UTME 2025: 300 ENGLISH IDIOMS AND THEIR MEANINGS

1. A piece of cake – Something very easy to do.
2. Hit the nail on the head – To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
3. Break the ice – To initiate conversation in a social setting.
4. Cost an arm and a leg – To be very expensive.
5. Let the cat out of the bag – To reveal a secret.
6. Barking up the wrong tree – To pursue the wrong course of action or to have a mistaken belief.
7. Don’t cry over spilled milk – Don’t waste time worrying about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
8. Kick the bucket – To die.
9. Jump on the bandwagon – To join a popular trend or activity.
10. Bite the bullet – To endure a painful or difficult situation.
11. Break the camel’s back – To be the final straw that causes a situation to become intolerable.
12. Cut to the chase – To get to the main point without wasting time.
13. Fish out of water – To feel uncomfortable in a new or unfamiliar situation.
14. It’s raining cats and dogs – It’s raining heavily.
15. Kill two birds with one stone – To accomplish two tasks with a single action.
16. Miss the boat – To miss an opportunity.
17. Once in a blue moon – Very rarely.
18. Paint the town red – To go out and have a wild or enjoyable time.
19. Pull someone’s leg – To tease or joke with someone.
20. Take the bull by the horns – To confront a difficult situation directly.
21. All ears – Fully attentive and eager to listen.
22. Burn the midnight oil – To work late into the night.
23. Don’t judge a book by its cover – Don’t form an opinion based solely on appearances.
24. Get cold feet – To become nervous or hesitant about doing something.
25. Keep an eye on – To watch or monitor closely.
26. Make a long story short – To summarize something briefly.
27. Out of the blue – Unexpectedly or without warning.
28. Put all your eggs in one basket – To risk everything on a single venture.
29. Spill the beans – To disclose secret information.
30. Under the weather – Feeling unwell or sick.
31. A dime a dozen – Very common and not valuable.
32. Back to the drawing board – To start over again because a previous attempt was unsuccessful.
33. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket – Do not risk everything on one opportunity.
34. Go the extra mile – To make additional effort or do more than what is expected.
35. Hit the sack – To go to bed.
36. Kick the can down the road – To postpone dealing with a problem.
37. Make hay while the sun shines – To take advantage of an opportunity.
38. On the ball – Alert, competent, and efficient.
39. Piece of the pie – A share in something, especially profits.
40. Take it with a grain of salt – To be skeptical about something or not take it too seriously.
41. Break a leg – A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
42. Cut corners – To do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often sacrificing quality.
43. Drive someone up the wall – To irritate or annoy someone greatly.
44. Get off on the wrong foot – To start a relationship or activity badly.
45. Keep your chin up – To stay optimistic in a difficult situation.
46. Make a mountain out of a molehill – To exaggerate the importance of something small.
47. Penny for your thoughts – A way to ask someone what they are thinking about.
48. Put your best foot forward – To make a good impression by trying your hardest.
49. Save face – To avoid embarrassment or humiliation.
50. The ball is in your court – It’s your turn to make a decision or take action.
51. Beat around the bush – To avoid addressing an issue directly.
52. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch – Don’t assume success before it’s certain.
53. Elephant in the room – An obvious problem or issue that everyone ignores.
54. Feather in one’s cap – An accomplishment or honor to be proud of.
55. Give someone the cold shoulder – To intentionally ignore or snub someone.
56. Hit the ground running – To start something quickly and with great energy.
57. In hot water – In trouble or facing difficulties.
58. Jump the gun – To act prematurely or before the appropriate time.
59. Let sleeping dogs lie – To avoid stirring up old conflicts or problems.
60. Needle in a haystack – Something extremely difficult to find.
61. On thin ice – In a risky or precarious situation.
62. Play devil’s advocate – To argue the opposite side of an issue for the sake of debate.
63. Rule of thumb – A general principle or guideline.
64. Straight from the horse’s mouth – Directly from the original or authoritative source.
65. Time flies when you’re having fun – Time seems to pass quickly during enjoyable activities.
66. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush – It’s better to have something certain than to risk losing it by trying to get something better.
