common english idioms

Idioms

What are Idioms?

• Idioms are phrases and sentences that do not mean exactly what they say.

• Something very easy to do

Examples

• The exam was a piece of cake. • Glad to help. It was a piece of cake.• Grammar is my specialty. It’s a piece

of cake.

"Easy as ABC" An idiom which means Something that is

as easy as ABC is very easy or simple.

Examples

• Learning how to use a computer is as easy as ABC for the children.• Our 101 English course is as easy as

ABC.• That exam was as easy as ABC.

.

As easy as pie

• It is used to describe a task or experience as pleasurable and simple. The idiom does not refer to the making of a pie, but rather to the act of consuming a pie ("as easy as eating a pie")

Examples:

• You make everything sound as easy as pie, Lama.• Setting up the printer was as easy as

pie.

A hard/tough nut (to crack)

•Meaning:• A difficult problem or person

to deal with.

Examples:

• This assignment is a hard nut to crack.• It won't be easy getting mom’s

approval; she's a tough nut to crack.

A ball of fire

A ball of fireMeaning:

A person with great energy

• Examples:• The trainer will have to be a ball

of fire to get this football team to play well. • I hope Linda joins our group ;

she's a real ball of fire.

Meaning: to be very busy or very active

Example: • She's as busy as a bee, always going

to meetings and organizing parties.

Have butterflies in one’s stomach

•Meaning:

•Feel very nervous

• I had butterflies in my stomach when I went to see the dentist. • I had butterflies in my stomach

during my first few days at college.

Examples:

• "The weather was horrible on Saturday. It was raining cats and dogs all day.”

• "It's really awful weather outside. It's windy and is raining cats and dogs."

cost (somebody) an arm and

a leg

Meaning:to be very expensive

• Example:

• These opera tickets cost us an arm and a leg!

His new car cost him an arm and a leg.

Meaning:Very happy or delighted.

Examples: • "He was over the moon when he

heard the news.”• She was over the moon with her new

mobile.