50 Idioms Your Child Can Use for Composition Writing!
Ever wondered how to make your writing pop off the page? Well, what if I told you there’s a secret ingredient that can spice up your language faster than you can say “piece of cake”? That’s right, we’re talking about idioms!
An idiom is a phrase or expression that has a figurative meaning that’s different from its literal meaning. For example, when your friend tells you something is “a piece of cake”, he’s not actually tempting you with dessert. It’s just another way of saying a task is very easy to do. Thus, we have to understand the ‘hidden’ meaning of an idiom to use it appropriately in the right context.
But why do idioms have these hidden meanings? As it turns out, many idioms have fascinating origins. Take “burn the midnight oil,” for instance. In the past, this phrase was quite literal. Before electricity, people used oil lamps for light. Students who stayed up late would literally burn oil in their lamps past midnight to continue their studies. Today, we use this phrase figuratively to mean into the night, even though we’re probably using electric lights.
Now, buckle up, because we’re about to take a wild ride through 50 idioms! For each idiom, we’ll give you:
- The idiom itself
- What it means
- An example of how to use it (Pay special attention to this!)
As always, stick around till the end for some juicy pro tips…
Here is the FULL LIST of 88 AWESOME IDIOMS that you can learn and apply immediately. Boost your language marks for compo writing and WOW your teacher!
Click the button below to download this free ebook for your child!
- Simple & Easy-to-use
- Minimal Memory Work
- Examples provided
- Learn the meaning of these idioms!
The following idioms are a preview of what is in the ebook…
1. A dime a dozen
Something that is ‘a dime a dozen’ is very common and not very valuable.
Example: Although John was very proud of his new water bottle, I thought it looked a dime a dozen.
2. A sight for sore eyes
‘A sight for sore eyes’ is used to describe something or someone you are glad to see.
Example: Today turned out to be horrible. The hot meal that Mom prepared for me when I reached home was a sight for sore eyes.
3. A taste of your own medicine
To get ‘a taste of your own medicine’ is to experience the same unpleasant thing that you had done to others.
Example: Harry put the fake cockroach into Sally’s pencil case and laughed at her when she screamed. He got a taste of his own medicine when a real cockroach suddenly landed on his desk.
4. All ears
To be ‘all ears’ is to be prepared to hear what someone has to say.
Example: “You may explain yourself, I am all ears,” the principal said to Jacob.
5. At the drop of a hat
To do something ‘at the drop of a hat’ is to do it immediately.
Example: At the drop of a hat, I ran away from the fierce dog.
6.Back on one’s feet
To be ‘back on your feet’ is to recover after a failure.
Example: After losing all his money to gambling, Jack decided to quit. It took him some time before he could get back on his feet and live normally again.
7. Beat around the bush
To ‘beat around the bush’ is to intentionally talk about something in a vague manner instead of talking about it directly.
Example: “Stop beating around the bush and tell me who broke the vase!” Mom demanded.
8. Best thing since sliced bread
Something described as the ‘best thing since sliced bread’ is excellent and innovative or new.
Example: The new sea salt and vinegar potato chips flavour is the best thing since sliced bread.
9. Bite the bullet
To ‘bite the bullet’ is to finally accept something unpleasant or something you did not want to do initially.
Example: Sam had to bite the bullet and finish his homework or he would get a scolding from his teacher.
10. Bread and butter
‘Bread and butter’ is usually used to describe a job or something that you get your income from.
Example: Being a writer is Tom’s bread and butter.
11. By the skin of your teeth
‘By the skin of your teeth’ means the same as the word ‘barely’.
Example: I made it to first place in the race by the skin of my teeth.
12. Call it a day
To ‘call it a day’ is to end work for the day.
Example: I finished all my homework before calling it a day.
13. Coast is clear
When the ‘coast is clear’, it means there’s nothing standing in your way.
Example: George was afraid to run into the principal. He made sure the coast is clear before leaving the restroom.
