Popular English Idioms and their Meanings across English-Speaking Countries
What are English Idioms?
An English idiom is a fixed expression or phrase that has a figurative or metaphorical meaning that differs from the literal meaning of the individual words.
English idioms are used to express ideas, feelings, or concepts in a special and often colorful way. They are an essential part of a language's culture and, in some cases, reflect it. These idioms of the English language are frequently used and understood by native speakers. For non-native speakers, English idioms can often be difficult to understand because they cannot be translated literally.
Idioms in English are a form of linguistic creativity, and their meanings are often deeply rooted in the cultural and historical context of the language. They can be used to make communication lively, humorous, or emphatic. Idioms and phrases contribute significantly to making languages more expressive and dynamic.
"To break a leg," "to kick the bucket," and "it's raining cats and dogs" are some examples of idioms in the German language. If you were to try translating these German idioms into English, the literal translation would be incomprehensible. The same is true for English idioms. Therefore, we will not only show you the English idioms below, but also provide an explanation of each one.
Idioms in English-speaking Countries
The English language originated in England, but due to early colonization, it was spoken and developed in various countries. English idioms are a fascinating aspect of culture, adding richness and cultural depth to English-speaking countries around the world. In Britain, expressions like "Bob's your uncle" and "the bee's knees" are frequently used to express charm and enthusiasm.
In the United States, however, idioms like "burning the midnight oil" and "hit the hay" reflect American diligence and pragmatism. Australia's unique idioms, such as "no worries" and "flat out like a lizard drinking," reflect the country's laid-back attitude and its love of the outdoors. While these idioms may seem strange or confusing to outsiders, they are popular expressions that reflect the different cultures and ways of life in these English-speaking countries.
One could say that there are forms of English such as American English, Australian English, and Canadian English. All these languages are the same, but the dialects, sentence structures, and pronunciations differ. This is also reflected in how English idioms are used in each country.
British Idioms
| Idioms | Definition | Example Sentence |
| Bob's Your Uncle | It means finished or everything is settled. | There's the recipe – add the ingredients, and Bob's your uncle |
| The Bee's Knees | Used to describe something outstanding. | That vintage car is the bee's knees, a real classic. |
| Donkey's Years | It means a long time. | I haven't been to the beach in donkey's years. |
| Blowing a Raspberry | Make noises by sticking your tongue out between your lips. | He didn't like the idea and responded by blowing a raspberry. |
| Costs an Arm and a Leg | Refers to something very expensive. | Getting that new phone would cost an arm and a leg. |
| In a Pickle | To be in a difficult situation. | When the car broke down in the middle of nowhere, we were in a pickle. |
| Keep a Stiff Upper Lip | Remain determined despite all adversity. | Despite the adversity, she kept a stiff upper lip. |
| It's Not My Cup of Tea | Meaning: I don't like that. | Horror movies are not my cup of tea; I prefer comedies. |
| Chin Up | An expression of encouragement | Chin up, things will get better eventually. |
English Idioms from the USA
| Idioms | Definition | Example |
| Burning the Midnight Oil | Working late into the night to meet a deadline. | He's been burning the midnight oil to finish that project on time. |
| A Piece of Cake | Refers to a situation that is very easy to solve. | Don't stress; the exam was a piece of cake. |
| Hit the Hay | Go to bed. | After a long day at work, I just want to hit the hay. |
| Break a Leg | Wishing someone luck, especially in the entertainment industry. | Before the audition, the director said, "Break a leg!" |
| Bite the Bullet | To bravely face a difficult situation. | She knew she had to bite the bullet and apologize. |
| On Cloud Nine | Feeling extremely euphoric. | Winning the lottery left her on cloud nine for weeks. |
| Kick the Bucket | To die. | When the old car finally stopped running, it had kicked the bucket. |
| Jump the Gun | Premature action or insufficient preparation. | Don't jump the gun, let's wait for the official announcement. |
| A Dime a Dozen | Refers to something ordinary. | Those cheap sunglasses are a dime a dozen. |
| Don't count your chickens before they hatch | Don't get your hopes up too soon for successes that might not materialize. | We're waiting for the raise before we buy the house. We shouldn't count our chickens before they hatch. |
Australian Idioms
| Idioms | Definition | Example |
| As Dry as a Dead Dingo's Donger | Extremely dry conditions. | The farm's fields were as dry as a dead dingo's donger. |
| Flat Out Like a Lizard Drinking | Working at full speed. | I've been flat out like a lizard drinking all day trying to finish these tasks. |
| He's having a few sandwiches just before a picnic | Someone who is not intelligent. | I tried explaining it to him, but he's a few sandwiches shortly after a picnic. |
| Fair Dinkum | Real or truthful. | Is that story fair dinkum, or are you just pulling my leg? |
| Chuck a U-ey | Turn around while driving. | I missed the exit, so I had to chuck a U-ey to get back on track. |
| The Bush Telegraph | Network for communication in rural areas. | News travels fast in the outback thanks to the bush telegraph. |
| Spit the Dummy | Fly into a rage. | When he lost the game, he spat the dummy and stormed off the field. |
| Mad as a Cut Snake | Extremely angry or agitated. | Don't talk to him right now; he's mad as a cut snake. |
| Up a Gum Tree | Being in a challenging situation. | Without a map, we were up a gum tree in the middle of the bush. |
Funny English Idioms and Sayings
Some English idioms also make us smile. Their spontaneous use and often funny-sounding combinations of metaphors and words make some English phrases amusing. Take a look at the following English idioms and use them to bring a smile to the faces of those you're talking to.
A truly funny English idiom can consist of a pun, the presentation of a surprising contrast, the use of humorous words, or even the suggestion of a vivid depiction of absurd or unusual situations. A good English idiom that will make your audience laugh is imaginative, surprising, and presented in a witty way. Check out the following English idioms from different countries!
That's how the cookie crumbles
Definition: That's how things happen.
Example: I didn't get the job I wanted, but that's how the cookie crumbles.
Origin: United States
Throw out the baby with the bathwater
Definition: To discard what is valuable while trying to get rid of what is useless.
Example: Let's update the old software, but we shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Origin: England
When pigs fly
Definition: Something highly improbable.
Example: Sure, I'll believe that when pigs fly.
Origin: England
Don't cry over spilled milk
Definition: Not dwelling on past mishaps.
Example: I lost my old phone, but there's no point in crying over spilled milk.
Origin: England
Nothing to sneeze at
Definition: Something significant or important, not to be underestimated.
Example: A $10,000 bonus is nothing to sneeze at when it comes to your annual income.
Origin: United States
Being salty
Definition: Informal term for someone who is upset, angry, or bitter.
Example: He's feeling pretty salty after losing the game.
Origin: Canada
Dinnae teach yer granny tae suck eggs
Definition: Don't give advice to someone who has more experience in a matter.
Example: I've been fishing since I was a kid; don't teach granny how to suck eggs.
Origin: Scotland
As rare as rocking horse droppings
Definition: Something extremely rare or improbable.
Example: Finding an honest politician these days is as rare as rocking horse droppings.
Origin: New Zealand
Conclusion: Use English idioms to provide linguistic variety
English idioms add depth to our conversations, making them unique and fun to speak. While they may seem enigmatic at first glance, understanding their meaning and using them correctly can make your English communication more engaging and expressive. So, the next time you encounter an English idiom, remember the definition and examples you'll find here, and you'll be well on your way to mastering these linguistic masterpieces.
