What is an idiom?

An idiom is an expression which has a meaning that is not obvious from the
individual words. In other words, an idiom is a common expression understood figuratively,
as the literal definition makes no sense. For example the idiom an early bird means
someone who likes getting up early in the morning, but we cannot know this by just
looking at the words. The best way to
understand an idiom is to see it in the context. If someone says: Im
an early bird. I love to get up early in the morning. Then the
context and common sense tell us that an early bird means
something that is different from being a bird. The context tells us that
an early bird means someone who likes getting up early in the morning.

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Some English idioms with their meanings

Idioms
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

John is a couch potato. He spends most of

his time watching TV.
Im a night owl. I hate to go to bed
early!
Bill is a fair weather friend. Just ask for
help and hes gone.
My sister is a dead loss at French. She
always needs my help.
Patrick is a dare devil. Hes always

Meanings
1.

Someone who is lazy and watches a lot of TV.

2.

Someone who loves to stay up late

3.

Someone who is a good friend only when

everything is fine.

4.

Someone who is useless or very bad at

a particular subject

5.

Someone who takes unnecessary risks

6.
7.
8.

9.

10.

doing dangerous stunts.

Im not worried about the exam. Im
certain Ill pass it with flying colours.
Peter is a barrel of laughs. He never stops
telling jokes!
Nadias mother is always
complaining because, according to
her, her daughter shouldnt have let that
marriage s l ip through her fingers.
In order not to go cold turkey,you
should give up taking those sleeping drugs
gradually.
The coach of our national team disagreed
with journalists who said that the coming
match i s in the bag.

6.

To do something with complete success.

7.

Someone who is very funny

8.

Seize the opportunity

9.

Suffering for not stopping gradually

10.

Certain to get something or achieve it