Talking is how we share ideas and feelings. But we don’t always use plain words to say what we mean. People use idioms to make their speech more fun or more clear. Idioms are special phrases that don’t always mean exactly what the words say. They often make communication easier to understand and more interesting.
In this article, we will learn about idioms people use when talking about communication. These idioms can describe how we speak, listen, or understand others. You might hear them in class, at home, or on TV. Once you learn them, you’ll notice them everywhere. Let’s explore how people use these fun and smart sayings to talk about how we connect with each other.
Idioms About Communication
1. Break the ice
Meaning: To start a conversation in a friendly way.
Example Sentence: At the party, I told a joke to break the ice. She asked about my favorite snack to break the ice.
Other ways to say: Start talking, make things less awkward
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from ships breaking ice in water so they can move forward.
Usage: Use this when someone is trying to help people start talking.
2. Get the message
Meaning: To understand what someone really means.
Example Sentence: I didn’t reply, hoping he’d get the message. She looked at me and I got the message to be quiet.
Other ways to say: Understand, figure out
Fun Fact/Origin: It comes from how messages are passed and received.
Usage: Use when someone understands without needing more words.
3. Beat around the bush
Meaning: To avoid saying something directly.
Example Sentence: Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened. He beat around the bush before saying he lost the game.
Other ways to say: Stall, avoid the main point
Fun Fact/Origin: It came from hunters who hit bushes to scare animals out instead of going straight in.
Usage: Use this when someone avoids getting to the main idea.
4. From the horse’s mouth
Meaning: To get information directly from the person involved.
Example Sentence: I heard from the horse’s mouth that school is closed. She said it herself—from the horse’s mouth.
Other ways to say: Directly, firsthand
Fun Fact/Origin: In horse racing, people checked a horse’s mouth to learn its age and health.
Usage: Use this when someone shares true info from the person who knows best.
5. Spill the beans
Meaning: To tell a secret.
Example Sentence: He spilled the beans about the surprise party. She spilled the beans and now everyone knows.
Other ways to say: Tell the truth, share a secret
Fun Fact/Origin: This might come from using beans to vote in secret and spilling them showed the result.
Usage: Use when someone tells something they weren’t supposed to say.
6. Talk the talk
Meaning: To speak confidently or say the right things.
Example Sentence: He can talk the talk about basketball. She talks the talk about saving money.
Other ways to say: Speak well, sound smart
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from comparing words to actions.
Usage: Use when someone says they can do something.
7. Hear it through the grapevine
Meaning: To learn something through gossip or rumors.
Example Sentence: I heard through the grapevine there’s a quiz tomorrow. She heard through the grapevine about the new student.
Other ways to say: Hear a rumor, get gossip
Fun Fact/Origin: It started with old telegraph wires that looked like grapevines.
Usage: Use when someone finds out something informally.
8. Put in a good word
Meaning: To say something nice about someone.
Example Sentence: I put in a good word for you with the teacher. She put in a good word for her friend at work.
Other ways to say: Recommend, say something kind
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from helping someone by saying something positive.
Usage: Use when helping someone get noticed.
9. In black and white
Meaning: Written clearly in print.
Example Sentence: The rules are in black and white in the book. It’s all there in black and white.
Other ways to say: Written down, clear
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to printed text in black ink on white paper.
Usage: Use when something is officially written.
10. Talk someone’s ear off
Meaning: To talk a lot, maybe too much.
Example Sentence: He talked my ear off about his new puppy. She talked my ear off during lunch.
Other ways to say: Chat too much, go on and on
Fun Fact/Origin: A fun image of someone talking so much it feels like your ear is tired.
Usage: Use when someone doesn’t stop talking.
11. Read between the lines
Meaning: To understand what is not said directly.
Example Sentence: He didn’t say he was upset, but I read between the lines. I read between the lines and knew she was nervous.
Other ways to say: Figure out, guess the truth
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from looking for hidden meaning in a message.
Usage: Use when figuring out hidden feelings or meaning.
12. On the same page
Meaning: To agree with someone or understand each other.
Example Sentence: We’re on the same page about our project. My mom and I are on the same page about bedtime.