67. Blood is thicker than water – Family bonds are stronger than other relationships.
68. Don’t put the cart before the horse – Don’t do things out of order.
69. Get a taste of your own medicine – Experience something negative that you have inflicted on others.
70. Have your cake and eat it too – To want more than is reasonable or possible.
71. Keep your fingers crossed – To hope for good luck or a favorable outcome.
72. Make waves – To cause trouble or disruption.
73. No pain, no gain – You have to work hard and endure difficulties to achieve success.
74. Play it by ear – To handle a situation without a definite plan.
75. Rome wasn’t built in a day – Great things take time to accomplish.
76. The early bird catches the worm – Those who act promptly and decisively will have an advantage.
77. A penny saved is a penny earned – It’s wise to save money rather than spending it needlessly.
78. Actions speak louder than words – What someone does is more important than what they say they will do.
79. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater – Don’t discard something valuable while getting rid of something undesirable.
80. Get your act together – To organize yourself and start behaving in a more responsible or effective way.
81. Have a chip on your shoulder – To be easily offended or to hold a grudge.
82. In the same boat – In a similar situation or predicament.
83. Kill time – To pass time idly.
84. Make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear – To turn something of low quality into something of high quality.
85. Put the cat among the pigeons – To cause trouble or upset a stable situation.
86. Sleep like a log – To sleep deeply and soundly.
87. Take the cake – To be the most outstanding or remarkable.
88. Wear your heart on your sleeve – To show your emotions openly.
89. All bark and no bite – To act tough or aggressive but not follow through with action.
90. Burn bridges – To damage relationships or opportunities to the extent that they cannot be repaired.
91. Cut the mustard – To meet expectations or perform satisfactorily.
92. Fish or cut bait – To make a decision or take action one way or another.
93. Go down in flames – To fail spectacularly.
94. Have a frog in your throat – To have a hoarse or strained voice.
95. Keep something at bay – To keep something under control or prevent it from happening.
96. Make a clean breast of it – To confess or admit to something.
97. Put the kibosh on – To put an end to something or to prevent it from happening.
98. Save the day – To prevent a disaster or resolve a difficult situation successfully.
99. Take the wind out of someone’s sails – To deflate or undermine someone’s confidence or enthusiasm.
100. You can’t judge a book by its cover – You can’t accurately assess something or someone based solely on appearance.
101. Bury the hatchet – To make peace or end a conflict.
102. Catch someone red-handed – To catch someone in the act of doing something wrong.
103. Drive someone round the bend – To annoy or irritate someone greatly.
104. Every cloud has a silver lining – There’s something positive to be found in every negative situation.
105. Give it your best shot – To make the maximum effort to achieve something.
106. Hit the jackpot – To achieve a great success or win a large prize.
107. In the same boat – In a similar situation or predicament.
108. Jump through hoops – To go through a lot of effort or difficulty to achieve something.
109. Keep something under wraps – To keep something secret or confidential.
110. Live and let live – To accept other people’s differences and beliefs without interference.
111. Make ends meet – To have enough money to cover expenses.
112. No stone left unturned – To make every possible effort to find or achieve something.
113. Pay the piper – To face the consequences of one’s actions.
114. Queer the pitch – To spoil someone’s plans or efforts.
115. Rub someone the wrong way – To irritate or annoy someone.
116. Take a rain check – To decline an offer or invitation but suggest that it could be accepted later.
117. Under the thumb – Under someone’s control or influence.
118. Variety is the spice of life – Diversity and change make life interesting.
119. Weather the storm – To survive a difficult situation.
120. X marks the spot – A phrase used to indicate the location of something important or hidden.
121. Zip your lip – To remain silent or keep a secret.
122. A penny for your thoughts – A way to ask someone what they are thinking about.
123. Back to square one – To return to the starting point or to start over again.
124. Cut and dried – Something that is settled and unchangeable.
125. Devil’s in the details – The important or critical aspects of something are found in the details.
126. Eat humble pie – To admit one’s mistakes or faults publicly.
127. Fly by the seat of one’s pants – To act without a clear plan or preparation.
128. Go off the deep end – To become irrational or extremely upset.
129. Have a skeleton in the closet – To have a secret or embarrassing past.
130. In the nick of time – Just in time, at the last possible moment.
131. Jump on the bandwagon – To join a popular trend or activity.
132. Keep something at bay – To keep something under control or prevent it from happening.
133. Like a bull in a china shop – Clumsy or reckless behavior that causes damage.
134. Make hay while the sun shines – To take advantage of an opportunity.
135. Not playing with a full deck – Not mentally or emotionally stable; lacking intelligence or common sense.
136. On cloud nine – Extremely happy or euphoric.
137. Paint oneself into a corner – To put oneself in a difficult or inescapable situation.
138. Quick on the draw – Very quick to react or respond.
139. See eye to eye – To agree or have the same opinion as someone else.
140. The apple of someone’s eye – Someone’s favorite person or thing.
141. Turn over a new leaf – To start anew or make a fresh start.
142. When pigs fly – Something that will never happen.
143. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours – Mutual cooperation or assistance.
