Do you want to spice up your English with some idiomatic expressions that will make you sound more like a native speaker? Then look no further and consider these classic British idioms. They follow our series of idioms from before and there are some real classics here. Enjoy!
Treading on thin ice
“I was late again to work today. I think I’m treading on thin ice with my boss at the moment!”
Here is a very common idiom that means you are in great danger with your current path. Imagine a frozen lake with a very thin sheet of ice on the top. Now imagine walking across that thin ice knowing that at any moment you might fall into the freezing water. Be careful as you’re treading on thin ice!
Get off your high horse
“I know you think you’re too good to play with us, but get off your high horse and get involved!”
If someone thinks they are very smart or very good at something, sometimes they act in a very arrogant and dismissive way. If this happens then tell them to get off their high horse and start being more humble! For this idiom I always imagine a cowboy or sheriff on a big tall horse thinking he’s better than everyone else.
Making a mountain out of a molehill
“Sorry I lost your pen, but don’t make a mountain out of a molehill!”
This idiom is used for when someone makes a big problem out of something that is really a small problem. Consider the difference in size between a mountain and a molehill. A molehill is a tiny little hill no higher than your ankle, whereas a mountain is hundreds of meters tall! If someone is making a small problem seem like a really big one, then try using this one on them.
Putting the cat amongst the pigeons
“He’s moving from Milan to Inter? That will put the cat amongst the pigeons for sure!”
We use this when we want to say that an action will cause a stir, mayhem and pandemonium. For this one try to imagine a room full of pigeons and then letting a cat into the room. Can you imagine the chaos?!
Bob’s your uncle!
“…add two spoons of sugar and bob’s your uncle, you’ve got a perfect cup of tea”
This is a classic. Nobody knows who Bob is but his name is famous because of this idiom. We use the expression as a way to finish instructions. After giving the instructions you can use this to say everything will be done and ready!
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Interesting Idioms Quiz
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