Dobi Apps

English idioms

Communication idioms

Idioms about talking, listening, secrets, gossip and saying exactly what you mean.

Idioms

  1. 1break the iceTo say or do something that helps people relax and start talking when they first meet.Our team leader broke the ice with a silly quiz before the meeting started.
  2. 2beat around the bushTo avoid talking about the main point, usually because it is awkward or unpleasant.Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened to my laptop.
  3. 3spill the beansTo tell people a secret or reveal information too early.Who spilled the beans about the surprise party?
  4. 4pull someone's legTo joke with someone by telling them something untrue as a friendly trick.Relax, I'm just pulling your leg – the exam isn't tomorrow.
  5. 5you can say that againUsed to say that you completely agree with what someone has just said."That was the longest meeting ever." "You can say that again."
  6. 6speak of the devilSaid when the person you are talking about appears or calls at that moment.We were just talking about Tom and – speak of the devil – here he comes.
  7. 7hit the nail on the headTo describe a situation or problem exactly right.You hit the nail on the head – the real issue is that we don't have enough staff.
  8. 8cut to the chaseTo get to the most important point without wasting time on details.We only have five minutes, so let's cut to the chase.
  9. 9long story shortUsed before giving a quick summary instead of all the details.The flight was delayed, then the hotel lost our booking – long story short, we slept at the airport.
  10. 10a penny for your thoughtsA friendly way to ask someone who seems quiet what they are thinking about.You've been staring out of the window all morning. A penny for your thoughts?
  11. 11ring a bellTo sound familiar, as if you have heard it before.Her name rings a bell, but I can't remember where we met.
  12. 12all earsReady and eager to listen carefully.Tell me about your trip – I'm all ears.
  13. 13it's all Greek to meSaid when something is impossible for you to understand.My brother tried to explain his coding project, but it's all Greek to me.
  14. 14tongue in cheekSaid or done as a joke, even though it may sound serious.His review of the film was completely tongue in cheek.
  15. 15put your foot in your mouthTo say something by accident that embarrasses or upsets someone.I really put my foot in my mouth when I asked if she was the baby's grandmother.
  16. 16shoot the breezeTo chat in a relaxed way about unimportant things.We sat on the balcony shooting the breeze until midnight.
  17. 17your guess is as good as mineUsed to say that you do not know the answer any more than the other person does."When will the new update be ready?" "Your guess is as good as mine."
  18. 18actions speak louder than wordsWhat you actually do shows more about you than what you say.He keeps promising to help, but actions speak louder than words.
  19. 19a picture is worth a thousand wordsAn image can explain something more quickly and clearly than a long description.Add a diagram to your slides – a picture is worth a thousand words.
  20. 20play devil's advocateTo argue against an idea, even if you agree with it, to test it or start a discussion.Let me play devil's advocate – what if customers don't want a cheaper version?
  21. 21on the same pageAgreeing about or understanding something in the same way as other people.Before we start, let's make sure we're all on the same page about the deadline.
  22. 22read between the linesTo understand a hidden meaning that is not said directly.Her email sounded polite, but if you read between the lines, she was clearly annoyed.
  23. 23get the wrong end of the stickTo misunderstand a situation or what someone has said.I think you've got the wrong end of the stick – I wasn't criticising you.
  24. 24word of mouthInformation passed from person to person by talking, not through advertising or media.The café doesn't advertise – all its customers come through word of mouth.