Everyone loves a good laugh, especially when it comes from unexpected twists of language. Funny idioms are a perfect example of how humor can sneak into everyday speech, making even the simplest conversations more entertaining.
This blog examines 45+ hilarious idioms that will tickle your funny bone and improve your understanding of weird English expressions.
Whether you’re familiar with “Bite the Bullet” or curious about what “Cold Turkey” means, this listicle has covered you.
Jump in, and you’ll soon be chuckling at the wit behind these idioms!
Funny Idioms You Need to Know
Ready to add some humor to your conversations? These funny idioms are entertaining and reveal the unconventional side of the English language.
Whether you want to impress your friends or enjoy a good laugh, the following idioms are a must-know!
1. Cold Turkey
Meaning: This idiom describes the sudden and complete cessation of a habit, typically one that is difficult to give up, such as smoking or drinking.
The phrase evokes the imagery of something abrupt and unceremonious, much like the shocking texture and appearance of cold turkey.
Example: “He decided to quit smoking cold turkey.”
2. Hold Your Horses
Meaning: This expression tells someone to be patient or to slow down. It dates back to when horse-drawn transportation was common when a command to hold the horses prevented them from rushing forward.
Example: “Hold your horses, I haven’t finished speaking yet.”
3. The Elephant in the Room
Meaning: This idiom refers to a major issue or problem that everyone ignores or avoids, even though it is greatly obvious.
The ‘elephant’ represents something so big that it’s impossible to overlook, yet people choose not to address it.
Example: “Can we address the elephant in the room before it gets worse?”
4. Get Someone’s Goat
Meaning: This phrase means to annoy or provoke someone deliberately. It originates from horse racing, where goats were placed with nervous racehorses to calm them down, and stealing someone’s goat would upset the horse, affecting its performance.
Example: “His constant bragging really gets my goat.”
5. Earworm
Meaning: An earworm is a catchy music that repeatedly plays in your mind long after you’ve heard it.
The term compares to an insect worming its way into your ear, making it hard to remove or forget.
Example: “That song has been stuck in my head for days—it’s a real earworm!”
6. Have (or Get) Your Ducks in a Row
Meaning: This idiom means to organize or ensure that all details are in place before proceeding with a task or project.
It suggests the image of ducks following in a neat line, symbolizing order and preparedness.
Example: “Before the big meeting, make sure you have all your ducks in a row.”
7. Eager Beaver
Meaning: This idiom refers to someone enthusiastic, hardworking, and keen to take on tasks, often more than is necessary.
It plays on beavers’ reputation as industrious animals, constantly building and repairing their dams.
Example: “She’s such an eager beaver, always volunteering for extra work.”
8. Running Around Like a Headless Chicken
Meaning: This phrase describes someone acting desperate and disorganized, trying to accomplish too much at once without a clear plan.
It originates from the literal phenomenon where a chicken can still run around briefly after its head is cut off.
Example: “You’ve been running around like a headless chicken all day—take a moment to breathe.”
9. The Tail Wagging the Dog
Meaning: This idiom describes a situation in which a smaller or less important part of something controls the whole instead of vice versa.
It often implies a reversal of the natural order of things.
Example: “In this company, the marketing department seems to dictate all decisions—it’s a case of the tail wagging the dog.”
10. Turn Turtle
Meaning: This phrase describes the act of flipping over completely, often in the context of vehicles or boats. It evokes the image of a turtle flipped onto its back, struggling to right itself.
Example: “The car skidded on the icy road and turned turtle in the ditch.”
11. Monkey Business
Meaning: This idiom refers to mischievous or deceitful behavior, often playfully or sneakily.
It implies activities that are up to no good, similar to how monkeys are perceived as playful yet troublesome animals.
Example: “The kids were up to some monkey business when they painted the dog blue.”
12. Sacred Cow
Meaning: This phrase describes something or someone considered immune from criticism or questioning, often because of cultural or traditional reverence.
The term originates from the Hindu tradition, where cows are considered sacred.
Example: “In this company, the old methods are treated like sacred cows, even if they’re outdated.”
13. Cock and Bull Story
Meaning: This idiom describes a faked or exaggerated story, often far-fetched or implausible.
The phrase suggests a tale that is as unbelievable as a conversation between a cock and a bull.
Example: “He gave us some cock and bull story about why he was late, but we didn’t buy it.”
14. Bull in a China Shop
Meaning: This expression describes someone clumsy or careless, especially in a delicate or sensitive situation.
It evokes the image of a large bull rampaging through a store filled with fragile china, causing chaos.
Example: “When he started rearranging the decorations, he was like a bull in a china shop.”
15. More Holes than a Swiss Cheese
Meaning: This idiom describes something, often an argument or plan, that is full of flaws and inconsistencies.
The comparison to Swiss cheese, known for its holes, emphasizes the number of issues present.
Example: “Her explanation had more holes than a Swiss cheese, so no one believed her.”
16. Best Thing Since Sliced Bread
Meaning: This phrase is often used humorously to describe something or someone as a great innovation or improvement.
The reference to sliced bread, a widely appreciated invention, implies that what follows is highly valuable or significant.
Example: “They act like their new app is the best thing since sliced bread.”
17. A Hot Potato
Meaning: This idiom refers to a controversial or sensitive issue that people avoid discussing or handling.
