Common English Idioms, Idiomatic Expressions, and Slang

An idiom is a phrase, expression, or group of words in which the meaning can not be derived from the component words. An idiom or idiomatic expression can also mean a form of speech in a specific region or dialect. An idiom or idiomatic phrase or expression can also be referred to a conversational manner of speaking for natural speakers of the language. Idioms also sometimes are considered slang language or slang phrases and expressions.

Getting familiar with these English Idioms below can very helpful for English learners, non-english speakers, or immigrants. Once you know these basic idiomatic expressions and phrases, it will be helpful for you when watching English movies, English programs and shows in your TV channels, and listening to radio stations. It will also be important when you apply for work, job interviews, communication skills, common conversations to natural english speakers, co-workers, and many more helpful applications for your benefit.

These common English Idioms below are typical in places and situations like MUSEUM, RESTAURANT, BAR, CLUB, MUSIC CONCERTS, PERFORMANCES AND SHOWS, THEATRE, LOVE PROBLEMS, PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, DATING, FAMILY TIME, RELATIONSHIP WITH A BOSS, CONVERSATIONS IN SCHOOL AND LIBRARY, PARTY AND FUN ACTIVITIES, CARS AND DRIVING, SHOPPING MALLS, DEPARTMENT STORES, SUPERMARKETS, HOSPITALS AND HEALTH PROBLEMS, EXERCISES AND HEALTH PROGRAMS, BUYING HOMES, HOUSES AND CONDOS, VEHICLE REPAIR SHOP, and so much more...

Common English Idioms, Idiomatic Expressions, and Slang:

A

a bomb = bad production
a dive = inferior restaurant/coffe shop
a piece = a gun
a trip = rather strange
anybody's guess = uncertain 

B

beats me = I don't know; no idea;
big house = jail
blimp = fat person
blow lines = make mistakes
body that won't quit = fantastic figure
bombed = depressed
booze = alcohol; liquor
break the ice = start communicating
build bridges = establish relationship
burn rubber = drive fast
busted = arrested
but in = interfere
butterflies in stomach = nervous
buzz = talk with excitement; rumour

C

catch red handed = catch doing wrong
cheezy = cheap and bad looking
chicken out = scared; afraid
chopped liver = unimportant; insignificant
clam up = keep quiet
cock and bull story = unbelievable tale
cold day in hell = never
cold fish = unfriendly
come on to = flirt with
come up = happen; occur;
cool dude = nice man
cost an arm and a leg = very expensive
crazed = confused; agitated
crib = house
crook = dishonest
cut it = capable; successful
cut to the chase = get to the most important things

D

dead = very; extremely; absolutely
dead wrong = absolutely wrong
dirt = inside info
drag = bore; boring
draw a blank = forget something suddenly
drive nuts = annoy; make nervous; make crazy
drop in on = visit
dump = terrible house/apartment

E

eighty six = not available; to throw away
eleven = extreme, exceeding; so many problems
every cloud has a silver lining = there's hope even in difficult times
everything but the kitchen sink = almost everything
excuse my French = forgive me for cursing

F

face = name
fall for = tricked into believing
fat chance = no chance
flat broke = absolutely no money
for Pete's sake = for God's sake
freak out = shock; surprised; nervous

G

get a load of = observe; look
get away with = escape responsibility; succeed in doing something dishonest
get real = be rational
get some shut eye = sleep
get through = survive
give me a break = it can't be so
give to me straight = tell me the truth
go easy on = tolerant of
go over the top = over react
goodie too shoes = very righteous person
grab a bite = to get something to eat quickly
grab a chance = take advantage
grub = food

H

hang in there = don't give up
have a one track mind = to think most of the time; think same subject
have one's name = perfectly suited
have the hots = interested; attracted
health freak = too concerned about one's health
heck of = great; significant
heist = robbery; burglary
history = over
hit the nail on the head = absolutely right
hit the sack = go to bed
holdup = armed robbery
holy cow = wow
hooked on = like a lot
hot = sexy
hurl = throw up; vomit

I

it was a riot = it was great
it's on me = I'm paying

J

joint = bar, restaurant, dance place
just joshing = just joking, kidding, tricking around


K

keep = prevent from coming on time; late
kick the bucket = die
killer test = extremely difficult test
kissup = person trying to please others (to get something)
knock it off = stop it
knock off = steal; rob
knock out = gorgeous; very attractive
knucklehead = dumb

L

lift the spirits = cheer up
lives depended on it = life or death situation
load off the mind = relief
look down = look upset; lonely

M

make no bones about = to mention a fact very clearly
mumbo jumbo = nonsense
mum's the word = keep quiet
my gut tells me = my instincts tell me

N

nope = no
not a picnic = not easy
not the sharpest knife in the drawer = not to be very bright

O

old man = father
on the loose, at large = not yet caught
out of it = dazed; confused 

P

pact heat = carry a gun; arm with a weapon
pan = criticize
pig out = eat a lot
pissed off = angry
pop in on = visit without notice
pull a job = commit a crime
pull it together = get organized
pull off = succeed
put down = criticize
put finger on = discover the truth
put it to sleep = stop it
put on ice = shot; kill

R

right behind you = join in a minute
ripoff = unreasonably expensive
ritzy = expensive; fancy
rock with = dance with
rocks = great
rub elbows with = socialize

S

scout's honor = believe me; I swear
scumbag = bad person
size up = evaluate
slammer = prison
smacker = dollar
smartie pants = intellectual
smash hit = huge success
spaced out = dazed; confused; terrible; strange
spike the punch = put alcohol in the drinks
spill your guts = tell what's bothering
spit it out = tell me about it
stiff a waiter = not to give a tip
stink = extremely unsatisfactory
stud = successful with women

T

take a chill pill; chill out = calm down
take bs = take nonsense
take it from me = believe me
take the roof off the house = big success
the low down = whole story; about it
third degree = interrogate
ticked off = angry
to be decked out = to be decorated
to do the trick = succeed
to flip the bird = fuck/middle finger sign
to get a kick = to enjoy very much
to have a ball = enjoy very much; have a good time
to pull one's string = to be kidding; to be in control of
total babe = hot and sexy girl
trash a car = destroy a car

W

what's cooking = what's going on
what's eating you = what's the matter with you; what's bothering you
what's the deal = tell me about it
what's the scoop = what's the matter
when hell freezes over = never
when pigs fly = never
wiped out = exhausted
wouldn't be caught dead wearing = wouldn't be seen wearing

Y

yep/yup = yes
you bet = of course; sure
you can say that again = that's very true
you said it = I agree