english idioms meaning
Search over 1,000 English idioms by phrase, meaning, or category. Each idiom includes a clear definition, example sentences, usage tips, and similar expressions to expand your vocabulary.
Search 1,000 static idiom entries by phrase, meaning, example, or category.
100 matches
Finish something before a deadline or time limit.
Example
We beat the clock and finished the report before noon.
Use it for deadlines, races, tests, and timed tasks.
Similar: Better late than never, Call it a day, In the nick of time
Doing something late is better than not doing it at all.
Example
He finally apologized, and I thought, better late than never.
Works well as a forgiving or practical comment.
Similar: Beat the clock, Call it a day, In the nick of time
Stop working for the day or end an activity.
Example
We finished the last exercise and called it a day.
Use it naturally at the end of work or practice.
Similar: Beat the clock, Better late than never, In the nick of time
Just before it is too late.
Example
We reached the exam room in the nick of time.
Use it for close deadlines and last-minute success.
Similar: Beat the clock, Better late than never, Call it a day
Very rarely.
Example
I eat fast food once in a blue moon.
Use it for habits or events that almost never happen.
Similar: Beat the clock, Better late than never, Call it a day
Time seems to pass very quickly.
Example
Time flies when you are enjoying the lesson.
Very common in casual conversation.
Similar: Beat the clock, Better late than never, Call it a day
Happening all day and all night without stopping.
Example
The support team worked around the clock before the product launch.
Use it for continuous work, care, service, or activity.
Similar: Beat the clock, Better late than never, Call it a day
At the last possible moment before it is too late.
Example
She submitted the application at the eleventh hour.
Use it when a decision or action happens very late.
Similar: Beat the clock, Better late than never, Call it a day
Old-fashioned or not aware of current ideas.
Example
That office system is behind the times.
Use it for technology, habits, rules, or opinions.
Similar: Beat the clock, Better late than never, Call it a day
Remain useful, true, or popular for a long time.
Example
These grammar rules have stood the test of time.
Good for ideas, products, books, and advice.
Similar: Beat the clock, Better late than never, Call it a day
Work or study late into the night.
Example
I burned the midnight oil before the IELTS test.
Best for study, deadlines, and serious preparation.
Similar: Climb the ladder, Go the extra mile, Learn the ropes
Make progress in a career or social position.
Example
She improved her English to climb the career ladder.
Often appears as climb the career ladder.
Similar: Burn the midnight oil, Go the extra mile, Learn the ropes
Make more effort than expected.
Example
A good tutor goes the extra mile for serious students.
Positive and common in professional English.
Similar: Burn the midnight oil, Climb the ladder, Learn the ropes
Learn how a job, system, or activity works.
Example
It took two weeks to learn the ropes at my new job.
Good for new roles and new skills.
Similar: Burn the midnight oil, Climb the ladder, Go the extra mile
Do your fair share of the work.
Example
Everyone in the group project needs to pull their weight.
Often used when someone is not helping enough.
Similar: Burn the midnight oil, Climb the ladder, Go the extra mile
Think creatively or in an unusual way.
Example
We need to think outside the box for this lesson design.
Very common in business and education.
Similar: Burn the midnight oil, Climb the ladder, Go the extra mile
Start focusing on the serious or important work.
Example
After small talk, we got down to business.
Useful in meetings and study sessions.
Similar: Burn the midnight oil, Climb the ladder, Go the extra mile
Work hard and keep working steadily.
Example
She kept her nose to the grindstone and passed the exam.
Informal and a little old-fashioned but still understood.
Similar: Burn the midnight oil, Climb the ladder, Go the extra mile
Offer a useful skill, idea, or advantage.
Example
He brings strong writing skills to the table.
Common in interviews, teamwork, and business English.
Similar: Burn the midnight oil, Climb the ladder, Go the extra mile
Work quickly because there is very little time.
Example
We worked against the clock to finish the project.
Similar to beat the clock, but focuses on pressure while working.
Similar: Burn the midnight oil, Climb the ladder, Go the extra mile
Cost too much money or use up a budget.
Example
This course is useful, but it will not break the bank.
Often used in negative sentences about affordable choices.
Similar: Cost an arm and a leg, Make ends meet, Save for a rainy day
Cost a very large amount of money.
Example
Private lessons can cost an arm and a leg.
Informal and exaggerated.
Similar: Break the bank, Make ends meet, Save for a rainy day
Have just enough money to pay for basic needs.
Example
Many students work part-time to make ends meet.
Use it for budgets and living costs.
Similar: Break the bank, Cost an arm and a leg, Save for a rainy day
Save money or resources for future problems.
Example
I save part of my salary for a rainy day.
Common in money and life advice.
Similar: Break the bank, Cost an arm and a leg, Make ends meet
Pay much more than something is worth.
Example
Tourists often pay through the nose for last-minute tickets.
Informal and negative.
Similar: Break the bank, Cost an arm and a leg, Make ends meet
Benefit from an opportunity, trend, or situation.
Example
Many companies cashed in on the demand for online classes.
Can sound neutral or critical depending on context.
Similar: Break the bank, Cost an arm and a leg, Make ends meet
Spend money carelessly or to impress people.
Example
He throws money around but never saves anything.
Negative and informal.
Similar: Break the bank, Cost an arm and a leg, Make ends meet
Spend less money because money is limited.
Example
We had to tighten our belts after moving city.
Useful for budgeting and financial pressure.
Similar: Break the bank, Cost an arm and a leg, Make ends meet
Get your money’s worth is an English idiom used in money contexts. It expresses an idea in a natural, non-literal way.
Example
I heard "Get your money’s worth" in conversation and understood the meaning from context.
Use "Get your money’s worth" when the situation matches the meaning; avoid adding too many idioms to one sentence.
Similar: Break the bank, Cost an arm and a leg, Make ends meet
Support your words with action, effort, or money.
Example
If you believe in the idea, put your money where your mouth is.
Direct and sometimes challenging.
Similar: Break the bank, Cost an arm and a leg, Make ends meet
Reveal a secret by accident.
Example
He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
Use it for accidental or early revelations.
Similar: Wild goose chase, Hold your horses, When pigs fly
A useless search or effort that leads nowhere.
Example
Looking for that old file became a wild goose chase.
Use it when effort is wasted.
Similar: Let the cat out of the bag, Hold your horses, When pigs fly
Wait or slow down.
Example
Hold your horses; we need to check the answer first.
Informal and sometimes playful.
Similar: Let the cat out of the bag, Wild goose chase, When pigs fly
Something will never happen.
Example
He said he would wake up at 5 a.m.; yes, when pigs fly.
Humorous and informal.
Similar: Let the cat out of the bag, Wild goose chase, Hold your horses
Deal with a difficult problem directly and bravely.
Example
She took the bull by the horns and asked for feedback.
Use it for decisive action.
Similar: Let the cat out of the bag, Wild goose chase, Hold your horses
A person who is different from or disapproved of by a group or family.
Example
He felt like the black sheep because he chose a different career.
Use carefully because it can sound personal or critical.
Similar: Let the cat out of the bag, Wild goose chase, Hold your horses
The idiom finder includes over 1,000 English idioms organized by category, with meanings, examples, and similar expressions.
Yes. Type a meaning, topic, or keyword and the search will match across phrases, meanings, and example sentences.
Idioms are categorized by topic such as time, money, work, study, animals, food, weather, emotions, and more.
Yes. The idiom finder is completely free and works in the browser with no signup required.