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Common English Idioms and Expressions
Common English Idioms and Expressions
1. Blessing in disguise
Something that seems bad or unlucky at first, but results in something good
happening later.
Example: When her boyfriend dumped her, it was a blessing in disguise for Sarah,
because otherwise she would never have met the man who is now her husband.
A situation in which you can enjoy the advantages of two very different things at the
same time.
Example: She works in the city and lives in the country, so she gets the best of both
worlds.
Example: He has been giving me the cold shoulder since this morning.
Example: I wanted to keep my new job a secret, but my mother let the cat out of the
bag.
Example: I work in a foreign country. So, I only see my parents once in a blue
moon.
6. On cloud nine
Example: The grandmother was on cloud nine to see her grandson after a long
time.
7. Through thick and thin
If you support or stay with someone through thick and thin, you always support or
stay with them, even if there are problems or difficulties.
Example: My best friend has stayed with me through thick and thin.
To tell someone something that is not true as a way of joking with the person.
Example: He missed the boat when he did not apply for the job in time.
What you do is more important and shows your intentions and feelings more clearly
than what you say.
Example: Politicians are all the same, all talk but no work; do they realise
that actions speak louder than words?
Example: I think she has bitten off more than she can chew by signing up so many
new projects.
Example: Word games are great to break the ice with new students.
To be extremely expensive.
Example: New cars cost an arm and a leg. I simply can’t afford one.
Practice these idioms when you are learning English at Studio Cambridge or impress
your friends and your teachers by explaining what they mean.