Common idioms and phrasal verbs list

Common Idioms List
Set 1
Common Idioms

Definitions

It cost me an arm and a leg to Very expensive
take my trip to Australia.
I was over the moon when he
asked me to marry him.

Extremely pleased or happy

You are taking your IELTS test
Doing or starting something
next week?? Aren’t you jumping too early
the gun. You’ve only just started
studying.
He comes round to see me once Happening very rarely
in a blue moon.
He’s got a chip on his
shoulder.

Feeling inferior or having a
grievance about something

I reckon getting a band 7 in IELTS Very easy
will be a piece of cake! I’m very
good at English.
The money sent by comic relief A very small part of
to help poverty in Africa is just a something much bigger

drop in the ocean. They need
far more than this.
Getting a low score, the first
Something positive that
time I took IELTS was a blessing isn’t recognized until later
in disguise. It forced me to
study extremely hard so I got a
much better score the next time.
We have to actually do
something about global
warming. Actions speak
louder than words.

It’s better to actually do
something rather than just
talking about it


I bumped into Jenny in town the Meeting someone you
other day. It's a small world.
would not have expected to

Set 2
Common Idioms

Definitions

Oh well, I got 5.5 in IELTS
When an attempt to do
again. Back to the drawing something fails and it's time

board!
to start all over again using
different methods
I hate my job so much I can’t Having two very bad
bare going to work, but if I
choices.
quit I don’t think I can get
another job. I’m really stuck / (note: stuck/caught can be
caught between a rock and omitted)
a hard place.
I have to bite my tongue so I Wanting to say something
don’t say what I really think of but stopping yourself.
him!
Come on, cut to the chase. Leave out all the
We haven’t got all day!
unnecessary details and just
get to the point
Are you putting all of your
savings into that company?
Don’t put all your eggs in
one basket.

Putting all of ones resources
into one possibility

Try not to worry about
Believing that every bad
it. Every cloud has a silver situation has a positive side /
lining.
eventually leads to

something good
It was difficult when I moved
to another country but I
eventually found my feet.

To become comfortable in
what you are doing


My parents are very fixed in Not wanting to change from
their ways. They won’t start the normal ways of doing
using the internet.
things
I think he got up on the
To refer to someone who is
wrong side of the bed this having a bad day
morning. He is in a terrible
mood.
My mother will always go the Doing much more than is
extra mile to help people.
required when doing
something
Set 3
Common Idioms

Definitions

I think you’ve hit the nail on Say exactly the right
the head. That’s the reason thing
he didn’t get the job.

Today’s going so badly. If it’s When everything seems
not one thing, it’s the
to be going wrong
other.
I just said it in the heat of
the moment. I was angry. I
know I shouldn’t have.

Saying or doing
something suddenly
without thinking about
it

Keep an eye on him. I think Watch someone or
he may cheat in the exam.
something carefully
Have you heard? John down
the road has kicked the
bucket.

Died

I don’t want to argue with him Avoid a conflict
again. It’s better to let
sleeping dogs lie.


I told him what gift you have Tell someone something
bought him for his birthday.
that you were not

Sorry, I didn’t mean to let the supposed to
cat out of the bag.
Don’t tell her what you really
think of her if she’s helping
you with your English!
Don’t bite the hand that
feeds you.

Hurt or upset someone
who is helping you

I’m not sure which party he is Not making a firm
going to vote for. He’s sitting decision between
on the fence.
different choices
Everything she does is
Excessive
very over the top. She can’t
just have a few drinks – se has
to get really drunk.

Set 4
Common Idioms

Definitions

Let’s keep studying for
IELTS. Practice makes
perfect.

Continuously doing
something to improve

Don’t get upset about what he Joking around
said. He’s just pulling your
leg.
Sorry but I think I’ll take a
rain check on that.

To decline an offer that you
will take up later

As a rule of thumb, I don’t
Principal that is strictly
study at weekends. I spend the


time with my family.

adhered / kept to

I can smell a rat. He said he To sense that something is
has a PhD but he can’t even
not right
remember which university he
studied at.
She’s the spitting image of
her mother.

