English Idioms and Idiomatic Phrases

Idioms and Idiomatic Phrases

There are many idioms and idiomatic phrases used in everyday American English. Some of these can stand on their own, and some function as part of a sentence. Idioms don't make sense if you look at each of the words individually, and they aren't meant to be taken literally. Let's look at some common idioms:

hit the nail on the head
twist (someone's) arm
piece of cake
easy does it
better late than never
make a long story short
take with a grain of salt
pull (someone's) leg
on the fence

To "hit the nail on the head" means to be exactly right. It doesn't literally mean that someone is striking a nail with a hammer. When you "twist someone's arm," you are forcing them to do something. Something that's "a piece of cake" is very easy. "Easy does it" means to be careful. "Better late than never" is often said to reinforce the idea that doing something, even if it is (too) late, is better than not doing anything at all. To "make a long story short" is to give a quick summary of something. When you "take it with a grain of salt," it is expressing that something just said (advice or information) should not be taken too seriously. When someone "pulls" another's "leg," this means that they are joking and not serious. And finally, when someone is "on the fence," it means they are undecided about something.