Learning English can be exciting, but sometimes the words we hear don’t mean exactly what they say. Idioms are special phrases that don’t always make sense if you look at each word. Instead, they have meanings that come from how people use them. For example, if someone says “hit the books,” they don’t mean hitting anything. It means they’re going to study.
For the TOEFL test, knowing idioms can be very helpful. Idioms often appear in conversations and reading sections. If you understand them, you can answer questions more easily. In this article, we will look at 45 common idioms. Each one includes a short meaning and easy examples to help you learn. These idioms are useful, fun, and will help you sound more like a native speaker.
Idioms for Toefl
1. Hit the books
Meaning: To begin studying
Example Sentence: I have a big test tomorrow, so I need to hit the books tonight. Sarah couldn’t hang out because she was hitting the books all weekend.
Other ways to say: Study hard, get to work
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom uses “hit” as a fun way to say “start,” not actual hitting.
Usage: Used when someone is starting to study seriously.
2. Break the ice
Meaning: To start a conversation in a friendly way
Example Sentence: He told a joke to break the ice at the meeting. The teacher broke the ice by asking everyone their favorite food.
Other ways to say: Start talking, warm things up
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from ships breaking sea ice so others can follow.
Usage: Used when beginning conversations or social events.
3. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick
Example Sentence: She stayed home because she was feeling under the weather. I think I’ll skip the gym today. I’m a bit under the weather.
Other ways to say: Not feeling well, sick
Fun Fact/Origin: Old sailors used this phrase when they felt sick during storms.
Usage: Used when someone is ill or feeling bad.
4. A piece of cake
Meaning: Something very easy to do
Example Sentence: The math quiz was a piece of cake. Driving in this small town is a piece of cake.
Other ways to say: Very easy, no problem
Fun Fact/Origin: Cakes were given as prizes in simple games, making the task feel easy.
Usage: Used when something is simple or not challenging.
5. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To accidentally reveal a secret
Example Sentence: He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party. Don’t let the cat out of the bag until it’s time!
Other ways to say: Spill the beans, reveal the secret
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old markets where sellers might swap a pig for a cat in a bag.
Usage: Used when someone tells something that was meant to stay hidden.
6. Costs an arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive
Example Sentence: That new phone costs an arm and a leg. We didn’t buy the sofa because it costs an arm and a leg.
Other ways to say: Too pricey, very costly
Fun Fact/Origin: Used during wars to show something very valuable, even life parts.
Usage: Used when something is too expensive.
7. On the same page
Meaning: To agree or understand something in the same way
Example Sentence: The teacher asked if we were all on the same page. Before the group project, we made sure we were on the same page.
Other ways to say: Agree, understand together
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from reading books or scripts where people follow along.
Usage: Used when people need to agree or understand something clearly.
8. Bite the bullet
Meaning: To do something painful or hard but necessary
Example Sentence: I didn’t want to go to the dentist, but I had to bite the bullet. She bit the bullet and told the truth.
Other ways to say: Face it, deal with it
Fun Fact/Origin: Soldiers in the past bit bullets during surgery to deal with pain.
Usage: Used when someone must do something tough.
9. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely
Example Sentence: We go out for ice cream once in a blue moon. He visits his cousins once in a blue moon.
Other ways to say: Rarely, not often
Fun Fact/Origin: A “blue moon” is a second full moon in a single month, which doesn’t happen often.
Usage: Used for events that don’t happen much.
10. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To be exactly right
Example Sentence: Her answer hit the nail on the head. When you said he was tired, you hit the nail on the head.
Other ways to say: Got it right, exactly correct
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from carpentry where hitting the nail directly is best.
Usage: Used when someone gives a correct or perfect answer.
11. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It’s your turn to decide or act
Example Sentence: I’ve done my part, now the ball is in your court. He said the ball is in my court about the job offer.
Other ways to say: Your move, your decision
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from tennis, where the ball must be returned by the other player.
Usage: Used when someone has to make the next decision.
12. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: To work late into the night
Example Sentence: She burned the midnight oil to finish her paper. We had to burn the midnight oil before finals.
Other ways to say: Stay up working, work late
Fun Fact/Origin: In the past, people used oil lamps to study or work at night.
