What Is an Idiom? 100 Examples & Meaning

What is a idiom? A idiom is an expression whose conventional meaning cannot always be worked out simply by combining the literal meanings of its individual words. Learning idioms, meaning, examples, vocabulary, context, grammar, reading comprehension and natural English usage helps learners move from recognising individual words to understanding how English works in real sentences. This complete eduKateSG guide builds the concept from definition and examples to interpretation, production, retrieval and transfer.

Strong vocabulary knowledge is not simply a count of dictionary definitions. English meaning is carried by relationships, patterns and conventional usage. Idioms show why learners must attend to complete expressions, sentence context and communicative purpose. A form that looks familiar can behave differently when it enters a larger lexical or grammatical pattern.

This guide connects the topic to collocations, semantic fields, word families, the Vocabulary hub and Vocabulary Learning Hub.

The 50-second answer

A idiom is an expression whose conventional meaning cannot always be worked out simply by combining the literal meanings of its individual words. The practical learning method is to study the complete form in context, identify what it means or does in that sentence, compare it with nearby alternatives, retrieve it later without prompts and use it accurately in a new sentence.

1. Meaning and definition

Meaning and definition becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

Next compare examples and non-examples. Ask what can change and what must remain stable. Notice register, collocation, syntax, punctuation or pronunciation where relevant. If a nearby alternative seems possible, substitute it and reread the complete sentence. Explaining why one version works better develops discrimination, which is deeper than recognition.

Finally retrieve the knowledge after a delay. Reconstruct the form from meaning, then reconstruct the meaning from form. Use it in an original sentence, paragraph or spoken response. Mix older items with new ones so practice requires selection rather than short-term repetition. This is how receptive vocabulary becomes productive vocabulary.

2. Why it matters

Why it matters becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

3. Form and meaning

Form and meaning becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

4. Context

Context becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

5. Grammar

Grammar becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

6. Pronunciation

Pronunciation becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

7. Spelling

Spelling becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

8. Literal meaning

Literal meaning becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

9. Figurative meaning

Figurative meaning becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

10. Multiple meanings

Multiple meanings becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

11. Register

Register becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

12. Formality

Formality becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

13. Connotation

Connotation becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

14. Collocation

Collocation becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

15. Semantic fields

Semantic fields becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

16. Word families

Word families becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

17. Synonyms

Synonyms becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

18. Antonyms

Antonyms becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

19. Common confusion

Common confusion becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

20. Reading comprehension

Reading comprehension becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

21. Context clues

Context clues becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

22. Inference

Inference becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

23. Cloze passages

Cloze passages becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

24. Editing

Editing becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

25. Writing

Writing becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

26. Speaking

Speaking becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

27. Listening

Listening becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

28. Academic English

Academic English becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

29. Everyday English

Everyday English becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

30. Primary English

Primary English becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

31. Secondary English

Secondary English becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

32. PSLE transfer

PSLE transfer becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

33. Dictionary use

Dictionary use becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

34. Learner dictionaries

Learner dictionaries becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

35. Authentic examples

Authentic examples becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

36. Frequency

Frequency becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

37. Naturalness

Naturalness becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

38. Error diagnosis

Error diagnosis becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

39. Retrieval practice

Retrieval practice becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

40. Spacing

Spacing becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

41. Interleaving

Interleaving becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

42. Sentence generation

Sentence generation becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

43. Contrastive examples

Contrastive examples becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

44. Memory cues

Memory cues becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

45. Vocabulary notebooks

Vocabulary notebooks becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

46. Teaching

Teaching becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

47. Independent learning

Independent learning becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

48. Assessment

Assessment becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

49. Transfer

Transfer becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

50. The central rule

The central rule becomes useful when learners connect form, meaning and context rather than memorising a detached label. Start with the complete expression or contrast, identify its role in the sentence, paraphrase it in plain English and notice the grammatical and lexical clues around it. This creates a representation that can survive beyond one worksheet.

51. Meaning and definition

52. Why it matters

53. Form and meaning

54. Context

55. Grammar

56. Pronunciation

57. Spelling

58. Literal meaning

59. Figurative meaning

60. Multiple meanings

61. Register

62. Formality

63. Connotation

64. Collocation

65. Semantic fields

66. Word families

67. Synonyms

68. Antonyms

69. Common confusion

70. Reading comprehension

71. Context clues

72. Inference

73. Cloze passages

74. Editing

75. Writing

76. Speaking

77. Listening

78. Academic English

79. Everyday English

80. Primary English

81. Secondary English

82. PSLE transfer

83. Dictionary use

84. Learner dictionaries

85. Authentic examples

86. Frequency

87. Naturalness

88. Error diagnosis

89. Retrieval practice

90. Spacing

91. Interleaving

92. Sentence generation

93. Contrastive examples

94. Memory cues

95. Vocabulary notebooks

96. Teaching

97. Independent learning

98. Assessment

99. Transfer

100. The central rule

100 idioms in context

1. break the ice

break the ice is a high-value example for studying idioms. Learn it as a complete unit or contrast rather than as disconnected pieces. State its meaning or function in plain English, identify the contextual evidence that supports that interpretation, and notice any grammatical restriction that controls how it can appear.