14. Costs an arm and a leg
Something that ‘costs an arm and a leg’ is very expensive.
Example: My father’s Ferrari costs an arm and a leg.
15. Crack up
To ‘crack up’ is to laugh a lot and loudly. You can also cause someone to ‘crack up’.
Example: The clown’s stunts made everyone crack up.
16. Cream of the crop
Something or someone that is described as ‘cream of the crop’ is of the best quality.
Example: Jack was the top student of my class. He was the cream of the crop.
17. Cut somebody some slack
To ‘cut somebody some slack’ is to go easy on that person because he or she has been through enough.
Example: Seeing that Holly was regretful of her actions, the principal decided to cut her some slack and giving her a light punishment.
18. Drive someone up the wall
To ‘drive someone up the wall’ is to make that person very angry or annoyed.
Example: The commotion of the construction work drove me up the wall.
19. Egg someone on
When you ‘egg on’ someone, you are urging them to do something, often something bad.
Example: The bully’s friends egged him on to push Alex.
20. Elephant in the room
The ‘elephant in the room’ is something obviously embarrassing or unpleasant, and no one wants to talk about it.
Example: The room was silent. Then, Mr Tan cleared his throat. “We need to talk about the elephant in the room,” Mr Tan said. “Who broke the window with the basketball?”
21. Fan the flames
To ‘fan the flames’ is to worsen something that is already bad.
Example: The teacher was furious at Eddie because he was caught cheating, but he fanned the flames by arguing with her.
22. Far cry from
Something described as a ‘far cry’ is very different from something else.
Example: Elizabeth’s grade for her latest Maths exam was a far cry from what she expected, and it shocked her.
23. Fish for compliments
When you ‘fish for compliments’, you are trying to get someone to say something good about you.
Example: She fished for compliments about her new hairstyle by constantly flipping her hair.
24. Fly off the handle
To ‘fly off the handle’ is to become very angry.
Example: After finding out Jeffrey was responsible for the prank, I flew off the handle.
25. Full of hot air
Someone who is ‘full of hot air’ is someone who is full of nonsense.
Example: “You’re full of hot air,” Cathy said. “I know you were the one who spoiled the computer, so stop trying to blame me.”
26. Get a kick out of something
To ‘get a kick out of something’ is to find something very interesting.
Example: The baby got a kick out of throwing her food at the walls.
27. Get out of hand
Usually used to describe a situation, the phrase ‘gotten out of hand’ refers to something which is out of control.
Example: Without a teacher around, the classroom was like a zoo. The noise was getting out of hand.
28. Get your act together
To ‘get your act together’ is to get yourself organised so that you can achieve something.
Example: I should get my act together if I want to win the race.
29. Get to the bottom of it
To ‘get to the bottom of’ something is to solve an investigation. It is usually used to refer to a situation.
Example: Who could have stolen my wallet? I would not rest until I got to the bottom of it.
30. Give someone a hand
To ‘give a hand’ means the same as ‘help out’.
Example: The old lady was struggling with her groceries, so I gave her a hand.
31. Give something a shot
To ‘give something a shot’ is to try something for the first time.
Example: Despite not being good at sports, Mary decided to give swimming a shot.
32. Give someone the cold shoulder
When you ‘give someone the cold shoulder’, you are ignoring that person.
Example: I gave Barry the cold shoulder when he teased me for my hair.
33. Green light
To get the ‘green light’ is to get permission.
Example: I asked my mother if I could go play soccer with my friends, and she gave me the green light.
34. Go against the grain
To ‘go against the grain’ is to do something that is not typical. It is usually used to praise someone.
Example: Derek constantly went against the grain, and that was why he was so innovative.
35. Green with envy
‘Green with envy’ is used to describe someone who is jealous.
Example: Janet’s pretty pencil case made me green with envy.
36. Hit the books
To ‘hit the books’ is to study hard.
Example: It was very late at night, but Leonard had to hit the books if he wanted to finish his homework by tomorrow.
