Learn the 50 Most Common British Idioms and Expressions in 20 Minutes

Learn the most common British English idioms and expressions in just 20 minutes. These idioms and expressions are all used in England/the UK. Learn how to use these common idioms in sentences as well as how to pronounce them correctly by using the phonemic transcription.
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// Time Stamps ⏱️
00:00 - Intro
00:36 - Group and Private Lessons
02:07 - British Idioms and Expressions
23:29 - Outro
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I teach using just one of many accents in the world. Please only learn it if you like it and if you are interested in learning it. I do not believe there is one “correct” accent or manner of pronunciation and I fully encourage EFL/ESL learners to expose themselves to as many varieties of English around the world to become accustomed to the beautiful variations of this world language. I focus mostly on teaching “Modern RP” (I may just say “RP” in my older videos, but to clarify, I do specifically mean “Modern RP”), however, you will hear a lovely little Yorkshire twang to my accent from time to time too. Please LOVE and BE PROUD of your accent. After all, it is part of your identity and makes you unique. 💚
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[@chammyaewin348]

Thanks so much for your valuable and useful lesson, Emma. I've already saved to read it again and again.

[@manavkashyap7]

Emna, you impart the knowledge of the language in an amazingly and tremendously superb way! You are nonesuch!

[@xabiermartinez1952]

I thank you for this lesson. Your upbeat approach to English teaching makes me happy, positve, and confident. The phonological transcription is, quite simply, trailblazing !!!

[@satyavivekanandbattula1091]

Thank you very much Emma. Useful video.

[@attila0323]

I like that a lot of these idioms/expressions exists in our language as well, even if not exactly with the same words but very similar and easily can guess.

[@nationfirstbyranjeetsir8809]

Marvellous class, Emma!!

[@ashikihsan1946]

Hi Emma, Love these most common 50 British Idioms. Emma, you are defining the meaning of every idiom so clearly to understand. Thank you Emma

[@muhammadihsan1122]

Your way of teaching is super natural ..very easy to understand thanks Emma

[@mail2morin]

Thanks so much. This is fantastic! More of these please. 😊

[@Mohamed-Hassanin]

Amazing, Thank you

[@ingridmarianarodriguez8539]

Thanks a lot Ms. Emma. I'll practice to introduce them in my daily speech since I do love talking to idioms they give your speech something chic but the point is they're very common and most native speakers use them. My favorite idioms is : GIVE SOMEONE A TASTE OF THEIR OWN MEDICINE Because I'm 100% sure that we mustn't do somebody else something which we dislike or hurt our feelings. So please KINDNESS IS THE KEY to GET respect and l❤ve

[@vivianagambetta9197]

Emma you are great! Thank you so much for this lesson

[@nadeembhat5494]

Thank you so much, this video is very helpful for me.

[@Yohann_Rechter_De-Farge]

Thankyou very much respected madam 🌹🌹 I love all the idioms And reason is I have got something new to learn.

[@SergeySuper_Silver]

Hi Emma, I've learnt a lot from this lesson. Thank you very much! Interesting fact that some of the Idioms have an equivalent with the same meaning in my language. For example: Idiom number 15 'add insult to injury' = 'pour salt onto a wound', Idiom number 17 'to be stuck between a rock and a hard place' = 'to chose between two evils' Idiom number 21 'to call a spade a spade' = 'to call things by their names' And we also have the same idiom number 29 'burn bridges'. It's really fascinating how different languages intersect. I like the way you teach) You're so optimistic and joyful! Watching your lessons makes my day :)

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

We also have pour salt on the wound" but I actually removed it because I had too many idioms 😅 Thank you for sharing your language's idioms too! What language is that? And thank you so much for watching and sharing your kind words!

[@SergeySuper_Silver]

@@Pronunciationwithemma You're so welcome, Emma :) I always enjoy your lessons! My native language is Russian :)

[@sarndoismali6473]

Hi Emma from London

[@ahmadwolf3618]

Many thanks to you. I study the book English Idioms, Oxford by John Ayto. It's an amazing book and full of a hundreds of idioms.

[@ahmedmokkedem7525]

Thanks so much Emma.

[@nsfa19]

Thank you so much Emma! Love you and what you do!

[@pablofigueroa9455]

I just loved it..!!!

[@sarker9345]

Thank you,madam,for your benevolent service.

[@George-gs2zf]

Thank you, Emma. You're such a lovely person and an amazing teacher. Greetings from Greece.

