Lists of Phrases, Sayings, and More
People use phrases all the time in their day-to-day lives. They might use them at work, school, at even at home. Some of these sayings are so popular that they have become common phrases. And since so many of them exist, it can be difficult to keep track of them all, let alone know their meaning. That’s where we come in!
The lists below contain phrases, sayings, and other figurative expressions that you’ll commonly hear in English. So whether you want to learn a few for fun, or you’re ready to dive deeper into their origin, start exploring these lists.
Choose phrases based on a theme:
Common Phrases From Animals, Sports, and Food
A phrase can originate from a variety of places. Some phrases, for example, are inspired by animals, while others come from sports or food. In fact, these three areas have so many sayings related to them, that we made pages specifically for expressions from these categories. You’ll find them listed below.
10 Examples of Phrases In English
You’ve probably heard a few of these common phrases before, but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded of them. Let’s look at some examples of the most commonly heard phrases:
1. A chip on your shoulder
Being angry about something that happened in the past.
2. A dime a dozen
Something that is abundant and simple to find.
3. A fool and his money are soon parted
Someone acting foolish with their money can easily lose it due to careless behavior.
4. A piece of cake
A task that is simple to complete, requiring little effort.
5. An arm and a leg
Something that is very expensive and costs a high price.
6. Back to square one
A popular saying that means starting over again due to a failed attempt.
7. Barking up the wrong tree
To make a wrong assumption about someone.
8. Beating around the bush
Talking while avoiding the main discussion point.
9. Between a rock and a hard place
Being faced with two difficult choices.
10. Burst your bubble
To ruin the mood by telling someone disappointing news.
Tip: Check out our full list of phrases and sayings, and discover their meaning and origin along the way.
What Are Sayings?
Sayings are short, concise statements that typically contain a held truth or advice. They have different forms, such as proverbs and maxims. Some examples of popular sayings in English include “slow and steady wins the race,” ” you can’t judge a book by its cover,” and “actions speak louder than words.”
In some cases, sayings can also be described simply as common expressions or phrases, which are used to convey a particular thought we have. For instance, the saying “out of the blue” is often used when something unexpected happens, but it does not contain any truth or advice. So, while sayings generally do carry some kind of deeper insight, they can also just be like any other basic expression.
See Also: Funny old sayings
Learn about several popular sayings that people get confused by, and see how to use them correctly.
Popular Sayings and Expressions
These sayings will be familiar to individuals who grew up speaking in English. If you’re thinking about using these expressions during a conversation, then make sure you understand their meaning. So then, let’s go over several popular sayings and expressions that potentially have some wisdom to share:
1. Actions speak louder than words
What a person does is more important than what they say.
2. Call it a day
Stopping all work for the remainder of the day.
3. Easier said than done
Saying things is easy, but doing them takes effort.
4. It’s better to be safe than sorry
It is wise to take precautions in advance in order to avoid potential harm.
5. Jump to conclusions
Reaching a conclusion based on little information.
6. Knock it out of the park
An activity or task that is done exceptionally well.
7. Learn the ropes
To gain a basic understanding of a job or skill.
8. Long in the tooth
Someone or something that is old or worn out.
9. Music to my ears
Hearing news or something that is pleasing.
10. Slow and steady wins the race
A slow and consistent approach can have better results than being hasty and rushing in.
About Us
What is this site about? In a nutshell, there are hundreds of common English phrases and sayings on here for you to explore. You can read about them and learn all sorts of things like their meaning, where they came from, and how to use them in example sentences. Use the list of sayings at the top to start exploring!
