10 Examples of Idiomatic Phrases in English
Idiomatic phrases are an essential part of the English language, and mastering them can help you sound more natural and fluent in your speech. Here are 10 examples of idiomatic phrases in English, along with their meanings and examples of how to use them:
1. Break a leg!
Meaning: Good luck! Example: "You're going to do great on your exam! Break a leg!"
2. ** Costs an arm and a leg**
Meaning: Something is very expensive. Example: "I love that new designer handbag, but it costs an arm and a leg!"
3. Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: Take on more responsibilities than you can handle. Example: "I think I've bitten off more than I can chew with this new project. It's a lot more work than I expected."
4. Beat around the bush
Meaning: Avoid talking directly or clearly about something. Example: "Stop beating around the bush and tell me what's really going on."
5. Bee's knees
Meaning: Something or someone that is excellent or outstanding. Example: "That new restaurant is the bee's knees! You have to try it."
6. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: Work late into the night, often to meet a deadline. Example: "I've been burning the midnight oil all week to finish this project on time."
7. Cut to the chase
Meaning: Get to the point or the most important part of a conversation. Example: "Can you cut to the chase and tell me what you really want?"
8. Cry over spilt milk
Meaning: Don't waste time feeling sorry for something that has already happened and can't be changed. Example: "There's no use crying over spilt milk. Let's just move on."
9. Give someone the cold shoulder
Meaning: Deliberately ignore or show indifference to someone. Example: "I've been giving him the cold shoulder since our argument last week."
10. In a nutshell
Meaning: To summarize or describe something briefly. Example: "In a nutshell, our plan is to increase sales by 10% within the next quarter."
Mastering idiomatic phrases like these can help you sound more confident and fluent in your English speaking and writing. Happy learning!
