Here are 10 idiomatic expressions with their meanings and examples:
Bite the bullet
- Meaning: To face a difficult situation with courage.
- Example: After the accident, she had to bite the bullet and undergo surgery.
Break the ice
- Meaning: To initiate a conversation or interaction to make people feel more comfortable.
- Example: At the party, Sarah tried to break the ice by complimenting the host's decorations.
Hit the nail on the head
- Meaning: To identify something exactly right.
- Example: John hit the nail on the head when he said we needed to focus on customer satisfaction.
Costs an arm and a leg
- Meaning: Something is very expensive.
- Example: Buying a new car can cost an arm and a leg.
Fish out of water
- Meaning: Someone who feels uncomfortable in a new environment.
- Example: Jane felt like a fish out of water when she moved to the big city from her small hometown.
Piece of cake
- Meaning: Something very easy to do.
- Example: After studying for weeks, the final exam felt like a piece of cake.
Barking up the wrong tree
- Meaning: Pursuing a mistaken or misguided course of action.
- Example: If you think I took your pen, you're barking up the wrong tree; I haven't seen it.
On thin ice
- Meaning: In a risky or precarious situation.
- Example: After missing the deadline twice, he knew he was on thin ice with his boss.
Break a leg
- Meaning: To wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
- Example: The actors were nervous before the play, but their director told them to break a leg.
Let the cat out of the bag
- Meaning: To reveal a secret or disclose confidential information.
- Example: Sarah accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
These idiomatic expressions add depth and color to the English language, making conversations more engaging and vivid.
