A phrase is a short set of words that stand together as a logical unit, usually as part of a sentence. Phrases are the most significant components of every language.
Learning new vocabulary isn't enough to become a competent English speaker. However, idioms and phrases may help.
Phrases with Meaning
The following are the 50 most frequent English phrases, along with their definitions and sentences:
- To bank on someone/something
Meaning: To speculate on the possibility of something.
- Bring to the table
Meaning: Providing someone with knowledge or advantages.
- To be out of your mind
Meaning: To be anxious about anything or unable to focus on anything.
- It drives me up the wall
Meaning: To be highly irritated.
- Hit the ceiling
Meaning: To erupt with anger.
- Zero in on
Meaning: To concentrate or target something precisely.
- Calling the shots
Meaning: To have authority over people or to influence their actions.
- I got my mojo working
Meaning: When someone's luck is highly favourable.
- Speak of the Devil
Meaning: When someone arrives just after you mention them.
- To think outside the box.
Meaning: Think uniquely and creatively.
- A hard nut to crack
Meaning: An individual who is notoriously difficult to work with.
- All ears
Meaning: Highly focused or eager to hear the other person who now has your undivided attention.
- A picture is worth a thousand words
Meaning: It is preferable to show than to tell; depiction provides a more powerful message than words.
- A piece of cake
Meaning: Anything easy, simple task, or job.
- Better late than never
Meaning: It is preferable to arrive late rather than never arrive.
- Born with a silver spoon in their mouth
Meaning: Someone born into a wealthy family.
- Bread and butter
Meaning: A individual's earnings; signify when a person makes a living.
- Break the ice
Meaning: To attempt to become acquaintances with someone; to begin something.
- Break a leg
Meaning: Best wishes, good luck.
- Can't judge a book by its cover
Meaning: You can't evaluate something only based on its look.
- To get the ball rolling
Meaning: To begin something.
- Hit the sack
Meaning: Sleep/go to bed.
- A chink in the armour
Meaning: Having an issue or fault that is preventing success.
- To be on cloud 9
Meaning: To feel overjoyed as a result of a successful endeavour.
- Drop someone a line
Meaning: To communicate with someone through email, letter, or phone call.
- Off the cuff
Meaning: Something that is impulsive or spontaneous.
- Boon companion
Meaning: The closest buddy with whom one likes spending time.
- Economical with the truth
Meaning: Presenting false events and facts.
- Twenty-four/seven
Meaning: Something that lasts the entire day.
- Chasing rainbows
Meaning: To pursue your aspirations while attempting to accomplish something impossible.
- On pins and needles
Meaning: Anxious/Nervous/In a condition of uncertainty.
- Cool as a cucumber
Meaning: To be extremely calm and relaxed.
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- It costs an arm and a leg
Meaning: When something is far too pricey, it is far too expensive.
- Cry over spilt milk
Meaning: To be dissatisfied with something that has already been done or an error that cannot be corrected.
- Draw a longbow
Meaning: To lie or exaggerate.
- Easier said than done
Meaning: It's not as simple as it appears and more complex than you believe.
- Eat like a bird
Meaning: To eat relatively little food.
- Feeling under the weather
Meaning: To be ill, sick, or to have a hangover.
- Find your feet
Meaning: Gain confidence in what you're doing or grow acquainted with a new circumstance or encounter.
- Food for thought
Meaning: A concept to consider; consider what could result from an incident or scenario.
- Find the pony
Meaning: Finding something positive in a terrible circumstance.
- Badger to Death
Meaning: To persistently poke, annoy, and bother.
- Out of the jaws of death
Meaning: To be rescued from a potentially deadly circumstance.
- One-stop-shop
Meaning: A single location where all items and services are available.
- Sleep like a top
Meaning: Sleep well.
- Pardon my French
Meaning: Seek an apology if you used vulgar or abusive words.
- Kettle of fish
Meaning: A challenging or embarrassing situation.
- Kicking one's heels
Meaning: Wasting time waiting for anything or someone.
- Might and main
Meaning: Attempting to do anything.
- Elvis has left the building.
Meaning: A punchline is frequently used to disperse a crowd after an event.