
25 Idioms About Exams
Exams can be stressful for many students. They often feel nervous, worried, or unsure. To make these feelings easier to talk about, people use idioms. Idioms are special phrases that
Master the vivid, witty expressions that bring English to life. Our curated idioms help you speak more naturally, confidently, and creatively.
On this page, you’ll find a collection of list-style idiom posts, each centered around a unique topic, situation, or idea. Whether it’s love, time, nature, or emotion, every post highlights a focused set of idioms to help you understand and use English more naturally.
This is not a general list — each article zooms in on a specific subject and gives you idioms, meanings, examples, and tips all in one place. Use this hub to browse all idiom collections we’ve published.
Every idiom includes an easy-to-understand meaning and real-life example sentences so you can use them naturally in conversation or writing.
We include synonyms or alternative expressions to help you expand your vocabulary and communicate ideas in different ways.
Learn when, where, and how to use idioms properly — with notes about tone, region, and common mistakes to avoid.
Exams can be stressful for many students. They often feel nervous, worried, or unsure. To make these feelings easier to talk about, people use idioms. Idioms are special phrases that
Life is full of surprises. Some days are fun, while others are hard. People often use special phrases called idioms to talk about different parts of life. These idioms help
Sometimes life gets tricky. Whether it’s a hard test, a tough day, or learning something new, we all face challenges. People often use special phrases, called idioms, to talk about
Have you ever thought about what might happen tomorrow or next year? Thinking about the future can be exciting, like dreaming of a fun trip or planning your birthday party.
Sometimes, things don’t go our way. Maybe you try something and it doesn’t work. Maybe you face a problem that others don’t. People use special phrases, called idioms, to talk
Sometimes, people use special phrases to say things in fun or clever ways. These phrases are called idioms. They don’t always mean what the words say. For example, “get a
Sometimes things go just right. When you ride your bike without falling or when your school day goes perfectly, people say it was “smooth.” In English, there are special phrases,
Have you ever told a story and wanted it to sound more fun or interesting? People often use special expressions called idioms to make their stories more exciting. These idioms
Have you ever found something cool by surprise? Maybe a toy under your bed or a dollar on the sidewalk? That feeling of finding something new or learning something exciting
Graduation is a special time. It marks the end of one journey and the start of another. Students finish school and get ready for new adventures. Families and friends come
Sometimes, when people understand each other well, they use special sayings to show it. These sayings are called idioms. Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say,
Golf isn’t just a sport—it’s also full of sayings that people use in everyday life. These special sayings, called idioms, help us talk about actions, success, mistakes, and life situations
Marriage is a big part of life for many people. It’s when two people decide to share their lives together. Over time, people have created special phrases, called idioms, to
Everyone gets bored sometimes. It might happen when you’re waiting in a long line, sitting through a slow class, or stuck indoors on a rainy day. Feeling bored can make
Nurses are some of the most important people in hospitals, schools, and care centers. They help take care of people when they are sick or hurt. Nurses work long hours,
Lunchtime is more than just eating. It’s a time to relax, chat, and enjoy a break. In many places, lunch is a moment when people gather, talk, and share stories.
Feet do more than help us walk. They also show up in the way we talk. People have created many phrases that use the word “feet” to describe different ideas
Have you ever blushed when someone gave you a compliment or when you made a mistake in front of your class? Blushing is when your face turns red, usually from
Tools help us fix, build, and create. But did you know they also help us talk? People often use the names of tools in special sayings called idioms. These idioms
Books are more than just pages and words. They help us learn, imagine, and explore new ideas. Over time, people have created special phrases called idioms that talk about books.
People use transportation every day. We take buses, ride bikes, drive cars, or even hop on trains and planes. These ways of moving help us get to school, work, or
Climate change is something we hear about a lot today. It means the weather around the world is changing in ways that can hurt nature and people. These changes include
Have you ever heard someone say, “a double-edged sword” or “live by the sword, die by the sword”? Even if nobody’s swinging real swords anymore, these sayings are still part
Wrestling is a sport where two people use strength and skill to try to pin each other down. But wrestling is more than just a sport. It’s also part of
The Olympics is one of the biggest sports events in the world. People from different countries come together to compete in many games like running, swimming, and gymnastics. It’s not
Air is all around us, but we can’t see it. It moves, flows, and helps us breathe. People have used air in many ways to describe feelings, thoughts, and situations.
