English Idioms & Metaphors, Explained Simply
Clear meanings, real example sentences and where the phrases come from. 22 guides covering 950 expressions so far.
Latest Articles
- Ideas & Emotions
Metaphors for Scared: 44 Vivid Ways to Describe Fear
Your blood runs cold, you jump out of your skin, you're a bag of nerves: 44 metaphors for being scared, nervous and spooked, with meanings and examples.
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- Ideas & Emotions
Metaphors for Kind People: 44 Warm Ways to Describe Kindness
Salt of the earth, a gentle giant, a guardian angel: 44 metaphors for kind and caring people, kind acts and their unkind opposites, with meanings and examples.
- Ideas & Emotions
Metaphors for Being Stuck: 45 Ways to Say You're Going Nowhere
Spinning your wheels, treading water, back to square one: 45 metaphors for being stuck in life, work and decisions, plus phrases for getting unstuck.
- Ideas & Emotions
Metaphors for Bravery: 45 Ways to Describe Courage and Brave People
Lionhearted, nerves of steel, taking the bull by the horns: 45 metaphors for bravery and courage, plus phrases for losing your nerve, famous quotes and a quiz.
- Ideas & Emotions
Metaphors for Boring: 42 Ways to Describe Dull People, Jobs and Days
From a snoozefest to the daily grind and a damp squib: 42 metaphors for boring people, jobs, films and feelings, with meanings, examples and writing tips.
- Time Idioms
Idioms for Waiting a Long Time: 43 Ways to Say It Took Forever
Until the cows come home, a month of Sundays, twiddling your thumbs: 43 idioms for waiting a long time, being patient and finally getting there, with a quiz.
- Nature Similes
38 Sun Similes for Bright Smiles, Hot Days and Golden Sunsets
As bright as the sun, like a ray of sunshine: 38 sun similes with meanings and examples, plus fresh ways to describe sunrise, midday heat and sunset.
- Nature Similes
43 Ocean Similes for Writing About the Sea, Feelings and People
As deep as the ocean, calm as glass, packed like sardines: 43 ocean similes with meanings and examples, plus fresh ways to describe the sea in your writing.
- Ideas & Emotions
Metaphors for Being Trapped (and Breaking Free): 48 Examples
Stuck in a rut or living in a gilded cage? 48 metaphors for feeling trapped in life, work and love, plus ways to describe breaking free.
- Ideas & Emotions
Metaphors for Lying: From a White Lie to a Web of Lies
White lies, webs of lies and snakes in the grass: 48 metaphors for lying, liars and being deceived, with origins, famous quotes and a quiz.
- Ideas & Emotions
Metaphors for Connection: 45 Ways to Describe Human Bonds
Bonds, bridges, sparks and wavelengths: 45 metaphors for human connection, plus phrases for drifting apart, famous quotes and tips for writers.
- Object Metaphors
Shoe Metaphors: Big Shoes to Fill, the Other Shoe Dropping and More
Put yourself in someone's shoes and learn 34 shoe and boot metaphors, from big shoes to fill to giving someone the boot, with origins and a quiz.
- Nature Metaphors
Wind Metaphors for Change, Luck and Empty Talk (43 Examples)
The winds of change, a second wind, hot air: 43 wind metaphors for change, luck and talk, with creative ways to describe the wind and famous quotes.
