Break the ice

Definition: To initiate conversation in a social setting.

Example: “He told a joke to break the ice at the meeting.”

Burn the midnight oil

Definition: To work late into the night.

Example: “She had to burn the midnight oil to finish the project on time.”

Bite the bullet

Definition: To face a difficult situation with courage.

Example: “He decided to bite the bullet and admit his mistake.”

Hit the sack

Definition: To go to bed.

Example: “I’m exhausted. I’m going to hit the sack.”

Let the cat out of the bag

Definition: To reveal a secret.

Example: “She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.”

Cut corners

Definition: To do something the cheapest or easiest way.

Example: “They cut corners to save money, but the product was of poor quality.”

On the ball

Definition: To be alert and competent.

Example: “She’s really on the ball and never misses a deadline.”

Take it with a grain of salt

Definition: To view something with skepticism.

Example: “You should take his advice with a grain of salt.”

Once in a blue moon

Definition: Very rarely.

Example: “He visits his hometown once in a blue moon.”

Under the weather

Definition: Feeling ill.

Example: “I’m feeling a bit under the weather today.”

The ball is in your court

Definition: It’s your turn to take action or make a decision.

Example: “I’ve done all I can. Now the ball is in your court.”

Cost an arm and a leg

Definition: To be very expensive.

Example: “Their new car cost them an arm and a leg.”

Let someone off the hook

Definition: To allow someone to escape from a difficult situation or punishment.

Example: “The teacher let him off the hook with just a warning.”

Break a leg

Definition: Good luck (usually said to someone about to perform).

Example: “Break a leg in your performance tonight!”

Hit the nail on the head

Definition: To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.

Example: “You hit the nail on the head when you said lack of communication is the main issue.”

Piece of cake

Definition: Something very easy to do.

Example: “The test was a piece of cake.”

Bend over backwards

Definition: To try very hard to help or please someone.

Example: “She bent over backwards to make sure he had everything he needed.”

Spill the beans

Definition: To reveal a secret.

Example: “Who spilled the beans about the surprise party?”

Throw in the towel

Definition: To give up or admit defeat.

Example: “After years of struggling, he finally threw in the towel.”

Under the gun

Definition: Under pressure to meet a deadline or achieve a goal.

Example: “She’s under the gun to finish the report by tomorrow.”

Burn bridges

Definition: To destroy relationships.

Example: “He burned bridges with his former employer by quitting abruptly.”

Pull someone’s leg

Definition: To joke or tease someone.

Example: “I’m just pulling your leg. Don’t take it seriously.”

See eye to eye

Definition: To agree fully.

Example: “We don’t see eye to eye on this issue.”

Jump the gun

Definition: To start something too soon or prematurely.

Example: “They jumped the gun by launching the product before it was ready.”

Up in the air

Definition: Uncertain or undecided.

Example: “Our vacation plans are still up in the air.”

Hit the road

Definition: To leave or start a journey.

Example: “We need to hit the road early tomorrow morning.”

Get out of hand

Definition: To become uncontrollable.

Example: “The party got out of hand when the music got too loud.”

Pull yourself together

Definition: To calm down and behave normally.

Example: “After the shocking news, he took a moment to pull himself together.”

Keep an eye on

Definition: To watch or monitor something or someone.

Example: “Could you keep an eye on my bag while I go to the restroom?”

Get cold feet

Definition: To become nervous or hesitant about something.

Example: “She got cold feet just before the wedding.”

A blessing in disguise

Definition: Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good.

Example: “Losing that job was a blessing in disguise—it pushed me to pursue my passion.”

A dime a dozen

Definition: Something very common and not special.

Example: “In big cities, coffee shops are a dime a dozen.”

Beat around the bush

Definition: To avoid talking about what is important.

Example: “Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened.”

Best of both worlds

Definition: To enjoy the advantages of two different things.

Example: “She works in the city but lives in the countryside, having the best of both worlds.”

Bite off more than you can chew

Definition: To take on a task that is too big.

Example: “I bit off more than I could chew by agreeing to both projects.”

By the skin of your teeth

Definition: Just barely.

Example: “He passed the exam by the skin of his teeth.”

