Top 10 Everyday English Idioms

These fun expressions can confuse even advanced learners—but don’t worry, we’re here to help. Let’s look at 10 common idioms you might hear in everyday conversations.

1. Break the ice

Meaning: To start a conversation or make people feel more comfortable
💬 Example: “To break the ice, I told a funny story about my cat wearing sunglasses.”
🧩 Example Situation: You're at a party where you don’t know anyone. You tell a light joke to make everyone feel relaxed.

2. It’s a piece of cake

Meaning: Something that is very easy
💬 Example: “The test was a piece of cake—I finished it in 5 minutes!”
🧩 Example Situation: You already studied hard, so the English homework was super easy.

3. Spill the beans

Meaning: To reveal a secret
💬 Example Sentence: “Come on, spill the beans! Did you get the job?”
🧩 Example Situation: Your friend knows a big secret but won’t tell you, and you're trying to get them to say it.

4. Hit the books

Meaning: To start studying
💬 Example Sentence: “I have an exam tomorrow. Time to hit the books!”
🧩 Example Situation: After dinner, you go to your room, open your textbook, and start reviewing for your test.

5. Under the weather

Meaning: Feeling sick or not well
💬 Example Sentence: “I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, so I’m staying home.”
🧩 Example Situation: You wake up with a sore throat and a runny nose, so you cancel your plans.

6. Cost an arm and a leg

Meaning: Very expensive
💬 Example Sentence: “That concert ticket cost an arm and a leg!”
🧩 Example Situation: You buy shoes from a fancy brand and can’t believe how expensive they were.

7. Let the cat out of the bag

Meaning: To accidentally reveal a secret
💬 Example Sentence: “I let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.”
🧩 Example Situation: You accidentally tell your friend about a birthday surprise before the actual day.

8. Hit the sack

Meaning: Go to bed
💬 Example Sentence: “I’m so tired. I’m going to hit the sack early tonight.”
🧩 Example Situation: After a long day at work, you decide to sleep by 9:00 PM.

9. Bite the bullet

Meaning: To do something difficult or unpleasant
💬 Example Sentence: “I hate going to the dentist, but I had to bite the bullet.”
🧩 Example Situation: You delay calling customer service for weeks, but today you finally do it.

10. Pull someone’s leg

Meaning: To joke or tease someone
💬 Example Sentence: “Relax, I’m just pulling your leg. I didn’t actually eat your dessert!”
🧩 Example Situation: Your friend tells you something shocking, but it turns out they were just joking.

Don’t memorize —Use Them!

The best way to learn idioms is to hear them often and use them naturally. Try adding just one or two into your daily conversations or journal. You’ll start to feel more confident speaking like a native!