50 English Idioms in Real Conversations

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Last week on The British English Podcast with Lewis, I challenged myself to answer 50 everyday questions using different phrasal verbs—a fun and practical way to help you absorb these expressions naturally.

This Friday, I’m doing the same... but with idioms!
That’s right—50 conversation questions, 50 different idioms.

Idioms are a key ingredient of natural, fluent English. If you’re aiming for a C1 or C2 level, understanding and using idioms correctly is essential. They add colour, emotion, and authenticity to your speech. Without them, even advanced grammar can sound robotic.

To give you a sneak peek, here are the questions I’ll be answering—with short answers already using idioms 👇

🏡 Daily Life & Routines

Are you a creature of habit, or do you enjoy change?
I’m a bit of a creature of habit, but I do try to shake things up sometimes.
= Creature of habit – someone who likes routine and doesn’t often change their habits.
When was the last time you had to burn the midnight oil?
Last week—I was burning the midnight oil editing a podcast episode.
= Burn the midnight oil – to work late into the night.
Do you usually hit the sack early or stay up late?
I normally hit the sack around midnight.
= Hit the sack – go to bed.
What’s something you do once in a blue moon?
I go to the cinema once in a blue moon.
= Once in a blue moon – very rarely.
Have you ever had to bite the bullet and do something unpleasant?
Yes, I had to bite the bullet and get my wisdom teeth out.
= Bite the bullet – to do something difficult or unpleasant that you’ve been avoiding.

💼 Work & Studies

Have you ever been snowed under with work?
Definitely—January was crazy. I was snowed under.
= Snowed under – overwhelmed with work.
When was the last time something at work or school got out of hand?
A group project got totally out of hand last year.
= Get out of hand – become uncontrollable.
Do you usually go the extra mile in your work?
Always—especially when planning lessons.
= Go the extra mile – do more than what’s expected.
Have you ever felt like you were in over your head?
When I launched my website, I was in over my head at first.
= In over your head – involved in something too difficult.
What do you do when you need to think on your feet?
I stay calm and trust my instincts when I need to think on my feet.
= Think on your feet – respond quickly and effectively.

💬 Social Life & Relationships

Are you someone who wears their heart on their sleeve?
Yes, I wear my heart on my sleeve—people always know how I’m feeling.
= Wear your heart on your sleeve – show your emotions openly.
Have you ever had a change of heart about someone?
I had a change of heart about a colleague once—we ended up great friends.
= Change of heart – a change in opinion or feeling.
Do you usually get on like a house on fire with new people?
Yes! If we click, we get on like a house on fire.
= Get on like a house on fire – become good friends very quickly.
When was the last time you let your hair down?
Last weekend—I went dancing and really let my hair down.
= Let your hair down – relax and enjoy yourself.
Have you ever put your foot in your mouth during a conversation?

Yes, I once congratulated someone on being pregnant… and they weren’t!
= Put your foot in your mouth – say something embarrassing or inappropriate.

🎨 Free Time & Hobbies

What do you like to do to blow off steam?
I go for a run or play football to blow off steam.
= Blow off steam – release stress or energy.
Have you picked up any hobbies on a whim?
Yes, I picked up photography on a whim during lockdown.
= On a whim – spontaneously, without planning.
What’s a hobby you do just for kicks?
I make silly videos just for kicks.
= Just for kicks – for fun, for enjoyment.
Have you ever spent a day doing absolutely nothing but veg out?
Yes! Last Sunday I vegged out in front of Netflix all day.
= Veg out – relax completely, do nothing productive.
Do you enjoy window shopping or is it just a waste of time?
I love window shopping—it’s a fun way to kill time.
= Window shopping – looking at items in shops without buying anything.

🌍 Travel & Adventure

Have you ever gone on a trip off the beaten path?
Yes, I once travelled through rural Romania—totally off the beaten path.
= Off the beaten path – away from popular or touristy places.
What’s your idea of a once-in-a-lifetime holiday?
Going on safari in Kenya would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip for me.
= Once in a lifetime – something unique and special that happens rarely.
Have you ever had a bumpy ride while travelling?
Definitely—my flight to India was a real bumpy ride.
= Bumpy ride – a difficult or uncomfortable experience.
Do you usually play it by ear when travelling or plan everything?
I like to play it by ear—makes the trip more exciting.
= Play it by ear – improvise, decide as you go.
Have you ever been in a situation where you had to go with the flow?
Yes, when travelling in Asia, I had to go with the flow a lot.
= Go with the flow – accept things as they come without resistance.