To look exactly like someone

else

The ball's in your court now. Telling someone it's now their
What are you going to do?
turn to make a decision
Unfortunately, I think he’ll be For a very long time
studying for IELTS until the
cows come home. His English
is very poor.
It was all tongue-in-cheek.
Something said in humor
He didn’t really mean what he rather than seriously
said.
She’s feeling under the
weather today so she won’t
be going to work.

Unwell

Set 5
Common Idioms

Definitions

We've had some big
Things from the past that are
disagreements over the years, not important anymore
but it’s all water under the
bridge now. We get on fine.

You are what you eat so it’s If you eat bad food, you’ll be
better to have a healthy diet. unhealthy, if you eat good
food, you’ll be healthy
You can’t judge a book by
its cover. I need to get to
know him before I decide what
he is like.

The belief that outside
appearances do not reveal
what someone or something is
really like

We're really working against Not having enough time to do
the clock now. We must hurry. something
Why are we bothering?
Attempting to continue with
We're flogging a dead horse. something that is finished /
Our online business is making over
no money, so we should move
on and do something else.
I bent over backwards to
Doing all you can to help
help him. I hope he appreciates someone
it.
So you have the IELTS test
today?? Break a leg.

Good luck

Ok, I'm playing devil's
advocate here, but if
marijuana is legalized, isn't it
more likely young people will
smoke it?

To put forward a side in an
argument that may not be
your own in order to show the
counter-argument / ensure all
sides are discussed

Hold your horses! We
haven't won anything yet.

Telling someone who is getting
ahead of themselves to wait /
be patient

She is driving me up the
wall. She won't stop talking.

Annoying or irritating
somebody

Word Set 1


Phrasal Verb

Meaning

hang out

spend time relaxing (informal)

catch up with

Meet someone after a period of time and
find out what they have been doing

cut down/back
Reduce
on
give
(something)
up

Quit / stop doing it

cut out

Stop eating something (permanently or for a
long time)

find out

Discover

get along/on

Like each other

fall out

Argue and be on bad terms with someone

clean up

Tidy / Clean

come across

Find something unexpectedly

IELTS - English Phrasal Verbs in Use
What do you normally do at the weekends?
I usually just hang out with my friends. We’ll go to the cinema or
something. Unfortunately I don’t get the chance to catch up with
them often as we are all so busy with work.
Do you have a healthy lifestyle?
I don’t think I really do. Something I definitely need to do is cut
down on the amount I smoke, or even give it up completely. I
would also like to cut out red meat from my diet. I’ve read that
both of those are unhealthy. I found out recently that my father
has cancer, and he smoked a lot when he was younger.
Do you like the place where you live?
Yes, I live with some college friends. There are several of us in the
house so it is crowded, but we get along well so we have not had

any serious problems. I fell out with one guy who lived there
because he played his music too loud, but he has moved out now.
Do you like to collect things?
Not anymore, but the other day I was cleaning up my room when


I came across an old album of football stickers. I used to collect
them when I was younger.

Phrasal Verb

Meaning

hand (something) in Submit
get away with
(something)

Do something without being noticed or
punished

keep up with

Continue at the same rate

end up

To become eventually; turn out to be

fall behind

To fail to keep up a pace; lag behind.

drop out

Quit a class, school, university etc.

look back on

Think about something that happened in
the past

put forward

Suggest or state the case for something

catch up with

Reach the same level

pull out of

To stop being a part of something

Word Set 2
Phrasal Verb Exercises - Examples in Context
Were you a good student when you were at school?
I’m afraid I wasn’t if I’m honest. Often I didn’t hand in my
homework, and I always felt I could get away with it because my
teacher wasn’t strict. But because of this I couldn’t keep
up with the course work and I ended up falling behind.

