慣用句と固定表現
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An idiom is a fixed expression whose meaning can't be guessed from the individual words: 'break the ice' means to ease tension, not to smash anything.
Idioms make speech sound natural and native-like, but you must use the exact wording — changing a word breaks the idiom. Learn each one as a whole, with its meaning.
例文
He told a joke to break the ice.
break the ice = ease social tension.
The interview was a piece of cake.
piece of cake = very easy.
Come on, spill the beans — what happened?
spill the beans = reveal a secret.
break the ice
/breɪk ði aɪs/
He told a joke to break the ice.
hit the books
/hɪt ðə bʊks/
Exam season — time to hit the books.
piece of cake
/piːs əv keɪk/
The interview was a piece of cake.
spill the beans
/spɪl ðə biːnz/
Come on, spill the beans — what happened?
What does 'a piece of cake' mean?
Idiom for revealing a secret: Come on, spill the ___ — what happened?
Some idioms deal with endings and conclusions. 'Kick the bucket' is an informal (and light) way to say die; 'the writing on the wall' means clear signs that something will fail; 'draw a line under' means to consider a matter finished.
Note register: 'kick the bucket' is very informal and can sound flippant, so use it carefully.
例文
He's worried about kicking the bucket.
kick the bucket = die (informal).
Layoffs were the writing on the wall.
the writing on the wall = clear warning signs.
It's time to draw a line under this matter.
draw a line under = consider it finished.
kick the bucket
/kɪk ðə ˈbʌkɪt/
He's worried about kicking the bucket. (informal)
the writing on the wall
/ðə ˈraɪtɪŋ ɒn ðə wɔːl/
Layoffs were the writing on the wall.
draw a line under
/drɔː ə laɪn ˈʌndər/
It's time to draw a line under this matter.
What does 'the writing on the wall' mean?
Idiom for finishing a matter: It's time to draw a ___ under this matter.
Money idioms are everywhere in business and daily life: 'cost an arm and a leg' (very expensive), 'cut corners' (save money by lowering quality), 'in the black' (profitable), 'tighten one's belt' (spend less).
These add colour and precision to talk about finances.
例文
That handbag cost an arm and a leg.
cost an arm and a leg = very expensive.
Don't cut corners on safety.
cut corners = lower quality to save money/time.
The company is finally in the black.
in the black = making a profit.
cost an arm and a leg
/kɒst ən ɑːrm ən ə leɡ/
That handbag cost an arm and a leg.
cut corners
/kʌt ˈkɔːrnərz/
Don't cut corners on safety.
in the black
/ɪn ðə blæk/
The company is finally in the black.
tighten one's belt
/ˈtaɪtən wʌnz belt/
We need to tighten our belts this year.
What does 'cost an arm and a leg' mean?
Idiom for being profitable: The company is finally in the ___.
Idioms vividly express feelings: 'over the moon' (extremely happy), 'down in the dumps' (sad/depressed), 'lose one's cool' (get angry), 'blow a fuse' (become furious).
They convey emotion more colourfully than plain adjectives — a hallmark of fluent, expressive English.
例文
She was over the moon about her promotion.
over the moon = extremely happy.
He's been down in the dumps since the breakup.
down in the dumps = sad, low.
Dad blew a fuse when he saw the bill.
blow a fuse = suddenly become very angry.
over the moon
/ˈoʊvər ðə muːn/
She was over the moon about her promotion.
down in the dumps
/daʊn ɪn ðə dʌmps/
He's been down in the dumps since the breakup.
lose one's cool
/luːz wʌnz kuːl/
Try not to lose your cool during the meeting.
blow a fuse
/bloʊ ə fjuːz/
Dad blew a fuse when he saw the bill.
What does 'over the moon' mean?
Idiom for getting suddenly angry: Dad blew a ___ when he saw the bill.
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