Practice using 15 common idioms in English

Here are 15 idioms that will help you express yourself more naturally and naturally like a native speaker.

1. The best of both worlds: the best of both worlds.

For example: By working part-time and looking after her kids two days a week she managed to get the best of both worlds.

2. Speak of the devil: Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao will come.

Example: Hi Tom, speak of the devil, I was just telling Sara about your new car.

3. See eye to eye: see eye to eye.
For example: They finally saw eye to eye on the business deal.

4. Once in a blue moon: rarely.
For example: I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon.

5. When pigs fly: impossible story.
For example: When pigs fly she'll tidy up her room.

7. A piece of cake: as easy as eating candy. 6. To cost an arm and a leg: very expensive.
For example: Fuel these days costs and arm and a leg.

For example: The English test was a piece of cake.

8. Let the cat out of the bag: accidentally reveal a secret.
Example: I let the cat out of the bag about their wedding plans.

9. To feel under the weather: to feel unwell.
For example: I'm really feeling under the weather today, I have a terrible cold.

10. To kill two birds with one stone: to kill two birds with one stone.
For example: By taking my dad on holiday, I killed two birds with one stone. I got to go away but also spend time with him.

11. To cut corners: to do things carelessly to save costs, to skip steps.
For example: They really cut corners when they built this bathroom, the shower is leaking.

12. To add insult to injury: to add fuel to the fire.
Example: To add insult to injury the car drove off without stopping after knocking me off my bike.

13. You can't judge a book by its cover: Don't judge a book by its cover.
For example: I thought this no-brand bread would be horrible; turns out you can't judge a book by its cover.

14. Break a leg: Good luck (often used to encourage someone about to go on stage).
For example: Break a leg Sam, I'm sure your performance will be great.

15. To hit the nail on the head: to describe exactly what is causing the current problem or situation, as solid as a nail.
For example: He hit the nail on the head when he said this company needs more HR support.

Exercise

Fill in the idioms you have just learned above to complete the sentences below:

A) I can't afford this purse! It _______. I won't be able to pay my rent!
B) His birthday was supposed to be a surprise! I can't believe you _____. Now he knows!
C) Ha! John has been promised to paint the house for five years.... Maybe when _______.
D) Yeah, it'll _______. I need to sign some papers at Jenny's school anyway so I'll pick her up for you too.
E) I don't really like going out to bars anymore. I only go _______.
F) I'm sorry I can't come into work today. I'm ________. I have a sore throat and runny nose.
G) They tried ________ when installing the pipes for the house and now we have leaks only one month after purchasing it!
H) We missed our flight to Paris because the connecting flight was late and to ______ they made us pay for a new ticket as if it was our fault!
I) I can't wait to see you perform on stage tonight! ______!
J) Jane is just never on time to work, it's really annoying. O wow, ______ here she comes...
K) So we're going to London, then Munich, then we'll fly out of Athens, right? Great. I'm so glad to be traveling with someone I _______ with.
L) Wow, she found her dream man and has now landed an amazing job. She really does have ______.
M) OK, she might not be the most attractive but _________. I'm sure she is a sweetheart.
N) I have been trying to figure this out for ages. Thanks so much, you're right. You _______.
O) I can't believe that was our test. I think it was easier than some of our homework! It was a ______.

Answer

The order of idioms to fill in the blanks is: 6, 8, 5, 10, 4, 9, 11, 12, 14, 2, 3, 1, 13, 15, 7.

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