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
- Break a leg: Good luck
- Example: “Break a leg on your performance!”
- Spill the beans: To reveal a secret
- Example: “Don’t spill the beans about the surprise party.”
- Let the cat out of the bag: To reveal a secret
- Example: “Someone let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.”
- Under the weather: Feeling unwell
- Example: “I’m feeling under the weather today.”
- Hit the books: To study hard
- Example: “I need to hit the books for my exam tomorrow.”
- Once in a blue moon: Very rarely
- Example: “I only see her once in a blue moon.”
- Bite the bullet: To face a difficult situation bravely
- Example: “I’ll just have to bite the bullet and tell her the truth.”
- Piece of cake: Very easy
- Example: “This math problem is a piece of cake.”
- Raining cats and dogs: Pouring heavily
- Example: “It’s raining cats and dogs outside!”
- On cloud nine: Very happy
- Example: “I’m on cloud nine after getting that promotion.”
Phrasal Verbs
- Look up to: Admire or respect
- Example: “I look up to my grandfather.”
- Give up: Stop trying
- Example: “Don’t give up on your dreams.”
- Put off: Delay or postpone
- Example: “I can’t put off studying any longer.”
- Get along: Have a good relationship
- Example: “I get along well with my coworkers.”
- Run into: Meet unexpectedly
- Example: “I ran into my old friend at the grocery store.”
- Look forward to: Anticipate with pleasure
- Example: “I’m looking forward to my vacation.”
- Come across: Find by chance
- Example: “I came across this old photo while cleaning.”
- Take after: Resemble
- Example: “She takes after her mother.”
- Carry out: Perform or complete
- Example: “Carry out the plan as we discussed.”
- Look down on: Consider inferior
- Example: “He looks down on people who don’t have a college degree.”
