10 Of The Most Common English Idioms

Learning English without idioms doesn’t improve your fluency. Let’s find out what expressions are commonly used by native speakers.

A penny for your thoughts — asking someone for their opinion about something.
Example: You’ve been quiet today — a penny for your thoughts.

Barking up the wrong tree — pursuing the wrong course of action or looking in the wrong place.
Example: While they were barking up the wrong tree I managed to have a deal with the biggest customer in our market.

Break a leg — good luck.
Example: Break a leg, I believe in you! You’ll pass all your exams.

Cutting corners — doing something poorly or cheaply.
Example: We never cut corners when it comes to treating our regular customers.

Don't count your chickens before they hatch — don't make assumptions about the future before it happens.
Example: My dad always told me not to count chickens before they hatch. The reason why I don’t get too excited over incomplete deals.

Every cloud has a silver lining — every bad situation has a positive side even if you don’t see it at first.
Example: No matter what it turns out to be. Just remember that every cloud has a silver lining.

Get cold feet — to become nervous or scared about something you were originally excited about.
Example: I got cold feet before the final interview.

Pull someone's leg — to tease or joke with someone.
Example: Don’t listen to Jim! He’s pulling your leg.

Spill the beans — to reveal a secret.
Example: Who spilled the beans in our office? How did Paul find out about my interview?

Take a rain check — to decline an invitation but suggest that you may want to do it another time.
Example: I will have to take a rain check this time. Could we plan it again next week?

To discover common English slang words follow this link.

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