Here’s a follow-up to our previous post featuring a collection of fun and quirky English idioms! This time, we’re taking your vocabulary to the next level, with a few more expressions that are sure to make you smile—hopefully at least once (or even better, 15 times!). Check out our handpicked selection below, then try the activities at the end to really lock them in. Enjoy!

Idiom	Meaning	Example
to have a whale of a time	to enjoy yourself very much	The kids had a whale of a time at the theme park.
Break a leg!	used to wish somebody good luck, especially to an actor before they go on stage	You’ve been rehearsing for weeks—break a leg in your big performance tonight!
to bite the bullet	to start to deal with an unpleasant or difficult situation which cannot be avoided	I wasn’t happy with the way my career was going, so I decided to bite the bullet and look for another job.
The cat’s out of the bag.	a secret has been revealed (usually unintentionally)	Well, I was going to surprise you with the gift, but I guess the cat’s out of the bag now!
like a bull in a china shop	If someone is like a bull in a china shop, they are very careless in the way that they move or behave.	We told her it was a delicate situation, but she went into the meeting like a bull in a china shop.
(as) fit as a fiddle	in very good physical condition	After her vacation in the mountains, she came back fit as a fiddle and ready to tackle any project.
to burn the midnight oil	to study or work until late at night	I had to burn the midnight oil last night to finish the project before the deadline.
under the weather	feeling slightly ill and not as well as usual	I think I’m going to stay home today; I’m feeling a bit under the weather.
to let the cat out of the bag	to tell a secret carelessly or by mistake	I wanted it to be a surprise, but my sister let the cat out of the bag.
to chase rainbows	to pursue an illusionary goal	I admire your ambition, but don’t waste your energy chasing rainbows. Set goals you can actually reach.
The early bird catches the worm.	The person who takes the earliest opportunity to do something will gain the advantage over others.	If you want to secure a good seat at the concert, remember—the early bird catches the worm!
no room to swing a cat (humorous)	used in reference to a very confined space	The apartment is so tiny, there’s no room to swing a cat!
You can’t have your cake and eat it too.	You can’t enjoy both of two desirable but mutually exclusive alternatives.	She wants to work part-time and still earn a full-time salary, but you can’t have your cake and eat it too.
like two peas in a pod	so similar as to be indistinguishable or nearly so	My brother and I are like two peas in a pod—we both love the same music and have the same sense of humor.
to hit the sack	to go to bed in order to sleep	I’ve got a busy day tomorrow, so I think I’ll hit the sack.

Practice

Exercise 1. Click the link here and match the parts of the idioms.

Exercise 2. Click the link here and match the pictures to the idioms.

Exercise 3. Click the link here and complete the sentences.

🐈 Which of these idioms do you like the most? Do you think you’ll have a chance to use it anytime soon? If you’d like, feel free to practice using them in the comments below—it’s a great way to make these expressions part of your everyday vocabulary!