<h1 data-start="131" data-end="167"> </h1>
<p data-start="169" data-end="468"> idiomatic expressions in English, commonly known as <strong data-start="210" data-end="220">idioms, are phrases whose meanings <strong data-start="249" data-end="283">cannot be understood literally. They are widely used in <strong data-start="309" data-end="354">everyday speech, books, movies, and media. Learning idioms helps you <strong data-start="382" data-end="465">communicate naturally, write creatively, and understand native English speakers.

<h2 data-start="470" data-end="506">What Are Idiomatic Expressions?</h2>
<p data-start="507" data-end="648">An <strong data-start="510" data-end="534">idiomatic expression is a <strong data-start="540" data-end="556">fixed phrase whose figurative meaning is different from the literal meaning of its words. For example:

<ul data-start="649" data-end="786">
<li data-start="649" data-end="699">
<p data-start="651" data-end="699"><strong data-start="651" data-end="670">&ldquo;Break the ice&rdquo; &ndash; to start a conversation.

</li>
<li data-start="700" data-end="747">
<p data-start="702" data-end="747"><strong data-start="702" data-end="723">&ldquo;Spill the beans&rdquo; &ndash; to reveal a secret.

</li>
<li data-start="748" data-end="786">
<p data-start="750" data-end="786"><strong data-start="750" data-end="768">&ldquo;Hit the sack&rdquo; &ndash; to go to bed.

</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="788" data-end="889">Idioms often reflect <strong data-start="809" data-end="843">culture, humor, and traditions, making English richer and more expressive.

<h2 data-start="891" data-end="926">Why Use Idiomatic Expressions?</h2>
<ul data-start="927" data-end="1239">
<li data-start="927" data-end="1004">
<p data-start="929" data-end="1004"><strong data-start="929" data-end="954">Add color to language &ndash; Idioms make speech and writing more engaging.

</li>
<li data-start="1005" data-end="1074">
<p data-start="1007" data-end="1074"><strong data-start="1007" data-end="1023">Sound fluent &ndash; Using idioms makes your English sound natural.

</li>
<li data-start="1075" data-end="1155">
<p data-start="1077" data-end="1155"><strong data-start="1077" data-end="1107">Understand native speakers &ndash; Many idioms are used daily in conversation.

</li>
<li data-start="1156" data-end="1239">
<p data-start="1158" data-end="1239"><strong data-start="1158" data-end="1187">Learn cultural references &ndash; Idioms often reflect values, humor, or history.

