, an event, etc., in order | |||
*Example: You had best have your ducks in a row in time for today's presentation to the Board of Trustees! | |||
==Be A Stone's Throw Away== | |||
*Meaning: To be in near or very near proximity to a different place. | |||
*Example: You live in Los Angeles? Why then you're just a stone's throw away from Santa Monica! | |||
==A few screws loose== | |||
*Meaning: Crazy/mentally unstable. | |||
*Example: "That fella has a few screws loose, we ought to throw him into a mental institution" | |||
==Half baked== | |||
*Meaning: Poorly planned out/Stupid idea. | |||
*Example: "What a half-baked plan." | |||
==Shake a leg!== | |||
*Meaning: Hurry up! | |||
==It's not Rocket Science== | |||
*Meaning: It's easy. | |||
*Example: "Clean it when you're done using it! It's not rocket science!" | |||
==Hit the sack== | |||
*Meaning: Go to sleep. | |||
*Example: "I'm so tired... time to hit the sack" | |||
==Stepping on eggshells== | |||
*Meaning: Be overly cautious so as to not cause trouble. | |||
*Example: "You're very volatile. I'm constantly stepping on eggshells around you." | |||
==[Skating] on thin ice== | |||
*Meaning: To be very close to causing trouble. | |||
*Example: "Don't try my patience! You're skating on thin ice!" | |||
==Have a cow== | |||
*Meaning: Overreact/become enraged/panic. | |||
*Example: "Don't have a cow! I'm only joking." | |||
==Burning daylight== | |||
*Meaning: Wasting time/Running out of time. | |||
*Example: "Shake a leg! We're burning daylight!" | |||
==Thick as a plank== | |||
*Meaning: Simple minded/Stupid. | |||
*Example: "You're as thick as a plank!" | |||
==Head in the sand== | |||
*Meaning: Willfully ignorant of imminent danger. | |||
*Example: "Those politicians have their heads in the sand!" | |||
==Rubbing two brain cells together== | |||
*Meaning: Exerting your tiny brain to think about something simple. | |||
*Example: "He couldn't rub two brain cells together." | |||
==Connect the dots== | |||
*Meaning: Come to a logical conclusion using pieces of evidence. | |||
*Example: "By connecting the dots, we found who the real murderer was." | |||
==Read between the lines== | |||
*Meaning: Become aware of obscure information being implied by other pieces of information. | |||
*Example: "She said nothing was wrong, but in an moody tone. I read between the lines that she was upset with me." | |||
==Pardon my French== | |||
*Meaning: Please pardon my use of crude or foul words. | |||
*Example: "Pardon my French, but we're %&!@ed" | |||
==Don't make mountains out of molehills== | |||
*Meaning: Don't overreact to something minor. | |||
*Example: "It was just a joke! Don't make mountains out of molehills" | |||
==Can of worms== | |||
*Meaning: A burden that you could have easily avoided. | |||
*Example: "I opened up a can of worms when I said she was fat. She was upset with me for a week!" | |||
==Cat's out of the bag== | |||
*Meaning: Hidden information has been revealed. | |||
*Example: "He knows our little secret.. cat's out of the bag" | |||
*Example: | ==The jig is up== | ||
*Meaning: A scheme has been foiled. | |||
*Example: "POLICE! The jig is up! Everybody Run!" | |||
== | ==Don't put all your eggs in one basket== | ||
*Meaning: Don't use all of your assets for one thing because you might accidentally waste/lose it all. | |||
*Example: "Don't put all your eggs in one basket, save up your money!" | |||
==Bite the bullet== | |||
*Meaning: To do something right now because it is inevitable. | |||
*Example: "Just bite the bullet and rip that band aid off" | |||
==Are you pulling my leg?== | |||
*Meaning: are you messing with me at my expense? | |||
a | ==Be A Monkey's Uncle== | ||
*Meaning: To be very surprised by something/experience an unexpected phenomenon. | |||
*Example: "Why I'll be a monkey's uncle! That parrot knows the words to a song by The Beatles!" | |||
