Learn 50 Idioms Native Speakers Actually Use | Advanced English

Learn 50 of the most common idioms in the English language. These are expressions that native speakers commonly use and you should know them if you want to reach an advanced English level!

See you how many you remember with this little quiz!

50 Idioms You Need to Know | English expressions
#englishwithmax #advancedenglish #englishexpressions #learnenglish #englishteacher #vocabulary #englishvocabulary

[Jorick_]

It's the very first time when i understand everything even without subtitles. Surprisingly perfect prononciation for native English spaeaker!
I felt curious to compare these idioms with common used russian ones. Some are very close, some aren't (There will be literal translation and explaination in the commas):
1. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree = (the same words the same meaning) Яблоко от яблони недалеко падает.
2. A bad apple = (A lousy sheep) Паршивая овца. As I know there is the close idiom "black sheep" in Englush
3. To beat around the bush = (Walking around and around) Ходить вокруг да около.
4. The best of both worlds = (i wouldn't take it as idiom, because of obvious meaning)
5. To bite the bullet = (to do smth with clenched teeth) делать, стиснув зубы
6. A blessing in disguise = (1) there is no bad without good 2)there would be no happiness, but misfortune helped) 1) Нет худа без добра 2) не было бы счастья, да несчастье помогло. I.e. there are some with close meaning and expressed with undoubtful meaning.
7. Break a leg = (not a fluff, not a feather) Ни пуха, ни пера. Literally it' means like imperative parting words to the birds hunter. And it is highly recommended to answer this in response "go to hell" (иди к чёрту) with feigned anger, otherwise there is a risk to fail.
8. To burn one's bridges = (same words, same meaning) Сжечь за собой все мосты
9. By the skin of one's teeth = (can't find close russian idiom, only obvious literal equivalents with the meaning that "something has happened my a miracle")
10. To cost an arm and a leg = (Will lose your pants (if you re going to buy this)) Без штанов останешься (если это купишь)
11. A coach potato = (can't find can't eqivalent russian idiom)
12. To cut corners = (i wondered here, because the russian idiom "To smooth corners" - "Сгладить углы" has a meaning "to make things more approptiate for those who dissatisfied with something") I.e. its good example of "false friends or translators".
13. Don't count yr chickens = (1) Chickens have to be counted when autumn 2) Don't divide the skin of the unhunted bear) 1) Цыплят по осени считают, 2) Не дели шкуру неубитого медведя
14. The elephant in the room = (another one example with close words but very different meaning between russian and english proverbs: 1) I haven't noticed the elephant 2) (Just like) an elephant in the china shop) 1) Слона-то я и не заметил - means i didn't nothce the most important thing in the situation (not not on purpose, but by inattention!) 2) Слон в посудной лавке - about inappropriate rude or incompetent behavior in a delicate or difficult situation I.e. another "false friends". (Close russian proverb with the meaning of the original english proverb is "to close eyes (to something)") Закрыть глаза (на что-либо)
15. Fit as a fiddle = (can't find can't eqivalent russian idiom)
16. Food for thought = (same words same meaning) Пища для размышлений
17. To give smbd the benefit of the doubt = (can't find can't eqivalent russian idiom)
18. To give smbd the cold shoulder = (can't find can't eqivalent russian idiom)
19. To go cold turkey = (can't find can't eqivalent russian idiom)
20. To go with the flow = (same words same meaning) Плыть по течению
21. To grin and bear it = (quite recent idiom in Russian: "To smile and wave", same meaning) Улыбаемся и машем
22. To have a sweet tooth = (can't find can't eqivalent russian idiom)
23. To have one's head in the clouds = (slightly differend words with the specific archaic word "витать": Fly with a dreams in the clouds) Витать в облаках
24. To hit the books = (no direct equivalent, its strange to see here "to hit". In Russian it looks just literally "To sat down for books", quite undoubtful meaning) Засесть за книги.
25. To hit the nail on the head = (to hit the tiny apple, although there is an idiom in English "to hit bull's eye", so i'm not sure whether it's the right case) Попасть в яблочко
