A List of idioms. This page contains examples of idioms and an ever growing list of idioms. It is a good practice to avoid use of these idioms in poetry unless used in a completely original way.
See also: Proverbs
Idioms are expressions, sayings, or phrases whose meanings cannot be understood from the meanings of the words that make it up.
Off one's rockerMeaning:Crazy, demented, out of one's mind, in a confused or befuddled state of mind, senile.
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Off the hookMeaning:To escape a situation of responsibility, obligation, or (less frequently) danger.
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Once in a blue moon
Meaning:
Rarely, almost never If you say something happens once in a blue moon, you mean it happens very rarely.
A blue moon is the second of two full moons in the same month, which happens rarely.
Example:
He has a very nice car, but he drives once in a blue moon.
A: Does your husband cook for you?
B: Oh, yes, once in a blue moon!
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Out of the blue
Meaning: Suddenly and unexpectedly If someone does something or something happens out of the blue, it happens suddenly and surprises you because you didn't expect it. Example: Late last summer, out of the blue, Sue announced she was getting married and leaving her home country soon. We were all shocked to hear that.
We had been told it would be sunny all day, so we went hiking. However, it started to pour (rain heavily) out of the blue in the afternoon.
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Out of the frying pan and into the fireMeaning: This idiom is used to say that someone gets out of a difficult or bad situation, but eventually goes into a more difficult or worse one. If you say "Out of the frying pan and into the fire", you mean someone has moved from a bad or difficult situation to a worse one. Example: If the government accepts his new proposal, the nation will be jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. ( = It will make the situation worse.)
A: I've finally finished my assignment. It was very difficult, but the next one looks much harder.
B: Out of the frying pan and into the fire..
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