English Idioms Shadowing Practice

“Dish It Out but Can't Take It” means to enjoy teasing or criticizing others but be unable to take the same treatment yourself.

“Pie in the Sky” means a hope or plan that is very unlikely to happen. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“On the Ball” means alert, efficient, and quick to understand or react. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Hold Your Horses” means to wait a moment and be patient. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Strike a Chord” means to remind you of something or cause a strong emotional reaction. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“No Brainer” means a decision that is very easy and obvious. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Stuck in a Rut” means trapped in a boring, unchanging routine. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Break the News” means to tell someone about something important, often bad. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Head and Shoulders Above” means much better than everyone or everything else. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Fair and Square” means in an honest and fair way, without cheating. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“The Bottom Line” means the most important point or the final result. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“A Clean Slate” means a fresh start with no past mistakes counting against you. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“In Full Swing” means at the busiest, most active stage. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Up for Grabs” means available for anyone to take or win. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Split the Difference” means to compromise by meeting halfway. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Tickled Pink” means very pleased and happy. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“In the Long Run” means over a long period of time; eventually. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Clear the Decks” means to prepare by finishing or removing other tasks first. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Rolling in Their Grave” means used to say a dead person would be very upset by something. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Right on Cue” means at exactly the right or expected moment. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Dead Giveaway” means something that makes a hidden truth obvious. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Stick Out Like a Sore Thumb” means to be very noticeable in an awkward or unwanted way. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Go Viral” means to spread very quickly and widely online. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Read Into Something” means to find a meaning that may not really be there. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Chalk It Up to Something” means to explain something as being caused by a particular reason. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Up to Snuff” means good enough; meeting the required standard. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Stand the Test of Time” means to stay good or popular for a very long time. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“I Can Feel It in My Bones” means to feel sure something is true without any proof. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Partners in Crime” means close friends who do things together, often mischief. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Make Waves” means to cause trouble or draw attention by challenging things. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“At Your Fingertips” means easily and immediately available. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“What Makes Someone Tick” means what motivates or drives a person. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Dropping Like Flies” means people getting sick, quitting, or failing in large numbers. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Divide and Conquer” means to succeed by splitting a big task or group into smaller parts. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Red Tape” means official rules and paperwork that slow things down. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Under the Hood” means the inner workings of something that you don't normally see. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Five O'Clock Shadow” means the light beard that appears on a man's face late in the day. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Get Your Act Together” means to organize yourself and start behaving more effectively. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Pull (Any or No) Punches” means to speak or act without holding back criticism. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Paying Someone Lip Service” means to support something in words but not in action. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Let Sleeping Dogs Lie” means to avoid disturbing a situation that could cause trouble. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Under Your Belt” means gained as experience or achievement. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Over the Top” means excessive or too extreme. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Dicey” means risky or uncertain. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Catch Some Zs” means to get some sleep. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Par for the Course” means typical and expected, often something annoying. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Get Cracking” means to start doing something quickly. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Beyond the Pale” means completely unacceptable behavior. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Pull the Plug” means to stop or put an end to something. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Fools Rush in Where Angels Fear to Tread” means inexperienced people act rashly where wiser people are careful.

“The More the Merrier” means the more people who join, the more fun it will be. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“The Third Degree” means intense, aggressive questioning. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“A Chip on Your Shoulder” means a resentful or defensive attitude from a past grievance. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Gold Digger” means someone who dates others mainly for their money. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Sketchy” means questionable, unsafe, or untrustworthy. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Nickel and Dimed” means charged many small fees that add up to a lot. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Bone to Pick” means a reason to be annoyed with someone and want to discuss it. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Memory Lane” means a nostalgic look back at the past. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Bury the Hatchet” means to make peace and end a conflict. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Pity Party” means self-indulgent wallowing in your own sadness. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Pinch Hit” means to substitute for someone in an emergency. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Two Peas in a Pod” means two people who are very similar and always together. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Pet Peeve” means a small thing that particularly annoys you. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“To Be Game” means to be willing and eager to do something. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Two-Faced” means insincere; friendly to your face but not behind your back. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Like Oil and Water” means two people or things that don't mix or get along. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Art Imitates Life” means art reflects real experiences and events. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Bite the Hand That Feeds You” means to harm someone who helps or supports you. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Mixed Feelings” means both positive and negative emotions at the same time. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“How Someone Rolls” means the way a particular person typically does things. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“To Be All Thumbs” means clumsy, especially with your hands. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Pick Up the Slack” means to do extra work to make up for others. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Third Time's the Charm” means the third attempt will succeed after two failures. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Get on Board” means to agree to and support a plan or idea. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Forgive and Forget” means to pardon someone and not hold a grudge. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Tip of Your Tongue” means almost remembered but not quite recalled. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“To Poison the Well” means to unfairly turn people against someone in advance. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“See the Light” means to finally understand or realize something. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Make (One's) Head Swim” means to make someone feel confused or dizzy. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Shiner” means a bruise around the eye; a black eye. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Sticker Shock” means surprise at how expensive something is. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Get to the Bottom of It” means to find out the real cause of a problem. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Couch Potato” means a lazy person who watches a lot of TV. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Good Riddance” means relief that someone or something unwanted is gone. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“What Goes Around Comes Around” means your actions eventually come back to affect you. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Cliffhanger” means a tense, unresolved ending that leaves you in suspense. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Grow Like a Weed” means to grow very fast, especially a child. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.

“Roll Out the Red Carpet” means to give someone a very warm, special welcome. Hear an example and shadow the idiom to use it naturally in English.