Eventually I had to drop out of the school.
So no, I wasn’t really a good student. When I look back on my
childhood, I wish I’d done things differently really as it meant I had
to work harder to achieve things later on in life.
Do you think the growth in multinational corporations is a
positive development?
I’m not sure it is such a good thing. Many people put
forward arguments in favor it, claiming it has helped developing
countries by creating jobs for local people as many of these


companies have moved their manufacturing abroad. They then
claim that the economic development in these countries
will catch up with developed countries.
However, there is no real evidence that this is the case as most
the profit flows back to the companies, not the people, and as
soon as it becomes cheaper to manufacture in a different country,
the companies will pull out of the country they are in and move
to the more profitable one. So I don’t think there is any real longterm benefit.
Phrasal Verb Get

Meaning

get something
across/over

Make understandable or
communicate

get around

To have mobility

get away

To go on holiday / vacation

get back at
someone

To get revenge

get back into

Become interested in something
again

get by

To have just enough of something
such as money or knowledge

get down to

Start doing something seriously or
with a lot of effort

get
over something

Recover from something, like an
illness or a problem

get round to
something

To find time to do something

get through

To survive something

get together

Social meeting

get up

Get out of bed

Split up
Wear of

End of a relationship
Disappear


Work out

Calculate

End up

Become eventually

Carry on

Continue

Do away with

Terminate or end

Pull out of

Stop being a part of

Sort out

Find a solution

Pull through

Near death recovery

Wear out

Exhaust/tire

1. My friend was so sick after the accident I thought she would

not survive, but she pulled through.
2. I’m usually worn out by the end of the week because I’m

studying for IELTS and working as well.
3. My wife and I split up after I moved abroad because we were

so far apart. It didn't work out.
4. Greece is considering pulling out of the Euro in order to

avoid collapse.
5. I’m not sure what I will end up doing with my life. I can’t

decide on a career path.
6. I’m going to carry on studying IELTS till I get the score I need

– I’m not giving up!
7. I need to work out whether I can afford to study abroad.
8. I’m disagreeing with my partner over the business but I’m

sure we’ll sort it out.
9. Personally, I think we should do away with school uniforms.

Students should wear what they like.
10. The effects of the drug still haven’t worn of – I feel very

drowsy.


1. A Penny for Your Thoughts – ask someone who is being

2.

3.

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

9.

very quiet what they are thinking about
 For several minutes they sat silently, then finally she looked
at him and said, “A penny for your thoughts, Walter.”
Against the clock – do something as fast as possible and try
to finish it before a certain time.
With her term paper due on Monday, she was racing against
the clock to finish it
Lend an ear – to listen carefully and in a friendly way to
someone
 If you have any problems, go to Claire. She’ll always lend a
sympathetic ear.
On cloud nine – very happy; deliriously happy
She just bought her first new car and she’s on cloud nine.
Bushed – tired. I am totally bushed after staying up so
late.
Hard feelings – the emotion of being upset or offended.
I am sorry I have to fire you. No hard feelings, okay?

Hit the hay – go to bed
 It’s after 12 o’clock. I think it’s time to hit the hay.
Be sick to death of something/doing something – to be
angry and bored because something unpleasant has been
happening for too long
I’m sick to death of doing nothing but work. Let’s go out
tonight and have fun.
(come) rain or shine – means something will happen
regardless of weather or other difficulties.


I will be on time for the class, rain or shine. Come rain or

shine, she is always smiling.
10. Be all ears – eager and ready to listen
I’m all ears, waiting to hear your latest excuse for not getting
this job done!
11. In the nick of time – not too late, but very close
I got to the drugstore just in the nick of time. It’s a good thing,
because I really need this medicine!
12. Fresh/Clean out of something – have sold or used up the
last of something
I have to go buy some more milk. It seems we’re fresh out
now.
13.
Have/Get mixed feelings about something – to be
uncertain about something
 I have mixed feelings about my trip to England. I love the
people, but the climate upsets me.
14. Give it one’s best shot – do the best that one can

This test question is really tough! I’ll give it my best shot, and
I’ll get some marks for doing my best.
15. In deep water – in difficulty; in trouble or in a dangerous
situation
He has not submitted his dissertation so he’s in deep water.
16. Next to nothing – to cost very little
I went to the new discount store and bought these new shoes
for only five dollars. That’s next to nothing!
17. To be up in arms about something – upset or angry about
something.
 She has been UP IN ARMS about the rent increase.
18. Put yourself in somebody’s shoes – imagine that you are in
somebody’s position in order to understand his/her feelings
 If you put yourself in my shoes, you would understand why I
made that decision
19. At all costs – do everything you can to achieve/succeed
something
 My dream is to become a successful businessman and I will
work hard for it AT ALL COSTS
20. Explore all avenues – investigate every possible means to find
a solution to a given problem or to achieve a desired outcome.
 We need to EXPLORE ALL AVENUES before doing something that
is not very safe to a great number of people in order to minimize
unfavorable consequences