144. A wolf in sheep’s clothing – Someone who appears harmless but is actually dangerous or deceitful.
145. Bells and whistles – Extra features or embellishments that are not necessary.
146. Cry over spilled milk – To lament something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
147. Donkey’s years – A very long time.
148. Get bent out of shape – To become excessively upset or angry about something minor.
149. Have a heart of gold – To be kind, generous, and compassionate.
150. Keep your powder dry – To be prepared for future challenges or opportunities.
151. A dime a dozen – Very common and not valuable.
152. All in the same boat – Sharing the same situation or circumstances.
153. Behind the eight ball – In a difficult or unfavorable position.
154. Bite off more than you can chew – To take on more responsibility than one can handle.
155. Cut to the chase – To get to the main point without wasting time.
156. Devil is in the details – The important or critical aspects of something are found in the details.
157. Eat crow – To admit that one was wrong or mistaken.
158. Fish out of water – To feel uncomfortable in a new or unfamiliar situation.
159. Green thumb – A talent for gardening or growing plants.
160. Hit the nail on the head – To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
161. In the same boat – In a similar situation or predicament.
162. Jump on the bandwagon – To join a popular trend or activity.
163. Keep your nose clean – To stay out of trouble or avoid causing problems.
164. Let the cat out of the bag – To reveal a secret.
165. Money talks – Wealth has influence and power.
166. Not a spark of decency – Lacking basic manners or morals.
167. On cloud nine – Extremely happy or euphoric.
168. Pull someone’s leg – To tease or joke with someone.
169. Rock the boat – To disturb the status quo or cause trouble.
170. Shoot the breeze – To engage in casual or idle conversation.
171. Spill the beans – To disclose secret information.
172. The early bird catches the worm – Those who act promptly and decisively will have an advantage.
173. Turn over a new leaf – To start anew or make a fresh start.
174. A wolf in sheep’s clothing – Someone who appears harmless but is actually dangerous or deceitful.
175. Add insult to injury – To make a bad situation worse.
176. All ears – Fully attentive and eager to listen.
177. Back to square one – To return to the starting point or to start over again.
178. Cat’s out of the bag – The secret has been revealed.
179. Devil’s advocate – Someone who argues against a popular opinion or belief.
180. Elephant in the room – An obvious problem or issue that everyone ignores.
181. Get the ball rolling – To start or initiate something.
182. In the same boat – In a similar situation or predicament.
183. Keep your chin up – To stay optimistic in a difficult situation.
184. Let sleeping dogs lie – To avoid stirring up old conflicts or problems.
185. Make a long story short – To summarize something briefly.
186. No harm, no foul – If there is no damage done, there is no reason for blame or punishment.
187. Out of the blue – Unexpectedly or without warning.
188. Penny for your thoughts – A way to ask someone what they are thinking about.
189. Play it by ear – To handle a situation without a definite plan.
190. Rain on someone’s parade – To spoil someone’s plans or celebrations.
191. Save face – To avoid embarrassment or humiliation.
192. Take a rain check – To decline an offer or invitation but suggest that it could be accepted later.
193. Under the weather – Feeling unwell or sick.
194. You can’t judge a book by its cover – You can’t accurately assess something or someone based solely on appearance.
195. A fish out of water – Someone who is out of their element or uncomfortable in a particular situation.
196. All bark and no bite – To act tough or aggressive but not follow through with action.
197. Break a leg – A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
198. Catch someone’s eye – To attract someone’s attention.
199. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch – Don’t assume success before it’s certain.
200. Every cloud has a silver lining – There’s something positive to be found in every negative situation.
201. Fish or cut bait – To make a decision or take action one way or another.
202. Go down in flames – To fail spectacularly.
203. Have a frog in your throat – To have a hoarse or strained voice.
204. Keep something at bay – To keep something under control or prevent it from happening.
205. Make a clean breast of it – To confess or admit to something.
206. Put the kibosh on – To put an end to something or to prevent it from happening.
207. Save the day – To prevent a disaster or resolve a difficult situation successfully.
208. Take the wind out of someone’s sails – To deflate or undermine someone’s confidence or enthusiasm.
209. You can’t judge a book by its cover – You can’t accurately assess something or someone based solely on appearance.
210. A fish out of water – Someone who is out of their element or uncomfortable in a particular situation.
211. All bark and no bite – To act tough or aggressive but not follow through with action.
212. Break a leg – A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
213. Catch someone’s eye – To attract someone’s attention.
214. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch – Don’t assume success before it’s certain.
215. Every cloud has a silver lining – There’s something positive to be found in every negative situation.
216. Beat around the bush – To avoid addressing an issue directly.
217. Don’t cry over spilled milk – Don’t waste time worrying about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
218. Elephant in the room – An obvious problem or issue that everyone ignores.
219. Feather in one’s cap – An accomplishment or honor to be proud of.
220. Give someone the cold shoulder – To intentionally ignore or snub someone.
221. Hit the ground running – To start something quickly and with great energy.
222. In hot water – In trouble or facing difficulties.
223. Jump the gun – To act prematurely or before the appropriate time.
224. Let sleeping dogs lie – To avoid stirring up old conflicts or problems.
225. Needle in a haystack – Something extremely difficult to find.
226. On thin ice – In a risky or precarious situation.
227. Play devil’s advocate – To argue the opposite side of an issue for the sake of debate.
228. Rule of thumb – A general principle or guideline.
229. Straight from the horse’s mouth – Directly from the original or authoritative source.
230. Time flies when you’re having fun – Time seems to pass quickly during enjoyable activities.
231. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush – It’s better to have something certain than to risk losing it by trying to get something better.
232. Blood is thicker than water – Family bonds are stronger than other relationships.
233. Don’t put the cart before the horse – Don’t do things out of order.
234. Get a taste of your own medicine – Experience something negative that you have inflicted on others.
235. Have your cake and eat it too – To want more than is reasonable or possible.
236. Keep your fingers crossed – To hope for good luck or a favorable outcome.
237. Make waves – To cause trouble or disruption.
238. No pain, no gain – You have to work hard and endure difficulties to achieve success.
239. Play it by ear – To handle a situation without a definite plan.
240. Rome wasn’t built in a day – Great things take time to accomplish.
241. The early bird catches the worm – Those who act promptly and decisively will have an advantage.
242. A penny saved is a penny earned – It’s wise to save money rather than spending it needlessly.
243. Actions speak louder than words – What someone does is more important than what they say they will do.
244. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater – Don’t discard something valuable while getting rid of something undesirable.