Usage: Used when someone stays up late to get work done.
13. Get cold feet
Meaning: To feel nervous before doing something big
Example Sentence: He got cold feet before the school play. I was going to speak but got cold feet.
Other ways to say: Lose courage, feel nervous
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase shows how people freeze up from fear.
Usage: Used before events like performances or speeches.
14. Back to the drawing board
Meaning: Start again after a failure
Example Sentence: Our science project failed, so it’s back to the drawing board. The first idea didn’t work, back to the drawing board.
Other ways to say: Start over, try again
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from engineers needing to re-draw plans when things go wrong.
Usage: Used when a new plan is needed after something fails.
15. Cut corners
Meaning: To do something in a cheap or careless way
Example Sentence: They cut corners on the project and got a bad grade. Don’t cut corners when doing your homework.
Other ways to say: Skip steps, take shortcuts
Fun Fact/Origin: Builders used to cut corners to save time or money, leading to poor quality.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t do their best to save time or effort.
16. Don’t cry over spilled milk
Meaning: Don’t be upset over something that’s already happened
Example Sentence: I lost my notes, but there’s no use crying over spilled milk. She forgot her lunch, but we told her not to cry over spilled milk.
Other ways to say: Let it go, move on
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea that spilled milk can’t be put back, so don’t worry.
Usage: Used to remind people not to be sad about small problems.
17. Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning: Do two things with one action
Example Sentence: By going to the library, I killed two birds with one stone—I returned books and studied. We killed two birds with one stone by shopping and getting lunch.
Other ways to say: Do two tasks at once, save time
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s a way of saying one move can solve two problems.
Usage: Used when one action solves two needs.
18. Speak of the devil
Meaning: Someone appears just after being mentioned
Example Sentence: Speak of the devil—there’s Anna now! We were just talking about you, and then you showed up—speak of the devil!
Other ways to say: There you are, just talking about you
Fun Fact/Origin: Used to mean the devil appears when mentioned, now said playfully.
Usage: Used when someone walks in after being talked about.
19. Hit the sack
Meaning: Go to bed
Example Sentence: I’m tired—I’m going to hit the sack. After the long day, he hit the sack early.
Other ways to say: Go to sleep, turn in
Fun Fact/Origin: “Sack” used to mean a bed made of straw.
Usage: Used when someone goes to sleep.
20. Keep an eye on
Meaning: Watch something or someone carefully
Example Sentence: Can you keep an eye on my backpack? The teacher asked us to keep an eye on the time.
Other ways to say: Watch closely, look after
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from being alert and not looking away.
Usage: Used when monitoring something.
21. Out of the blue
Meaning: Something that happens unexpectedly
Example Sentence: Out of the blue, he called me after years. The storm came out of the blue.
Other ways to say: Suddenly, without warning
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the image of lightning from a clear blue sky.
Usage: Used for surprises or sudden events.
22. Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: To joke or tease
Example Sentence: I was just pulling your leg about the test. Don’t worry, he’s only pulling your leg.
Other ways to say: Tease, joke around
Fun Fact/Origin: May come from thieves tripping people to rob them—now it’s a joke.
Usage: Used when someone isn’t being serious.
23. Hit the road
Meaning: To leave or start a journey
Example Sentence: Let’s hit the road before traffic gets bad. We hit the road early for the trip.
Other ways to say: Leave, get going
Fun Fact/Origin: Used by travelers, especially on long car trips.
Usage: Used when starting travel or leaving.
24. A blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something good that seemed bad at first
Example Sentence: Missing the bus was a blessing in disguise—it broke down later. The failed quiz was a blessing in disguise because it made me study harder.
Other ways to say: Hidden good, secret help
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea that good things are sometimes hard to see.
Usage: Used when something turns out better than expected.
25. Let the dust settle
Meaning: Wait until things become calm
Example Sentence: Let’s let the dust settle before deciding. After the fight, we gave it time for the dust to settle.
Other ways to say: Wait it out, let things calm
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the dust cloud after chaos or movement.
Usage: Used when waiting for a situation to be clearer.
