25 Common Idioms in English with Meanings and Examples for TOEFL iBT®

Idioms are phrases whose meanings cannot be deduced from the individual words. They are very commonly used in everyday English conversations, academic discussions, and even in formal writing. Understanding such expressions will greatly enhance your comprehension and allow you to sound more natural and fluent in your responses as you take the TOEFL iBT®.

Let’s discuss some of the most common Idioms used in English along with their meanings and examples.

25 Common Idioms in English with Meanings and Examples

Here’s a list of the most common idioms in English along with their meanings and examples.

1. Break the ice

Meaning: To initiate social interaction or ease tension

Example: The professor started the class with a joke to break the ice.

2. Hit the books

Meaning: To study intensively

Example: With finals approaching, I need to hit the books this weekend.

3. Piece of cake

Meaning: Something very easy to do

Example: The math exam was a piece of cake for the well-prepared students.

4. Cost an arm and a leg

Meaning: To be extremely expensive

Example: Studying abroad can cost an arm and a leg, but it's often worth the investment.

5. Get the hang of

Meaning: To understand or become skilled at something

Example: It took me a while, but I finally got the hang of using the university's online library system.

6. Pull an all-nighter

Meaning: To stay up all night, usually to study or complete work

Example: I had to pull an all-nighter to finish my research paper before the deadline.

7. Catch someone off guard

Meaning: To surprise someone or catch them unprepared

Example: The pop quiz caught many students off guard.

8. Beat around the bush

Meaning: To avoid talking about something directly

Example: Don't beat around the bush; just tell me what you think of my presentation.

9. On the same page

Meaning: To have the same understanding or agreement

Example: Let's review the project guidelines to make sure we're all on the same page.

10. Cut corners

Meaning: To do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often sacrificing quality

Example: Some students try to cut corners by plagiarizing, but it's never worth the risk.

11. Get cold feet

Meaning: To become nervous or unsure about doing something

Example: I was excited about giving the speech, but I got cold feet just before going on stage.

12. Back to square one

Meaning: To start over from the beginning

Example: Our experiment failed, so we're back to square one with our research.

13. Burn the midnight oil

Meaning: To work late into the night

Example: During exam season, many students burn the midnight oil at the library.

14. In a nutshell

Meaning: To sum up briefly

Example: In a nutshell, the professor's lecture was about the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.

15. Take the bull by the horns

Meaning: To deal with a difficult situation directly and confidently

Example: When faced with a challenging group project, Sarah decided to take the bull by the horns and became the team leader.

16. Cut to the chase

Meaning: To get to the point without wasting time

Example: The busy professor asked the student to cut to the chase and explain the main argument of his paper.

17. Bite off more than you can chew

Meaning: To take on more responsibility than you can manage

Example: By enrolling in six courses this semester, I'm worried I've bitten off more than I can chew.

18. Kill two birds with one stone

Meaning: To accomplish two things with a single action

Example: By joining the debate club, I improved my public speaking skills and made new friends, killing two birds with one stone.

19. Let the cat out of the bag

Meaning: To reveal a secret accidentally or prematurely

Example: I didn't mean to let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party for our professor.

20. Sit on the fence

Meaning: To avoid taking sides in a dispute or discussion

Example: In class debates, it's often easier to sit on the fence, but the professor encourages us to form and express our opinions.

21. Jump on the bandwagon

Meaning: To join an activity or trend because it is popular

Example: When sustainable living became trendy, many students jumped on the bandwagon and started using reusable water bottles.

22. Scratch the surface

Meaning: To deal with only the superficial aspects of something

Example: Our introductory course only scratches the surface of quantum physics; the advanced class goes much deeper.

23. Speak volumes

Meaning: To express or indicate a great deal without using words

Example: The student's consistent preparation and participation in class discussions spoke volumes about her dedication to her studies.

24. Play it by ear

Meaning: To decide how to act in a situation as it develops, rather than planning in advance

Example: I'm not sure if I'll have time to attend the study group, so I'll play it by ear depending on how much work I get done today.

25. Put all your eggs in one basket

Meaning: To risk everything on a single venture

Example: It's not wise to put all your eggs in one basket when applying to colleges; it's better to have several options.

Practice these idioms in conversations and writing, and observe how they are used by native speakers. This will not only help you in the TOEFL iBT but also beyond it in your future academic and professional communication in English.

Also Read:

• Top 20 Idioms You Must Know for TOEFL Exam
• Common TOEFL Mistakes You Must Avoid
• How to Stay Motivated During TOEFL Exam