100 Common US Phrases and Idioms

Are you familiar with common phrases and idioms used in the United States? These idioms and phrases are often used in everyday conversation and can add color and character to the way we communicate. In this comprehensive guide, we've compiled a list of 100 common US phrases that you'll hear frequently in everyday life. From "the cat's out of the bag" to "you can't judge a book by its cover," these phrases are sure to become a part of your vocabulary.

Everyday Phrases

• "A piece of cake" - easy or simple to do
• "All ears" - paying full attention
• "At the drop of a hat" - without hesitation
• "Call it a day" - stop working for the day
• "Cut corners" - do something in a cheaper or faster way, but with lower quality
• "Easy as pie" - simple or easy to do
• "Get the ball rolling" - start a process or action
• "Get your ducks in a row" - organize or prepare
• "Give someone the cold shoulder" - ignore or avoid someone
• "Hang in there" - persevere through difficult times
• "In the nick of time" - just in time
• "Keep an eye out" - pay attention and be vigilant
• "Pull someone's leg" - tease or joke with someone
• "Rub elbows" - interact or associate with important or influential people
• "Rule of thumb" - general guideline or principle
• "Smooth sailing" - no difficulties or problems
• "Stand on your own two feet" - be independent and self-sufficient
• "Up in the air" - uncertain or undecided
• "Wear many hats" - have multiple roles or responsibilities

Cost-Related Phrases

• "An arm and a leg" - very expensive
• "Bite the bullet" - face a difficult or unpleasant situation
• "Miss the boat" - miss an opportunity
• "Red flag" - warning or indication of a problem
• "Sick as a dog" - very sick or ill
• "Take the bull by the horns" - confront a problem or challenge head-on
• "The whole nine yards" - everything, the full extent
• "Against the clock" - working against time or a deadline
• "All bark and no bite" - talk a lot but do little
• "Back to square one" - starting again from the beginning

Relationship and Social Phrases

• "Break a leg" - good luck, usually said to actors before a performance
• "Can't judge a book by its cover" - appearance does not reflect quality or content
• "Go the extra mile" - do more than is required
• "Hit the nail on the head" - accurately identify a problem or solution
• "It takes two to tango" - both parties are responsible for a situation
• "Jump on the bandwagon" - join a popular trend or activity
• "Let the cat out of the bag" - reveal a secret
• "Make a mountain out of a molehill" - exaggerate a problem or issue
• "Mind your own business" - focus on your own affairs and not interfere in others'
• "On the same page" - in agreement or understanding
• "Rain on someone's parade" - ruin someone's plans or happiness
• "Seeing is believing" - one needs to see something to believe it
• "Spill the beans" - reveal a secret
• "Stab in the back" - betray or deceive someone
• "Thick as thieves" - very close or loyal friends
• "To each their own" - everyone has different preferences or opinions
• "Don't rock the boat" - don't cause trouble or disrupt the status quo

Action and Work Phrases

• "Bite off more than you can chew" - take on more than one can handle
• "Burn the midnight oil" - work late into the night
• "Buy time" - delay or prolong something
• "Caught between a rock and a hard place" - facing a difficult decision or dilemma
• "Cry over spilt milk" - regret something that cannot be changed
• "Cut to the chase" - get to the point or main issue
• "Devil's advocate" - someone who argues against a position or belief, not necessarily because they disagree
• "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" - treat others as you would like to be treated
• "Don't count your chickens before they hatch" - don't assume something will happen until it actually does
• "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth" - don't complain or criticize something that is given for free
• "First come, first serve" - the first to arrive or do something gets it
• "Fish out of water" - someone who is out of their element or unfamiliar with a situation
• "Fit as a fiddle" - healthy and fit
• "Get a kick out of something" - enjoy or find something amusing
• "Get the show on the road" - start or begin something
• "Give someone the benefit of the doubt" - assume someone is truthful or right until proven otherwise

Weather and Health Phrases

• "Under the weather" - feeling sick or unwell
• "Out of the blue" - unexpected or sudden
• "Don't sweat the small stuff" - don't worry about minor or insignificant details
• "Every cloud has a silver lining" - there is a positive aspect to every negative situation
• "Familiarity breeds contempt" - being too familiar with someone can lead to disrespect or dislike
• "In the black" - financially profitable or successful
• "In the clear" - not in trouble or danger
• "In the hot seat" - under scrutiny or pressure