Common English Idioms for ESL Students

The idioms and expressions below are some of the most common in
English. The example sentences show how idioms are used in context.

as easy as pie means "very easy" (same as "a piece of cake")
Example: He said it is a difficult problem, but I don't agree. It seems as
easy as pie to me!



be sick and tired of means "I hate" (also "can't stand")
Example: I'm sick and tired of doing nothing but work. Let's go out
tonight and have fun.


bend over backwards means "try very hard" (maybe too much!)
Example: He bent over backwards to please his new wife, but she never
seemed satisfied.


bite off more than one can chew means "take responsibility for more
than one can manage"
Example: John is so far behind in his studies. Besides classes, he plays
sports and works at a part-time job. It seems he has bitten off more
than he can chew.


broke means "to have no money"
Example: I have to borrow some money from my Dad. Right now, I'm
broke.


change one's mind means "decide to do something different from
what had been decided earlier"
Example: I was planning to work late tonight, but I changed my mind. I'll
do extra work on the weekend instead.


Cut it out! means "stop doing something bad"
Example: That noise is really annoying. Cut it out!


drop someone a line means "send a letter or email to someone"
Example: It was good to meet you and I hope we can see each other
again. Drop me a line when you have time.


figure something out means "come to understand a problem"
Example: I don't understand how to do this problem. Take a look at it.
Maybe you can figure it out.


fill in for someone means "do their work while they are away"
Example: While I was away from the store, my brother filled in for me.


in ages means "for a very long time"
Example: Have you seen Joe recently? I haven't seen him in ages.


give someone a hand means "help"
Example: I want to move this desk to the next room. Can you give me a
hand?

hit the hay means "go to bed" (also "hit the sack")
Example: It's after 12 o'clock. I think it's time to hit the hay.


in the black means "the business is making money, it is profitable"
Example: Our business is really improving. We've been in the black all
year.


. in the red means "the business is losing money, it is unprofitable"
Example: Business is really going poorly these days. We've been in the
red for the past three months.


in the nick of time means "not too late, but very close!"
Example: I got to the drugstore just in the nick of time. It's a good
thing, because I really need this medicine!


keep one's chin up means "remain brave and keep on trying"
Example: I know things have been difficult for you recently, but keep
your chin up. It will get better soon.



know something like the back of your hand means "know something
very, very well"
Example: If you get lost, just ask me for directions. I know this part of
town like the back of my hand.


once in a while means "sometimes, not very often"
Example: Have you been to the new movie theater? No, only see movies
once in a while. I usually stay home and watch TV.



sharp means "exactly at a that time"
Example: I'll meet you at 9 o'clock sharp. If you're late, we'll be in