English Idioms

English Idioms

Learn common colloquialisms in English! These are phrases that native English speakers use often. Practice them to improve both your understanding and your fluency!

How to Play

Select the best definition.

Read the phrase and the example. Choose the best definition based on what you know!

Multiple Choice

"call the shots"

She wants to call the shots, so I told her to apply for the promotion.

• take a nap

• be in charge

• go on vacation

Multiple Choice

"nip it in the bud"

The dog will continue jumping on people if we don't nip it in the bud.

• stop something early

• teach or train

• water a plant

Multiple Choice

"on board with"

Your idea is to open a new store? I'm on board with that.

• to disagree

• to be excited

• to agree

Multiple Choice

"not my cup of tea"

Opera? Sorry, hard pass. That’s not my cup of tea.

• not interested

• not understandable

• a favorite

Multiple Choice

"swamped"

I'm sorry, I can't help you with your homework now. I'm swamped!

• overwhelmed with tasks

• stuck in traffic

• relaxed or stress-free

Multiple Choice

"tied up"

Sorry, I can't make it for happy hour. I'm tied up in a meeting.

• tied with rope

• busy

• very interested

Multiple Choice

"elbow grease"

You can remodel your house alone, but it will take some elbow grease!

• hard work or effort

• a long time

• specific knowledge

Multiple Choice

"on cloud nine"

Guess what? I got the promotion! I'm on cloud nine!

• feel extreme happiness

• be physically tired

• feel extreme sadness

Multiple Choice

"beat around the bush"

If you want to ask me, just ask; don't beat around the bush.

• ask politely

• walk in circles

• avoid addressing a topic directly

Multiple Choice

"keep me in the loop"

I know y'all are still discussing the plan, but please keep me in the loop.

• avoid sharing details

• tie someone up

• inform someone about updates or changes

Multiple Choice

"a piece of cake"

She finished her homework in 5 minutes. It was a piece of cake!

• easy

• challenging

• s

Multiple Choice

"hard to swallow"

The breakup was hard to swallow.

• a relief

• difficult to accept

• overdue

Multiple Choice

"up for grabs"

Are these cookies yours? Nope! They're up for grabs.

• poisonous

• all gone

• available

Multiple Choice

"under the weather"

I can't make it to dinner tonight. I'm under the weather.

• feeling sick

• waiting for a storm to pass

• stuck in traffic

Multiple Choice

"fish out of water"

She was a fish out of water when she arrived in the United States.

• to be out of place

• comfortable

• excited

Multiple Choice

"fish in the sea"

I know you're sad that he broke up with you, but there are other fish in the sea.

• people available for a romantic relationship

• fish to eat

• experiences in life

Multiple Choice

"hang in there"

I know it's hard, but I promise it will get easier. Hang in there.

• hold on tightly

• be patient

• be safe

Multiple Choice

"sick and tired"

I am sick and tired of the dog chewing up my shoes all the time.

• out of money

• exhausted

• annoyed by

Multiple Choice

"pull yourself together"

Pull yourself together, bro! We will find your keys.

• help me

• calm down

• do better

Multiple Choice

"you rock"

Thanks for watching my dog. You rock!

• You are solid.

• You are great.

• Thank you.