By Sunil Chaudhari – Founder, Guruji English Classes
Introduction: Why Idioms Make You Sound More Natural & Fluent
My dear learners, whenever I teach Spoken English, Public Speaking, or IELTS on Guruji English Classes, I notice one thing again and again: learners speak good English, but they lack flavor. And because flavor is what makes communication interesting, I always tell my students that learning idioms is like adding masala to your English.
Moreover, idioms help you:
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Sound natural
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Impress listeners
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Speak like native speakers
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Improve storytelling
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Make conversations memorable
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Score higher in IELTS Speaking
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Show cultural understanding
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Build strong personal connections
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Speak confidently in interviews
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Add emotion to your speech
Therefore, idioms are not optional — they are essential.
And yes, since idioms can be confusing, I will explain every idiom in very simple English, with global examples, with easy sentences, and with a caring tone — because I truly want you to speak confidently anywhere in the world.
Before we begin, let me lovingly remind you:
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Your support motivates me to bring more powerful free lessons for you.
Let’s begin your idioms journey!
Section 1: What Exactly Is an Idiom? (Simple Explanation)
Because many learners feel scared when they hear the word “idiom,” let me explain it quickly and easily.
An idiom is a group of words whose meaning is different from the literal words.
For example:
“Break the ice”
Literal meaning: break a piece of ice
Real meaning: start a friendly conversation
Therefore, idioms make your English sound smarter and more expressive.
Section 2: Why Idioms Are Loved Around the World
1. Idioms add personality to your language
When you use idioms, your speech becomes more colorful and human.
2. Idioms show cultural knowledge
Because idioms come from real human experiences, using them shows that you understand global English.
3. Idioms improve your IELTS Speaking score
Examiners appreciate idiomatic expressions because they show fluency.
4. Idioms help you express complex feelings easily
Instead of speaking long sentences, you express big ideas in small phrases.
5. Idioms make conversations memorable
People remember idioms more than plain sentences.
Section 3: 30 Idioms That Are Used Across the Globe
(Explained with love, clarity, and real examples)
Let’s divide them into categories so that you can learn easily.
Category A: Idioms for Starting Conversations & Social Situations
1. Break the ice
Meaning: start a conversation in a friendly way
Example: “I told a joke to break the ice at the meeting.”
2. Small talk
Meaning: light, casual conversation
Example: “We made small talk while waiting in line.”
3. Hit it off
Meaning: instantly become friends
Example: “We hit it off the moment we met.”
4. In the same boat
Meaning: in the same situation
Example: “We are all in the same boat during exams.”
5. A social butterfly
Meaning: someone who loves meeting people
Example: “She talks to everyone; she’s a social butterfly.”
Category B: Idioms for Success & Improvement
6. A piece of cake
Meaning: very easy
Example: “This exercise is a piece of cake.”
7. Hit the jackpot
Meaning: achieve huge success
Example: “You hit the jackpot with that idea.”
8. Break new ground
Meaning: do something innovative
Example: “Their new app breaks new ground in technology.”
9. Raise the bar
Meaning: set a higher standard
Example: “Your performance raised the bar for everyone.”
10. Go the extra mile
Meaning: do more than expected
Example: “He always goes the extra mile at work.”
Category C: Idioms for Challenges & Difficulties
11. At the eleventh hour
Meaning: at the last moment
Example: “He submitted the project at the eleventh hour.”
12. A tough cookie
Meaning: someone strong in difficult situations
Example: “She is a tough cookie during challenges.”
13. Bend over backwards
Meaning: try very hard to help
Example: “They bent over backwards to assist us.”
14. A blessing in disguise
Meaning: something good that seems bad at first
Example: “Losing that job was a blessing in disguise.”
15. Hit rock bottom
Meaning: reach the lowest point
Example: “He hit rock bottom before improving.”
Category D: Idioms for Emotions & Reactions
16. On cloud nine
Meaning: extremely happy
Example: “She was on cloud nine after the promotion.”
17. Feel under the weather
Meaning: feel unwell
Example: “I feel under the weather today.”
18. Blow off steam
Meaning: release stress
Example: “I exercise to blow off steam.”
19. Break someone’s heart
Meaning: hurt someone emotionally
Example: “His words broke her heart.”
20. A rollercoaster of emotions
Meaning: many emotions happening quickly
Example: “The movie was a rollercoaster of emotions.”
Category E: Idioms for Work & Professional Life
21. Keep me in the loop
Meaning: keep me updated
Example: “Please keep me in the loop on the project.”
22. Think outside the box
Meaning: think creatively
Example: “We must think outside the box to solve this.”
23. In the long run
Meaning: over a long time
Example: “This decision will help us in the long run.”
24. On the same page
Meaning: agree or understand the same thing
Example: “Let’s make sure we are on the same page.”
25. Touch base
Meaning: connect briefly
Example: “Let’s touch base tomorrow.”
Category F: Idioms for Daily Life & Everyday Situations
26. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: very rarely
Example: “I eat fast food once in a blue moon.”
27. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: reveal a secret
Example: “He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise.”
28. Under the table
Meaning: secretly or illegally
Example: “The deal was done under the table.”
29. A hot potato
Meaning: a sensitive topic
Example: “Politics is a hot potato in many families.”
30. The ball is in your court
Meaning: it’s your decision
Example: “I’ve done my part; now the ball is in your court.”
Section 4: How to Use Idioms Naturally (Not Artificially)
Many learners force idioms into sentences, which sounds unnatural. Therefore, follow these steps:
1. Understand the meaning, not the words
Because idioms are not literal, focus on the idea.
2. Use idioms in personal stories
Stories give natural flow.
3. Use idioms one at a time
Using too many idioms makes your speech confusing.
4. Observe idioms in movies and series
This helps you learn tone and context.
5. Practice idioms in front of a mirror
Because speaking builds confidence, mirror practice works beautifully.
Section 5: Real-Life Dialogues (Very Useful!)
Here are dialogues so you can use idioms confidently.
Dialogue 1: In a Meeting
You: “Let’s think outside the box to solve this problem.”
Team: “Yes, that will help us raise the bar.”
Dialogue 2: With a Friend
Friend: “How was your exam?”
You: “Some parts were a piece of cake, but the last section was a hot potato.”
Dialogue 3: Starting a Conversation
You: “Let me share a quick story to break the ice.”
Other person: “Sure, go ahead!”
Dialogue 4: Talking About Feelings
You: “I felt under the weather yesterday, but today I’m on cloud nine.”
Section 6: Practice Tasks (Your 5-Minute Daily Routine)
Task 1: Choose any 5 idioms and write a story using them.
Task 2: Speak 5 sentences aloud using idioms from each category.
Task 3: In your next conversation, use at least 1 idiom naturally.
Task 4: Watch an English series → Note 5 idioms → Write meanings.
Task 5: Journal your day using 3 idioms.
Section 7: How Idioms Improve IELTS Speaking
Because IELTS loves natural English, idioms help you:
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Show fluency
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Add personality
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Sound confident
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Impress examiners
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Show emotional intelligence
For example:
“I was overwhelmed at first, but later I felt relieved. It was truly a rollercoaster of emotions.”
This sounds natural, fluent, emotional, and powerful.
Conclusion: Let Idioms Add Flavor to Your English
My dear learners, because you read this entire blog with dedication, I already know that your English will grow beautifully from today. Moreover, idioms will help you sound natural, expressive, global, and confident.
Always remember:
Your words create your impression.
Your idioms create your flavor.
And your practice creates your success.
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