Dobi Apps

English idioms

Idioms about people & relationships

Idioms about friends, family, love, arguments and the kind of people we meet.

Idioms

  1. 1see eye to eyeTo agree with someone or share the same opinion.My sister and I don't always see eye to eye on politics.
  2. 2like two peas in a podVery similar in appearance or character.The twins are like two peas in a pod – even their teachers mix them up.
  3. 3give someone the cold shoulderTo ignore someone or treat them in an unfriendly way on purpose.After the argument, she gave me the cold shoulder for a week.
  4. 4stab someone in the backTo betray someone who trusted you.I can't believe he stabbed me in the back by taking credit for my idea.
  5. 5through thick and thinLoyally, in both good times and difficult times.My grandparents stayed together through thick and thin.
  6. 6it takes two to tangoBoth people involved in a situation, especially a problem, share responsibility for it.Don't blame only him for the argument – it takes two to tango.
  7. 7bury the hatchetTo stop arguing with someone and become friends again.After years of silence, the two brothers finally buried the hatchet.
  8. 8burn your bridgesTo do something that makes it impossible to go back to a previous situation or relationship.Be polite when you resign – you don't want to burn your bridges.
  9. 9a chip off the old blockA person who is very similar to their parent in character or behaviour.Emma loves fixing cars, just like her dad – she's a chip off the old block.
  10. 10a heart of goldA very kind and generous nature.Our neighbour seems grumpy, but she has a heart of gold.
  11. 11down to earthPractical, realistic and easy to talk to, not proud or pretentious.Even though she's the director, she's really down to earth.
  12. 12the salt of the earthA good, honest and reliable person, often a simple, hard-working one.The farmers in my village are the salt of the earth.
  13. 13cut someone some slackTo be less strict or critical with someone because of their situation.Cut him some slack – it's only his second day.
  14. 14give someone the benefit of the doubtTo believe someone is honest or right even though you cannot be sure.She said the bus was late, so I gave her the benefit of the doubt.
  15. 15let someone off the hookTo free someone from a duty, blame or punishment.The teacher let us off the hook and cancelled the homework.
  16. 16in the same boatIn the same difficult situation as other people.Don't worry about the exam – we're all in the same boat.
  17. 17hold out an olive branchTo make an offer of peace to end an argument or disagreement.After the fight, Jake held out an olive branch and invited his friend for coffee.
  18. 18twist someone's armTo persuade someone to do something they are not sure about.I didn't want to go to karaoke, but my friends twisted my arm.
  19. 19steal someone's thunderTo take attention or praise away from someone, often by doing what they planned first.I was going to announce my engagement, but my brother stole my thunder with his news.
  20. 20a taste of your own medicineThe same bad treatment that you have given to other people.He's always late, so we made him wait for an hour – a taste of his own medicine.
  21. 21get on like a house on fireTo like each other and become friendly very quickly.I was worried about meeting her parents, but we got on like a house on fire.
  22. 22hit it offTo like someone and get on well with them from the first meeting.We hit it off straight away and talked for hours.
  23. 23head over heelsCompletely and deeply in love.He's head over heels in love with his new girlfriend.
  24. 24get on someone's nervesTo annoy someone, especially by doing something again and again.The noise from the building site is really getting on my nerves.