245. Get your act together – To organize yourself and start behaving in a more responsible or effective way.
246. Have a chip on your shoulder – To be easily offended or to hold a grudge.
247. In the same boat – In a similar situation or predicament.
248. Kill time – To pass time idly.
249. Make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear – To turn something of low quality into something of high quality.
250. Put the cat among the pigeons – To cause trouble or upset a stable situation.
251. Sleep like a log – To sleep deeply and soundly.
252. Take the cake – To be the most outstanding or remarkable.
253. Wear your heart on your sleeve – To show your emotions openly.
254. All bark and no bite – To act tough or aggressive but not follow through with action.
255. Burn bridges – To damage relationships or opportunities to the extent that they cannot be repaired.
256. Cut the mustard – To meet expectations or perform satisfactorily.
257. Fish or cut bait – To make a decision or take action one way or another.
258. Go down in flames – To fail spectacularly.
259. Have a frog in your throat – To have a hoarse or strained voice.
260. Keep something at bay – To keep something under control or prevent it from happening.
261. Make a clean breast of it – To confess or admit to something.
262. Put the kibosh on – To put an end to something or to prevent it from happening.
263. Save the day – To prevent a disaster or resolve a difficult situation successfully.
264. **Put your best foot forward** – To make a good impression by trying your hardest or presenting oneself in the best possible way.
265. Take the wind out of someone’s sails – To deflate or undermine someone’s confidence or enthusiasm.
266. You can’t judge a book by its cover – You can’t accurately assess something or someone based solely on appearance.
267. A fish out of water – Someone who is out of their element or uncomfortable in a particular situation.
268. All bark and no bite – To act tough or aggressive but not follow through with action.
269. Break a leg – A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
270. Catch someone’s eye – To attract someone’s attention.
271. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch – Don’t assume success before it’s certain.
272. Every cloud has a silver lining – There’s something positive to be found in every negative situation.
273. Beat around the bush – To avoid addressing an issue directly.
274. Don’t cry over spilled milk – Don’t waste time worrying about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
275. Elephant in the room – An obvious problem or issue that everyone ignores.
276. Feather in one’s cap – An accomplishment or honor to be proud of.
277. Give someone the cold shoulder – To intentionally ignore or snub someone.
278. Hit the ground running – To start something quickly and with great energy.
279. In hot water – In trouble or facing difficulties.
280. Jump the gun – To act prematurely or before the appropriate time.
281. Let sleeping dogs lie – To avoid stirring up old conflicts or problems.
282. Needle in a haystack – Something extremely difficult to find.
283. On thin ice – In a risky or precarious situation.
284. Play devil’s advocate – To argue the opposite side of an issue for the sake of debate.
285. Rule of thumb – A general principle or guideline.
286. Straight from the horse’s mouth – Directly from the original or authoritative source.
287. Time flies when you’re having fun – Time seems to pass quickly during enjoyable activities.
288. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush – It’s better to have something certain than to risk losing it by trying to get something better.
289. Blood is thicker than water – Family bonds are stronger than other relationships.
290. Don’t put the cart before the horse – Don’t do things out of order.
291. Get a taste of your own medicine – Experience something negative that you have inflicted on others.
292. Have your cake and eat it too – To want more than is reasonable or possible.
293. Keep your fingers crossed – To hope for good luck or a favorable outcome.
294. Make waves – To cause trouble or disruption.
295. No pain, no gain – You have to work hard and endure difficulties to achieve success.
296. Play it by ear – To handle a situation without a definite plan.
297. Rome wasn’t built in a day – Great things take time to accomplish.
298. The early bird catches the worm – Those who act promptly and decisively will have an advantage.
299. A penny saved is a penny earned – It’s wise to save money rather than spending it needlessly.
300. Actions speak louder than words – What someone does is more important than what they say