Learning English can be a wild adventure, especially when idioms come into play! Idioms are quirky expressions that don’t always mean what the words say—like “raining cats and dogs” (no real pets involved, we promise!). But mastering these phrases makes English even more fun and natural.
So, let’s pounce into some of the best idioms for kids to practice, helping them sound like native speakers in no time!
The best idioms to help kids learn english faster
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Down for the count
When someone is super tired or has lost a game, they’re “down for the count.” Time for a break!
Down for the count -
Give it a whirl
Ever tried something new, like riding a bike or tasting a weird-looking fruit? That’s giving it a whirl!
Give it a whirl -
Go the extra mile
It means trying your best—and then trying even harder! Like running one more lap or adding extra sprinkles to your ice cream.
Go the extra mile -
Have an ace up your sleeve
No, you don’t need sleeves for this one! It means having a secret trick or surprise ready to go.
Have an ace up your sleeve -
Have bigger fish to fry
No frying pans needed! This means you’ve got something more important to do—like playing instead of cleaning your room.
Have bigger fish to fry -
Step up your game
Want to win the race or beat your high score? “Step up your game” means trying even harder!
Step up your game -
Beat around the bush
Talking and talking but never getting to the point? That’s beating around the bush! Just say it already!
Beat around the bush -
Boil the ocean
If someone tells you to do something impossible, like counting all the stars, they’re asking you to “boil the ocean.”
Boil the ocean -
Chasing rainbows
Trying to catch something that’s impossible? That’s chasing rainbows! But dreaming big is still fun!
Chasing rainbows -
Chip off the old block
If you act just like your parents, people might say you’re a chip off the old block. Like parent, like kid!
Chip off the old block -
Cool as a cucumber
If you’re super calm—like when everyone else is freaking out—you’re “cool as a cucumber.”
Cool as a cucumber -
Easier said than done
Cleaning your room sounds easy—until you actually have to do it! That’s easier said than done.
Easier said than done -
Every cloud has a silver lining
Even bad days have something good hiding in them—like when it rains, but then you get a rainbow!
Every cloud has a silver lining -
Feeling under the weather
When you’re sick or just not feeling great, you’re “under the weather.” Time for some rest and a cozy blanket!
Feeling under the weather -
Find your feet
Starting something new can be tricky, but once you “find your feet,” you’ll feel more confident!
Find your feet -
Food for thought
When something makes you think hard, it’s “food for thought.” But nope, you can’t actually eat it!
Food for thought -
Give it a shot
Another way to say “try it!” Whether it’s a new game or a strange-looking veggie, just give it a shot!
Give it a shot -
Good things come to those who wait
Waiting isn’t fun, but sometimes it’s worth it—like when cookies are in the oven!
Good things come to those who wait -
It costs an arm and a leg
If something is super expensive, you might say it “costs an arm and a leg!” (But don’t worry, you get to keep both.)
It costs an arm and a leg -
Judge a book by its cover
You never know how great something is just by looking at it—so don’t judge a book by its cover!
Judge a book by its cover -
A piece of cake
Super easy! Like when you already know the answer to a test question.
A piece of cake -
To be in the same boat
If you and a friend have the same problem, you’re “in the same boat.” Time to paddle together!
To be in the same boat -
Let sleeping dogs lie
Sometimes it’s better to leave things alone instead of causing trouble—just like not waking up a sleepy dog!
Let sleeping dogs lie -
To be green with envy
Feeling jealous? Then you’re “green with envy!” But don’t worry—sharing is always better!
To be green with envy -
It’s raining cats and dogs
No, animals aren’t falling from the sky! It just means it’s raining really, really hard!
It’s raining cats and dogs -
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Having something for sure is better than hoping for more and getting nothing!
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush -
A hard nut to crack
Some things are tricky to figure out—just like a tough nut that won’t open!
A hard nut to crack -
A picture is worth a thousand words
Sometimes, a picture can explain things better than a whole bunch of talking!
A picture is worth a thousand words -
Better late than never
It’s always good to finish something—even if it takes a little longer than planned!
Better late than never -
Born with a silver spoon in your mouth
Someone who has had everything easy since birth is said to have a silver spoon!
Born with a silver spoon in your mouth -
Bread and butter
The things we need every day—like food, work, or even fun—are our “bread and butter.”
Bread and butter -
Break a leg
People say this to wish you good luck—especially before a big show or event!
Break a leg -
Break the ice
Starting a conversation can be awkward, but “breaking the ice” makes it easier!
Break the ice -
Eat like a pig
If someone eats a LOT (and maybe a little messy), they’re “eating like a pig!”
Eat like a pig -
Fish out of water
Feeling lost or out of place? You might be a “fish out of water!”
Fish out of water -
Hit the sack
When it’s time for bed, people say “hit the sack” instead of just “go to sleep!”
Hit the sack -
To be on cloud nine
Feeling extra happy, excited, and like you’re floating in the sky? That’s cloud nine!
To be on cloud nine -
Run around in circles
Trying to do something but not getting anywhere? That’s “running around in circles.”
Run around in circles -
Sell like hot cakes
When something is super popular and selling super fast, it “sells like hot cakes!”
Sell like hot cakes -
Your guess is as good as mine
If no one knows the answer, people say, “your guess is as good as mine!”
Your guess is as good as mine -
Left out in the cold
If someone is ignored or not included, they’re “left out in the cold.” Brr!
Left out in the cold
That’s all, folks!
And there you have it—some of the most fun and useful idioms to practice! The more kids use them, the more confident they’ll become in speaking English like a pro. Keep the fun going by playing with new words, trying out silly sentences, and, of course, learning English with Studycat!