An idiom is a phrase, or a combination of words, that has developed a figurative meaning through frequency of use. Idioms are a staple in many different languages, and are often shared across languages through numerous translations. They can be useful and even fun to use, but are also bound to confuse any new speaker of a language who isn’t familiar with the phrase’s cultural relevance.
For instance, what does it mean to “spill the beans,” and why is everyone making such a fuss over someone doing it? Why are they telling that person to “break a leg” on stage? It doesn’t look like that person has a “chip on their shoulder.”
This guide will go over a large list of common American English idioms and their meanings, along with examples to help you better understand the context you need to use them in. Before you start to focus too much on silly phrases like idioms, it’d be worth it to work on your English language fluency with a course like this.