1. To stick to one’s guns – to refuse to change your opinions or beliefs about something
Ex – You need to stick to your guns and stop listening to what he says.
2. To Take something with a pinch/grain of salt – Do not take something too seriously
Ex – I think you need to take something that Martin says with a pinch of salt.
3. To take the mickey – to make fun of
Ex – Are you taking the mickey of my mum ?
4. The ball is in your court – it’s your decision
Ex – The ball is in your court regarding the next decision.
5. The best of both worlds – a situation in which you can enjoy the advantages of two different things.
Ex – She works in the city and lives in the countryside, so she can enjoy best of both worlds.
6. The best thing since sliced bread – a really great invention
Ex – This sport is the best thing since sliced bread.
7. The devil is in the details – It looks good from afar, but when you look more closely, there are problems.
Ex – The illustrations look fine at first glance, but the devil is in the details.
8. The early bird gets the worm – the people who arrive first will get the best stuff
Ex – Let’s head to the sales at 6 AM – the early bird gets the worm.
9. The elephant in the room – the big issue, the people are avoiding
Ex – I think we should address the elephant in the room – your hideous shoes.
10. The last straw – the last of the series of unpleasant events that make you feel you can’t continue.
Ex – She’s always been rude to me, but it was the last straw when she started insulting my mother.
11. There are plenty more fish in the sea – it’s okay to miss this opportunity because others will arise.
Ex – Just forget about him – there are plenty more fish in the sea.
12. There is a method to some one’s madness – someone appears crazy but actually they have a plan.
Ex – My bedroom seems messy but there is a way of my madness.
13. There is no such thing as a free lunch – nothing is entirely free
Ex – I wonder what he wants from me ? There is no such thing as a free lunch.
14. Through thick and thin – under no circumstances, no matter how difficult.
Ex – He stuck with her through thick and thin.
15. To throw caution to the wind – take a risk
Ex – I think you should throw caution to that wind and go to that date.
16. To make matters worse – with the result that a bad situation is made worse.
Ex – She accidentally sent a romantic message to her family whatsapp group, and to make matters worse it included a picture.
17. To twist someone’s arm – to convince someone to do what you want
Ex – I didn’t want to go out tonight ! but Felicity twisted my arm.
18. Under the weather – Slightly unwell or in low spirits
Ex – I don’t think i will come tonight because i am feeling bit under the weather.
19. Up in the air – (of a plan or issue) still to be settled; unresolved.
Ex – The fate of my house purchase is still up in the air.
20. We will cross that bridge when we come to it – an expression that means you will not worry about a possible future problem but will deal with it if it happens
Ex – Don’t worry about the car breaking down, we will cross that bridge when we come to it.
21. To wrap your head around something – to find a way to understand or accept (something)
Ex – I can’t still wrap my head around why she would do that!
22. You can say that again – used to express emphatic agreement.
Ex – The weather has been terrible you can say that again.
23. You can’t have your cake and eat it too – You can’t have everything.
Ex – You need to choose between the two options, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.
24. You can’t judge a book by it’s cover – Don’t judge what on the outside.
Ex – She may look scruffy but don’t judge a book by it’s cover.
25. You live and you learn – You learn from your mistakes
Ex – I know you have failed your interview but you live and you learn.
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