Supercharge Your English Essays with Idioms
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What Are Idioms?
Every language has its own sayings and expressions. In English, these are called idioms.
Idioms are used to convey figurative meanings that are different from their literal meanings. For example, one famous idiom for your essay that you may have encountered in school is ‘to kill two birds in one stone’ which of course does not involve any actual killing of birds. It simply means to solve two problems or tasks with one action or solution.
Idioms can be an interesting way to learn English especially if you try to find out the story behind the phrase. For example, ‘bite the bullet’ means to force yourself to do something you dislike. This phrase likely originated from injured soldiers who were biting down on bullets to avoid screaming during war operations in the past. Today, we continue to use the phrase in various contexts.
Why Use Idioms For Your Essays?
You’re encouraged to use idioms for your essays to:
allow you to convey thoughts and messages in a concise but figurative manner
make your essay interesting and help enhance the quality of your essay
further develop your writing skills by using stylistic devices
You can start by trying to use 1 idiom for each essay and then increase the number if appropriate. However, avoid overpopulating your essay with idioms unnecessarily as they should only be used intentionally and purposefully.
When using idioms for your essay, make sure that it fits the context and that the right pronouns and tenses are used. One way to get a grasp on how to use idioms properly is to read more English stories. Click here for a list of English stories that can help you improve your English.
List Of Common Idioms For Your Essays
Image by Debby Hudson
1) a blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something unfortunate that eventually proves to be fortunate.
“It was a blessing in disguise that Sarah couldn’t go for the trip. Everyone who went ended up falling really sick.”
2) a fish out of water
Meaning: To be out of place, someone who is in an unfamiliar setting.
“Tom felt like a fish out of water at the party because he was the only one who did not dress up according to the theme.”
3) give someone the cold shoulder
Meaning: To intentionally ignore someone or treat someone in an unfriendly way.
“After his sister pulled the prank on him, Amir gave her the cold shoulder.”
4) get off on the wrong foot
Meaning: Make a bad start at something.
“We might have gotten off on the wrong foot when we first met the other day.”
5) pulling your leg
Meaning: Kidding or joking with someone in a friendly way.
“My mum was just pulling my leg when she said I had to cook for everyone.”
6) caught red-handed
Meaning: Caught in the act of committing something wrong.
“The thief was caught red-handed by the security guard who was monitoring the CCTV at the time.”
7) in the limelight
Meaning: Center of public attention and interest.
“Lily loves being in the limelight especially when there are boys around.”
8) take something with a pinch of salt
Meaning: To not completely believe something that you are told because you think it is unlikely to be true
“These are some of the predicted questions for the exam tomorrow that I found on the internet. Take it with a pinch of salt.”
9) spill the beans
Meaning: To tell a secret.
“I didn’t want to tell anyone about this but I have to spill the beans now so that no one gets hurt.”
10) beating around the bush
Meaning: Avoiding the main topic, not speaking directly about the issue.
“Stop beating around the bush and tell me what it is that you want!”
11) not out of the woods
Meaning: Not yet free from difficulties or problems.
“While the doctors say she is in recovery, she is not out of the woods yet.”
12) burn the candle at both ends
Meaning: To work or do other things from early in the morning until late at night with very little rest
“Jia Sheng was burning the candle at both ends when he decided to take up a full-time job while studying.”
13) right-hand man
Meaning: The most helpful and important assistant or employee.
“When Mr Ravi is not around, you should look for Steven as he is Mr Ravi’s right-hand man in the company.”
Image by Zac Ong
14) hit the road
Meaning: To leave, to set out on a journey.
“It's time to hit the road so that we can arrive there on time”
15) call it a day
Meaning: To stop what you are doing because you do not want to do any more or think you have done enough.
“Qistina was feeling sleepy so she decided to just call it a day and continue writing her essay tomorrow.”
16) fit as a fiddle
Meaning: In good health.
“Grandpa was looking as fit as a fiddle when we last visited him.”
17) under the weather
Meaning: Not feeling well.
“Mrs Tan is feeling under the weather so she did not come to school today.”
18) through thick and thin
Meaning: If you support or stay with someone even if there are problems or difficulties.
“Lisa has been with me through thick and thin since our college days.”
19) bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: To attempt more than one can manage or take on a project that you cannot finish.
“This race is for professional athletes, Don’t bite off more than you can chew!”
20) see eye to eye
Meaning: Agreeing with someone.
“We may not always see eye to eye but I still respect him.”
21) once in a blue moon
Meaning: Something that rarely happens.
“We only go to the cinema once in a blue moon.”
22) butterflies in my stomach
Meaning: To be nervous.
“Priya had butterflies in her stomach before she went on stage to sing.”
23) finding a needle in a haystack
Meaning: Virtually impossible to find.
“Trying to find my dad among all those people who were waiting outside the stadium was like trying to find a needle in a haystack.”
24) costs an arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive.
“The new Macbook Pro costs an arm and a leg!”
25) a piece of cake
Meaning: Something easy.
“I was well prepared for the test so it was a piece of cake.”
Image by Aaron Burden