English Idioms

Let (someone) off the hook

If you let someone off the hook it means you are not going to punish them for doing something wrong....

No pain, no gain

No pain, no gain means you need to work hard to get satisfying results.  A: I wish I could just...

It’s raining cats and dogs

The benefit of the doubt

To give the benefit of the doubt is to trust information that you’re not certain is true. I’m going to...

It’s not rocket science

You use it’s not rocket science to mean that it’s not that hard. Why can’t I figure out how to...

To get bent out of shape

To get bent out of shape means to get upset. A: I can’t think of anything to write this paper on!...

(That’s) the last straw

That’s the last straw is used to mean my patience has run out and now I am angry. When James...

Take it with a grain of salt

Tell someone to take it with a grain of salt if you don’t fully trust the information as it might...

Take a rain check

If you ask to take a rain check, you are asking to postpone a plan. I can’t make it for...