Boats are used to travel across water. They help people fish, explore, or take trips. Over time, people have made special sayings, called idioms, using boats to describe ideas and
Retirement means someone is finished with full-time work and ready for a new chapter. In the USA, people often look forward to this time as a chance to relax, try
People use idioms to make language more colorful. Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say. Instead, they have special meanings. When we talk about different people
Sometimes, we hear short sayings that sound a little funny but have special meanings. These are called idioms. They make talking more fun and help us understand ideas in a
Sometimes, people feel lonely. This can happen when they are by themselves or when they feel different from others. Even in a crowd, someone might feel alone. These feelings are
The moon has always been something people love to watch. It shines bright in the night sky and changes its shape every few days. Because it is so special, people
Archery is the sport of using a bow to shoot arrows. Long ago, people used archery to hunt animals or fight in battles. Today, it is a sport that many
People use idioms to make language more fun and clear. An idiom is a group of words with a meaning that is different from the actual words. Idioms often come
Trying hard means not giving up, even when things get tough. People often use special phrases called idioms to talk about effort. These idioms make our words more fun and
Trying hard and not giving up is important in everything we do. Whether it’s school, sports, or helping at home, effort shows that we care and want to do our
The New Year is a time when people feel hopeful and excited. Many think about fresh starts, big goals, and good changes. Families and friends often gather to celebrate with
Life is full of tough moments. Sometimes, we have to keep going even when things feel hard. People have found special ways to talk about these moments using idioms. Idioms
Have you ever played a game where you had to guess the answer without any clues? Maybe you were at a family picnic, tossing out a “shot in the dark”
Sometimes, things happen that make us stop and say, “Wow!” These moments can surprise us in big or small ways. Maybe you hear a loud crash, or someone tells you
Some words make things sound more exciting. One of those words is “amazing.” But people don’t always just say “amazing.” Instead, they use fun phrases called idioms. Idioms are special
Time is something we all use every day. We check the clock to know when to wake up, eat, or go to school. Time helps us plan and keep track
Traveling is something people do for fun, work, or learning. Some take long road trips, while others fly in airplanes to new places. When we travel, we experience new things,
Have you ever heard someone say, “That’s ancient history” or “It’s a blast from the past”? In the USA, people use history idioms like these all the time. They’re fun,
Bulls are strong animals. People have watched them for many years. They are known for their power, speed, and bold behavior. Because of this, people use bulls in language to
Breathing is something we all do, every single day, without even thinking about it. But in American conversations, breathing isn’t just about air—it’s also a way people talk about emotions.
Have you ever heard someone say, “It’s checkmate” or “He was just a pawn in the game”? Even when people aren’t playing chess, they still use these phrases. In the
Some sayings help us understand things by comparing one thing to another. These are called idioms about comparison. They use simple ideas to describe how people act, how things feel,
Sweat shows up in all kinds of moments—on a hot summer day, during a tough basketball game, or even right before a big class presentation. It cools the body, but
Have you ever thought someone was mad at you just because they didn’t say hi? Or maybe you saw two people whispering and figured they were talking about you. That’s
Respect is an important part of how we treat each other. It means being kind, listening well, and showing care for others’ feelings. When we respect someone, we show that
Being honest is one of the most important things we can learn. It means telling the truth, keeping promises, and not hiding things from others. People trust us more when
We make choices every day. Some are small, like picking what to eat. Others are big, like choosing a new school or deciding who to trust. When people talk about
Globalization is when people, countries, and businesses around the world become more connected. It happens through trade, travel, technology, and communication. This means that products, ideas, and even cultures can
Have you ever heard someone say they have “skeletons in the closet”? That doesn’t mean they’re hiding bones! It’s an idiom, which is a fun way to say something using
Shadows are part of our everyday lives. We see them when the sun shines or when light hits an object. But shadows can also mean more than just shapes on
Walls are not just parts of buildings. People also use the word “wall” to talk about feelings, problems, and situations. In everyday language, there are many idioms that use the
Being aware means noticing what’s happening around you. It also means understanding your own thoughts and feelings. People often use idioms to talk about awareness in a fun and creative
Have you ever met someone who makes everyone smile just by walking into a room? That person has charm. Charm is a way of being kind, funny, or interesting so
Telling the truth is an important part of being honest. People who speak the truth are often trusted and respected. But sometimes, the truth can be hard to say or
Sometimes people hurt each other. It can happen on purpose or by accident. When that happens, saying “I forgive you” can help fix the problem. Forgiveness means letting go of
Helping others is a kind and generous thing to do. Many people choose to give their time and effort without expecting anything in return. This is called volunteering. It can
We’ve all met someone who says something rude without thinking or maybe they “rub someone the wrong way” on purpose. In the USA, people often use short phrases to talk
Sometimes, people make silly mistakes or say things that don’t make much sense. Over time, different sayings have been created to describe such behavior in a funny way. These are
Furniture is more than just chairs, tables, and sofas. It’s part of our daily lives and can even show up in the way we talk. People use furniture to help
Smells are all around us. Some smells make us smile, like fresh cookies or a clean shirt. Other smells, like garbage or stinky socks, can make us wrinkle our noses.
