40 common English idioms along with their meanings

Learning English isn’t as easy as some might think. First, grammar muddies the waters (makes things unclear), and idiomatic expressions only add fuel to the fire (makes things worse).

If you’re taking the TOEFL or the TOEIC, or just want to know more common idioms, study this list of 40 common idiomatic expressions before you take the test. They may just help your English language acquisition soar (get much better).

1. A blessing in disguise: Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good in the end.
2. A dime a dozen: Something that is very common and easy to find.
3. Actions speak louder than words: What someone does is more important than what they say.
4. Beat around the bush: To avoid talking about something directly.
5. Bite the bullet: To face a difficult situation with courage and determination.
6. Break a leg: A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
7. Call it a day: To stop working or doing something for the day.
8. Cut corners: To do something in a quick and easy way that might not be the best way.
9. Don't cry over spilled milk: Don't be upset over something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
10. Don't put all your eggs in one basket: Don't rely on one thing to be successful.
11. Every cloud has a silver lining: Even in a bad situation, there is something positive to be found.
12. Face the music: To accept the consequences of one's actions.
13. Fit as a fiddle: Being in good health and physical condition.
14. Get a taste of your own medicine: To experience something that one has given or done to others.
15. Give someone the benefit of the doubt: To trust someone's intentions, even if they haven't been fully explained.
16. Go the extra mile: To put in extra effort to accomplish something.
17. Hit the nail on the head: To be exactly right about something.
18. In the same boat: To be in the same situation or predicament as someone else.
19. It's raining cats and dogs: It's raining very heavily.
20. Keep your chin up: To stay positive and optimistic in a difficult situation.
21. Let the cat out of the bag: To reveal a secret.
22. Like a fish out of water: Feeling uncomfortable or out of place in a new situation.
23. Make a long story short: To summarize a long or complicated story.
24. Miss the boat: To miss an opportunity.
25. On the same page: To be in agreement with someone.
26. Out of the blue: Happening unexpectedly or without warning.
27. Put all your cards on the table: To reveal everything or be completely honest.
28. Put all your eggs in one basket: To rely on one thing for success.
29. Rome wasn't built in a day: Great things take time and effort to accomplish.
30. See eye to eye: To agree with someone.
31. Speak of the devil: When the person you were just talking about enters the room.
32. Take a rain check: To postpone something to a later time.
33. The ball is in your court: It's your turn to take action or make a decision.
34. The devil is in the details: Small details can have a big impact on the outcome of something.
35. The early bird catches the worm: Those who act quickly and decisively are more likely to succeed.
36. The grass is always greener on the other side: People tend to want what they don't have.
37. The whole nine yards: Everything possible or everything that can be done.
38. To be up in arms: To be very angry or upset about something.
39. When in Rome, do as the Romans do: To behave according to the customs of the place you are visiting.
40. You can't judge a book by its cover: You can't know everything about something or someone just by looking at them.

These are just a few of the thousands of idioms in the English language. Get your feet wet (start) with these, and then move on to the idioms that will knock your socks off (astound you).