26. Call it a day
Meaning: Stop working for the day
Example Sentence: We finished the project, so we called it a day. After hours of homework, I decided to call it a day.
Other ways to say: Stop working, end the task
Fun Fact/Origin: It started in the 1800s when workers would say this to end their shift.
Usage: Used when someone stops working or finishes for now.
27. In hot water
Meaning: In trouble
Example Sentence: He got in hot water for forgetting the homework. She was in hot water with her parents for coming home late.
Other ways to say: In trouble, in a bad spot
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from cooking, where being in hot water means discomfort or danger.
Usage: Used when someone is facing problems or punishment.
28. Let someone off the hook
Meaning: To free someone from responsibility
Example Sentence: The teacher let me off the hook for being late. They let her off the hook even though she broke the rule.
Other ways to say: Forgive, excuse
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from fishing—if a fish is off the hook, it’s free.
Usage: Used when someone avoids blame or punishment.
29. In the same boat
Meaning: In the same situation
Example Sentence: We’re all in the same boat with the group project. Everyone was in the same boat during the snowstorm.
Other ways to say: In the same spot, going through the same thing
Fun Fact/Origin: If people are in one boat, they face the same waves and weather.
Usage: Used when people share the same problem.
30. Jump the gun
Meaning: To do something too early
Example Sentence: He jumped the gun and answered before hearing the question. Don’t jump the gun—we’re not ready yet.
Other ways to say: Act too soon, rush
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from races where runners start before the starting gun.
Usage: Used when someone acts too quickly.
31. A dime a dozen
Meaning: Very common or easy to find
Example Sentence: Fast food places are a dime a dozen around here. Those toys are a dime a dozen at the store.
Other ways to say: Everywhere, not rare
Fun Fact/Origin: In the past, many cheap items were sold as “a dozen for a dime.”
Usage: Used when something is not special or is found often.
32. Add fuel to the fire
Meaning: Make a bad situation worse
Example Sentence: Yelling only added fuel to the fire during the argument. He added fuel to the fire by blaming others.
Other ways to say: Make it worse, stir things up
Fun Fact/Origin: Fire gets worse when you add fuel—just like arguments.
Usage: Used when someone makes a problem worse.
33. Through thick and thin
Meaning: In good and bad times
Example Sentence: They stayed friends through thick and thin. Families support each other through thick and thin.
Other ways to say: No matter what, always together
Fun Fact/Origin: Means staying strong during both easy and hard times.
Usage: Used when people stay loyal in all situations.
34. Go the extra mile
Meaning: Do more than what is needed
Example Sentence: She went the extra mile to help her classmate. He always goes the extra mile with his homework.
Other ways to say: Do extra work, try harder
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from running—going beyond the finish line.
Usage: Used when someone puts in extra effort.
35. Spill the beans
Meaning: To reveal a secret
Example Sentence: He spilled the beans about the surprise. Don’t spill the beans—we want it to be a surprise.
Other ways to say: Tell the secret, give it away
Fun Fact/Origin: Some say this comes from ancient voting with beans in jars.
Usage: Used when someone tells something they shouldn’t.
36. Keep your chin up
Meaning: Stay positive during hard times
Example Sentence: Even after failing, he kept his chin up. Keep your chin up—things will get better.
Other ways to say: Stay strong, stay hopeful
Fun Fact/Origin: Holding your chin up shows strength and confidence.
Usage: Used to encourage someone to stay strong.
37. Blow off steam
Meaning: To release anger or stress
Example Sentence: He played basketball to blow off steam. I went for a walk to blow off steam after the test.
Other ways to say: Calm down, release pressure
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from steam engines needing to release pressure.
Usage: Used when someone lets out frustration.
38. Bend over backwards
Meaning: To try very hard to help
Example Sentence: She bent over backwards to plan the best party. He bent over backwards to help with the homework.
Other ways to say: Try hard, make extra effort
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of stretching too far to help.
Usage: Used when someone helps more than expected.
39. Cut to the chase
Meaning: Get to the main point
Example Sentence: Let’s cut to the chase and start the game. She cut to the chase and told us the news.
Other ways to say: Get to the point, skip the extras
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old movies that skipped to exciting chase scenes.
Usage: Used when someone wants to skip details and hear the main point.
40. Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: Blaming the wrong person or thinking the wrong thing
Example Sentence: If you think I broke it, you’re barking up the wrong tree. He was barking up the wrong tree by asking her.
Other ways to say: Mistaken, wrong guess
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from hunting dogs barking at the wrong tree.
Usage: Used when someone makes a wrong guess.
41. In the blink of an eye
Meaning: Very quickly
Example Sentence: The car drove off in the blink of an eye. Summer break ended in the blink of an eye.
Other ways to say: Very fast, super quick
Fun Fact/Origin: A blink is one of the fastest actions the body can do.
Usage: Used when something happens very fast.
42. Put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: Rely on only one plan
Example Sentence: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket—apply to more than one college. He put all his eggs in one basket and didn’t have a backup plan.
Other ways to say: Take a big risk, depend on one thing
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from farmers carrying eggs—all would break if the basket drops.
Usage: Used when someone puts all hope into one idea.
43. The tip of the iceberg
Meaning: Just a small part of a bigger issue
Example Sentence: What we saw was only the tip of the iceberg. The noise problem is just the tip of the iceberg.
Other ways to say: Only part of it, more hidden
Fun Fact/Origin: Most of an iceberg is underwater and not visible.
Usage: Used when something seems small but is part of something larger.
44. Get the hang of it
Meaning: Learn how to do something
Example Sentence: After a few tries, I got the hang of using the new app. You’ll get the hang of it soon.
Other ways to say: Learn, figure it out
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from learning how to hold or “hang” tools properly.
Usage: Used when someone starts to learn a skill.
45. It’s not rocket science
Meaning: It’s not that hard
Example Sentence: Making toast is easy—it’s not rocket science. Don’t worry about this—it’s not rocket science.
Other ways to say: Not complicated, simple
Fun Fact/Origin: Rocket science is very hard, so this means something is easy.
Usage: Used when something is simple or easy to understand.
Quiz: Idioms for TOEFL
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 “hit the books” mean?
A) To throw books around
B) To begin studying
C) To read only the cover
2. If someone is “under the weather,” what are they feeling?
A) Tired of the sun
B) Very cold
C) Sick or not feeling well
3. What does “break the ice” mean?
A) Start a friendly conversation
B) Fall through a frozen lake
C) Eat something cold
4. What does it mean if something is “a piece of cake”?
A) It’s something you can eat
B) It is very easy to do
C) It’s not allowed to do
5. If you “spill the beans,” what did you do?
A) Drop your lunch
B) Tell a secret
C) Plant seeds
6. What does it mean to “jump the gun”?
A) To move too early
B) To avoid a race
C) To get a toy
7. If someone says “the ball is in your court,” what are they telling you?
A) You should go play
B) It’s your turn to act
C) It’s time to rest
8. What does “cost an arm and a leg” mean?
A) It’s a big discount
B) It’s very expensive
C) It’s painful to do
9. What does “go the extra mile” mean?
A) Travel more
B) Do more than needed
C) Get lost
10. If someone says “don’t cry over spilled milk,” what do they mean?
A) You should clean up
B) Don’t worry about what’s done
C) Drink faster next time
11. What does “let someone off the hook” mean?
A) Let someone go fishing
B) Let someone take a nap
C) Excuse someone from trouble
12. What does it mean if something happens “in the blink of an eye”?
A) It takes all day
B) It happens very quickly
C) It is very slow
Answer Key
- B – To begin studying
- C – Sick or not feeling well
- A – Start a friendly conversation
- B – It is very easy to do
- B – Tell a secret
- A – To move too early
- B – It’s your turn to act
- B – It’s very expensive
- B – Do more than needed
- B – Don’t worry about what’s done
- C – Excuse someone from trouble
- B – It happens very quickly
Wrapping Up
Idioms are short phrases that say a lot. They help you sound more like a native speaker. Learning them for the TOEFL is smart because they show up in reading, listening, and speaking. With practice, you can remember their meanings and use them easily.
Don’t try to learn all idioms at once. Start with a few, then use them in writing or while talking with others. The more you hear and say them, the better you’ll remember. Just take your time, and you’ll get the hang of it.
