Ireland is a country known for its rich culture, green fields, and love for storytelling. The people of Ireland have used colorful sayings, called idioms, to express feelings and ideas for many years. These phrases often sound a bit funny or strange, but they carry special meanings that help people share thoughts in clever ways. Irish idioms come from the history, land, and everyday life of the Irish people.
In this article, we will explore idioms that are often heard in Ireland. Some of them are used to describe people, weather, or emotions. Others are used during conversations to add humor or wisdom. Learning these idioms can be fun and can also help you understand more about Irish life and language. Let’s take a look at 30 Irish idioms and find out what they really mean.
Idioms About Ireland
1. Away with the fairies
Meaning: Someone who is daydreaming or not paying attention.
Example Sentence:
– Liam was away with the fairies during math class.
– She didn’t hear me because she was away with the fairies.
Other ways to say: Daydreaming, lost in thought
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from Irish folklore where fairies were believed to take people away into a dream-like world.
Usage: Used when someone is not focused or thinking about something else.
2. Acting the maggot
Meaning: Behaving in a silly or annoying way.
Example Sentence:
– Stop acting the maggot and sit down!
– He was acting the maggot during the whole class.
Other ways to say: Fooling around, being silly
Fun Fact/Origin: In Ireland, “maggot” is used in a playful way to mean mischief.
Usage: Used when someone is not behaving properly.
3. A face like thunder
Meaning: Looking very angry.
Example Sentence:
– When Mom saw the mess, she had a face like thunder.
– He had a face like thunder after losing the game.
Other ways to say: Mad, very upset
Fun Fact/Origin: Thunderstorms are loud and angry-looking—just like some faces!
Usage: Used when someone is clearly angry.
4. Donkey’s years
Meaning: A very long time.
Example Sentence:
– I haven’t seen you in donkey’s years!
– We waited for the bus for donkey’s years.
Other ways to say: Ages, forever
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s a funny way to say “years and years”—because donkeys live long.
Usage: Used when something takes a long time.
5. As thick as a plank
Meaning: Not very smart.
Example Sentence:
– He forgot his homework again—he’s as thick as a plank.
– She kept asking the same question; it was like she was as thick as a plank.
Other ways to say: Not thinking, slow to understand
Fun Fact/Origin: A plank is just a wooden board—not known for thinking!
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t get things easily.
6. Chancing your arm
Meaning: Taking a risk or trying something bold.
Example Sentence:
– He asked for extra recess—he’s chancing his arm!
– She chanced her arm by trying out for the play.
Other ways to say: Take a chance, go for it
Fun Fact/Origin: From old stories about knights risking injury in fights.
Usage: Used when someone tries something brave or risky.
7. The luck of the Irish
Meaning: Being very lucky.
Example Sentence:
– He found $20 on the sidewalk—he’s got the luck of the Irish!
– We won the contest—must be the luck of the Irish.
Other ways to say: Very lucky, good fortune
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase became popular during gold rush times in America.
Usage: Used when someone has very good luck.
8. Give out
Meaning: Complain or scold someone.
Example Sentence:
– The teacher gave out when we were noisy.
– Dad gave out about the muddy shoes.
Other ways to say: Scold, complain
Fun Fact/Origin: In Irish English, “give out” doesn’t mean give away—it means to tell someone off.
Usage: Used when someone is angry and says something about it.
9. Up to ninety
Meaning: Very busy or stressed.
Example Sentence:
– I was up to ninety before the test.
– Mom’s up to ninety getting ready for the party.
Other ways to say: Rushed, overwhelmed
Fun Fact/Origin: The number ninety means things are at a high level.
Usage: Used when someone has too much going on.
10. Soft day
Meaning: A day that’s cloudy and lightly rainy.
Example Sentence:
– It’s a soft day today—don’t forget your coat.
– We had a picnic even though it was a soft day.
Other ways to say: Misty, drizzly
Fun Fact/Origin: In Ireland, “soft” rain is gentle and calm.
Usage: Used to talk about light Irish weather.
11. Sure look it
Meaning: A way to say “oh well” or “that’s how it is.”
Example Sentence:
– We didn’t win the game, but sure look it.
– The cake fell, but sure look it—we’ll eat it anyway.