21. On the ball – active and aware of things
Our staff is really on the ball to get projects done on time.
22. Throw in the towel – Give up on something
I’ve spent too much time on this project to throw in the towel

now.
23. Down to earth – practical and realistic; Back to reality
 It’s time we were brought down to earth to figure out difficult
situation, and offer a good solution.
24. Full of beans – A person who is lively, active and healthy.
 I really enjoy being with my best friend because he is always full
of beans.
25. Get a head start – Start before all others.
This year we’ll get a head start on the competition by running
more advertisements.
26. Hear on the grapevine - This idiom means ’to hear humors’
about something or someone.
I heard on the grapevine that she was pregnant, but I don’t
know anything more.
27. Hit the nail on the head - To be right about something
 Mike hit the nail on the head when he said most people can use
a computer without knowing how it works.
28. In the heat of the moment - say or do it without thinking
because you are very angry or excited
She doesn’t hate you. She just said that in the heat of the
moment.
29. It takes two to tango - both people involved in a bad situation
are responsible for it
She blames Tracy for stealing her husband. ‘Well, it takes two to
tango.’
30. Get/jump on the bandwagon - Join a popular trend or activity.
You jump on the bandwagon when all your friends begin eating
at a new popular restaurant.
31. Keep something at bay - Keep something away

She fought to keep her unhappiness at bay.
32. Kill two birds with one stone - This idiom means, to
accomplish two different things at the same time.
I killed two birds with one stone and saw some old friends while
I was in
33. Leeds visiting my parents - Last straw, the final problem in a
series of problems.
This is the last straw. I’m calling the police.


34. Let sleeping dogs lie - to not talk about things which have

caused problems in the past, or to not try to change a situation
because you might cause problems
Jane knew she should report the accident but decided to let
sleeping dogs lie.
35. Let the cat out of the bag - To reveal a secret or a surprise,
often without an intention to do so
It’s a secret. Try not to let the cat out of the bag.
36. Not playing with a full deck - Someone who lacks
intelligence.
Jim’s a nice guy, but with some of the foolish things he does, I
wonder if he’s not playing with a full deck.
37. Far cry from - Very different from
What you did was a far cry from what you said you were going
to do.
38. Give the benefit of the doubt - to decide you will believe

someone or something
I didn’t know whether his story was true or not, but I decided to

give him the benefit of the doubt.
39. Pull the wool over someone’s eyes - Deceive someone into
thinking well of them.
 You can’t pull the wool over my eyes. I know what’s going on.
40. See eye to eye - This idiom is used to say that two (or more
people) agree on something.
My father and I see eye to eye on most things.
41. Take with a grain of salt - Consider something to be not
completely true or right.
 I’ve read the article, which I take with a grain of salt.
42. Taste of your own medicine - Means that something happens
to you, or is done to you that you have done to someone else.
Tom talks way too much – but last night he met someone who
talked even more than he does, and he got frustrated. He finally
got a taste of his own medicine.
43. Whole nine yards - Everything, the entire amount, as far as
possible.
When I was little, my family always had lots of pets – dogs,
cats, hamsters, fish, rabbits – the whole nine yards.
44. Wouldn’t be caught dead - Would never like to do something.
My father wouldn’t have been caught dead in a white suit.


