Advanced English Idioms: A Thematic Guide for Proficient Learners
Mastering advanced English idioms is an essential step for learners aiming to achieve fluency and sound like native speakers. Idioms enrich your language, making your speech and writing more vivid, natural, and engaging. However, idiomatic expressions can be challenging because their meanings often cannot be guessed from the individual words.
This comprehensive, thematic guide is designed for advanced ESL students and proficient English speakers who want to deepen their understanding and active use of idioms. You’ll find clear definitions, practical examples, images, and answers to common questions—everything you need to confidently use idioms in real-life situations.
Table of Contents
- Time and Frequency Idioms
- Happiness and Success Idioms
- Emotions and Reactions Idioms
- Opportunity and Missed Chance Idioms
- Work and Effort Idioms
- Relationships and People Idioms
- Idioms for Unusual or Rare Events
- Death and Health Idioms
- Criticism and Mistakes Idioms
- Sleep and Rest Idioms
- FAQs About Advanced English Idioms
- Further Resources
Time and Frequency Idioms
Down to the wire
Meaning: Until the last possible moment
Example: The negotiations went down to the wire.
At the 11th hour
Meaning: At the last possible moment
Example: We submitted the proposal at the 11th hour.
Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Very rarely
Example: She visits her hometown once in a blue moon.
Just around the corner
Meaning: Happening soon
Example: The final exam is just around the corner.
Like clockwork
Meaning: Happening exactly as planned
Example: The trains in Switzerland run like clockwork.
Happiness and Success Idioms
On top of the world
Meaning: Extremely happy or successful
Example: She felt on top of the world after her graduation.
In seventh heaven
Meaning: Extremely happy
Example: He was in seventh heaven when he heard the news.
Full of the joys of spring
Meaning: Very cheerful or enthusiastic
Example: She’s full of the joys of spring since getting her new job.
Second to none
Meaning: The best, unrivaled
Example: Their customer service is second to none.
Emotions and Reactions Idioms
Green with envy
Meaning: Very jealous
Example: He was green with envy over her new car.
Tickled pink
Meaning: Very pleased or amused
Example: She was tickled pink by the surprise.
Like death warmed up
Meaning: Looking extremely ill
Example: He looked like death warmed up after the flu.
Opportunity and Missed Chance Idioms
That ship has sailed
Meaning: The opportunity is gone
Example: I wanted to apply, but that ship has sailed.
Golden opportunity
Meaning: An excellent chance
Example: This is a golden opportunity for your career.
Miss the boat
Meaning: Miss an opportunity
Example: He missed the boat by not investing earlier.
Work and Effort Idioms
Bring home the bacon
Meaning: Earn a living
Example: She brings home the bacon for her family.
One’s bread and butter
Meaning: Main source of income
Example: Consulting is his bread and butter.
Work your fingers to the bone
Meaning: Work extremely hard
Example: She worked her fingers to the bone to finish the project.
Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: Work late into the night
Example: He burned the midnight oil to meet the deadline.
Relationships and People Idioms
Salt of the earth
Meaning: A very good and honest person
Example: She’s the salt of the earth—always willing to help.
Fair-weather friend
Meaning: A friend only in good times
Example: He proved to be a fair-weather friend when things got tough.
Two peas in a pod
Meaning: Very similar people
Example: The siblings are like two peas in a pod.
Jack of all trades
Meaning: Someone who can do many things
Example: He’s a jack of all trades, from carpentry to coding.
Idioms for Unusual or Rare Events
Out of the blue
Meaning: Unexpectedly
Example: She called me out of the blue.
A doozy
Meaning: Something outstanding or unique
Example: That story was a real doozy.
Once in a lifetime
Meaning: Very rare
Example: This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Death and Health Idioms
Death and Health Idioms
Kick the bucket
Meaning: To die
Example: The old man kicked the bucket last week.
Dropping like flies
Meaning: Many people falling ill
Example: With the flu going around, people are dropping like flies.
Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling ill
Example: I’m feeling a bit under the weather today.
Criticism and Mistakes Idioms
Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: Pursuing a false lead
Example: If you blame him, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
Armchair critic
Meaning: Someone who criticizes without practical experience
Example: Don’t be an armchair critic—try it yourself.
Put your foot in your mouth
Meaning: Say something embarrassing
Example: He put his foot in his mouth at the meeting.
Sleep and Rest Idioms
Forty winks
Meaning: A short nap
Example: I need to catch forty winks before dinner.
Hit the hay/sack
Meaning: Go to bed
Example: I’m going to hit the hay early tonight.
Final Tips for Advanced Learners
- Use idioms naturally—don’t force them into every sentence.
- Pay attention to tone and register: some idioms are informal.
- Practice with native speakers or advanced learners.
- Keep a personal idiom journal with examples relevant to your life.
Summary
Mastering advanced English idioms is a powerful way to elevate your language skills and communicate more naturally. By exploring idioms thematically, understanding their meanings, and practicing them in context, you can enrich your vocabulary and sound more like a native speaker. Use this guide as a reference, revisit the examples, and don’t hesitate to integrate these expressions into your daily conversations and writing. With regular practice, idioms will become a natural part of your English toolkit.
FAQs About Advanced English Idioms
What is an idiom?
An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the literal words. Idioms are culturally specific and often figurative.
How can I learn idioms more effectively?
Group idioms by theme, use them in context, and listen for them in native speech, movies, and books. Practice makes perfect!
Are idioms used in formal writing?
Some idioms are acceptable in formal writing, but many are informal. Always consider your audience and context.
Where can I find more idioms?
Check reputable resources like The Free Dictionary’s Idioms or Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries.
Further Resources
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