English Idioms, ITS Groups Ltd, 4th Floor, Silverstream House, 45 Fitzroy Street, Fitzrovia, London (2026)

01/08/2023

A picture is worth a thousand words = a single image or visual representation can convey a complex idea or emotion more effectively than a lengthy description using words. It suggests that visuals have the power to communicate a message or tell a story with great impact and efficiency.

Introducing "English Idioms" - where a picture is worth a thousand words! 📷📚 Our page creatively illustrates idioms to help you grasp their meanings effortlessly. Join us for a fun and visual journey into the fascinating world of idiomatic expressions! 🌟

e.g. Instead of describing the breathtaking scenery, Mary showed her friends a photograph she took during her hike. They were immediately captivated by the beauty of the landscape, realizing that a picture is worth a thousand words.

The origin of this idiom is often attributed to an article by Fred R. Barnard in the advertising trade journal "Printers' Ink" in December 1921. He used the phrase to emphasize the importance of using visuals in advertisements for better communication.

28/07/2023

Shoot for the moon = to set ambitious and high-reaching goals or aspirations. It encourages aiming for the highest level of achievement, even if it seems difficult or unlikely to attain.

e.g. Although Tom wasn't sure if he could win the competition, he decided to shoot for the moon and put in his best effort. To his surprise, he ended up winning the first prize.

The idiom likely draws inspiration from the idea of aiming for the unreachable moon, suggesting that striving for lofty objectives can lead to exceptional accomplishments. It embodies the notion of daring to dream big and not being afraid of failure.

ITS Groups Translation: Your Translation Partner
https://www.itsgroups.co.uk/
© 2023 ITS Groups Translation All Rights Reserved

25/07/2023

Rule of thumb = describes a practical, general guideline or principle that is easy to remember and apply in various situations. It refers to a simple and practical method for making approximate measurements or estimates.

e.g. As a general rule of thumb, you should save at least 20% of your income for retirement.

The origin of the idiom "rule of thumb" is debated. One theory suggests that it originated from a practice where people used their thumb as a rough measurement tool before standardized units were established. However, it is essential to note that the phrase has been used for centuries to describe simple, practical rules or guidelines in various contexts.
The idiom emphasizes the value of practicality and simplicity in decision-making or problem-solving. It suggests using a quick and straightforward approach to estimate or make decisions when more precise measurements or calculations are unnecessary or unavailable.

ITS Groups Translation: Your Translation Partner
https://www.itsgroups.co.uk/
© 2023 ITS Groups Translation All Rights Reserved

21/07/2023

Rise and shine = an expression used to encourage someone to wake up, get out of bed, and start their day energetically.

e.g. As the alarm clock rang, Sarah's mother cheerfully entered her room and said, "Rise and shine, it's a beautiful day outside! Time to get up and seize the day!"

It is often used as a cheerful and motivational phrase to greet someone in the morning or to motivate oneself to start the day with enthusiasm. It is a lighthearted and motivating way to greet someone or remind oneself to start the day on a positive note.

ITS Groups Translation: Your Translation Partner
https://www.itsgroups.co.uk/
© 2023 ITS Groups Translation All Rights Reserved

18/07/2023

Pull yourself together = is used to encourage someone to regain composure, control their emotions, or get a grip on themselves in a challenging or overwhelming situation.

e.g. Mark noticed her friend James visibly overwhelmed and stressed about an upcoming presentation. He sat him down and said, "James, I know it's tough, but you need to pull yourself together. Take a deep breath, gather your thoughts, and remember that you've prepared for this. You've got this!"

The idiom emphasizes the need to regain control, inner strength, and emotional stability when faced with adversity. It urges individuals to overcome feelings of distress, confusion, or panic and compose themselves to effectively deal with the circumstances at hand.

ITS Groups Translation: Your Translation Partner
https://www.itsgroups.co.uk/
© 2023 ITS Groups Translation All Rights Reserved

14/07/2023

Miss the boat = to miss an opportunity or fail to take advantage of a timely or advantageous situation. It implies being too late or not acting promptly enough to benefit from something.

e.g. I had the chance to invest in that startup company, but I hesitated and missed the boat. Now it's worth millions.

In this example, the person regrets not seizing the opportunity to invest in the startup company when it was still in its early stages, and now they have missed the chance to benefit from its success.
The idiom likens the situation to a boat departing from a dock, and if one doesn't act quickly enough, they will miss the opportunity to get on board and enjoy the advantages or benefits it offers.

ITS Groups Translation: Your Translation Partner
https://www.itsgroups.co.uk/
© 2023 ITS Groups Translation All Rights Reserved

11/07/2023

Making a long story short = implies cutting to the essential or important points and omitting unnecessary details.

e.g. I had planned an elaborate surprise party for my friend, but to make a long story short, she found out about it beforehand and the surprise was ruined.

In this example, the speaker is indicating that they are going to provide a condensed version of the story, skipping over the intricacies and providing only the key details. The idiom is commonly used when recounting an extended narrative or explaining a complex situation in a brief manner. It serves as a signal to the listener or reader that a more succinct or summarized version will follow, saving time and focusing on the main highlights or conclusions.

ITS Groups Translation: Your Translation Partner
https://www.itsgroups.co.uk/
© 2023 ITS Groups Translation All Rights Reserved

07/07/2023

Live and learn = is used to convey that someone has gained knowledge or insight from a surprising or unpleasant experience.

e.g. After being scammed online, Mark realized the importance of being cautious with online transactions. Live and learn, he thought, vowing to research thoroughly before making any future purchases.
The idiom emphasizes the ongoing process of acquiring wisdom and understanding through life experiences, even when those experiences are challenging or come with unexpected outcomes. It encourages resilience, adaptability, and the willingness to extract valuable lessons from both positive and negative situations.

04/07/2023

Know the ropes = to be knowledgeable, familiar, or experienced in a particular task, activity, or situation.
e.g. Emily is a quick learner, and it didn't take her long to know the ropes of her new job. She's already handling complex tasks with ease.

It suggests having a good understanding of the processes, procedures, or intricacies involved in a given context. The origin of this idiom is uncertain, but it is believed to have nautical roots. In sailing, knowing the ropes referred to being knowledgeable about the various ropes, lines, and rigging on a ship. It indicated having the necessary skills and understanding to navigate and operate a vessel effectively.

ITS Groups Translation: Your Translation Partner
https://www.itsgroups.co.uk/
© 2023 ITS Groups Translation All Rights Reserved

30/06/2023

Keep your fingers crossed = to hope for good luck or a positive outcome.

e.g. Sara had a job interview today, and she's really hoping to get the position. She's keeping her fingers crossed that the interview goes well and she gets the job offer.

It involves crossing one's fingers, typically by interlocking the index finger over the middle finger, as a gesture of wishing for something to happen as desired. The origin of this idiom can be traced back to ancient superstitions where crossing one's fingers was believed to bring good luck or ward off bad luck. It is often used as a symbolic gesture of expressing hope, optimism, or anticipation for a favorable outcome.

ITS Groups Translation: Your Translation Partner
https://www.itsgroups.co.uk/
© 2023 ITS Groups Translation All Rights Reserved

27/06/2023

Knock it out of the park = to achieve remarkable or outstanding success, often exceeding expectations.

e.g. The band's performance at the concert last night was absolutely incredible. They played with so much energy and passion, and they really knocked it out of the park.

The idiom originated from baseball, where hitting a ball out of the park and scoring a home run is a powerful and impressive feat. It gained figurative usage to describe exceptional achievements in various contexts beyond the realm of sports. The idiom signifies an exceptional level of success, surpassing ordinary standards or expectations. It implies achieving a remarkable outcome that is recognized and celebrated for its excellence or effectiveness.

ITS Groups Translation: Your Translation Partner
https://www.itsgroups.co.uk/
© 2023 ITS Groups Translation All Rights Reserved

23/06/2023

Hard pill to swallow = accepting or dealing with a difficult or unpleasant truth or situation that is challenging to accept emotionally or mentally.

e.g. After working hard for months, Sam was devastated when he didn't get the promotion he was expecting. It was a hard pill to swallow, but he had to acknowledge that there were areas he needed to improve upon.

It implies that the truth or circumstance is hard to come to terms with or accept without resistance. The idiom is derived from the literal act of swallowing a large or bitter pill, which can be physically challenging and unpleasant. It was later adopted metaphorically to represent the mental or emotional difficulty of accepting unwelcome truths or facing unfavorable circumstances. The idiom emphasizes the emotional or psychological struggle involved in accepting something that goes against one's desires or expectations. It implies a need for resilience, maturity, and the willingness to confront uncomfortable realities in order to move forward.

ITS Groups Translation: Your Translation Partner
https://www.itsgroups.co.uk/
© 2023 ITS Groups Translation All Rights Reserved

English Idioms

01/08/2023

28/07/2023

25/07/2023

21/07/2023

18/07/2023

14/07/2023

11/07/2023

07/07/2023

04/07/2023

30/06/2023

27/06/2023

23/06/2023

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share