What is an idiom?
An idiom is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is comprehended in regard to a common use of that expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made.
In other words, an idiom is an expression whose meaning cannot be derived from the meaning of the conjoined elements.
An expression such as "frais comme une rose" or "doux comme un agneau" or "léger comme une plume" or "trembler comme une feuille" or "maigre comme un clou" or "sage comme une image" is an idiom.
Here's a list of some common English idioms:
to take the bull by the horns = to face up a problem instead of avoiding it
to do the donkey work = manual work or routines that are not important
to flog a dead horse = waste time on something unlikely to be successful
the lion's share = the biggest part
a stag night = a social drinking evening
keep the wolf from the door = earn enough money to buy essential things
to be dog tired = very tired
to let sleeping dogs lie = not mention something that might cause trouble
to let the cat out of the bag = reveal a secret
a wild goose chase = a search that has no chance of success
to get up with the lark = to get up very early in the morning
to chicken out = stop participating into something that can be dangerous
a fish out of water = to feel out of one's element
a cold fish = to show no emotion
a poker face = to show no emotion, to keep a straight face
to have other fish to fry = have other things more important to do
a fly in the ointment = a difficulty that prevents total enjoyment
not hurt a fly = to be incapable of hurting others
no flies on someone = said of someone not easy to deceive, someone clever
a busy bee = to be very busy
to have a bee in your bonnet = to be obsessed with something
the bee's knees = said of someone who thinks that is clever and important
like a bull in a china shop = to handle something roughly, to be direct and impolite
Dutch courage = a false courage or bravado induced by alcohol consumption
I could eat a horse = to be very hungry
"I see" said the blind man = said to express confusion
John Doe/ Jane Doe = any unknown male/ female
Mexican breakfast = a cigarette and a glass of water
Monopoly money = money that doesn't really exist
a piece of cake = something very easy to do
a walk in the park = something very easy to carry out
a breeze = something very easy and quite pleasant to accomplish
a cold day in Hell = something that will never happen
a day late and a dollar short = an action that was taken too late and too weak to be of any use
a few sandwiches short of a picnic = not sane, mad, crazy
a good voice to beg bacon = something offensive said of someone with a weird voice
a little bird told me = something found out from a source not to be exposed
to acknowledge the corn = to admit to a mistake or to acknowledge defeat
to add fuel to fire = to make a situation worse
to add insult to injury = to make a situation worse with mockery or indignity
to hear something from the horse's mouth = to find out something straight from a reliable source
to get long in the tooth = to get old
to stick to one's colors = to defend your position all the way to the end
to be in the red = to owe money, to be in debt
to be in the dog house = to have a momentarily sour relationship with someone
a storm in a tea cup = something unimportant that stirred up trouble
not my cup of tea = something not very pleasant or desirable
a white elephant = a useless and usually large gift
a white lie = a lie told with the purpose of not hurting someone’s feelings
out of the blue = sudden, unexpected
a red herring = something used to distract people from more important matters
to be wet behind the ears = to be inexperienced
the snake in the grass = a traitor
to have green fingers = to be good at gardening
to set the wolf mind the sheep = to allow an untrustworthy person take care of important matters
quiet as a mouse = very quiet, not making any noise
to face the music = to face a problem trying to fix it
to be white as a sheet = to be very pale
strong as a bull = very powerful, very strong
to paint the town red = to celebrate intensely
to not stand a snowball's chance in Hell = to have no chance of success