26. In a hot water = (can't find can't eqivalent russian idiom)
27. Don't judge a book... = (They meet you by your clothes, but they see you off by your mind) Встречают по одёжке, провожают по уму. Although in Russian it sounds not like an imperative, so perhaps its a little different
28. To keep one's chin up = (1) Don't hang your nose (down) 2) Nose up) 1) Не вешай нос 2) Выше нос!
29. To kill two birds.. = (To kill two hares with one shot) Убить двух зайцев одним выстрелом
30. The last straw = (The last drop - means in the filled cup and fliud is spilling after the drop) Последняя капля
31. To let the cat out of the bag = (You can't conceal an awl in a bag) Шила в мешке не утаишь
32. To be like riding a bike = (same words same meaning, i wouldn't take it as idiom though)
33. To be like 2 peas in the pot = (to be like two drops of water) Быть как две капли воды
34. To make ends meet = (same words same meaning) Свести концы с концами
35. No pain no gain = (1) Even pulling a fish out of the pond requites some effort, 2) Patience and work will grind everything, 3) If you want to climb a fir-tree, don't be afraid to scratch your ass) 1)Без труда не вытащишь и рыбку из пруда, 2) Терпение и труд всё перетрут, 3) Хочешь на ёлку влезть - не бойся жопу ободрать.
36. To not be one's cup of tea = (can't find can't eqivalent russian idiom)
37. To be on the balls = (can't find can't eqivalent russian idiom)
38. Once in a blue moon = (can't find can't eqivalent russian idiom, perhaps most close equivalent is "After the soft rain on Thursday") После дождичка в четверг
39. To play devil's advocate = (same words same meaning, although it's pretty recent idiom in Russian)
40. To pull somebody's leg = (can't find can't eqivalent russian idiom, although there are some quite rare in use untranslateable slang phrases in Russian with the close meaning) 1) Ты гонишь, 2) Ты лечишь, and so on
41. Come rain or shine = (can't find can't eqivalent russian idiom, only direct phrases explaining the situation obviously)
42. To sit tight = (just recently has taken as idiom: Sit straight on your butt) Сиди на попе ровно
43. To spill the beans = (can't find can't eqivalent russian idiom, although there are some very specific slang in Russian? that can't be translated literally, with the close meaning) 1) Заложить (кого-либо) 2) Слить инфу and so on
44. To take a rain check = (can't find can't eqivalent russian idiom, may be close "If the stars turn out well") Если звезды сложаться удачно
45. To teach sombs a lesson = (very close words, same meaning) Преподать урок
46. Through thick and thin = (can't find can't eqivalent russian idiom but there is a proverb matching to your example "Friend in need is a friend indeed", existing in Russian literally, although it's slightly different context)
47. Under the table = (From under the lower clothes parts) Из-под полы
48. Under the weather = (can't find can't eqivalent russian idiom)
49. Up in the air = (It's written) by pitchfork on the water) (Писано) вилами по воде. Funny, but idiom phrase "It's hanging in the air" (Висит в воздухе) means something that situation is obvious for everyone althuogh still not perceived correctly. Kind of another " false freind of translators" i think
50. your guess is as good as mine = (Horseradish knows it) "Xрен его знает", more shortly just by 2 letters cyrillic abbreviation "Х.З." (pronounced as "hæ zæ") Rooted from very obscene lexic (F word in English), euphemism, not recommended for use in official ceremonies, but it's legal, not prohibited and extremely wide used in common daily conversations )))
Sorry 4 the long post. Was interesting to compare mindsets by idioms. Many things are close )

[alext]

I came across this video yesterday. While idioms are sometimes challenging to remember and even to put them in the right context, they truly are blessings in disguise. Also, I like the way you present them for you are straightforward and do not beat around the bush. English is, for me, as hard as other languages; so for some of you even dare to claim that English is so easy just because it's internationally spoken and used, you'd better think about it again. Please face the reality and don't have your head in the clouds. English is easy only when you truly make an effort to consistently practise it, through and through or may I say, through and think!