Cry over spilled milk

Definition: To complain about something that cannot be changed.

Example: “It’s no use crying over spilled milk—we need to find a solution.”

Devil’s advocate

Definition: Someone who argues against something just for the sake of argument.

Example: “I’m going to play devil’s advocate to see if we can find any flaws in your plan.”

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch

Definition: Don’t assume something will happen before it does.

Example: “You may not get the job, so don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”

Every cloud has a silver lining

Definition: Every bad situation has some good in it.

Example: “Even after the storm, we saw the rainbow—every cloud has a silver lining.”

Feel a bit under the weather

Definition: To feel slightly ill.

Example: “I think I’ll stay home today; I’m feeling a bit under the weather.”

Give someone the cold shoulder

Definition: To deliberately ignore someone.

Example: “After their argument, she gave him the cold shoulder.”

Go the extra mile

Definition: To make an extra effort.

Example: “To keep her clients happy, she always goes the extra mile.”

Hit the books

Definition: To study hard.

Example: “I need to hit the books if I want to pass my exams.”

In hot water

Definition: In trouble.

Example: “He found himself in hot water after missing the deadline.”

Jump on the bandwagon

Definition: To follow a trend or do what everyone else is doing.

Example: “She jumped on the bandwagon and started practicing yoga.”

Kill two birds with one stone

Definition: To accomplish two things at once.

Example: “I can visit my parents and attend the conference, killing two birds with one stone.”

Leave no stone unturned

Definition: To search thoroughly.

Example: “The detectives left no stone unturned in their search for evidence.”

Miss the boat

Definition: To miss an opportunity.

Example: “I didn’t apply in time and missed the boat.”

No pain, no gain

Definition: Effort is required to achieve something.

Example: “You have to work hard to succeed. No pain, no gain.”

Off the hook

Definition: No longer in trouble or responsible for something.

Example: “She was off the hook when they found the real culprit.”

On thin ice

Definition: In a precarious or risky situation.

Example: “You’re on thin ice with your boss after that mistake.”

Once in a lifetime

Definition: Very rare and special.

Example: “Visiting the Grand Canyon was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Play it by ear

Definition: To improvise rather than plan.

Example: “I’m not sure what time we’ll arrive. Let’s play it by ear.”

Rain on someone’s parade

Definition: To spoil someone’s plans.

Example: “I hate to rain on your parade, but the concert has been canceled.”

Sit on the fence

Definition: To remain neutral and not take sides.

Example: “He tends to sit on the fence during political discussions.”

Speak of the devil

Definition: When someone you’ve just been talking about arrives.

Example: “Speak of the devil—there’s John now.”

Steal someone’s thunder

Definition: To take credit for someone else’s idea or action.

Example: “She stole my thunder by announcing my idea as her own.”

Take with a pinch of salt

Definition: To view something skeptically.

Example: “Take his advice with a pinch of salt.”

The best of both worlds

Definition: To enjoy the advantages of two different things simultaneously.

Example: “Living in the city and working from home gives him the best of both worlds.”

The last straw

Definition: The final problem in a series of problems.

Example: “Losing my keys was the last straw; I’m having a terrible day.”

Through thick and thin

Definition: Despite all difficulties and challenges.

Example: “They have remained friends through thick and thin.”

Time flies

Definition: Time seems to pass very quickly.

Example: “Time flies when you’re having fun.”

To make matters worse

Definition: To make a bad situation even worse.

Example: “To make matters worse, it started raining just as we got outside.”

Under the radar

Definition: Not detected or noticed.

Example: “She managed to keep her relationship under the radar.”

Walk a mile in someone’s shoes

Definition: To understand someone’s perspective by experiencing what they do.

Example: “You should walk a mile in his shoes before judging him.”

When pigs fly

Definition: Something that will never happen.

Example: “He’ll clean his room when pigs fly.”

Wrap your head around something

Definition: To understand something complex.

Example: “It’s hard to wrap my head around these new regulations.”

You can’t judge a book by its cover

Definition: Appearances can be deceiving.

Example: “She may look shy, but you can’t judge a book by its cover.”

Your guess is as good as mine

Definition: I have no idea.

Example: “When will it stop raining? Your guess is as good as mine.”