Idioms & Phrases • Topic 1 of 4

Common Idioms

Learn the meaning of each high-frequency idiom as a unit. Don't translate word by word — recall the whole-phrase meaning.

High-frequency idioms

IdiomMeaning
a piece of cakevery easy
once in a blue moonvery rarely
spill the beansreveal a secret
cost an arm and a legvery expensive
hit the nail on the headbe exactly right
bite the bulletface difficulty bravely
burn the midnight oilstudy/work late at night
a blessing in disguisea good thing that seemed bad
Never translate literally. "Spill the beans" has nothing to do with beans. Learn the whole phrase as a single unit of meaning — like one big word.

✅ Solved examples

1. Meaning of "a piece of cake".
Something very easy.
2. Meaning of "once in a blue moon".
Very rarely.
3. Meaning of "spill the beans".
To reveal a secret.
4. Meaning of "hit the nail on the head".
To be exactly right.

✏️ Practice — try these, take hints as needed

1. Meaning of "cost an arm and a leg".
Money.
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—
Very expensive
2. Meaning of "break the ice".
Social.
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To start a conversation / ease tension
3. Meaning of "burn the midnight oil".
Late at night.
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To work/study late into the night
4. Meaning of "bite the bullet".
Endure.
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To face something difficult bravely
5. Meaning of "let the cat out of the bag".
Secret.
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To reveal a secret

📝 Topic test — 8 questions

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