[@AVIation_my_life]

Thank you Emma for all the hard work you put in all your videos. It really helped me😊

[@eduardogarciavalencia3013]

Thanks a lot I enjoy your lessons

[@haykmakaryan6187]

Thank You very much indeed

[@SardarAli55555]

You teaching methods are amazing. I love them

[@englishwithali]

Thanks a lot for this video 💐

[@farouksafi4716]

Thanks

[@user-zh8ms2oy2m]

Thank you Emma.😀

[@rodrigodamacenafigueiredo1451]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻Thanks Emma , I'll try to use some expressions in my day

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

Amazing! Which is your favourite one? :)

[@eustaquiozambrano2974]

Thank you very much for help us. Your English video are so interesting. Have a nice weekend ☺👍

[@SardarAli55555]

Excellent job

[@parablesexplained755]

Hi Emma, I love all your videos, your articulation and simplification of the sounds are so good. Some of all these idoms are also quite popular in my residence especially that of "bite more than one can chew," so I can call that my favourite. I was wondering if you have any videos or so related to Queens English cause I don't know much about it,[where it came from and how it sounds so I can't yet differentiate it from the British accent] just heard about it from a teacher at my school so I wanted to know more about it.

[@ossital1808]

many thanks

[@Santaneiro]

I really enjoy this fifty idioms lesson. I did learn lot, it was so many idioms I didn't know. Thank you

[@darmabadra1988]

Thanks from bottom of my❤….

[@mostafaallami2271]

Fantastic! Thank you very much! I'm happy because I've recognised most of the idioms. YOU ARE SO FUNNY! 😆

[@pavanpradeepkatta928]

I am really happy to see videos in English in foreign & btitish

[@sagyanbharatigupta2907]

Thank Emma my best teacher

[@mohamedsomaa1041]

cheers of these information

[@jennisuq.g.8111]

thanks ENMA for you time

[@fabianmaeda1523]

Thanks so much

[@user-el3cz6tw4b]

Thank you.

[@tahminashima2691]

Thank you so much

[@iqbalsingh8283]

Thanks a bunch !

[@coolkoala282]

Thanks Emma

[@rubenvillacorta2320]

Thanks !!! 😘😘😘

[@sumanchowdhury4659]

Blessings in disguise would be my favorite one, Emma. Thank you.

[@abdullah-al-jubayer4482]

yeah, well. it was so effective. idiom takes people in the another world. I'll try to use this in my daily communication. thanks.....

[@TechieSewing]

Thank you, I didn't know quite a few of them. I always thought that 'were you born in a barn?' meant the same as 'were you raised by wolves?' (not completely sure of meaning there either), but I read it like having bad manners. But it's really the same as 'were you born in an elevator?' here. Especially funny from one's mum as she is supposed to know exactly where her child was born :)

[@Montegasppa]

I’m actually quite astonished! We use nearly the same of some idioms you mentioned! - Cost an arm and a leg We say: “custa um rim” (cost a kidney). - The ball is in someone’s court We say: “alguém está com a bola” (someone got the ball). - Hit the nail on the head This one is a bit different: “acertou na mosca” (hit the fly). - Speak of the devil We say: “falando no diabo” (exactly the same). - Add fuel to the fire We say: “jogar óleo na fogueira” (throw oil on the campfire). - Don’t judge a book by its cover We say: “não compre um livro pela capa” (don’t buy a book by its cover). - Give someone a taste of their own medicine We say: “dê-lhe um gostinho de seu próprio remédio” (exactly the same). - Give someone an inch, and they’ll take a mile This one is different too, but not too much: “dê a mão e ele vai querer o braço” (give someone your hand, and they’ll want your arm). - To be all ears We say: “sou todo ouvidos” (exactly the same). - Be caught/stuck between a rock and a hard place We say: “estar entre a cruz e a espada” (Be between the cross and the sword). - Not my cup of tea Here we got a cultural difference, we say: “não é minha praia” (not my beach). - One’s hands are tied We say: “de mãos atadas” (exactly the same). - Go behind someone’s back We say: “agir pelas coisas” (act/move behind someone’s back). - On the same wavelength We say: “na mesma sintonia” (exactly the same). - Keep one’s chin up We say: “manter a cabeça erguida” (keep one’s head up).

[@NightCloudI]

In Poland instead of "speak of the devil" we say: "O wilku mowa" which means "speak of the wolf" 😅

[@Montegasppa]

@@NightCloudI I remember another one! “on the same wavelength” can also be “estar na mesma página” (be [reading] the same page [of the book]).

