Dictionary of English Idioms: Vocabulary Building

Useful English Idioms and their meanings in simple words | Alphabetical list of English Idioms

Sample this:

Useful English Idioms -- A

Aback

be taken aback -- to be shocked

Abeyance

in abeyance -- postponed

Above

above all -- most of all

Abreast

keep abreast of -- to know the latest update

Abstract

in the abstract -- generally

Abundance

in abundance -- in great amounts or quantities

Accident

by accident -- unintentionally

Accompaniment

to the accompaniment of -- in the addition of something else

Accord

in accord -- in agreement

of your own accord -- willingly

with one accord -- in unison

Accordance

in accordance with -- according to a rule or system

Account

by all accounts -- as said by other people

by your own account -- as said by you

of no account -- of no significance

on somebody’s account -- because of another person

on account of -- because of

on no account -- without any reason

on your own account -- by or for yourself

on this account -- because of this

turn something to a good account -- to make the best use of something

take account of -- to consider something during the decision-making process

Ace

hold all the aces -- to be in the most favorable situation

place your ace -- to use your best argument, etc. to make the situation in your favor

Acquaintance

make the acquaintance of somebody -- to be familiar with somebody for the first time

of your acquaintances -- that you know

on first acquaintance -- on first meeting

Acquire

an acquired taste -- something that you like gradually

Act

act of God -- a natural event

do a vanishing act -- to be absent when you are required to be present

get your act together -- to make your best efforts to achieve your goal

a hard act to follow -- to be the perfect example of something and thus almost impossible to emulate

in the act of doing something -- while somebody is doing something

in action -- doing the usual activity

into action -- to be implemented

out of action -- not working

Add

add insult to injury -- to aggravate the relationship with somebody

Addition

in addition -- besides

Ado

without further ado -- immediately

Advanced

of advanced age -- very old

Advantage

work to your advantage -- to try to get an advantage from a particular circumstance

to best advantage -- in the best possible way

turn something to your advantage -- to get an advantage from an unfavorable situation

Advisement

Take something under advisement -- to consider something during the decision-making process

Aegis

under the aegis of -- with the support of

Afoul

run afoul of -- to do something illegal

Afar

from afar -- from a long distance away

Afield

far afield -- from a long distance away

Afoul

run afoul of -- to do something illegal

After

after all -- in spite of everything

Age

act your age -- to behave maturely and sensibly

come of age -- to be legally mature

under age -- to be legally immature

Aggregate

in aggregate -- as a total

Agree

agree to differ -- (of two people) to not discuss their different views about something

Aim

take aim at -- to criticize severely

Air

walk on air -- to be delighted

in the air -- felt by many people

on air -- broadcasting on TV, etc.

off air -- not broadcasting on TV, etc.

up in the air -- undecided

Aisle

walk down the aisle -- to get married

Alarm

alarm bells ring -- to be worried and apprehensive in a sudden way

Alive

alive and kicking -- healthy and lively

bring something alive -- to make something exciting

come alive -- to be exciting

And

and all that -- and other things of the same kind

not all that -- not particularly

Allow

allow me -- used to offer help in a polite manner

Allowance

make allowance for something -- to consider something during the decision-making process

make allowance for somebody -- to accept somebody’s improper, rude, etc. way of behaving because of a special reason

Alone

go it alone -- to do something on your own

leave alone -- to stop annoying somebody

stand alone -- to be independent or unrelated to somebody/something