*Example: | ==Liked to die== | ||
*Meaning: Be surprised by something/someone. | |||
*Example: "When she showed up at that party I liked to die -- she was the last person I expected to see." | |||
== | ==Hell's Bells== | ||
*Meaning: Not likey. | |||
*Example: "Hell's bells we're letting you stay out past 10:00pm!" | |||
==The Rabbit Done Died== | |||
*Meaning: To test positive for pregnancy. | |||
*Example: "Mary told me she saw the doctor today and learned that the rabbit done died." | |||
== | ==Barking Up The Wrong Tree== | ||
*Meaning: Pursuing a mistaken or misguided line of thought or course of action. | |||
*Example: If you think I stole your lunch, you’re barking up the wrong tree—I was out all day. | |||
==Spill the Beans== | |||
*Meaning: To reveal a secret. | |||
*Example: Alright, spill the beans—who told you about the surprise party? | |||
*Example: | ==When Pigs Fly== | ||
*Meaning: Something that will never happen. | |||
*Example: He'll clean his room when pigs fly. | |||
== | ==Cry Over Spilt Milk== | ||
*Meaning: Complaining about a loss or failure from the past. | |||
*Example: There’s no use crying over spilt milk—it’s already done. | |||
==Bite Off More Than You Can Chew== | |||
*Meaning: To take on a task that is way too big. | |||
*Example: I bit off more than I could chew when I agreed to complete this project in only two weeks. | |||
*Example: | ==Let the Cat Out of the Bag== | ||
*Meaning: To accidentally reveal a secret. | |||
*Example: I let the cat out of the bag about their surprise party. | |||
== | ==Not My Cup of Tea== | ||
*Meaning: Not something one enjoys or prefers. | |||
*Example: Skydiving is not my cup of tea. | |||
==The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread== | |||
very | *Meaning: A very good invention or innovation; a good idea or plan. | ||
*Example: Smartphones are the best thing since sliced bread. | |||
*Example: | ==Curiosity Killed the Cat== | ||
*Meaning: Being inquisitive can lead you into an unpleasant situation. | |||
*Example: Don’t ask about his divorce—curiosity killed the cat! | |||
== | ==Burning the Candle at Both Ends== | ||
*Meaning: Working late into the night and starting early the next day. | |||
*Example: She’s been burning the candle at both ends preparing for the meeting. | |||
==Sources== | |||
Comments on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/agj9zm/what_are_the_funniest_english_idioms/ | |||
== | {{#seo: | ||
|title=Top Funniest English Idioms | |||
|description=What are the funniest English Idioms to learn? Feel free to edit this page and add more expressions. | |||
|og:image=https://polyglotclub.com/wiki/images/7/76/Funny_idioms.jpg | |||
}} | |||
[[Category:English/Intermediate]] | |||
[[Category:English/Vocabulary]] | |||
* | ==Other Lessons== | ||
* [[Language/English/Vocabulary/Useful-English-Idioms|Useful English Idioms]] | |||
* [[Language/English/Vocabulary/Alike|Alike]] | |||
* [[Language/English/Vocabulary/Phrasal-Verbs-and-their-Equivalent|Phrasal Verbs and their Equivalent]] | |||
* [[Language/English/Vocabulary/Commonly-Confused-Words|Commonly Confused Words]] | |||
* [[Language/English/Vocabulary/Cause-vs-Purpose|Cause vs Purpose]] | |||
* [[Language/English/Vocabulary/Difference-between-ROBBER,-BURGLAR,-MUGGER-and-THIEF|Difference between ROBBER, BURGLAR, MUGGER and THIEF]] | |||
* [[Language/English/Vocabulary/Colors|Colors]] | |||
* [[Language/English/Vocabulary/Common-phrases|Common phrases]] | |||
* [[Language/English/Vocabulary/Appear|Appear]] | |||
* [[Language/English/Vocabulary/Astronomy|Astronomy]] | |||
<span links></span> |
Latest revision as of 21:26, 12 November 2023
To truly grasp the intricacies of conversational English, getting acquainted with idioms is a must. These quirky phrases are an essential part of the English language, often adding color, nuance, and a dash of humor to everyday conversations.