Other ways to say: Agree, think alike
Fun Fact/Origin: From books—being on the same page means reading the same part.
Usage: Use when two or more people agree.
13. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To reveal a secret by mistake.
Example Sentence: He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise. I didn’t mean to let the cat out of the bag.
Other ways to say: Tell a secret, slip up
Fun Fact/Origin: May come from old markets where people tricked others by hiding cats in bags instead of pigs.
Usage: Use when a secret is revealed by accident.
14. Hold your tongue
Meaning: To stay quiet.
Example Sentence: I had to hold my tongue during the argument. She held her tongue even though she was upset.
Other ways to say: Stay silent, keep quiet
Fun Fact/Origin: An old way to say “don’t talk.”
Usage: Use when someone keeps quiet on purpose.
15. Shoot the breeze
Meaning: To chat casually.
Example Sentence: We sat on the porch and shot the breeze. The boys shot the breeze before class started.
Other ways to say: Chat, talk about nothing important
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from casual talk that’s like air moving.
Usage: Use for light, friendly talk.
16. Give someone a piece of your mind
Meaning: To tell someone you are angry.
Example Sentence: He gave his brother a piece of his mind for breaking the toy. She gave me a piece of her mind after I was late.
Other ways to say: Scold, speak strongly
Fun Fact/Origin: Means sharing your thoughts when you are upset.
Usage: Use when someone speaks angrily.
17. Talk in circles
Meaning: To say things without a clear point.
Example Sentence: He talked in circles about the book. She talks in circles when she’s nervous.
Other ways to say: Go around the topic, confuse
Fun Fact/Origin: Feels like going around and around without reaching the center.
Usage: Use when someone talks without getting to the point.
18. Word of mouth
Meaning: Sharing news by talking.
Example Sentence: The movie got popular by word of mouth. I heard about the new place through word of mouth.
Other ways to say: Gossip, news spread by people
Fun Fact/Origin: News passed from one person’s mouth to another.
Usage: Use when news spreads from person to person.
19. Tongue-tied
Meaning: Unable to speak from nervousness.
Example Sentence: I was tongue-tied when I met the author. He was tongue-tied during the speech.
Other ways to say: Lost for words, frozen
Fun Fact/Origin: Feels like your tongue is stuck and can’t move.
Usage: Use when someone is too shy or surprised to talk.
20. Talk behind someone’s back
Meaning: To say something about someone when they aren’t there.
Example Sentence: I don’t like when people talk behind others’ backs. She found out they talked behind her back.
Other ways to say: Gossip, say mean things secretly
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from doing something secretly “behind” a person.
Usage: Use when someone is talked about in a sneaky way.
21. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To say something exactly right.
Example Sentence: You hit the nail on the head about why the game was hard. She hit the nail on the head when she guessed the answer.
Other ways to say: Got it right, said it perfectly
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from hammering a nail exactly where it should go.
Usage: Use when someone says something that is exactly correct.
22. Get something off your chest
Meaning: To say something that’s been bothering you.
Example Sentence: I felt better after getting it off my chest. He got it off his chest and finally told the truth.
Other ways to say: Speak your mind, confess
Fun Fact/Origin: It feels like a weight is lifted after speaking.
Usage: Use when someone shares a worry or secret.
23. Talk down to someone
Meaning: To speak like someone isn’t smart.
Example Sentence: He talked down to me like I was a little kid. She doesn’t like being talked down to.
Other ways to say: Be rude, act superior
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from acting like you are above someone.
Usage: Use when someone is being rude while speaking.
24. Speak your mind
Meaning: To say what you really think.
Example Sentence: She’s not afraid to speak her mind. I spoke my mind about the noisy lunchroom.
Other ways to say: Be honest, say what you think
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s like opening your thoughts for others to hear.
Usage: Use when someone is honest about their opinions.
25. Drop someone a line
Meaning: To send a short message.
Example Sentence: I dropped my grandma a line to say hi. He dropped me a line about the party.
Other ways to say: Write, message
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sending a quick note or letter.
Usage: Use when contacting someone simply.
26. Talk over someone
Meaning: To speak while someone else is talking.
