Common English Idioms and phrases. List of English idioms. English grammar with exercises. Free eBook and Free printable PDF.
Common English Idioms and Phrases
Common English Idioms and Phrases
An idiom is a phrase or group of words that, when taken together, has a meaning that is different from that of each individual word. To put it another way: idioms cannot be understood literally.
Idioms are very important when learning English because they are used a lot in everyday communication and can help you sound more like a native. To speak and understand conversational English better, learning the correct use of idioms is essential. Idioms also help give character to the language; making it more colourful and interesting.
Exercises
Common English Idioms and Phrases
EXERCISE 1.
Fill in the gaps in the following sentences using one of the idioms from the box below.
To pick someone’s brains
To pick a quarrel with someone
To have a bone to pick
To pick holes in something
To pick on someone
e.g. I always have to stand up in class. Mr.Smith always picks on me.
- Before the exam the teacher ________________ to see if we had revised enough.
- You’re always moaning, everything I ever do is wrong, don’t you think it’s time you stopped ____________________ everything I ever do or say?
- Craig! _______________ with you! Why on earth did you say it was my fault when you knew perfectly well that it wasn’t?
- I’m really annoyed with my new insurance company, I _______________ with them about the money they owe me.
- Leave him alone, go and __________________your own size.
- Mr Henderson, I have a _______________________with you, last week’s news reports weren’t correct.
- _________________________is quite a normal procedure in Scotland Yard.
- This year’s spring collection just won’t do, I know I’m forever __________________but things have to be perfect
- Andrew’s always been a problem child, he was forever ________________ with other children.
EXERCISE 2:
Match the following idioms with the correct meaning.
To pick someone’s brains
To provoke a discussion or fight
To pick holes in something
To search for information
To pick a quarrel with someone
To persecute someone
To pick on someone
To continuously criticise someone or something
IDIOMS AND EXPRESSIONS
EXERCISE 1
Complete the sentences using the expressions in the box.
tie something up / let oneself in for something / to be at pains to do something/ be unable to make head nor tail of something / give somebody the creeps / catch somebody’s eye
- He prepared everything. He wanted his wife to have a perfect evening. He ________ at ________________ to prepare the romantic evening.
- She has a lot of money but I can’t believe she ________________________ all of it in this useless property deal.
- He took the job but he didn’t realise what he was ______________________ ___________________ . This was too much work for one man.
- Although she studied Italian for five years, she _______________________ ____________________ of anything that he said.
- We waited to be served in the restaurant for over twenty minutes, until I was able to ___________ the waiters __________.
- That old man is so dirty and strange. He really _______________________.
EXERCISE 2.
Match the idioms with their meanings.
e.g. To put something to someone to suggest something to someone
- To take a shine to someone
- To come to terms (with)
- To take something in one’s stride
- To catch somebody’s eye
- Eye-catching
- To be unable to make head not tail of something
- To give somebody the creeps
- To be at great pains to do something
- Not to be able to understand something.
- To accept something (like the loss of a loved one).
- To make a lot of effort to do something well.
- To make someone feel uncomfortable.
- To attract someone.
- To cope with a lot of things at the same time.
- To be stunning, to attract attention.
- To be attracted by someone / to decide you rather like someone.
EXERCISE 3.
Write the correct idiom in the spaces provided in the following sentences.
to catch someone’s eye / to be unable to make head nor tail of something / to give someone the creeps / to be at great pains to do something / eye – catching
e.g. The inspector was unable to make head nor tail of the witnesses statements.
- Edmund is a very strange person. It’s not that he does or says anything wrong, I just don’t like being near him. He ____________________.
- Wow! That’s a bright dress you’re wearing! It’s what you might call _______________________!
- I think it’s about time we left. Could you _________ the host’s _______ so that we can say goodbye?
- Frances couldn’t ______________________________ of the complicated instructions to complete her tax returns – she had to ask an accountant to help her.
- Andy is such a good bloke! He worked 4 hours overtime to get that report right, he seems to be _________________ to get everything perfect before he leaves to go on holiday!
IDIOMATIC PHRASES
EXERCISE 1.
Complete the sentences by using the correct form of the idioms in the box below.
| can’t make head or tail of something…………To learn something by heart………… to poke one’s nose into someone’s business………… to get something off one’s chest………… to pull someone’s leg………… |
e.g. Rachel and Sue __see eye to eye__. That is why they get on so well!.
- John sent me a letter full of love and affection. I read it so many times that I __________ it___________
- He told me that he had won the lottery but it wasn’t true. He was just _______________________
- Whenever John and Mary quarreled, their mother always ________________________ because she couldn’t help interfering.
- The essay I was reading last night was so difficult that I ____________ _____________________ it
- Though unwillingly, she finally told him what she had done so she could ______________ it________________
- I am really worried: I am __________________________ but I can’t find a solution to this problem.
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