Idioms are not just linguistic decorations; they serve as cultural signposts and can often reveal insights into a society's values, beliefs, and collective sense of humor. Using idioms appropriately can also make your language more vibrant and relatable, so don't shy away from incorporating them into your vocabulary.
PS: After diving into the world of funny English idioms with this lesson, consider broadening your language skills further with these related topics:
- Differences between ROBBER, BURGLAR, MUGGER, and THIEF
- Words Ending with the Suffix "-less"
- French Words Used in English
These additional lessons will not only enhance your vocabulary but also provide you with a more comprehensive understanding of the English language and its idiosyncrasies.
Hold Your Horses[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: used to tell someone to stop and consider carefully their decision or opinion about something.
- Example: Just hold your horses, Bill! Let’s think about this for a moment.
As Cool As a Cucumber[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: very calm or very calmly, especially when this is surprising.
- Example: She walked in as cool as a cucumber, as if nothing had happened.
Kick the Bucket[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: a euphemistic, informal, or slang term meaning ‘to die’.
- Example: Charlie finally kicked the bucket. He had cancer, you know.
Blue in the Face[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: weakened or tired after trying many times.
- Example: You can tell her to clean her room until you are blue in the face, but she won’t do it.
Storm in a Teacup[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: a lot of unnecessary anger and worry about a matter that is not important.
- Example: My brother and sister had a big argument about the television yesterday, but it was just a storm in a teacup.
Bob’s Your Uncle[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: used to mean that something will happen very quickly and simply.
- Example: Just tell them you’re a friend of mine and, Bob’s your uncle, you’ll get the job.
Head In The Clouds[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: living in a fantasy. To be separate from reality, to dream.
- Example: He’s not right for this role, he has his head in the clouds.
Dead As A Doornail[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: completely dead.
- Example: The fox in the road was as dead as a doornail.
A Piece Of Cake[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: something very easy to do.
- Example: The test was a piece of cake.
Heart In Your Mouth[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: feeling nervous or scared.
- Example: My heart’s in my mouth ever time it rings.
Walking On Air[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: To feel very good or confident about something
- Example: After completing the examination she felt like she was walking on air.
Live Hand To Mouth[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Because of economic constraints to be forced to live in a very frugal manner
- Example: After he lost his job Steve was forced to live hand to mouth.
To Need Something Like You Need A Hole In The Head[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Said when one receives, experiences, and/or desires to acquire something that is utterly unwanted, unnecessary, or otherwise detrimental.
- Example: Said to a woman who owns 10 cats: "You need another cat like you need a hole in the head."
Have One's Ducks In A Row[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: To have things well organized; have things pertaining to a task, an event, etc., in order
- Example: You had best have your ducks in a row in time for today's presentation to the Board of Trustees!
Be A Stone's Throw Away[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: To be in near or very near proximity to a different place.
- Example: You live in Los Angeles? Why then you're just a stone's throw away from Santa Monica!
A few screws loose[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Crazy/mentally unstable.
- Example: "That fella has a few screws loose, we ought to throw him into a mental institution"
Half baked[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Poorly planned out/Stupid idea.
- Example: "What a half-baked plan."
Shake a leg![edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Hurry up!
It's not Rocket Science[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: It's easy.
- Example: "Clean it when you're done using it! It's not rocket science!"
Hit the sack[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Go to sleep.
- Example: "I'm so tired... time to hit the sack"
Stepping on eggshells[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Be overly cautious so as to not cause trouble.
- Example: "You're very volatile. I'm constantly stepping on eggshells around you."
[Skating] on thin ice[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: To be very close to causing trouble.
- Example: "Don't try my patience! You're skating on thin ice!"
Have a cow[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Overreact/become enraged/panic.
- Example: "Don't have a cow! I'm only joking."
Burning daylight[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Wasting time/Running out of time.