Example Sentence: Don’t talk over me. It’s rude to talk over your teacher.
Other ways to say: Interrupt, cut in
Fun Fact/Origin: It feels like one voice covering another.
Usage: Use when someone doesn’t let others finish talking.
27. Bite your tongue
Meaning: To stop yourself from saying something.
Example Sentence: I wanted to shout but bit my tongue. She bit her tongue to stay polite.
Other ways to say: Hold back, stay quiet
Fun Fact/Origin: Feels like stopping words from coming out.
Usage: Use when someone keeps quiet even though they want to speak.
28. Put words in someone’s mouth
Meaning: To say someone said something they didn’t.
Example Sentence: Don’t put words in my mouth. I never said that. He put words in her mouth about the project.
Other ways to say: Misquote, twist words
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s like placing fake words where they don’t belong.
Usage: Use when someone is blamed for saying things they didn’t.
29. Small talk
Meaning: Light conversation about simple things.
Example Sentence: We made small talk about the weather. Small talk helps at the start of meetings.
Other ways to say: Chat, casual talk
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s talk that isn’t deep or serious.
Usage: Use when people talk to be friendly.
30. In a nutshell
Meaning: To say something in a short way.
Example Sentence: In a nutshell, the trip was fun. She explained the rules in a nutshell.
Other ways to say: Simply, in short
Fun Fact/Origin: Nutshells are small, like short answers.
Usage: Use to give a quick summary.
31. Talk shop
Meaning: To talk about work or school outside of it.
Example Sentence: They talked shop even during lunch. Don’t talk shop during the party.
Other ways to say: Discuss work, go over job stuff
Fun Fact/Origin: Shop used to mean workplace.
Usage: Use when people talk about their job or tasks outside of them.
32. Have the last word
Meaning: To end a conversation strongly.
Example Sentence: She always wants to have the last word. He had the last word in the debate.
Other ways to say: Finish it, say the final thing
Fun Fact/Origin: Being the last to speak feels like winning.
Usage: Use when someone ends the discussion their way.
33. Talk a mile a minute
Meaning: To speak very fast.
Example Sentence: She talked a mile a minute when excited. He talks a mile a minute on the phone.
Other ways to say: Speak fast, rush words
Fun Fact/Origin: A mile is fast for speaking!
Usage: Use when someone talks quickly.
34. Out of the loop
Meaning: Not knowing what’s going on.
Example Sentence: I missed the meeting, so I’m out of the loop. He’s out of the loop about the plan.
Other ways to say: Not informed, left out
Fun Fact/Origin: A loop is a group or connection.
Usage: Use when someone misses information.
35. In the loop
Meaning: To know what’s going on.
Example Sentence: She’s in the loop about the project. I want to stay in the loop.
Other ways to say: Informed, aware
Fun Fact/Origin: Being in the loop means included in updates.
Usage: Use when someone is kept updated.
36. Speak the same language
Meaning: To understand each other well.
Example Sentence: We speak the same language about teamwork. They speak the same language on safety rules.
Other ways to say: Think alike, understand each other
Fun Fact/Origin: Not always about real language—it’s about ideas.
Usage: Use when people get along and agree.
37. Talk sense
Meaning: To say something smart.
Example Sentence: She talked sense about sharing. He always talks sense during class.
Other ways to say: Be wise, say something useful
Fun Fact/Origin: Common sense is basic smart thinking.
Usage: Use when someone gives good advice.
38. Give someone the silent treatment
Meaning: To ignore someone on purpose.
Example Sentence: He gave me the silent treatment after our fight. She gave her friend the silent treatment for a day.
Other ways to say: Ignore, stay silent on purpose
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s used to show someone is upset without talking.
Usage: Use when someone stays silent to show feelings.
39. Speak volumes
Meaning: To show a lot without saying much.
Example Sentence: His face spoke volumes. Her silence spoke volumes about her feelings.
Other ways to say: Show clearly, express
Fun Fact/Origin: “Volumes” means a lot of information.
Usage: Use when actions or looks show a lot.
40. Words fail me
Meaning: To be too surprised or upset to talk.
Example Sentence: Words fail me when I saw the damage. I was so happy, words failed me.