37. Hit the nail on the head
To ‘hit the nail on the head’ is to be correct.
Example: The old man was too close to the edge of the platform and Jason was worried he might fall. He hit the nail on the head – the old man suddenly lost his balance and fell onto the train tracks.
38. Hit the roof
To ‘hit the roof’ is to be very angry.
Example: My mother hit the roof when she found out I had forgotten to buy the salt.
39. Hit the sack / sheets / hay
To ‘hit the sack, sheets or hay’ is to go to sleep.
Example: After a long day at work, I was relieved to finally hit the sack.
40. Hold one’s tongue
To ‘hold your tongue’ is to not say something even though you want to say it. It is usually used when the thing you want to say is unpleasant.
Example: “Hold your tongue!” Mom warned me just as I was about to argue with her.
41. In the bag
‘In the bag’ is usually used when we are sure we will win something, usually a competition.
Example: As I had trained very hard, I was confident I had first place in the bag.
42. In the clear
To be ‘in the clear’ is to be safe from punishment or getting caught.
Example: Once he lost the policemen, the robber was in the clear.
43. Joined at the hip
When two people are ‘joined at the hip’, they are close friends and spend a lot of time together.
Example: Karen is my best friend; we are joined at the hip.
44. Jump on the bandwagon
To ‘jump on the bandwagon’ is to follow a trend or do what everyone else is doing.
Example: Since everyone is using Instagram, I decided to jump on the bandwagon too.
45. Keep an eye on something or someone
To ‘keep an eye on something’ is to watch it very closely.
Example: I had to keep an eye on my brother to make sure he was not doing anything dangerous at the playground.
46. Know by heart
To ‘know by heart’ is to have something memorised.
Example: I was lost in the shopping mall but luckily, I knew my parents’ phone numbers by heart.
47. Know something like the back of your hand
To ‘know something like the back of your hand’ is to know something very well.
Example: I would never get lost in the woods. I knew the paths like the back of my hand.
48. Leave no stone unturned
To ‘leave no stone unturned’ is to investigate something very thoroughly.
Example: It was very important that we find the wallet. We had to leave no stone unturned.
49. Let someone off the hook
To ‘let someone off the hook’ is to let them go unpunished.
Example: Even though Patricia had ruined the walls with her crayons, she was let off the hook because she is a baby.
50. Let the cat out of the bag
When we ‘let the cat out of the bag’, we have revealed a secret.
Example: Jonathan let the cat out of the bag. He pointed at Sean and said, “He came up with the idea for the prank.”
Enjoyed these idioms? By now, your brain is probably buzzing but before you go wild, let’s talk about how to use these effectively.
Pro Tip #1 – Keep Them As Is
Idioms are fixed expressions that have evolved over time and gained acceptance in the language. As tempting as it may sound to be creative, don’t change them to suit your taste. If you start saying things like “it’s raining cats and hamsters”, you will be marked down (even if hamsters are cuter).
Pro Tip #2 – Consider the Context and Tone
When using idioms, think carefully about the tone they evoke. Imagine someone saying, “I’m sorry your grandfather bit the dust” at his funeral. That would be rather insensitive (even though the idiom technically means to die)! The idiom’s casual and sometimes humorous connotation makes it inappropriate for a sombre occasion.
Instead, this idiom works in light-hearted contexts. Picture a group of friends playing video games and one exclaims, “No! My character just bit the dust again!” Here, the playful tone fits perfectly. Always choose idioms that enhance rather than detract from your intended message.
Pro Tip #3 – Don’t Overdo It
Using too many idioms is like over-salting your food – it ruins the flavour. So don’t stuff your sentences with multiple idioms and drown your message. Remember, a little goes a long way!
Here is the FULL LIST of 88 AWESOME IDIOMS that you can learn and apply immediately. Boost your language marks for compo writing and WOW your teacher!
- Simple & Easy-to-use
- Minimal Memory Work
- Examples provided
- Learn the meaning of these idioms!
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