- Example: "Shake a leg! We're burning daylight!"
Thick as a plank[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Simple minded/Stupid.
- Example: "You're as thick as a plank!"
Head in the sand[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Willfully ignorant of imminent danger.
- Example: "Those politicians have their heads in the sand!"
Rubbing two brain cells together[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Exerting your tiny brain to think about something simple.
- Example: "He couldn't rub two brain cells together."
Connect the dots[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Come to a logical conclusion using pieces of evidence.
- Example: "By connecting the dots, we found who the real murderer was."
Read between the lines[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Become aware of obscure information being implied by other pieces of information.
- Example: "She said nothing was wrong, but in an moody tone. I read between the lines that she was upset with me."
Pardon my French[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Please pardon my use of crude or foul words.
- Example: "Pardon my French, but we're %&!@ed"
Don't make mountains out of molehills[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Don't overreact to something minor.
- Example: "It was just a joke! Don't make mountains out of molehills"
Can of worms[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: A burden that you could have easily avoided.
- Example: "I opened up a can of worms when I said she was fat. She was upset with me for a week!"
Cat's out of the bag[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Hidden information has been revealed.
- Example: "He knows our little secret.. cat's out of the bag"
The jig is up[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: A scheme has been foiled.
- Example: "POLICE! The jig is up! Everybody Run!"
Don't put all your eggs in one basket[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Don't use all of your assets for one thing because you might accidentally waste/lose it all.
- Example: "Don't put all your eggs in one basket, save up your money!"
Bite the bullet[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: To do something right now because it is inevitable.
- Example: "Just bite the bullet and rip that band aid off"
Are you pulling my leg?[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: are you messing with me at my expense?
Be A Monkey's Uncle[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: To be very surprised by something/experience an unexpected phenomenon.
- Example: "Why I'll be a monkey's uncle! That parrot knows the words to a song by The Beatles!"
Liked to die[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Be surprised by something/someone.
- Example: "When she showed up at that party I liked to die -- she was the last person I expected to see."
Hell's Bells[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Not likey.
- Example: "Hell's bells we're letting you stay out past 10:00pm!"
The Rabbit Done Died[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: To test positive for pregnancy.
- Example: "Mary told me she saw the doctor today and learned that the rabbit done died."
Barking Up The Wrong Tree[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Pursuing a mistaken or misguided line of thought or course of action.
- Example: If you think I stole your lunch, you’re barking up the wrong tree—I was out all day.
Spill the Beans[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: To reveal a secret.
- Example: Alright, spill the beans—who told you about the surprise party?
When Pigs Fly[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Something that will never happen.
- Example: He'll clean his room when pigs fly.
Cry Over Spilt Milk[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Complaining about a loss or failure from the past.
- Example: There’s no use crying over spilt milk—it’s already done.
Bite Off More Than You Can Chew[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: To take on a task that is way too big.
- Example: I bit off more than I could chew when I agreed to complete this project in only two weeks.
Let the Cat Out of the Bag[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: To accidentally reveal a secret.
- Example: I let the cat out of the bag about their surprise party.
Not My Cup of Tea[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Not something one enjoys or prefers.
- Example: Skydiving is not my cup of tea.
The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: A very good invention or innovation; a good idea or plan.
- Example: Smartphones are the best thing since sliced bread.
Curiosity Killed the Cat[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Being inquisitive can lead you into an unpleasant situation.
- Example: Don’t ask about his divorce—curiosity killed the cat!
Burning the Candle at Both Ends[edit | edit source]
- Meaning: Working late into the night and starting early the next day.
- Example: She’s been burning the candle at both ends preparing for the meeting.
Sources[edit | edit source]
Comments on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/agj9zm/what_are_the_funniest_english_idioms/
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Useful English Idioms
- Alike
- Phrasal Verbs and their Equivalent
- Commonly Confused Words
- Cause vs Purpose
- Difference between ROBBER, BURGLAR, MUGGER and THIEF
- Colors
- Common phrases
- Appear
- Astronomy