Other ways to say: Oh well, that’s life
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in Ireland to stay positive when things don’t go perfectly.
Usage: Used when accepting something that didn’t go as planned.
12. Fair play to you
Meaning: Good job or well done.
Example Sentence:
– You helped your friend? Fair play to you.
– Fair play to you for finishing that puzzle!
Other ways to say: Good for you, well done
Fun Fact/Origin: Used often to show respect or kindness for someone’s effort.
Usage: Used when someone does something good or helpful.
13. Leg it
Meaning: Run away quickly.
Example Sentence:
– We saw the dog and had to leg it!
– He forgot his homework and legged it to school.
Other ways to say: Run fast, make a run for it
Fun Fact/Origin: “Leg” refers to using your legs—fast!
Usage: Used when someone runs away fast.
14. Cat melodeon
Meaning: Something very bad or not good at all.
Example Sentence:
– That movie was cat melodeon.
– This soup is cat melodeon—too salty!
Other ways to say: Terrible, awful
Fun Fact/Origin: A funny Irish way to say something’s no good.
Usage: Used to describe poor quality or bad performance.
15. That’s gas
Meaning: That’s funny or amusing.
Example Sentence:
– You fell in the snow? That’s gas!
– Her joke was gas—we all laughed.
Other ways to say: Funny, hilarious
Fun Fact/Origin: In Ireland, “gas” doesn’t mean fuel—it means something silly or fun.
Usage: Used when something is funny.
16. Go way outta that
Meaning: You’re joking, or stop it.
Example Sentence:
– You got 100%? Go way outta that!
– Go way outta that—you’re messing with me!
Other ways to say: No way, stop joking
Fun Fact/Origin: Said with surprise—often when someone hears something unbelievable.
Usage: Used to show disbelief or playful denial.
17. Throw shapes
Meaning: Show off or dance in a bold way.
Example Sentence:
– He was throwing shapes at the party.
– They were throwing shapes on the dance floor!
Other ways to say: Show off, dance big
Fun Fact/Origin: “Shapes” are big dance moves—fun and dramatic.
Usage: Used when someone dances or acts to be noticed.
18. Like a bag of cats
Meaning: Very noisy or hard to manage.
Example Sentence:
– That classroom was like a bag of cats.
– Our dog and the neighbor’s dog together are like a bag of cats.
Other ways to say: Wild, out of control
Fun Fact/Origin: Think of how noisy and wild a real bag of cats would be!
Usage: Used when something is loud or chaotic.
19. Wind your neck in
Meaning: Calm down or stop complaining.
Example Sentence:
– Wind your neck in—it’s not that bad.
– He kept shouting until she told him to wind his neck in.
Other ways to say: Chill, stop it
Fun Fact/Origin: Means pull your head back, like calming yourself.
Usage: Used to tell someone to stop fussing.
20. As happy as Larry
Meaning: Very happy.
Example Sentence:
– He was as happy as Larry with his new bike.
– They were as happy as Larry at the beach.
Other ways to say: Super happy, full of joy
Fun Fact/Origin: Larry was likely a boxer in the 1920s who was always cheerful.
Usage: Used when someone is really happy.
21. On me tod
Meaning: All alone.
Example Sentence:
– I went to the movies on me tod.
– He was sitting on his tod at lunch.
Other ways to say: By myself, alone
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from rhyming slang—“Tod Sloan” means alone.
Usage: Used to describe being alone.
22. Thick as two short planks
Meaning: Not very smart.
Example Sentence:
– He forgot his own name—thick as two short planks!
– She tried to plug in a spoon. Thick as two short planks.
Other ways to say: Really slow to understand
Fun Fact/Origin: Two short boards aren’t known for brainpower!
Usage: Used in a joking way to call someone silly.
23. Deadly
Meaning: Really cool or great.
Example Sentence:
– That skateboard trick was deadly!
– Your new shoes are deadly.
Other ways to say: Awesome, amazing
Fun Fact/Origin: In Irish slang, deadly is a good thing—not dangerous.
Usage: Used to praise something exciting or fun.
24. Pressed for time
Meaning: In a hurry or running out of time.
Example Sentence:
– We’re pressed for time—let’s hurry!
– She was pressed for time before the test.
Other ways to say: In a rush, running late
Fun Fact/Origin: “Pressed” means under pressure—like time is squeezing you.