[adnanwali]

I like the way she teaches, her voice, facial expressions and body language everything is as beautiful as she is 👌
Thanks for i learnt most of the new idioms here

[apunahasapeemapetilon]

Learning in school is not really my cup of tea, so I'm happy to find a channel like this on youtube. It is not easy to remember all idioms. Maybe I should watch the video again to memorize at least 5 of them. No pain, no gain. Moreover, learning English on youtube is free, it won't cost me an arm and a leg.

[junkaamino]

Being a Filipino, definitely my English has an accent. But, I truly appreciate your way of explaining and making examples in a simple practical way. Not only that you speak deliberately, but the right choice of words made the learning process right on the button!

[gopich]

So much of knowledge to be gained in under 25 minutes. Thank you very much Max. The idioms are very useful and the examples given by you make them easy to understand and remember and use them ourselves. The examples are pretty cool. On a, lighter note; Frank (whoever he may be) will have a tough time going through this video🙂 Now a few examples: 1) Going camping is not my cup of tea either. 2) I have sweet tooth; I enjoy sweets and cookies/biscuits. 3) Unfortunately, we are living in a world, where many people judge a book by its cover. And such people usually have their head in the clouds until they learn their lesson. 4) I usually play devil's advocate and many people don't like that because they want me to go with the flow. 5) This lesson on Idioms in English is a food for thought for us. NOTE: I killed two birds with one stone in some of these examples!!! Dear Max, Thanks again for your simple and effective teaching and for your examples.

[grace]

Oh, you're a good teacher. I love the way you teach. It's an effective. I never see the teacher like you. 🧡

[sebastianjoseph]

Really love the way you explain it. As you are very cheerful the learner is glued to your class. Good teacher. Keep it up

[levymamabolo]

Honestly speaking this is PROFOUNDLY done in a manner that everyone could LEARN YOUNG AND OLD THE INSTITUTED for PEOPLE AROUND THE GLOBE

[superduperenglishidioms]

Idioms are super important when you are learning any language!!!
Often, people don't even realize they are using idioms...

[jacobcheriyan]

But for your inspiring way of teaching, I wouldn't have sat through till the end. Your dictional accuracy is outstanding. You're so wonderfully animated and the equanimity you maintain is amazing. Really enjoyed the session. This collection of idioms will help me in a big way.

[G-jz]

I find it fun to notice that certain areas of life have inspired groups of memorable idioms. For example, many life concepts are conveyed using idioms inspired from nautical experiences. Many from agriculture pastimes. If the language learner is not familiar with the life activity from which the idiom is derived, they have tremendous difficulty understanding the point that is being made. It is fun to see a student when they learn the story behind the idiom, and begin seeing applications of the concept in their own experiences. Idioms rock!!

[rubiksharma]

This half century of idioms used in day to day conversation by native English speakers is incredible. This helps me adorn my language with proper content based on situation. Keep it up.

[wjkwjk]

I am an immigrant in Toronto. Thank you for your program. I can understand what the idiom means when a native Canadian use it in conversations. Wonderful.

[rhinometal]

Max,
Thank you very much for doing this lesson. I have known most of the idioms, but it's good to learn a few new ones and review the old ones. I am grateful to you and please keep up the good work. God bless you and your family.
Danny from California.

[amarkshirsagar]

Couldn't have enough words to appreciate you for your way of teaching. We can sit down for entire day to learn English if we get a Teacher like you.

[jedsonmoses]

Wonderful teaching. The way you teach reached even my 3 yrs old daughter. She is repeating after you.

[musikjaya]

I"m very satisfied with your teaching, miss.

[mingchucammyliu]

Interesting enough we have a number of equivalents almost word-for-word in Chinese, like killing two birds with one stone, blessing in disguise, under the table, burning the bridge etc. Thank you for the great lesson, it's well organised and useful.

[VinhNguyen-ocpo]

Just watching her, I feel peace and happy, she is a real bodisattva