10 Common Idioms You’ll Hear in English Conversations

Learning idioms is a fun way to sound more natural and connect better in English conversations. These are especially important to learn if you're hoping to get a high score on your IELTS exam.

Here are 10 common idioms you’re likely to hear, complete with explanations and examples to help you understand and use them confidently. Let’s dive in!

1. Break the Ice

• Meaning: To make people feel more comfortable in a social situation.

• Example: “To break the ice, he started with a funny story.”

• In Context: Imagine you’re at a party where no one knows each other well. Telling a lighthearted joke or introducing yourself can help “break the ice.”

2. Hit the Nail on the Head

• Meaning: To describe exactly what’s causing a problem or to be exactly right.

• Example: “You hit the nail on the head with that comment!”

• In Context: If someone perfectly sums up a problem, you’d say they “hit the nail on the head.”

3. Let the Cat Out of the Bag

• Meaning: To accidentally reveal a secret.

• Example: “He let the cat out of the bag about her surprise party.”

• In Context: If you spill a secret, like a surprise, before the intended moment, you’ve “let the cat out of the bag.”

4. Under the Weather

• Meaning: To feel slightly ill or not at your best.

• Example: “She’s feeling under the weather, so she stayed home.”

• In Context: If you’re feeling sick or low-energy, saying you’re “under the weather” is a natural way to let people know.

5. Bite the Bullet

• Meaning: To face a painful or unpleasant situation with courage.

• Example: “I hate going to the dentist, but I’ll bite the bullet and make an appointment.”

• In Context: When you decide to tackle a tough task head-on, you’re choosing to “bite the bullet.”

6. Hit the Books

• Meaning: To study hard.

• Example: “Final exams are next week, so it’s time to hit the books.”

• In Context: If you’re studying intensively for an exam or project, you’d say you’re “hitting the books.”

7. Cut Corners

• Meaning: To do something the easiest or cheapest way, often at the expense of quality.

• Example: “The builders cut corners on this project, so it’s not very sturdy.”

• In Context: When someone skips steps or chooses shortcuts to save time or money, they’re “cutting corners.”

8. Piece of Cake

• Meaning: Something that’s very easy to do.

• Example: “The math test was a piece of cake.”

• In Context: If a task is easy, like a simple assignment or cooking a familiar recipe, you’d say it’s a “piece of cake.”

9. A Blessing in Disguise

• Meaning: Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good.

• Example: “Losing that job was a blessing in disguise—it led me to a better opportunity.”

• In Context: When a negative experience leads to something positive, it’s “a blessing in disguise.”

10. Spill the Beans

• Meaning: To reveal secret information.

• Example: “He accidentally spilled the beans about their engagement.”

• In Context: If someone unintentionally reveals a surprise or secret, they’ve “spilled the beans.”

These idioms are great for everyday conversations and can make you sound more fluent and relatable. Try using one or two in your next conversation, and have fun with it—learning idioms can be a “piece of cake”!