Basic English Vs Idiomatic Expressions
Basic English | Idiomatic Expression |
She’s very happy. | She’s on cloud nine. |
He’s cold. | He’s feeling under the weather. |
They are friends. | They are thick as thieves. |
She is working hard. | She’s burning the midnight oil. |
He’s very busy. | He’s up to his ears in work. |
She’s quiet. | She’s keeping a low profile. |
He’s smart. | He’s as sharp as a tack. |
They are arguing. | They are at each other’s throats. |
She’s hungry. | She’s as hungry as a bear. |
He’s asleep. | He’s catching some Z’s. |
They are discussing. | They are hashing things out. |
She’s upset. | She’s down in the dumps. |
He’s telling a story. | He’s spinning a yarn. |
She’s nervous. | She’s on pins and needles. |
He’s careful. | He’s playing it safe. |
She’s confused. | She’s in a fog. |
He’s surprised. | He’s caught off guard. |
They are having fun. | They’re having a blast. |
She’s happy to see you. | She’s over the moon. |
He’s working quickly. | He’s working like a charm. |
They are successful. | They’re on top of the world. |
She’s sad. | She’s feeling blue. |
He’s brave. | He’s as bold as brass. |
They are in love. | They’re head over heels. |
She’s giving up. | She’s throwing in the towel. |
He’s in trouble. | He’s in hot water. |
They are not talking. | They’re giving each other the silent treatment. |
She’s in a hurry. | She’s rushing around like a headless chicken. |
He’s excited. | He’s jumping for joy. |
She’s lazy. | She’s as lazy as a sloth. |
They are calm. | They’re as cool as cucumbers. |
She’s honest. | She’s as straight as an arrow. |
He’s generous. | He’d give you the shirt off his back. |
They are not friendly. | They’re as cold as ice. |
She’s brave. | She’s as brave as a lion. |
He’s optimistic. | He’s looking on the bright side. |
She’s determined. | She’s as stubborn as a mule. |
They are not interested. | They couldn’t care less. |
He’s old-fashioned. | He’s as traditional as they come. |
She’s forgetful. | She’s got a memory like a sieve. |
He’s forgetful. | He’s got a memory like a goldfish. |
They are talkative. | They never stop talking. |
She’s shy. | She’s as shy as a mouse. |
He’s strong. | He’s as strong as an ox. |
She’s reliable. | She’s as solid as a rock. |
He’s unhealthy. | He’s as sick as a dog. |
They are secretive. | They’re as quiet as a mouse. |
She’s suspicious. | She’s as wary as a cat. |
He’s enthusiastic. | He’s as keen as mustard. |
She’s untrustworthy. | She’s as slippery as an eel. |
He’s confident. | He’s as bold as brass. |
They are cautious. | They’re as careful as can be. |
She’s confused. | She’s as clear as mud. |
He’s unhappy. | He’s as miserable as sin. |
They are close. | They’re as thick as thieves. |
She’s pretty. | She’s as pretty as a picture. |
He’s intelligent. | He’s as sharp as a tack. |
They are surprised. | They’re as wide-eyed as children. |
She’s worried. | She’s as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. |
He’s eccentric. | He’s as mad as a hatter. |
They are friendly. | They’re as warm as toast. |
She’s strange. | She’s as weird as a three-dollar bill. |
He’s ambitious. | He’s shooting for the stars. |
They are unfriendly. | They’re as cold as ice. |
She’s annoying. | She’s driving me up the wall. |
He’s funny. | He’s a barrel of laughs. |
They are disappointed. | They’re as flat as a pancake. |
She’s brave. | She’s as brave as a lion. |
He’s persistent. | He’s like a dog with a bone. |
They are afraid. | They’re scared stiff. |
She’s graceful. | She moves like a swan. |
He’s big. | He’s as big as a house. |
They are angry. | They’re mad as hell. |
She’s smart. | She’s as sharp as a tack. |
He’s tall. | He’s as tall as a tree. |
They are fighting. | They’re at each other’s throats. |
She’s rich. | She’s loaded. |
He’s poor. | He’s dirt poor. |
They are married. | They tied the knot. |
She’s waiting. | She’s biding her time. |
He’s looking for trouble. | He’s stirring the pot. |
They are dating. | They’re an item. |
She’s pregnant. | She’s expecting. |
He’s old. | He’s over the hill. |
They are not talking. | They’re giving each other the silent treatment. |
She’s busy. | She’s tied up. |
He’s not telling the truth. | He’s pulling your leg. |
They are rich. | They’re rolling in dough. |
She’s in trouble. | She’s in hot water. |
He’s working. | He’s clocking in. |
They are arguing. | They’re going at it hammer and tongs. |
She’s not feeling well. | She’s under the weather. |
He’s sleeping. | He’s catching some Z’s. |
They are talking. | They’re shooting the breeze. |
She’s crying. | She’s letting it all out. |
He’s laughing. | He’s cracking up. |
They are winning. | They’re cleaning up. |
She’s winning. | She’s ahead of the pack. |
He’s losing. | He’s falling behind. |
They are losing. | They’re falling behind. |
Basic English Vs Idiomatic Expression

Basic English Vs Idiomatic Expressions