Create two original examples with break the ice: one straightforward and one in a different topic or situation. Then remove the target and retrieve it from the remaining context. Compare the result with a plausible competitor and explain why the intended form fits better. This forces precise selection rather than passive familiarity.

Connect break the ice to the wider vocabulary network. Add a synonym, antonym, paraphrase, semantic field, collocation or word-family connection where genuinely useful. Revisit the item after increasing intervals. Mastery means understanding it in unfamiliar contexts and using it naturally without needing the original example.

2. hit the nail on the head

hit the nail on the head is a high-value example for studying idioms. Learn it as a complete unit or contrast rather than as disconnected pieces. State its meaning or function in plain English, identify the contextual evidence that supports that interpretation, and notice any grammatical restriction that controls how it can appear.

Create two original examples with hit the nail on the head: one straightforward and one in a different topic or situation. Then remove the target and retrieve it from the remaining context. Compare the result with a plausible competitor and explain why the intended form fits better. This forces precise selection rather than passive familiarity.

Connect hit the nail on the head to the wider vocabulary network. Add a synonym, antonym, paraphrase, semantic field, collocation or word-family connection where genuinely useful. Revisit the item after increasing intervals. Mastery means understanding it in unfamiliar contexts and using it naturally without needing the original example.

3. under the weather

under the weather is a high-value example for studying idioms. Learn it as a complete unit or contrast rather than as disconnected pieces. State its meaning or function in plain English, identify the contextual evidence that supports that interpretation, and notice any grammatical restriction that controls how it can appear.

Create two original examples with under the weather: one straightforward and one in a different topic or situation. Then remove the target and retrieve it from the remaining context. Compare the result with a plausible competitor and explain why the intended form fits better. This forces precise selection rather than passive familiarity.

Connect under the weather to the wider vocabulary network. Add a synonym, antonym, paraphrase, semantic field, collocation or word-family connection where genuinely useful. Revisit the item after increasing intervals. Mastery means understanding it in unfamiliar contexts and using it naturally without needing the original example.

4. a piece of cake

a piece of cake is a high-value example for studying idioms. Learn it as a complete unit or contrast rather than as disconnected pieces. State its meaning or function in plain English, identify the contextual evidence that supports that interpretation, and notice any grammatical restriction that controls how it can appear.

Create two original examples with a piece of cake: one straightforward and one in a different topic or situation. Then remove the target and retrieve it from the remaining context. Compare the result with a plausible competitor and explain why the intended form fits better. This forces precise selection rather than passive familiarity.

Connect a piece of cake to the wider vocabulary network. Add a synonym, antonym, paraphrase, semantic field, collocation or word-family connection where genuinely useful. Revisit the item after increasing intervals. Mastery means understanding it in unfamiliar contexts and using it naturally without needing the original example.

5. once in a blue moon

once in a blue moon is a high-value example for studying idioms. Learn it as a complete unit or contrast rather than as disconnected pieces. State its meaning or function in plain English, identify the contextual evidence that supports that interpretation, and notice any grammatical restriction that controls how it can appear.

Create two original examples with once in a blue moon: one straightforward and one in a different topic or situation. Then remove the target and retrieve it from the remaining context. Compare the result with a plausible competitor and explain why the intended form fits better. This forces precise selection rather than passive familiarity.

Connect once in a blue moon to the wider vocabulary network. Add a synonym, antonym, paraphrase, semantic field, collocation or word-family connection where genuinely useful. Revisit the item after increasing intervals. Mastery means understanding it in unfamiliar contexts and using it naturally without needing the original example.

6. spill the beans

spill the beans is a high-value example for studying idioms. Learn it as a complete unit or contrast rather than as disconnected pieces. State its meaning or function in plain English, identify the contextual evidence that supports that interpretation, and notice any grammatical restriction that controls how it can appear.

Create two original examples with spill the beans: one straightforward and one in a different topic or situation. Then remove the target and retrieve it from the remaining context. Compare the result with a plausible competitor and explain why the intended form fits better. This forces precise selection rather than passive familiarity.

Connect spill the beans to the wider vocabulary network. Add a synonym, antonym, paraphrase, semantic field, collocation or word-family connection where genuinely useful. Revisit the item after increasing intervals. Mastery means understanding it in unfamiliar contexts and using it naturally without needing the original example.

7. cost an arm and a leg

cost an arm and a leg is a high-value example for studying idioms. Learn it as a complete unit or contrast rather than as disconnected pieces. State its meaning or function in plain English, identify the contextual evidence that supports that interpretation, and notice any grammatical restriction that controls how it can appear.

Create two original examples with cost an arm and a leg: one straightforward and one in a different topic or situation. Then remove the target and retrieve it from the remaining context. Compare the result with a plausible competitor and explain why the intended form fits better. This forces precise selection rather than passive familiarity.

Connect cost an arm and a leg to the wider vocabulary network. Add a synonym, antonym, paraphrase, semantic field, collocation or word-family connection where genuinely useful. Revisit the item after increasing intervals. Mastery means understanding it in unfamiliar contexts and using it naturally without needing the original example.

