Twenty “MORE” common English expressions

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Idioms. Native English speakers love using them in conversation, and you’ll often find them popping up in books, TV shows and movies too. To perfect your English, you really need to become confident in using idioms and knowing the difference between breaking a leg and pulling someone’s leg.

If you intend taking an IELTS exam in the future, using common expressions in your writing and speaking sections will be very important. Using common expressions shows a good understanding of the language.

Here are 20 English idioms that everyone should know:

How to do this lesson: 

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Read the expression an the meaning to your teacher.
                     2. Write a simple sentence using the expression in the correct way.
                     3. If there are errors then rewrite the sentence again with the help of your teacher.

1. As easy as pie     means “very easy” (same as “a piece of cake”)
Example: He said it is a difficult problem, but I don’t agree. It seems as easy as pie to
me!

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.

2. Be sick and tired of     means “I hate” (also “can’t stand”)
Example: I’m sick and tired of doing nothing but work. Let’s go out tonight and have fun.

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.

3. Bend over backward     means “try very hard” (maybe too much!)
Example: He bent over backward to please his new wife, but she never seemed
satisfied.

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.

4. Bite off more than one can chew     means “take responsibility for more than one can manage

: John is so far behind in his studies. Besides classes, he plays sports and works
at a part-time job. It seems he has bitten off more than he can chew.

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.

5. Broke     means “to have no money”
Example: I have to borrow some money from my Dad. Right now, I’m broke.

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.

6. Change one’s mind     means “decide to do something different from
what had been decided earlier”
Example: I was planning to work late tonight, but I changed my mind. I’ll do extra work
on the weekend instead.

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.

7. Cut it out! means     “stop doing something bad”
Example: That noise is really annoying. Cut it out!

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.

8. Drop someone a line     means “send a letter or email to someone”
Example: It was good to meet you and I hope we can see each other again. Drop me a
line when you have time.

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.

9. Figure something out     means “come to understand a problem”
Example: I don’t understand how to do this problem. Take a look at it. Maybe you can
figure it out.

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.

10. Fill in for someone     means “do their work while they are away”
Example: While I was away from the store, my brother filled in for me.

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.

11. In ages     means “for a very long time”
Example: Have you seen Joe recently? I haven’t seen him in ages.

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.

12. Give someone a hand     means “help”
Example: I want to move this desk to the next room. Can you give me a hand?

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.

13. Hit the hay     means “go to bed” (also “hit the sack”)
Example: It’s after 12 o’clock. I think it’s time to hit the hay.

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.

14. In the black     means “the business is making money, it is profitable”

Example: Our business is really improving. We’ve been in the black all year.

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.

15. In the red     means “the business is losing money, it is unprofitable”

Example: Business is really going poorly these days. We’ve been in the red
for the past three months.

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.

16. In the nick of time     means “not too late, but very close!”
Example: I got to the drugstore just in the nick of time. It’s a good thing because I really
need this medicine!

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.

17. Keep one’s chin up     means “remain brave and keep on trying”
Example: I know things have been difficult for you recently, but keep your chin up. It will
get better soon.

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.

18. Know something like the back of your hand     means “know something very, very well”
Example: If you get lost, just ask me for directions. I know this part of town like the back of my hand

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.

19. Once in a while     means “sometimes, not very often”
Example: Have you been to the new movie theater? No, only see movies once in a while. I usually stay at home and watch TV.

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.

20. Sharp     means “exactly at that time”
Example: I’ll meet you at 9 o’clock sharp. If you’re late, we’ll be in trouble!

NOW WRITE A SIMPLE SENTENCE THAT INCLUDES THIS EXPRESSION.