Literal Meanings of Idioms

Front

It's raining cats and dogs

Back

Animals are falling from the sky.

Front

Break a leg

Back

Fracture a bone in your leg.

Front

Bite off more than you can chew

Back

Put too much food in your mouth at once.

Front

The ball is in your court

Back

A sports ball has landed on your side of the playing area.

Front

Spill the beans

Back

Accidentally knock over a container of beans.

Front

Hit the sack

Back

Physically strike a large bag.

Front

Barking up the wrong tree

Back

A dog is barking at the incorrect tree.

Front

Pull someone's leg

Back

Physically grab and tug on a person's leg.

Front

It costs an arm and a leg

Back

The price of something is body parts.

Front

The elephant in the room

Back

There is an elephant inside this room.