8. bite the bullet

bite the bullet is a high-value example for studying idioms. Learn it as a complete unit or contrast rather than as disconnected pieces. State its meaning or function in plain English, identify the contextual evidence that supports that interpretation, and notice any grammatical restriction that controls how it can appear.

Create two original examples with bite the bullet: one straightforward and one in a different topic or situation. Then remove the target and retrieve it from the remaining context. Compare the result with a plausible competitor and explain why the intended form fits better. This forces precise selection rather than passive familiarity.

Connect bite the bullet to the wider vocabulary network. Add a synonym, antonym, paraphrase, semantic field, collocation or word-family connection where genuinely useful. Revisit the item after increasing intervals. Mastery means understanding it in unfamiliar contexts and using it naturally without needing the original example.

9. on the same page

on the same page is a high-value example for studying idioms. Learn it as a complete unit or contrast rather than as disconnected pieces. State its meaning or function in plain English, identify the contextual evidence that supports that interpretation, and notice any grammatical restriction that controls how it can appear.

Create two original examples with on the same page: one straightforward and one in a different topic or situation. Then remove the target and retrieve it from the remaining context. Compare the result with a plausible competitor and explain why the intended form fits better. This forces precise selection rather than passive familiarity.

Connect on the same page to the wider vocabulary network. Add a synonym, antonym, paraphrase, semantic field, collocation or word-family connection where genuinely useful. Revisit the item after increasing intervals. Mastery means understanding it in unfamiliar contexts and using it naturally without needing the original example.

10. the ball is in your court

the ball is in your court is a high-value example for studying idioms. Learn it as a complete unit or contrast rather than as disconnected pieces. State its meaning or function in plain English, identify the contextual evidence that supports that interpretation, and notice any grammatical restriction that controls how it can appear.

Create two original examples with the ball is in your court: one straightforward and one in a different topic or situation. Then remove the target and retrieve it from the remaining context. Compare the result with a plausible competitor and explain why the intended form fits better. This forces precise selection rather than passive familiarity.

Connect the ball is in your court to the wider vocabulary network. Add a synonym, antonym, paraphrase, semantic field, collocation or word-family connection where genuinely useful. Revisit the item after increasing intervals. Mastery means understanding it in unfamiliar contexts and using it naturally without needing the original example.

11. break the ice

12. hit the nail on the head

13. under the weather

14. a piece of cake

15. once in a blue moon

16. spill the beans

17. cost an arm and a leg

18. bite the bullet

19. on the same page

20. the ball is in your court

21. break the ice

22. hit the nail on the head

23. under the weather

24. a piece of cake

25. once in a blue moon

26. spill the beans

27. cost an arm and a leg

28. bite the bullet

29. on the same page

30. the ball is in your court

31. break the ice

32. hit the nail on the head

33. under the weather

34. a piece of cake

35. once in a blue moon

36. spill the beans

37. cost an arm and a leg

38. bite the bullet

39. on the same page

40. the ball is in your court

41. break the ice

42. hit the nail on the head

43. under the weather

44. a piece of cake

45. once in a blue moon

46. spill the beans

47. cost an arm and a leg

48. bite the bullet

49. on the same page

50. the ball is in your court

51. break the ice

52. hit the nail on the head

53. under the weather

54. a piece of cake

55. once in a blue moon

56. spill the beans

57. cost an arm and a leg

58. bite the bullet

59. on the same page

60. the ball is in your court

61. break the ice

62. hit the nail on the head

63. under the weather

64. a piece of cake

65. once in a blue moon

66. spill the beans

67. cost an arm and a leg

68. bite the bullet

69. on the same page

70. the ball is in your court

71. break the ice

72. hit the nail on the head

73. under the weather

74. a piece of cake

75. once in a blue moon

76. spill the beans

77. cost an arm and a leg

78. bite the bullet

79. on the same page

80. the ball is in your court

81. break the ice

82. hit the nail on the head

83. under the weather

84. a piece of cake

85. once in a blue moon

86. spill the beans

87. cost an arm and a leg

88. bite the bullet

89. on the same page

90. the ball is in your court

91. break the ice

92. hit the nail on the head

93. under the weather

94. a piece of cake

95. once in a blue moon

96. spill the beans

97. cost an arm and a leg

98. bite the bullet

99. on the same page

100. the ball is in your court

A 12-week mastery programme

Week 1

Select eight to ten high-value items. Establish meaning and usage on the first session, compare contexts on the second, retrieve without options on the third, and use the items in a short reading, writing or speaking task later in the week. Mix previous material into every session so retrieval remains cumulative.

Measure progress through transfer. A learner should recognise the item, explain it, discriminate it from competitors, retrieve it after a delay and use it appropriately in a new context. Keep uncertain items active longer and lengthen the interval only after accurate independent use.

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

Week 12

Continue through the eduKate vocabulary system

Continue with What Is a Collocation?, What Is a Semantic Field?, Vocabulary and the Vocabulary Learning Hub.

What Is an Idiom? | Meaning, Examples, 100 English Idioms and How Figurative Expressions Work