[@samiraben2854]

Thanks for your time great may Allah bless you Emma

[@noriko244]

My favorite one is "Don't give up your day job" coz it's just fun🤣I wanna use this jokingly. But, the comment you wrote was the best (I'll cry myself to sleep). It gave me an excuse to watch this now. ( I was supposed to watch this when I had time. But, your comment made me stop doing other chores.) It took forever you to get this done. The job you did is a bang on!!

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

Haha thank you so much 🥰😆

[@GalGood-dw1sg]

Wow! I love it! The last one is similar to Russian idiom) instead of "barn" we say "cave"😀 Were you born in a cave? Meaning "shut the door! Don't you know what the doors are for?"

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

That's so funny how close it is! 😅

[@sjmochila]

Emmmma!! I love your videos! How do I find you on preply without having to search through every tutor? May favorite idiom … 🥁 Keep your wig on 😅🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 Love it! Going to use that one here in America! I’m American (Spanish American), however LOVE the British accent and want to learn proper pronunciations. Thank you! Love your videos!! 🎉

[@tmc02086]

Nice one, especially with your natural speaking voice and speed. AndI wonder what language is the subtitle that above English?

[@javieravilez1438]

thanks ,,teacher¡¡...from..Kolombia ...

[@Milybrusee]

I loved your video ❤❤ 19:52 I realise that in Argentina we use a similar idiom, “mantene la frente en alto” and means the same thing.

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

Oh amazing 😄👏

[@bongkokhmer7546]

You are lovely teacher 💗.

[@hipocoristico15]

This is a great video.

[@muhammadafzaldhoda4721]

Emma you are very interesting teacher. I listen to you often when I'm sad. You make me smile, even laugh. I wish you were my daughter. Any way stay blessed!

[@mrsabraattiaselim5334]

thanks my angel

[@Infros]

Lovelyyyyy teacheerrrr❤❤

[@anasbelkrimimohamad_3-8-82]

English is a multi-dialect language, thanks for a topic in this language _ thanks

[@bobc.5698]

Extrordinree! I learn from watching Endeavor.....so my English lingo is stuck in the 1960's it makes im all 6's and 7's about it.

[@mdshamimahmmed8675]

Thanks. I am from Bangladesh

[@soumyaraj4819]

Dear Emma, only 5 had already studied in my school. Anyway thanks for your idioms KATHAKALY=(artform of KERALA famous for face- expressions and signs. ) your smile and laugh are very attractive to me. Thanks for wonderful video. 🙏

[@hasanzahidi5875]

I’ve been all ears all through this video lesson .. there are a few idioms that are somehow similar in meaning in my native language like the last one which is my favourite by the way “were you born in a barn?” I also like your mum’s favourite one “have kittens” 😂 Actually all these idioms are all awesome 😎 Thanks a lot Emma ❤

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

😄😍 thank you for watching!!

[@yaxshi_okay]

Hello Emma, very useful your vedio for me,from Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 😘

[@jrtv-orpon353]

Fantastic

[@charlesstaudt2077]

VERY VERY VERY GOOD ALL YOU DO FOR IMPROVING MY ENGLISH 🌷🌷🌷👏👏👏👏👏👏 CHARLES STAUDT FROM BRAZIL 🇧🇷

[@ricardoroque9055]

"Were you born in a barn?", was my favourite, surely. I agree, a funny and useful lesson to be watched over and over again. Thanks a lot.

[@bmw4189]

My favorite one is "the ball is in your court!"

[@user-lg8zm8ee4p]

It was sooooo fun thanks to you😊 but it took five hours to watch😂 but it's OK. Final one tickles me and stimulates me as well because I can't find it in my dictionary so that I really want to know a lot about Yorkshore. You have an external door in your home? I guess northern part of UK must be freezing. In my country Japan also, northern part is really snowy and people tend not to open their mouths widely😊😂 That's why I sympathize with this final one !! I deeply thank for your great effort 🎉

[@hojiaqian4757]

33. Off one's rocker - crazy "Stop doing that! You are off your rocker. "

[@hojiaqian4757]

34. Jump on the bandwagon - follow a new trend. "She changed her hairstyle and daily outfit to jump on the bandwagon. "

[@akmajed24]

Wow it was great idiomes, we share most of it in arabic.

