Idiomatic Expressions and Phrasal Verbs

20 Idiomatic Expressions and Phrasal Verbs with Meanings and Examples

Idiomatic Expressions are phrases that have a meaning different from the literal meaning of the individual words.

Phrasal Verbs are combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb that have a meaning different from the individual words.

Idiomatic Expressions

1. Break a leg: Good luck
   • Example: “Break a leg on your performance!”
2. Spill the beans: To reveal a secret
   • Example: “Don’t spill the beans about the surprise party.”
3. Let the cat out of the bag: To reveal a secret
   • Example: “Someone let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.”
4. Under the weather: Feeling unwell
   • Example: “I’m feeling under the weather today.”
5. Hit the books: To study hard
   • Example: “I need to hit the books for my exam tomorrow.”
6. Once in a blue moon: Very rarely
   • Example: “I only see her once in a blue moon.”
7. Bite the bullet: To face a difficult situation bravely
   • Example: “I’ll just have to bite the bullet and tell her the truth.”
8. Piece of cake: Very easy
   • Example: “This math problem is a piece of cake.”
9. Raining cats and dogs: Pouring heavily
   • Example: “It’s raining cats and dogs outside!”
10. On cloud nine: Very happy

• Example: “I’m on cloud nine after getting that promotion.”

Phrasal Verbs

11. Look up to: Admire or respect

• Example: “I look up to my grandfather.”

12. Give up: Stop trying

• Example: “Don’t give up on your dreams.”

13. Put off: Delay or postpone

• Example: “I can’t put off studying any longer.”

14. Get along: Have a good relationship

• Example: “I get along well with my coworkers.”

15. Run into: Meet unexpectedly

• Example: “I ran into my old friend at the grocery store.”

16. Look forward to: Anticipate with pleasure

• Example: “I’m looking forward to my vacation.”

17. Come across: Find by chance

• Example: “I came across this old photo while cleaning.”

18. Take after: Resemble

• Example: “She takes after her mother.”

19. Carry out: Perform or complete

• Example: “Carry out the plan as we discussed.”

20. Look down on: Consider inferior

• Example: “He looks down on people who don’t have a college degree.”