Common Idioms

Let the Cat Out of the Bag

To reveal a secret, usually by accident

Once in a Blue Moon

Something that happens very rarely

Under the Weather

To feel ill or unwell

Spill the Beans

To reveal secret information, often unintentionally or prematurely

Break the Ice

To initiate conversation in a social setting

Hit the Nail on the Head

To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem

Costs an Arm and a Leg

Very expensive

Piece of Cake

Something very easy to do

Get Your Ducks in a Row

To organize things well in advance

Add Fuel to the Fire

To make a bad situation worse

Miss the Mark

To fail to achieve the desired result

The Lion's Share

The largest part of something

Pick Someone's Brain

To ask someone for advice or information

Beat the Clock

To finish something before a deadline

A Night Owl

A person who stays up late at night

Piece of the Puzzle

An important part of a larger situation

Take It with a Grain of Salt

To view something with skepticism or not take it literally

Pull a Rabbit Out of a Hat

To do something surprising or seemingly impossible

Go Fly a Kite

To tell someone to go away or stop bothering you

Butterflies in Your Stomach

To feel nervous or anxious

Break a Leg

A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance

Blow Off Steam

To release pent-up energy or emotion

Hang by a Thread

To be in a risky or uncertain situation

Parrot Fashion

To repeat something without understanding it

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

To be faced with two difficult choices

Chase Rainbows

To pursue unrealistic or impossible goals

Hit a Brick Wall

To come up against an obstacle that stops progress

Like Water Off a Duck's Back

When criticism or insults have no effect

A Sitting Duck

A person or thing with no protection against attack or criticism

Throw in the Towel

To give up or admit defeat

Swan Song

A final performance or effort before retirement or death

Storm in a Teacup

A small event that has been exaggerated out of proportion