[@RaphaelNBello]

Hi Emma, I just wanna thank you for the app, you recommended that's ELSA. You are d best❤❤

[@subhashbairagi9164]

Dear emma your speech is very) ovely i am from bangla&esh thank you very much

[@user-gw1ji6sx9r]

Angel Emma How are you today I always watch your videos When you speak it looks like you are singing a sweet song

[@subhashbairagi9164]

Your th8s Emma i am an english teacher of banglades!, i wish to 5alk with you.thank you very mudi

[@subhashbairagi9164]

Thank you for your this nice vdio

[@hojiaqian4757]

45. Keep one's chin up. - to stay hopeful and cheer up at difficult times. "I know you've just broken up with James and feel so lost right now. Keep your chin up. There're so many guys out there. " 46. Bite off more than one can chew. - commit to sth that you can't do/ sth difficult. "I felt so pressured. I thought I bit off more than I could chew when I applied for a tutor job. " 47. Have kittens. - feel extremely anxious, angry, or upset. "I'm gonna have kittens if you do something that offends me. "

[@marianoscotti8899]

👏👏👏👏👏Well done, Emma ! Un abrazo from Olivos, Buenos Aires, Argentina 🇦🇷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🇦🇷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@franciscopontesvelasco4315]

Nice idioms👏👏👏 and nice accent. And the plants are nice as well lol

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

Finally!! Some plant recognition!! 😄

[@franciscopontesvelasco4315]

@@Pronunciationwithemma they jazzed up the house in my humble

[@timmcallen5184]

Hello Ema, thanks for the video. May I ask, the idiom "how's tricks?" used frequently in the UK?

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

I don't hear it much, if ever, in the UK (personally) :)

[@timmcallen5184]

@@Pronunciationwithemma Got it. Thank you very much!

[@alok6752]

Hey Emma, I've watched it! 👀 Now the ball is in your court!! 😂🤣

[@dr.m.furqanali218]

My favorite "Get the wrong end of the stick..."

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

Yess! This is a good one and so common!

[@umeshjoshi1226]

Please please make a detail video for IPA... Make video for each and every sound 🙏

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

I already have! :)

[@umeshjoshi1226]

@@Pronunciationwithemma I don't think so.. U aren't teaching all 44 sounds and u aren't explaining all the sounds in one video 😑😑

[@simonmaximov8443]

What is IPA?

[@umeshjoshi1226]

@@simonmaximov8443 IPA means International Phonetic Alphabet Is the way of pronouncing the 44 sounds It is a rule to pronounce the sounds.

[@smiling4499]

My favourite idiom is "I'm on the fence" 🙂 When I was watching " Mind Your Language " I heard I was so funny. By the way Emma That film was old. Do you think Is This idiom common in the UK?

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

yeah we still use that! At least, I do! :)

[@polashjohnsarkar3644]

Good

[@akeke1]

Many Swedish expressions are similar. The equivalents of "Give an inch take a mile" are "If you give someone a finger, he will soon take the whole hand"

[@lydiaogechi-tx1ok]

How do I join your preply class ?

[@tetramalika]

i like ur idiom :))

[@ahmedhassanmohamed4271]

thank you so much Teacher Emma are you good long time ago?

[@Abhi-yn5gx]

Thanks Emma.......Emma can you make a vedios about Unique British Vocabularies???

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

Mmm like British slang?

[@Abhi-yn5gx]

@@Pronunciationwithemma yeah it is.. Sorry i forgot the word slang at that moment 😁

[@andstrings2307]

"My brother is not the sharpest tool in the set" It reminds me of another idiom I heard from a British friend: It seems like there is not very much "upstairs" 🧠

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

We have SOOO many creative variations 😄

[@robsonqc]

You are amazing

[@simonmaximov8443]

Put the wood in the hall sounds cool 😂

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

Hole* And yes! It is 🤣

[@Daniel_Muniz]

Great video. How to become a pronunciation teacher?

[@hojiaqian4757]

35. You live and learn - you say this when you learn sth new/ learn from a mistake. "I wasn't good at classroom management when I first became a tutor. I prepared the teaching materials well, but I wasn't unable to run the classroom smoothly. Well, you live and learn. " 36. Have butterflies in one's stomach - when you feel very nervous/ very excited. "I'm going to attend the musical show held by my college. I can't wait to sing in front of others. I've got butterflies in my stomach. " 37. Go the extra mile - when you put special effort to achieve sth "Lim is the most responsive person in the Algebra class. He always answers the questions accurately. He really goes the extra mile. " 38. Do something by the book - Follow the rules exactly "I never do things by the book. " 39. One's hands are tied. - one can't act freely because he's restricted by rules or law, or because he doesn't have time "I'd love to help you in solving these questions, but sadly my hands are tied due to assignments. "

[@beppobarrendero74]

I like when you smile when talking... Don't take any notice from those who don't like it

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

Aww thanks Belen! ❤️