WordGarden.ioidiom
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈɪdɪəm/
US
- /ˈɪdiəm/
Meanings
Noun
a fixed expression whose meaning is not obvious from its individual words
a characteristic style or mode of expression
Beyond the definition
Have you ever heard someone say "break a leg" before a performance, or tell a friend to "bite the bullet" when facing a challenge? These are not meant to be taken literally. They are idioms - phrases whose full meaning cannot be understood just by looking at each word on its own. They are like little language puzzles, and learning them helps you understand English more naturally.
Idioms add color and personality to speech. Think of the phrase "raining cats and dogs." It does not mean animals are falling from the sky; it simply means it is raining very heavily. These expressions often grow out of daily life, old habits, or long history. Knowing them helps you understand not just what someone is saying, but also how they are saying it, including their tone, humor, and cultural background.
An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from the literal meanings of its individual words. In other words, the whole phrase means something different from what the separate words seem to say. You can think of it as a kind of shared shortcut inside a language.
Idioms are deeply tied to culture and history. Some come from old customs, some from work or travel, and some simply become popular over time. For example, "spill the beans" means to reveal a secret, and "kick the bucket" is an informal way to say someone has died. Because these expressions are shaped by culture, they are not always easy to translate directly. A phrase that feels natural in one language may sound strange or confusing in another. That is why learning idioms is about more than building vocabulary; it is also about understanding the culture behind the words.
Here are some common examples:
- "Hit the nail on the head": To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
- "Cost an arm and a leg": To be extremely expensive.
- "See eye to eye": To agree fully with someone.
- "Once in a blue moon": To happen very rarely.
When you encounter an idiom, try not to break it down word by word. Instead, focus on the overall message and the context of the conversation. Recognizing idioms will improve your listening and reading comprehension, and it can also make your own speech sound more natural and expressive. They are part of the flavor of a language, hidden in everyday conversation.
Examples
- 1
Classroom
The teacher explained that “break the ice” is an idiom.
- 2
Learner confusion
Many learners understand the words in an idiom but not the real meaning.
- 3
Literal translation
You usually cannot translate an idiom word for word.
- Phraseword for word
one word at a time, without changing the form
- 4
Business email
Some idioms sound informal, so they are not always a good choice in a business email.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Regional variation
The novel is full of regional idioms that even some native speakers may not know.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- idiomnoun
Forms
- idiomspluralnoun