45. At the drop of a hat - immediately; instantly.
If you need help, just call on me. I can come at the drop of a

hat.
46. up-market – Relatively expensive and designed to appeal to
wealthy consumers
an upmarket restaurant that is quite pricey but also quite good

47. cram – to try to accomplish a lot quickly, also can mean to try to
put a lot of items in a tight fit, which is probably not idiomatic
with that meaning.
 The students are all cramming to get ready for the exams.
48. in high spirits – extremely happy
 They’d had a couple of drinks and were in high spirits.
49. keep one’s chin up – remain brave and keep on trying; remain
cheerful in difficult circumstances.
 Keep your chin up. Don’t take your troubles to bed with you
 Keep your chin up. Things will get better sooner or later
50. read my/your/his mind – W – guess what somebody is
thinking
I was surprised he knew what I was planning, like he could read
my mind.
51. get the ball rolling – start doing something, especially
something big
I decided to set the ball rolling and got up to dance.
 You should get the ball rolling as soon as possible to be wellprepared for the IELTS test.
52. for ages – for a very long time
I waited for ages but he never showed up
53. fill in for someone – do someone’s work while he is
away; substitute for
 Bill is going to be filling in for me while I’m out on maternity
leave.
54. antsy – getting restless.
The guys are getting antsy; we need to go somewhere else
before they get too noisy.
55. (as) easy as pie – very easy
For Tom, getting a graphic design certificate was easy as pie –
he seemed to have a natural talent for it.

56. under the weather – sick; not completely well
I noticed that the cat was looking a little under the weather.
57. fingers-crossed = keep one’s fingers crossed(for
someone or something –
to wish for luck for someone or something


 fingers crossed for your driving test. We’re keeping our fingers

crossed that he’ll be healthy again very soon
58. have a chin-wag – have a long conversation between friends;
have a chat We had a good chinwag over a bottle of wine.
59. chicken scratch (n) – the handwriting that is crammed or
illegible  His signature—
an unforgeable idiosyncratic chicken scratch
60. the wee hours – after midnight
 He was up until the wee hours trying to finish his work.
61. a blessing in a disguise – something that seems bad
or unlucky at first, but results in something good happening
later
Losing that job was a blessing in disguise really.
62. all in the same boat – in the same difficult situation as
someone else
None of us has any money, so we’re all in the same boat.
63. beating around the bush – avoid the main topic and
not speaking directly about it
Let’s stop beating about the bush and discuss this matter
64. early bird (someone who gets up early)
 I never miss sunrise. I’m an early bird.
65. a breath of fresh air – something that is new & refreshing

 Selena was a talented and beautiful entertainer, a breath of fre
sh air in an industry full of people all trying to copy each other.
66. keep an eye on – W – to monitor a situation, not forget about

it.
Keep an eye on the noodles, there almost done.
67. keep your nose to the grindstone – continue to put forward a
good effort  If you keep your nose to the grindstone, you will
finish this job tonight.
68. know something [it, this] inside out – to be totally familiar
with
He knows that subject backwards and forwards.
69. leave well enough alone – W – to not try to change something
that is good enough
This repair is not perfect, but let’s leave well enough alone.
70. now and then – W – on an occasional basis, often every is used
as the first word of this idiomatic phrase.
Every now and then I have a good idea.
71. bump into – to meet someone by chance
 I bumped into my old friends at the seminar for education
officials


72. A drop in the ocean – every small part of something much

bigger.
Just learning idioms is a drop in the ocean when it comes to
preparing for the speaking test.
73. work flat out – work very hard
The employees have been working flat out to get the job

finished ahead of the deadline.
74. The in thing – something fashionable.
The new iPhone is really the in thing at the moment.
75. make a fuss over – overly care for someone / something
 Whenever
they visit Grandma she makes a fuss over the children.
76. Run of the mill – average, ordinary
Apple phones are very run of the mill these days.
77. far-fetched – usually refers to an idea, choice, decision, plan
that may be unusual, probably not a good choice.
The government’s choice for the new Defense Secretary
seemed pretty far-fetched to the opposition party.
78. ace – to do well. Usually used relating to a test, competition,
something with a score, or a clear winner or loser.
He aced the history test. He is an ace pitcher/batter/tennis
player.
79. A hot potato – a controversial topic.
Abortion and capital punishment are hot potatoes in my
country at the moment.
80. Get a kick out of (something) – to get excitement or pleasure
from an event or thought.
 I really get a kick out of seeing the crazy things carried on
motorbikes sometimes.
81. bent out of shape – often used to admonish others not to be
too upset.
 Don’t get all bent out of shape about the way they drive over
here!
82. Give (lend) somebody a hand – to give some forms of
assistance with a task
 Could you give me a hand with this

shipment?
83. Sit on the fence – to be undecided.
I haven’t made my mind up about that issue, I’ll have to sit on
the fence.
84. A piece of cake – very easy.
Getting a band 6 in the speaking test will be a piece of cake.
85. hit the books – to study, usually intensively
 I will sit the IELTS test next week. That’s why I have been
hitting the books all day long.