Other ways to say: Speechless, no words
Fun Fact/Origin: Sometimes big emotions make it hard to speak.
Usage: Use when feelings are too strong to explain.
41. Speak up
Meaning: To talk louder or share your opinion.
Example Sentence: Please speak up; I can’t hear you. She spoke up when she saw something unfair.
Other ways to say: Say something, raise your voice
Fun Fact/Origin: Literally means to raise your voice.
Usage: Use when encouraging someone to talk.
42. Keep something under wraps
Meaning: To keep a secret.
Example Sentence: They kept the gift under wraps until the party. The plan was under wraps all week.
Other ways to say: Hide, keep secret
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from covering things to keep them hidden.
Usage: Use when something is kept secret.
43. Talk turkey
Meaning: To speak seriously or about important things.
Example Sentence: It’s time to talk turkey about the budget. They talked turkey about chores.
Other ways to say: Be serious, get to the point
Fun Fact/Origin: May come from serious talks during meals.
Usage: Use when people get serious.
44. Make yourself heard
Meaning: To speak up so others understand you.
Example Sentence: She made herself heard in the meeting. He made himself heard in the noisy room.
Other ways to say: Be clear, speak out
Fun Fact/Origin: Means others clearly get what you say.
Usage: Use when someone makes sure they’re noticed.
45. Talk someone into something
Meaning: To convince someone to do something.
Example Sentence: He talked me into joining the team. She talked her mom into letting her stay up.
Other ways to say: Convince, persuade
Fun Fact/Origin: Words can change minds!
Usage: Use when someone uses words to make others agree.
Quiz: Idioms About Communication
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “break the ice” mean?
A) Break something frozen
B) Start a conversation
C) Stay quiet in a group
2. If someone says, “get the message,” what do they mean?
A) Send a text
B) Pick up a package
C) Understand what’s meant
3. What does it mean to “beat around the bush”?
A) Walk through trees
B) Talk without saying the main point
C) Look for animals
4. When someone “spills the beans,” they are:
A) Making a mess in the kitchen
B) Telling a secret
C) Cooking dinner
5. If you hear something “from the horse’s mouth,” what does it mean?
A) From a farm
B) From a friend of a friend
C) Directly from the source
6. What does it mean to “talk someone’s ear off”?
A) Speak quietly
B) Talk too much
C) Whisper a secret
7. If you “read between the lines,” you:
A) Ignore the book
B) Find hidden meaning
C) Skip reading
8. What does “bite your tongue” mean?
A) Hurt yourself
B) Talk loudly
C) Stop yourself from speaking
9. To be “on the same page” means:
A) Reading a book
B) Agreeing
C) Turning a page
10. What does it mean to “let the cat out of the bag”?
A) Free an animal
B) Lose something
C) Accidentally tell a secret
11. If someone is “tongue-tied,” they are:
A) Talking nonstop
B) Unable to speak
C) Tying a knot
12. What does it mean to “talk down to someone”?
A) Compliment them
B) Talk kindly
C) Speak like they are not smart
13. If something is “in black and white,” it is:
A) Hard to read
B) Clearly written
C) About colors
14. What does “word of mouth” mean?
A) Saying silly words
B) Using your voice loudly
C) Sharing news by talking
15. To “put in a good word” means:
A) Help someone by saying something nice
B) Use big vocabulary
C) Make up a word
Answer Key
- B) Start a conversation
- C) Understand what’s meant
- B) Talk without saying the main point
- B) Telling a secret
- C) Directly from the source
- B) Talk too much
- B) Find hidden meaning
- C) Stop yourself from speaking
- B) Agreeing
- C) Accidentally tell a secret
- B) Unable to speak
- C) Speak like they are not smart
- B) Clearly written
- C) Sharing news by talking
- A) Help someone by saying something nice
Wrapping Up
Idioms make conversations more fun and easier to understand. They help people explain ideas in a short and smart way. When you hear someone “beat around the bush” or “spill the beans,” now you know what they really mean.
Try using some of these idioms in your own conversations. The more you use them, the easier they are to remember. Talking clearly and kindly matters, and idioms are just another way to make language exciting.
