Idioms and Phrases A-Z Set 3

TL;DR: Expand your idiom vocabulary with this final set of commonly used English expressions. These phrases appear frequently in literature, conversations, a…

Expand your idiom vocabulary with this final set of commonly used English expressions. These phrases appear frequently in literature, conversations, and pr

Idioms and Phrases A-Z Set 3

• The ball is in your court — It is your turn to make a decision or take action (e.g. I have presented my offer; now the ball is in your court.)
• The best of both worlds — The advantages of two different situations (e.g. This job gives me the best of both worlds: good pay and flexible hours.)
• The tip of the iceberg — A small visible part of a much larger problem (e.g. The corruption scandal is just the tip of the iceberg.)
• Think outside the box — To think creatively and unconventionally (e.g. To solve this problem, we need to think outside the box.)
• Time will tell — The future will reveal the truth (e.g. Whether this decision was right or wrong, time will tell.)
• Too good to be true — Seems excellent but is probably false or unlikely (e.g. An easy way to get rich sounds too good to be true.)
• Under the weather — Feeling sick or unwell (e.g. I am feeling under the weather today; I might skip class.)
• Up in arms — Angry or upset about something (e.g. Students were up in arms when exam dates were suddenly changed.)
• Walk in the park — Something very easy (e.g. This assignment is a walk in the park compared to the last one.)
• Wear your heart on your sleeve — To show your emotions openly (e.g. She wears her heart on her sleeve and is very emotional.)
• Weather the storm — To survive a difficult period (e.g. The company managed to weather the storm during the economic crisis.)
• What goes around comes around — Karma; actions have consequences (e.g. What goes around comes around; treat others how you wish to be treated.)
• When all is said and done — At the end; after everything is considered (e.g. When all is said and done, education is the most valuable investment.)
• Win-win situation — A situation beneficial to both parties (e.g. This partnership is a win-win situation for both companies.)
• You cannot judge a book by its cover — Appearance is not a true reflection of inner quality (e.g. He looks shy, but you cannot judge a book by its cover; he is very talented.)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an idiom and a proverb?

Idioms are phrases with figurative meanings used in casual language. Proverbs are traditional sayings that express wisdom or general truths and are often used to teach lessons.

Should I use idioms in formal writing?

Use idioms cautiously in formal writing. Some idioms are acceptable in professional contexts, but it is usually safer to use clear, literal language in formal documents.

More Vocabulary Sets

• Idioms and Phrases A-Z Set 1
• Idioms and Phrases A-Z Set 2
• Idioms About Animals
• Idioms About Time
• Idioms About Money
• Idioms About Body Parts

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