Hundreds of free English idioms, idiomatic expressions, proverbs and sayings
used in everyday conversation, with their meaning and an example.
Every day a new idiom is added
used in everyday conversation, with their meaning and an example.
Every day a new idiom is added
|
English idioms & idiomatic expressions
List of idioms with their meaning and an example of use.
(Please use the scrollbar to browse the list.)
|
|
Alphabetical list of idioms - J
|
|
Jack of all trades
A "jack of all trades" is a person who can do many different things
but is not very good at any one of them.
I'm looking for a skilled worker, not a jack-of-all-trades.
|
|
One's jaw drops
If someone's jaw drops, they show total amazement.
When the prize was announced, the winner's jaw dropped.
|
|
Jazz something up
If you jazz something up, you add something to try to improve it or make it
more stylish.
That dress needs a scarf or a necklace to jazz it up.
|
|
Get/have the jitters
If you get or have the jitters, especially before an important event, you become
very nervous or anxious and begin to shake.
Some people get the jitters when they have to make a speech.
|
|
Jog someone's memory
When you help somebody to remember something they have forgotten, you jog their
memory.
You don't remember who was with us that day? Here's a photograph to jog your memory.
|
|
Join the club!
By saying to somebody "join the club", you express sympathy for an unpleasant
experience that you have had too.
"Oh no! My wallet has been stolen!" "Join the club!"
|
|
Don't judge by appearances (also: go by appearances)
This expression means that you should not form an opinion based on outward
appearances only. You should also look at what is inside.
She looks self-confident but don't judge by appearances.
|
|
You can't judge a book by its cover
This expression means that you should not form an opinion about something from its
appearance only.
In spite of his fortune, he leads a very simple life - you can't judge a book by its cover!
|
|
Juggle frogs
A person who is juggling frogs is trying to deal with many different tasks at the same
time and finding the situation difficult.
I've got so many things to do at the moment, I feel like I'm juggling frogs.
|
|
Juggling act
If you do a juggling act, you try to do different things in a way that is satisfactory for
all concerned
For many women, managing a career and looking after a family can be quite a
juggling act.
|
|
|
|
Jump for joy
When people jump for joy, they express their happiness through excited movements
and gestures.
The player jumped for joy when he scored the winning goal.
|
|
Jump the lights
If you continue driving when the traffic lights turn red, you jump the lights.
It's very dangerous to jump the lights. No wonder he was stopped by the police.
|
|
Jump down someone's throat
If you jump down someone's throat, you suddenly start shouting at them in a very
angry manner.
When I said the instructions were not very clear, she jumped down my throat.
|
|
Jump in (or be thrown in) at the deep end
When you jump in (or are thrown in) at the deep end, you do something without
any help or preparation, in an area where you have little or no experience.
He got a job as a salesman, for which he had no training, so he just had to jump in
at the deep end.
|
|
Jump out of one's skin.
If you jump out of your skin, you are extremely surprised or shocked.
Jane nearly jumped out of her skin when the horse put its head through the window!
|
|
Jump to conclusions
A person who jumps to conclusions reaches a decision or makes a judgement too fast,
before taking the time to check out all the facts.
We haven't got the full story yet so let's not jump to conclusions.
|
|
The jury is still out
To say that the jury is still out means that something is under consideration but no
decision has been reached yet
The jury is still out on the location of the new station.
|
|
Just around the corner
If something is just around the corner, it will happen very soon.
With spring just around the corner, the new collection should begin to sell.
|
|
Get one's just deserts
When someone gets their just deserts, they are rewarded or punished according to
what they deserve.
Liz got her just deserts when she was excluded from the committee; she is totally
unreliable.
|
|
Just off the boat
A person who is just off the boat is naive and lacks experience.
He's efficient although he look as if he's just off the boat.
|
|
Just what the doctor ordered
If something is just what the doctor ordered, it is extremely pleasant and will help
you feel better.
A week-end in the sun - just what the doctor ordered!
www.idioms-today.com
|
|
|
Copyright ©2010 www.idioms-today.com - All rights reserved.
The materials found on this site may be copied for use in the classroom or for private study.
Any other use without permission is strictly forbidden.
|
Idioms :
Proverbs:
|
Please note that British English spelling is used on this website
|
Useful links :
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |