20 Everyday English Idioms You Should Know (A1-B2)

I'm bringing you a list of 20 English idioms you should at least passively understand if not actively use some of them. To use them correctly you don't need just the form, but also the pronunciation, which is available here

1. Have a lot on your plate

🧠 Meaning: Be very busy or overwhelmed.

🇨🇿 Czech: Mít toho hodně / Mít plné ruce práce

Example:

A: Can you help me with this report?

B: I’d love to, but I’ve got a lot on my plate right now.

2. Let the cat out of the bag

🧠 Meaning: Accidentally reveal a secret.

🇨🇿 Czech: Prozradit tajemství

Example:

A: How did she know about the surprise party?

B: I think Tom let the cat out of the bag.

3. Throw in the towel

🧠 Meaning: Give up; stop trying.

🇨🇿 Czech: Hodit flintu do žita

Example:

A: Are you still training for the marathon?

B: No, I threw in the towel. It was too much for me.

4. Be on thin ice

🧠 Meaning: Be in a risky or dangerous situation.

🇨🇿 Czech: Být na tenkém ledě

Example:

A: He was late again today.

B: He’s really on thin ice with the boss now.

5. Put your feet up

🧠 Meaning: Relax after working hard.

🇨🇿 Czech: Dát si nohy nahoru / Odpočívat

Example:

A: You look tired!

B: Yeah, I can’t wait to go home and put my feet up.

6. Have a gut feeling

🧠 Meaning: Have an instinct or strong feeling something is true.

🇨🇿 Czech: Mít tušení / Mít vnitřní pocit

Example:

A: Are you sure she’s lying?

B: I can’t prove it, but I have a gut feeling.

7. Be over the moon

🧠 Meaning: Be extremely happy.

🇨🇿 Czech: Být v sedmém nebi / Být nadšený

Example:

A: How was your holiday?

B: Amazing. I was over the moon the whole time.

8. It’s not rocket science

🧠 Meaning: It’s not that difficult or complicated.

🇨🇿 Czech: Není to žádná věda

Example:

A: I don’t know how to fill out this form.

B: Come on, it’s not rocket science. Just follow the steps.

9. There’s a catch

🧠 Meaning: There’s a hidden problem or downside.

🇨🇿 Czech: Má to háček

Example:

A: They’re offering free phones!

B: Sounds great, but what’s the catch?

10. Be on the verge of (something)

🧠 Meaning: Be very close to doing or experiencing something.

🇨🇿 Czech: Být na pokraji něčeho

Example:

A: You look stressed.

B: I’m on the verge of a breakdown.

11. Six of one, half a dozen of the other

🧠 Meaning: Two options are basically the same; no real difference.

🇨🇿 Czech: Je to prašť, jako uhoď.

Example:

A: Should we take the train or the bus?

B: It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other. Both take the same time.

12. Burn the midnight oil

🧠 Meaning: Work late into the night.

🇨🇿 Czech: Dřít do noci / Pracovat dlouho do noci

Example:

A: How did you finish your essay on time?

B: I burned the midnight oil for three nights.

13. Bite the bullet

🧠 Meaning: Decide to do something difficult or unpleasant that you have been avoiding.

🇨🇿 Czech: Skousnout to / Překousnout nepříjemnost

Example:

A: Are you going to tell your boss about the mistake?

B: Yes, I’ll have to bite the bullet and be honest.

14. Hit the nail on the head

🧠 Meaning: Describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.

🇨🇿 Czech: Uhodit hřebíček na hlavičku

Example:

A: Why do you think the project failed?

B: You hit the nail on the head. The team didn’t communicate well.

15. Throw caution to the wind

🧠 Meaning: Take a risk without worrying about the consequences.

🇨🇿 Czech: Hodit opatrnost za hlavu

Example:

A: Are you sure you want to invest all your savings?

B: I’m throwing caution to the wind. It’s a big risk but worth it.

16. Under the weather

🧠 Meaning: Feeling sick or unwell.

🇨🇿 Czech: Cítit se nemocný / Být mimo formu

Example:

A: You don’t look well today.

B: Yeah, I’m feeling a bit under the weather.

17. Beat around the bush

🧠 Meaning: Avoid saying something directly.

🇨🇿 Czech: Chodit kolem horké kaše

Example:

A: Just tell me what happened! Stop beating around the bush.

B: Okay, here’s the story...

18. Cut corners

🧠 Meaning: Do something badly or cheaply to save time or money.

🇨🇿 Czech: Šidit / Dělat něco na půl plynu

Example:

A: This table looks cheap and poorly made.

B: They definitely cut corners during production.

19. Bite off more than you can chew

🧠 Meaning: Take on more responsibility than you can handle.

🇨🇿 Czech: Ukousnout si příliš velé sousto.

Example:

A: Why did you agree to manage three projects at once?

B: I guess I bit off more than I could chew.

20. The ball is in your court

🧠 Meaning: It is now your responsibility to take action or make a decision.

🇨🇿 Czech: Teď je řada na tobě.

Example:

A: I’ve done all I can. Now the ball is in your court.

B: Okay, I’ll decide what to do next.

Let me know in the comments which is your favourite and will try to use it from now on.