Exercise 1
Choose the correct word to complete each idiom or everyday expression.
Example: She was feeling under the _____ , so she stayed home from work. (moon / weather / table)
Answer: She was feeling under the weather, so she stayed home from work.
Idioms and Everyday Expressions in English
Have you ever heard a native English speaker say something like "I'm feeling under the weather today" or "Let's keep our fingers crossed!" and wondered what on earth they meant? These are idioms — fixed phrases whose meanings are different from the individual words used. Idioms and everyday expressions are a huge part of natural, spoken English, and learning them will help you sound more fluent and understand real conversations much more easily.
At B1 level, you are ready to start using common idioms confidently. In this lesson, you will learn the most useful everyday idioms, grouped by theme, so you can recognise them in context and use them naturally yourself.
Mini Situation: A Busy Monday Morning
Read this short conversation between two colleagues, Anna and Ben, at work:
Anna: "Morning, Ben! How are you?"
Ben: "Honestly, I'm under the weather. I didn't sleep well."
Anna: "Oh no! Well, hang in there. The weekend is only five days away!"
Ben: "Ha! That's easier said than done. By the way, did you finish the report?"
Anna: "Not yet. I ran out of time yesterday. I'll finish it first thing this morning."
Ben: "Good luck. Let me know if you need a hand."
Notice how many idioms appeared in just a short conversation! Let's break them all down now.
Key Vocabulary and Meaning Breakdown
1. Idioms About Feelings and Health
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech and Meaning | Example Sentence | Collocations / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| under the weather | idiom (adjective phrase) — feeling slightly ill or not well | I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so I'm going to stay home today. | Often used with feel or be: feel under the weather / be under the weather. It is NOT used for serious illness. |
| on top of the world | idiom (adjective phrase) — feeling extremely happy and full of energy | After passing her exam, she felt on top of the world. | Use with feel or be. The opposite is under the weather or feeling low. |
| down in the dumps | idiom (adjective phrase) — feeling sad or depressed | He's been down in the dumps since he lost his job. | Similar to feeling blue. Informal. Used in everyday spoken English. |
| have butterflies (in your stomach) | idiom (verb phrase) — to feel nervous or anxious about something | I always have butterflies in my stomach before a job interview. | Often shortened to "I've got butterflies." Common before exams, performances, or first dates. |
| keep your chin up | idiom (imperative phrase) — to stay positive during a difficult time | "Keep your chin up," said her mum. "Things will get better soon." | Used to encourage someone. Similar to hang in there. Always used as advice to someone else. |
2. Idioms About Time and Effort
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech and Meaning | Example Sentence | Collocations / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| run out of time | phrasal verb idiom — to have no more time left to do something | We ran out of time before we could finish the presentation. | Also: run out of money / ideas / patience. The structure is run out of + noun. |
| first thing (in the morning) | adverb phrase — at the very beginning of the day, before anything else | I'll send you the document first thing tomorrow morning. | Very common in work and everyday English. Means "as soon as possible at the start of the day." |
| at the last minute | adverb phrase — at the very latest possible moment | He always leaves things until the last minute and then panics. | Also: last-minute (adjective) — a last-minute decision. Common in both formal and informal English. |
| in no time | adverb phrase — very quickly; sooner than expected | Don't worry, the doctor will see you in no time. | Similar to very soon or before you know it. Positive and reassuring tone. |
| take your time | verb phrase — to do something slowly and without rushing | There's no hurry — take your time and read the instructions carefully. | Often used as a polite instruction. The opposite is hurry up. |
3. Idioms About Help, Difficulty, and Effort
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech and Meaning | Example Sentence | Collocations / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| give someone a hand | idiom (verb phrase) — to help someone with something | Could you give me a hand moving this heavy table? | Very common in spoken British English. A hand here means "help," not a body part! |
| hang in there | idiom (imperative phrase) — to keep trying and not give up in a difficult situation | "Hang in there," she said. "The exam is almost over." | Used to encourage someone. Similar to keep your chin up but focuses more on perseverance. |
| easier said than done | idiom (adjective phrase) — something that sounds simple but is actually difficult to do | "Just forget about your worries." "That's easier said than done!" | Usually used as a response when someone gives advice that sounds too simple. Fixed expression — do not change the word order. |
| go the extra mile | idiom (verb phrase) — to make more effort than is expected or required | She always goes the extra mile for her customers. | Common in work contexts. Very positive — shows dedication and hard work. |
| bite off more than you can chew | idiom (verb phrase) — to try to do more than you are able to manage | He signed up for five evening courses at once and bit off more than he could chew. | Often used in past tense to reflect on a mistake. Can be used as a warning: "Don't bite off more than you can chew." |
4. Idioms for Everyday Communication
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech and Meaning | Example Sentence | Collocations / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| keep your fingers crossed | idiom (verb phrase) — to hope that something good will happen | I've applied for the job. Keep your fingers crossed for me! | Also said as: "I'm keeping my fingers crossed." People sometimes literally cross their fingers as a gesture of good luck. |
| get the hang of something | idiom (verb phrase) — to learn how to do something and begin to feel comfortable with it | It took me a week, but I finally got the hang of using the new software. | Very common with learning new skills or technology. Use with get (present) or got (past). |
| on second thoughts | adverb phrase — used when you change your mind about something | I was going to order pizza, but on second thoughts, I'll have pasta. | British English spelling: thoughts. American English: on second thought. Signals a change of decision. |
| by the way | adverb phrase — used to introduce a new topic or piece of information that is slightly separate from what was being discussed | By the way, did you hear about the new café that opened on the high street? | Very common in spoken English. Usually placed at the start of a sentence or clause. Informal but polite. |
| it's not the end of the world | idiom (phrase) — used to say that a bad situation is not as serious as it might seem | You failed the test, but it's not the end of the world. You can retake it next month. | Reassuring and comforting. Used to put a problem in perspective. Often followed by a positive suggestion. |
Collocations and Useful Expressions
Idioms often appear with specific verbs or in particular situations. Here are some common patterns to remember:
feel + under the weather / on top of the world / down in the dumps
She felt under the weather after walking in the rain for an hour.
