Dictionary of English Idioms: Vocabulary Building (English Word Power Book 18)

Useful English Idioms and their meanings in simple words. Alphabetical list of English Idioms.

Sample this:

Useful English Idioms – A

Aback
be taken aback – to be shocked

Abeyance
in abeyance – postponed

Above
above all – most of all

Abreast
keep abreast of – to know the latest update

Abstract
in the abstract – generally

Abundance
in abundance – in great amounts or quantities

Accident
by accident – unintentionally

Accompaniment
to the accompaniment of – in the addition of something else

Accord
in accord – in agreement
of your own accord – willingly
with one accord – in unison

Accordance
in accordance with – according to a rule or system

Account
by all accounts – as said by other people
by your own account – as said by you
of no account – of no significance
on somebody’s account – because of another person
on account of – because of
on no account – without any reason
on your own account – by or for yourself
on this account – because of this
turn something to a good account – to make the best use of something
take account of – to consider something during the decision-making process

Ace
hold all the aces – to be in the most favorable situation
place your ace – to use your best argument, etc. to make the situation in your favor

Acquaintance
make the acquaintance of somebody – to be familiar with somebody for the first time
of your acquaintances – that you know
on first acquaintance – on first meeting

Acquire
an acquired taste – something that you like gradually

Act
act of God – a natural event
do a vanishing act – to be absent when you are required to be present
get your act together – to make your best efforts to achieve your goal
a hard act to follow – to be the perfect example of something and thus almost impossible to emulate
in the act of doing something – while somebody is doing something
in action – doing the usual activity
into action – to be implemented
out of action – not working

Add
add insult to injury – to aggravate the relationship with somebody

Addition
in addition – besides

Ado
without further ado – immediately

Advanced
of advanced age – very old

Advantage
work to your advantage – to try to get an advantage from a particular circumstance
to best advantage – in the best possible way
turn something to your advantage – to get an advantage from an unfavorable situation

Advisement
Take something under advisement – to consider something during the decision-making process

Aegis
under the aegis of – with the support of

Afoul
run afoul of – to do something illegal

Afar
from afar – from a long distance away

Afield
far afield – from a long distance away

Afoul
run afoul of – to do something illegal

After
after all – in spite of everything

Age
act your age – to behave maturely and sensibly
come of age – to be legally mature
under age – to be legally immature

Aggregate
in aggregate – as a total

Agree
agree to differ – (of two people) to not discuss their different views about something

Aim
take aim at – to criticize severely

Air
walk on air – to be delighted
in the air – felt by many people
on air – broadcasting on TV, etc.
off air – not broadcasting on TV, etc.
up in the air – undecided

Aisle
walk down the aisle – to get married

Alarm
alarm bells ring – to be worried and apprehensive in a sudden way

Alive
alive and kicking – healthy and lively