Some things happen very quickly. A race car zooms by. A squirrel darts across the yard. People use special phrases to talk about things that move fast. These phrases are
Historical places tell stories from long ago. They help us learn about people, events, and ways of life that shaped the world we live in today. When people talk about
People have gathered in groups for a long time. Friends meet to talk, families come together for meals, and teams join forces to work. Over time, people have created special
Learning is an important part of our lives. It helps us grow, understand the world, and solve problems. Sometimes, we use idioms or sayings to describe learning. These idioms can
Power is an important part of life. It shapes how people lead, make decisions, and solve problems. Throughout history, people have used language to describe power in different ways. Idioms
In everyday life, we often hear phrases that describe something slow or taking time. These idioms help us express how something moves or happens at a slow pace. Whether it’s
Fingers are small but important. We use them to grab, point, and touch. They also show emotions, like when we cross them for luck or snap them in frustration. Because
An apology is an important way to show we care when we hurt someone’s feelings or make a mistake. People use idioms, or common phrases, to apologize in different ways.
Magic is a big part of many stories and traditions. People have always been fascinated by the idea of things happening that can’t be explained. From wizards casting spells to
Ambition is the drive that pushes us to achieve our goals and dreams. It’s what makes us work hard, even when things get tough. Everyone has different dreams, but ambition
Idioms are expressions that have a meaning different from their literal words. People use idioms in everyday conversation, and they can make language more interesting. Some idioms are about nature,
Wolves have long been symbols of strength, freedom, and mystery. Many idioms about wolves have appeared throughout history, often describing qualities such as bravery or danger. These phrases help to
Old age is a stage of life that many people talk about but often don’t fully understand. In different cultures, people use idioms to describe the challenges and experiences that
Night is a special time. The world gets quiet, and people rest after a long day. But night is also full of mystery. It can bring excitement, fear, or even
Laundry is something everyone does, but did you know it can also be part of some interesting sayings? Idioms about laundry help us explain things in a fun and creative
Eyes are important to how we understand the world. They help us see and connect with everything around us. In language, we use many idioms that mention eyes. These idioms
Bees are busy little insects that work hard every day. They fly from flower to flower, collect nectar, and help plants grow. Because they are so active and helpful, people
Idioms help us talk about feelings and ideas in fun ways. Some idioms use the idea of “blindness” to describe how people might not see the truth or are unaware
Racism is a serious issue that affects many people in different ways. It happens when someone is treated unfairly just because of their skin color, where they come from, or
Giving gifts is a special way to show you care. People give gifts on birthdays, holidays, and other important days. Gifts can be big or small. Sometimes the best ones
Eagles are large birds known for their sharp eyes and strong wings. They fly high in the sky and are often seen as symbols of freedom, strength, and pride. People
Music is something we hear every day. It can make us happy, help us relax, or get us excited. Because music is so common, people have made fun and interesting
Weather is something we see and feel every day. It can be sunny, rainy, windy, or stormy. People have watched the weather for many years and used it to describe
Pets are a big part of many families. People in the U.S. often treat their pets like family members. Dogs, cats, birds, and even fish bring joy and comfort to
Tigers are strong, fast, and powerful animals. They are known for their bravery and sharp senses. Because of this, people often use tigers in idioms. Idioms are special phrases that
Sometimes, words alone aren’t enough to show how strong someone feels inside. That’s why people use idioms. Idioms are short phrases that mean something different from the words you see.
Writing can be a fun way to share your thoughts. It can also be a challenge when you don’t know what to say. People often use special phrases, called idioms,
For thousands of years, arrows were tools for survival. Hunters used them to bring food home, and soldiers relied on them in battle. Today, we don’t see arrows flying across
Snails are small creatures known for their slow and steady movement. Because of this, people often use snails to talk about things that are slow or take time. Over the
Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is becoming a big part of our lives. From asking smart speakers for the weather to using apps that suggest songs or movies, AI is all
Temptation is when we really want something, even if we know it might not be good for us. It could be a cookie before dinner, playing games instead of doing
Light is all around us. It helps us see, feel safe, and understand our world better. People have used light in their language for a long time. They have created
Working in an office can be busy and full of teamwork. People often use special phrases, called idioms, to talk about what happens at work. These idioms help us explain
Everyone has ideas about things they see or hear. These ideas are called opinions. We use opinions to say what we think or feel. People share their opinions all the