86. Soul mate – someone you trust very deeply
My husband is not just my lover, he’s my soul mate.
87. broke – usually financial related, have no money, can also

generally reference a state
 I can’t afford to go on holiday – I’m (flat) broke.
88. (Go) back to the drawing board – to start planning something
again because the first plan failed
Our plan didn’t work out, so it’s back to the drawing board.
89. Go the extra
mile – To make an extra effort; do more than usual
 You had better not forget 8 leadership attributes that make
you go the extra mile.
90. crash course – a quick lesson
We need a crash course in idioms for this IELTS program.
91. up-to-the-minute – the very latest or most recent  Now we’re
going live to our reporter in Washington for up-to-the-minute
news on the crisis.
92. On the go – busy

 I feel as though we always need to be on the go because life’s
too short to be idle!
93. on

the dot – W – happens at a particular time, precise time,
exactly time.
 The class will start at 8:00 a.m. on the dot, so don’t be late!

94. and

then
some – and even more; and more than has been mentioned.
 It looked like 20,000 people and then some were crowded into
the stadium. Investors in the business got their money back and
then some.

95. Find

my feet – to become comfortable doing something.
 Moving to a new city was difficult as first, but I soon found my
feet.

96. read

my/your/his mind – W – refers to the idea that thoughts are
known by another.
 I was surprised he knew what I was planning, like he could
read my mind.

97. before

long W – a rather short amount of time.
 I will be gone before long, but I hope you learn a lot


98. Cost

an arm and a leg – really expensive.
 This dress is really nice, but it cost me an arm and a leg.

99. Set

in their ways – not wanting to change
 My parents are quite traditional and set in their ways
(the) bottom line W – most important number or information.
 My bottom line to do this job is freedom from meddling! Don’t
give me the details of what the client said about the bid, just tell
me his bottom line.

100.

burn the midnight oil – stay up late, esp. work late  We’re
going to have to burn the midnight oil to get this job done by
tomorrow.

101.

call it a day – end the job (or task) for the day, (or night)
 Well, it was nice chatting with you, but it’s time for me to call
it a day.

102.

change one’s mind W – to change a decision or opinion.
 Nothing you have told me motivates me to change my mind.

103.

Over the moon – to be extremely pleased or happy.
 I was over the moon when I passed my speaking test.

104.

(Right) off the top of my head – saying something without
giving it too much thought or without precise knowledge.
 You are familiar enough with the data. Give us the information
off the top of your head.

105.

catch your/my/his eye W – something or someone that has a
visual attraction for you, can be a written description as
well. Really is often used to introduce this idiom.
 That pretty girl really caught my eye. Do any of these watches
catch your eye? The price on that advertised special really
caught my eye.

106.

down in the dumps – unhappy, sad

 She’s a bit down in the dumps because she failed one of
her exams.

107.

(on the) cutting edge W – the most modern, up to date
process or product / equipment  His teaching process is on the
cutting edge. This new computer is cutting edge technology.

108.


Put all your eggs in one basket – put all your money or effort
into one thing.  Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. You
should apply to lots of different universities

109.

chill out – relax, calm down Despite terrorism, Obama still
keep calm, and told his staff to chill out, and got back to work.

110.

Miss the boat – miss an opportunity.
 I sent my application in late and I think I missed the boat.

111.

(to be) fed up with – tired of, disgusted with
 Be careful, I think the boss is fed up with us today

112.

Once in a blue moon – happens very rarely.
 A student will get a 9 in the IELTS writing test once in a blue
moon.

113.

white elephant W – an unprofitable investment, something
that is large and unwieldy and is a nuisance and/or expensive to
maintain.
 That new motorbike I bought is really a white elephant, it is
expensive and too big for these streets.

114.