Usage: Used when there’s not much time left.
25. A fine thing
Meaning: Someone who looks very good or attractive.
Example Sentence:
– Look at him—he’s a fine thing.
– She’s a fine thing in that dress.
Other ways to say: Good-looking, handsome
Fun Fact/Origin: A common Irish way to compliment someone’s looks.
Usage: Used when talking about appearance.
26. Put the heart crossways in me
Meaning: To give someone a big scare.
Example Sentence:
– That dog put the heart crossways in me!
– Don’t sneak up—ye put the heart crossways in me.
Other ways to say: Scared me, gave me a fright
Fun Fact/Origin: It means your heart felt like it flipped.
Usage: Used when something gives you a big shock.
27. It’s baltic
Meaning: It’s really cold.
Example Sentence:
– Close the door—it’s Baltic out there!
– She wore three coats—it’s baltic today.
Other ways to say: Freezing, icy
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to the cold Baltic region in Europe.
Usage: Used when the weather is super cold.
28. Not the full shilling
Meaning: A little bit odd or not thinking clearly.
Example Sentence:
– He’s not the full shilling—believes in talking to ghosts.
– She wore socks on her hands—maybe not the full shilling.
Other ways to say: A bit off, not all there
Fun Fact/Origin: Shilling was old money—if someone didn’t have a full one, something was missing.
Usage: Used when someone seems a bit strange.
29. Pull the wool over your eyes
Meaning: To trick someone.
Example Sentence:
– He pulled the wool over my eyes—I thought he was serious.
– Don’t let them pull the wool over your eyes!
Other ways to say: Fool, trick
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from people wearing wool wigs long ago—it meant hiding the truth.
Usage: Used when someone fools or lies to someone.
30. Hold your horses
Meaning: Wait or slow down.
Example Sentence:
– Hold your horses—we’re not ready yet.
– Hold your horses and listen!
Other ways to say: Wait up, be patient
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from when people rode horses and needed to stop them.
Usage: Used to ask someone to stop rushing.
Quiz: Idioms About Ireland
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 “away with the fairies” mean?
A) Someone is flying in a plane
B) Someone is daydreaming or not paying attention
C) Someone believes in magic
2. If someone is “acting the maggot,” what are they doing?
A) Sleeping quietly
B) Behaving in a silly or annoying way
C) Studying hard
3. What does it mean to have “a face like thunder”?
A) You’re making loud noises
B) You’re really happy
C) You look very angry
4. If something took “donkey’s years,” how long did it take?
A) A short time
B) A very long time
C) Exactly one year
5. What does “chancing your arm” mean?
A) Trying something risky
B) Breaking your arm
C) Hiding from someone
6. What does “the luck of the Irish” mean?
A) Having bad luck
B) Being very lucky
C) Living in Ireland
7. If someone says “sure look it,” what are they trying to say?
A) I can’t believe it
B) That’s how things are
C) Go and check it out
8. When someone tells you to “leg it,” what should you do?
A) Walk slowly
B) Stay still
C) Run quickly
9. What does “that’s gas” mean in Ireland?
A) That smells bad
B) That’s funny
C) That’s dangerous
10. If someone is “up to ninety,” what are they feeling?
A) Calm and relaxed
B) Tired
C) Very busy or stressed
11. What does “not the full shilling” mean?
A) Very smart
B) A little bit odd or not thinking clearly
C) Very rich
12. If your friend says “hold your horses,” what do they want you to do?
A) Run faster
B) Wait or slow down
C) Go home
Answer Key
- B) Someone is daydreaming or not paying attention
- B) Behaving in a silly or annoying way
- C) You look very angry
- B) A very long time
- A) Trying something risky
- B) Being very lucky
- B) That’s how things are
- C) Run quickly
- B) That’s funny
- C) Very busy or stressed
- B) A little bit odd or not thinking clearly
- B) Wait or slow down
Wrapping Up
Irish idioms can sound funny at first, but they are full of meaning and personality. Many come from stories, weather, or everyday life in Ireland. They help people say things in short and colorful ways.
Learning these idioms helps us understand how people in Ireland speak and think. Try using a few the next time you’re talking with friends or writing a story. You’ll sound a bit more Irish, and maybe even a bit more clever too.