😊 Emotions & Feelings

What kind of things drive you up the wall?
Loud chewing really drives me up the wall.
= Drive up the wall – really annoy or irritate.
Have you ever been on cloud nine? Why?
When I passed my C2 exam, I was on cloud nine.
= On cloud nine – extremely happy.
What’s something that really gets under your skin?
Rude customer service really gets under my skin.
= Get under your skin – irritate or bother deeply.
How do you react when someone rubs you the wrong way?
I try to stay polite, even if someone rubs me the wrong way.
= Rub the wrong way – annoy someone, often unintentionally.
Do you ever get cold feet before a big event?
I got cold feet before giving my first online class.
= Cold feet – sudden nervousness or hesitation.

🧗 Success & Challenges

What’s something you’ve done that was a blessing in disguise?
Losing my job turned out to be a blessing in disguise—it pushed me to go freelance.
= Blessing in disguise – something that seems bad at first but turns out well.
Have you ever had to face the music for something?
Yes, I had to face the music after missing a big deadline.
= Face the music – accept the consequences of your actions.
Do you believe in pulling yourself together when life gets tough?
Yes, I try to pull myself together and stay focused.
= Pull yourself together – regain control of your emotions.
Have you ever taken a risk that paid off?
Quitting my 9–5 was a big risk that really paid off.
= Pay off – result in success or benefit.
Have you ever had to learn something the hard way?
Yes, I learned the hard way not to travel without insurance.
= Learn the hard way – learn through experience, especially negative experience.

💸 Money & Spending

Are you more of a big spender or a penny pincher?
I used to be a big spender, but now I’m more of a penny pincher.
= Penny pincher – someone who is very careful with money.
Have you ever made a spur-of-the-moment purchase?
Yes, I bought a plane ticket on a spur-of-the-moment decision.
= Spur of the moment – spontaneous, without planning.
When do you think it’s worth breaking the bank?
For experiences like concerts or travel, I don’t mind breaking the bank.
= Break the bank – spend a lot of money, often more than one can afford.
What’s something you bought that cost an arm and a leg?
My laptop cost an arm and a leg, but I use it every day.
= Cost an arm and a leg – be very expensive.
Have you ever tried to live on a shoestring budget?
Yes, when I was a student, I lived on a shoestring budget.
= Shoestring budget – very limited money for spending.

🧠 Opinions & Preferences

Do you tend to sit on the fence when making decisions?
Sometimes, especially when both sides have good arguments.
= Sit on the fence – avoid taking sides or making a decision.
What’s something you’re sick and tired of hearing about?
I’m sick and tired of hearing about celebrity gossip.
= Sick and tired – fed up, annoyed by something repetitive.
Do you ever find yourself jumping to conclusions?
Yes, I sometimes jump to conclusions without all the facts.
= Jump to conclusions – make assumptions too quickly.
When was the last time you had to eat your words?
I said I’d hate camping, but I loved it—I had to eat my words.
= Eat your words – admit you were wrong.
Do you prefer to get straight to the point or be more diplomatic?
I usually get straight to the point—no need to beat around the bush.
= Get straight to the point – speak directly and clearly.

🌟 Future Plans & Dreams

Have you ever chased a dream that seemed like a long shot?
Yes, turning my content into a full-time job felt like a long shot at first.
= Long shot – something unlikely to succeed.
What’s something you’re doing now to get the ball rolling on your goals?
I’m creating weekly content to get the ball rolling on my growth plans.
= Get the ball rolling – start something.
What does your dream job look like? Are you on the right track?
My dream job is teaching English online and I feel like I’m on the right track.
= On the right track – making good progress toward a goal.
Do you like to take the plunge when it comes to change?
Yes—I took the plunge and became my own boss this year.
= Take the plunge – commit to something big or risky.
What’s something that’s still up in the air in your life right now?
Whether I’ll move abroad next year is still up in the air.
= Up in the air – undecided or uncertain.

If you found these idioms useful, tune in this Friday to hear me use them in natural conversation in the latest podcast episode 🎙️

Until then,
Lewis

P.S. Feel free to share this list with your students, language partner, or anyone working towards advanced English!

50 English Idioms in Real Conversations – Coming This Friday!