Essential english idioms (part 2 – H to J)
To download and print this free English phrases list, click here.
Feel free to leave a comment if you find any errors or if you have any suggestions to make to improve this lesson.
A complete list of the most common English idioms and expressions:
| ENGLISH IDIOMS (H to J) | MEANINGS |
| Hands off! | a warning not to touch or interfere with something. |
| Hang In There. | Don’t give up (during a difficult time) |
| Hang tight. | To await further instructions. |
| Haste makes waste | You’ll make mistakes if you rush into something |
| Have a big mouth | Someone who talks more or says secret things |
| Have the guts | you are brave or have a lot of courage |
| Have your head in the clouds | the person is not paying much attention to what is happening around them |
| He has bigger fish to fry | He has other things to do than what we’re talking about now. |
| He who laughs last laughs loudest | the person who has control of a situation in the end is most successful, even if other people had seemed originally to have an advantage |
| He wouldn’t hurt a fly. | He’s very kind and gentle |
| He’s a chip off the old block | The son is like the father |
| He’s not playing with a full deck | He’s stupid. |
| He’s off his rocker | He lost his mind. |
| He’s sitting on the fence | He can’t decide what to do. |
| Hear it on the grapevine | hearing rumors about something or someone. |
| Hear something straight from the horse’s mouth | Hear something from the person involved |
| Hit the books | study in depth |
| Hit the nail on the head | Do or say something exactly right |
| hit the road | get in the car, take off |
| Hit the sack | Go to bed |
| Hold On a Sec | Wait a second |
| Hop In | Get in! (in a vehicle) |
| How does that sound? | What do you think of that? |
| I beg to Differ | To politely disagree. |
| I blew It | you made a big mistake. |
| I can eat a horse | I’m very hungry |
| I can’t Thank You Enough | Thanks a LOT! |
| I can’t get xxx out of my head. | I can’t manage to forget someone or something |
| I can’t keep up. | I have too much to do |
| I can’t put a face to the name. | to remember the name of someone who you recognize |
| I don’t Buy it | I don’t believe it. |
| I don’t know off the top of my head. | I don’t know what I’m talking about. |
| I don’t want to hear it. | to not be willing to discuss or consider something |
| I have a bad/good feeling about this. | Think something good/bad will happen |
| I have a lot on my plate. | I have a lot to do. |
| I have faith in you. | I trust you |
| I have no idea. | I don’t know! |
| I have some money burning a hole in my pocket. | Money that someone has just acquired and is eager to spend |
| I have to get this off my chest | I have to relieve myself of what’s on my mind. |
| I have too much time on my hands. | I have too much free time. |
| I haven’t kept in touch with them. | to maintain communications with someone |
| I haven’t seen you for ages. | I haven’t seen you in a long time. |
| I messed Up | I ruined everything. |
| I missed The Boat On That One. | means it is too late to have an opportunity, so you lose the chance to participate. |
| I owe you | To owe someone something |
| I spoke too soon. | means that the person involved spoke before the time was right (and was wrong) |
| I think I’ll pass. | When you don’t want to accept an offer or participate in a game |
| I want nothing to do with it. | To be unrelated or irrelevant to someone or something |
| I’m Hosed | to be out of luck |
| I’m on my way | I’m coming |
| I’m sick of It | you don’t like something anymore. |
| I’d like to pick your brain. | to understand what motivation of the persons actions, what triggers the feeling |
| I’m feeling under the weather. | I don’t feel well. |
| I’m flattered. | I feel important or attractive |
| I’m losing it. | I’m losing my mind. |
| I’m sorry for the mix up. | I’m sorry for the confusion. |
| I’m starving! | I’m really hungry! |
| I’m washing my hands of this whole situation. | I refuse to be involved with them any more or to take responsibility for them. |
| I’ve lost my touch. | I’m no longer able to do or handle something skillfully. |
| Ignorance is bliss | You better not know |
| In the heat of the moment | at a time when you are too angry or excited to think carefully |
| In the nick of time | At the right time |
| In your dreams | unlikely to happen! |
| It ain’t over till the fat lady sings | It’s not over yet. |
| It can’t Hurt | It’s not bad for me, so it must be good |
| It is a poor workman who blames his tools | If you can’t do the job, don’t blame others. |
| It is always darkest before the dawn | Things will get better |
| It rocks! / rules! | It’s awesome, great! |
| It serves you right | you got what you deserved. |
| It takes one to know one | You’re as bad as I am. |
| It takes two to tango | Only one person is not responsible. Both people are involved. |
| It totally slipped my mind | I forgot something that I had to do |
| It was like pulling teeth. | it was extremely difficult to do. |
| It’s a long story | it’s something complicated to explain shortly |
| It’s a piece of cake | It’s easy! |
| It’s about time / it’s high time | It’s past the time when something should have happened |
| It’s not rocket science | It’s not complicated. |
| It’s raining cats and dogs | It’s pouring rain |
| It’s up to you. | It’s your decision |
| It’s written all over your face | Your face expression is giving a message (sad, angry, happy) |
| It’s a little chilly. | It’s a little cold out there. |
| it’s been a while. | It’s been a long a period of time |
| It’s no big deal. | It’s not very important |
| It’s out of my hands. | It’s not my responsibility. |
| Judge a book by its cover | Judging someone or something based solely on appearance |
| Jump on the bandwagon | Follow a trend |
| Jump to a conclusion | to judge a situation quickly and emotionally without having all the facts |
| Just my luck! | I’m not lucky! (you say that when something bad happens to you) |
©Englishfornoobs.com