a blessing in disguise
Something that seems unfortunate at first but turns out well.
Example & usage →Browse writing tools
Idioms explained
More than the words say.
An idiom’s meaning goes beyond its individual words. Explore everyday expressions, with examples and a little help on when to use them.
Looking for compounds or phrasal verbs too? Search the full phrase dictionary →
24 idioms
a breath of fresh air
Someone or something that feels welcome, refreshing or different.
Example & usage →a change of heart
A change in someone’s feelings or decision about something.
Example & usage →a piece of cake
Something that is very easy to do.
Example & usage →a silver lining
A hopeful or positive aspect of an otherwise difficult situation.
Example & usage →a storm in a teacup
A strong reaction to something the speaker considers minor.
Example & usage →back to square one
Back at the beginning after a plan or attempt has failed.
Example & usage →better late than never
Doing something late is preferable to not doing it at all.
Example & usage →break the ice
Make people feel more relaxed when they first meet or start talking.
Example & usage →get the ball rolling
Start an activity or process.
Example & usage →go the extra mile
Make more effort than is normally expected.
Example & usage →hit the nail on the head
Identify or describe something exactly right.
Example & usage →in the long run
Over a long period, considering the eventual result.
Example & usage →keep an eye on
Watch, check or look after someone or something.
Example & usage →let the cat out of the bag
Reveal information that was meant to stay secret, often accidentally.
Example & usage →on the fence
Undecided between different choices or opinions.
Example & usage →on the same page
Sharing an understanding or agreeing about what needs to happen.
Example & usage →once in a blue moon
Very rarely.
Example & usage →out of the blue
Unexpectedly, without an obvious warning.
Example & usage →pull your weight
Do your fair share of the work in a group.
Example & usage →take it with a pinch of salt
Treat a claim with some doubt rather than accepting it completely.
Example & usage →the ball is in your court
It is now your turn to decide or take action.
Example & usage →the tip of the iceberg
The small visible part of something much larger, often a problem.
Example & usage →under the weather
Feeling slightly ill or generally unwell.
Example & usage →Explanations and example sentences written for TopWordsLike. These guides are separate from the WordNet dictionary entries. About these guides