</li>
</ul>
<h2 data-start="1241" data-end="1274">Common Idiomatic Expressions</h2>
<div class="_tableContainer_1rjym_1">
<div class="group _tableWrapper_1rjym_13 flex w-fit flex-col-reverse" tabindex="-1">
<table class="w-fit min-w-(--thread-content-width)" data-start="1276" data-end="2205">
<thead data-start="1276" data-end="1305">
<tr data-start="1276" data-end="1305">
<th data-start="1276" data-end="1284" data-col-size="sm">Idiom</th>
<th data-start="1284" data-end="1294" data-col-size="sm">Meaning</th>
<th data-start="1294" data-end="1305" data-col-size="md">Example</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody data-start="1335" data-end="2205">
<tr data-start="1335" data-end="1423">
<td data-start="1335" data-end="1351" data-col-size="sm">Break the ice</td>
<td data-start="1351" data-end="1374" data-col-size="sm">Start a conversation</td>
<td data-start="1374" data-end="1423" data-col-size="md">He told a joke to break the ice at the party.</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="1424" data-end="1488">
<td data-start="1424" data-end="1442" data-col-size="sm">A piece of cake</td>
<td data-start="1442" data-end="1454" data-col-size="sm">Very easy</td>
<td data-start="1454" data-end="1488" data-col-size="md">That test was a piece of cake.</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="1489" data-end="1576">
<td data-start="1489" data-end="1507" data-col-size="sm">Spill the beans</td>
<td data-start="1507" data-end="1525" data-col-size="sm">Reveal a secret</td>
<td data-start="1525" data-end="1576" data-col-size="md">Don&rsquo;t spill the beans about the surprise party.</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="1577" data-end="1640">
<td data-start="1577" data-end="1592" data-col-size="sm">Hit the sack</td>
<td data-start="1592" data-end="1604" data-col-size="sm">Go to bed</td>
<td data-start="1604" data-end="1640" data-col-size="md">I&rsquo;m tired; time to hit the sack.</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="1641" data-end="1725">
<td data-start="1641" data-end="1657" data-col-size="sm">On cloud nine</td>
<td data-start="1657" data-end="1675" data-col-size="sm">Extremely happy</td>
<td data-start="1675" data-end="1725" data-col-size="md">She was on cloud nine after winning the award.</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="1726" data-end="1831">
<td data-start="1726" data-end="1754" data-col-size="sm">The ball is in your court</td>
<td data-start="1754" data-end="1778" data-col-size="sm">It&rsquo;s your turn to act</td>
<td data-start="1778" data-end="1831" data-col-size="md">I&rsquo;ve done my part; now the ball is in your court.</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="1832" data-end="1912">
<td data-start="1832" data-end="1856" data-col-size="sm">Cost an arm and a leg</td>
<td data-start="1856" data-end="1873" data-col-size="sm">Very expensive</td>
<td data-start="1873" data-end="1912" data-col-size="md">That laptop costs an arm and a leg.</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="1913" data-end="2007">
<td data-start="1913" data-end="1942" data-col-size="sm">Let the cat out of the bag</td>
<td data-start="1942" data-end="1960" data-col-size="sm">Reveal a secret</td>
<td data-start="1960" data-end="2007" data-col-size="md">He accidentally let the cat out of the bag.</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="2008" data-end="2118">
<td data-start="2008" data-end="2032" data-col-size="sm">Burn the midnight oil</td>
<td data-start="2032" data-end="2059" data-col-size="sm">Work late into the night</td>
<td data-start="2059" data-end="2118" data-col-size="md">She was burning the midnight oil to finish her project.</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="2119" data-end="2205">
<td data-start="2119" data-end="2141" data-col-size="sm">Once in a blue moon</td>
<td data-start="2141" data-end="2158" data-col-size="sm">Rarely happens</td>
<td data-start="2158" data-end="2205" data-col-size="md">We go out to the beach once in a blue moon.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<h2 data-start="2207" data-end="2236">Tips for Learning Idioms</h2>
<ol data-start="2237" data-end="2571">
<li data-start="2237" data-end="2317">
<p data-start="2240" data-end="2317"><strong data-start="2240" data-end="2260">Learn in context &ndash; Understand idioms through examples or conversations.

</li>
<li data-start="2318" data-end="2416">
<p data-start="2321" data-end="2416"><strong data-start="2321" data-end="2349">Read and listen actively &ndash; Movies, shows, podcasts, and books are rich sources of idioms.

</li>
<li data-start="2417" data-end="2490">
<p data-start="2420" data-end="2490"><strong data-start="2420" data-end="2438">Practice daily &ndash; Try using a few idioms in your everyday speech.

</li>
<li data-start="2491" data-end="2571">
<p data-start="2494" data-end="2571"><strong data-start="2494" data-end="2513">Keep a notebook &ndash; Note down idioms with meanings and example sentences.

</li>
</ol>
<h2 data-start="2573" data-end="2588">Conclusion</h2>


<p data-start="2589" data-end="2897">Idiomatic expressions make English <strong data-start="2624" data-end="2660">expressive, lively, and engaging. Learning and using idioms improves your <strong data-start="2702" data-end="2749">speaking, writing, and comprehension skills, allowing you to communicate <strong data-start="2779" data-end="2812">more fluently and confidently. Incorporate idioms into your daily English to <strong data-start="2860" data-end="2894">sound natural and professional.