give + someone + a hand
Can you give me a hand carrying these bags upstairs?
get + the hang of + something
Once you get the hang of driving, it becomes automatic.
keep + fingers crossed / chin up
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't rain on Saturday.
Keep your chin up — you'll find a new job soon.
run out of + time / money / patience / ideas
We ran out of ideas and decided to take a break.
go + the extra mile (for someone / to do something)
The hotel staff really went the extra mile to make our stay special.
bite off + more than you can chew
Don't bite off more than you can chew — start with just one new project.
on second thoughts / by the way / first thing
By the way, I forgot to tell you — the meeting has been moved to Thursday.
On second thoughts, let's meet at 10 rather than 9.
I'll call you back first thing in the morning.
Important Differences and Confusing Expressions
Keep Your Chin Up vs. Hang In There
Both expressions are used to encourage someone who is having a difficult time, but there is a small difference in focus:
- Keep your chin up focuses on staying positive and hopeful. It is often used when someone feels sad or disappointed.
- Hang in there focuses on continuing to try and not giving up. It is used when someone is in the middle of a difficult or challenging situation.
"I know you didn't get the promotion. Keep your chin up — there will be other opportunities." (comforting someone who is upset)
"The project is almost finished. Hang in there — just two more days to go." (encouraging someone to keep going)
By the Way vs. On Second Thoughts
- By the way is used to introduce a new, separate piece of information into the conversation. You are NOT changing your mind — you are just adding something new.
- On second thoughts is used when you change your mind about something you already said or decided.
"By the way, I saw your sister at the supermarket yesterday." (introducing new information)
"I'll have the chicken. On second thoughts, I'll go for the fish." (changing a decision)
Give Someone a Hand vs. Have a Hand In Something
These two expressions both use the word hand, but they mean very different things:
- Give someone a hand = to help someone
- Have a hand in something = to be involved in something, especially something negative
"Could you give me a hand with dinner?" (help me)
"It is believed he had a hand in the robbery." (was involved in it)
Under the Weather vs. Feeling Low
- Under the weather specifically means feeling physically unwell or slightly ill (like a cold or headache).
- Feeling low means feeling emotionally sad or down, not physically ill.
"I'm a bit under the weather — I think I'm getting a cold." (physical illness)
"She's been feeling low since her best friend moved abroad." (emotional sadness)
Common Mistakes
❌ I am feeling under the weather because I am sad.
✅ I am feeling down in the dumps because I am sad. — Under the weather describes physical illness, not emotional sadness. Use down in the dumps or feeling low for sadness.
❌ She gave me a hand in the photo.
✅ She gave me a hand with the project. — Give someone a hand means to help. It is followed by with + noun, not a place or object.
❌ By the way, I changed my mind — I'll have coffee instead of tea.
✅ On second thoughts, I'll have coffee instead of tea. — Use on second thoughts when changing your mind. By the way introduces a new, unrelated topic.
❌ I finally got the hang for the new app.
✅ I finally got the hang of the new app. — The correct preposition is of, not for. Always say get the hang of something.
❌ Keep your fingers crossed your fingers for me!
✅ Keep your fingers crossed for me! — Do not repeat your fingers. The full phrase is simply keep your fingers crossed (for someone).
❌ He always does things in the last minute.
✅ He always does things at the last minute. — The correct preposition is at, not in. Always say at the last minute.
❌ Don't worry — it's not the end of world.
✅ Don't worry — it's not the end of the world. — Remember to include the article the before world. This is a fixed expression and must not be changed.
Idioms and Everyday Expressions: Quick Summary and Review
In this lesson, you have explored some of the most common and useful idioms and everyday expressions in English. Here is a quick summary of the key groups you have studied:
- Feelings and health: under the weather, on top of the world, down in the dumps, have butterflies, keep your chin up
- Time and effort: run out of time, first thing, at the last minute, in no time, take your time
- Help and difficulty: give someone a hand, hang in there, easier said than done, go the extra mile, bite off more than you can chew
- Everyday communication: keep your fingers crossed, get the hang of, on second thoughts, by the way, it's not the end of the world
Remember, the key to learning idioms is to notice them in context — when you read, watch films, or listen to conversations in English. Try to use one new idiom each day in a sentence of your own. The more you practise, the more natural they will start to feel.
Also remember these important rules:
- Most idioms are fixed expressions — do not change the word order or swap words.
- Be careful with prepositions: get the hang of, at the last minute, give a hand with.
- Pay attention to whether an idiom describes a physical feeling or an emotional one.
- Many idioms are used mainly in informal, spoken English — use them in conversations, not in formal writing.
Now practise idioms and everyday expressions vocabulary in the exercises below.
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