Much like a hot potato that is too hot to hold, such issues are quickly passed on or avoided.
Example: “The topic of tax increases is a hot potato that no politician wants to touch.”
18. Couch Potato
Meaning: This phrase describes a lazy person who spends a lot of time sitting or lying down, often in front of the television.
The comparison to a potato emphasizes inactivity and a lack of physical exercise.
Example: “He became a couch potato after retiring, spending his days watching TV.”
19. Beef Up
Meaning: This idiom means to strengthen, make more substantial, or make something more effective. It is often used to increase security, resources, or efforts.
Example: “After the break-in, they decided to beef up security at the office.”
20. Go Bananas
Meaning: This phrase describes someone who becomes excited, angry, or agitated. The expression originates from monkeys’ playful and unpredictable behavior, especially when given bananas.
Example: “The crowd went bananas when the band finally took the stage.”
21. Have a Bone to Pick with Someone
Meaning: This idiom means to have a grievance or dispute that needs to be addressed. It implies that the issue will require a thorough and possibly lengthy discussion.
Example: “I have a bone to pick with you about how you handled that situation.”
22. Take with a Grain (or Pinch) of Salt
Meaning: This idiom advises skepticism, suggesting that what someone has said should not be taken at face value.
The origin lies in ancient antidotes with a small amount of salt, symbolizing caution.
Example: “You should take his promises with a grain of salt—he’s been known to exaggerate.”
23. Pie in the Sky
Meaning: This phrase refers to a promise or hope that is unlikely to come true, often used to describe overly optimistic or unrealistic plans.
The imagery suggests a desert floating in the sky, representing something out of reach.
Example: “His dream of becoming a famous actor is just pie in the sky.”
24. Pot Calling the Kettle Black
Meaning: This idiom points out hypocrisy, where someone criticizes another for a fault that they have.
The phrase originates from old kitchens where pots and kettles would be blackened by soot.
Example: “Accusing me of being messy is the pot calling the kettle black—you’re not exactly tidy yourself!”
25. Everything but the Kitchen Sink
Meaning: This expression describes a situation where almost everything imaginable has been included, often excessively.
The phrase suggests that even the most unnecessary items have been packed or considered.
Example: “She packed everything but the kitchen sink for our weekend trip.”
26. Get up on the Wrong Side of the Bed
Meaning: This idiom describes someone in a bad mood or irritable, often without a clear reason. It implies that the person’s day started poorly when they woke up.
Example: “He’s been grumpy all morning—must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed.”
27. A Wet Blanket
Meaning: This phrase refers to a person who dampens the enthusiasm or excitement of others, much like a wet blanket can extinguish a fire.
It describes someone negative or disapproving of situations where others try to have fun.
Example: “Don’t be such a wet blanket—come join the party!”
28. Pull the Wool over Someone’s Eyes
Meaning: This idiom means to deceive or trick someone, often by covering up the truth. The imagery suggests covering someone’s eyes with wool to obscure their vision and prevent them from seeing clearly.
Example: “He tried to pull the wool over our eyes with his fake story, but we saw through it.”
29. By the Skin of Your Teeth
Meaning: This phrase describes a narrow escape or a situation in which success or survival was barely achieved.
It originates from a biblical reference and suggests that the margin was as thin as the skin on one’s teeth.
Example: “She passed the exam by the skin of her teeth.”
30. Neck and Neck
Meaning: This idiom describes a situation where two or more competitors are very close in a race or competition.
The phrase is often used in elections, sports, or other contests where the outcome is uncertain until the very end.
Example: “The two candidates are running neck and neck in the polls.”
31. Neck of the Woods
Meaning: This idiom refers to a specific area, region, or neighborhood, often the one where someone lives or is familiar with.
It is typically used to inquire about someone’s locality or to refer to a particular part of the country.
Example: “I didn’t expect to see you in this neck of the woods!”
32. Go Belly Up
Meaning: This phrase describes a situation in which something has failed or gone bankrupt. The imagery comes from how fish float belly-up when they die, symbolizing complete failure or collapse.
Example: “The company went belly up after just two years in business.”
33. Armed to the Teeth
Meaning: This idiom means heavily armed or thoroughly prepared for a challenge. It evokes the image of someone fully equipped with weapons or resources, ready to face any situation.
Example: “The security team was armed to the teeth for the event.”
34. Wet Behind the Ears
Meaning: This phrase describes someone inexperienced or naive, often because they are new to a particular situation or job.
The idiom originates from the idea that newborn animals are still wet from birth, symbolizing a lack of maturity.
Example: “He’s still wet behind the ears, but he’s learning quickly.”
35. Burn the Midnight Oil
Meaning: This idiom refers to staying up late into the night to work on something, typically studying or completing a project.
The phrase originates from when oil lamps were used as the primary light source, requiring oil to keep them burning through the night.
Example: “She burned the midnight oil to finish her research paper before the deadline.”
36. Burst at the Seams
Meaning: This phrase describes something that is filled beyond its capacity, whether it’s an overcrowded space or a person overwhelmed with emotion.
The imagery suggests seams that are straining to contain the contents inside.
Example: “The venue was bursting at the seams with excited fans.”
37. Don’t Give Up Your Day Job
Meaning: This idiom is a humorous way to tell someone they are not very good at something and should not pursue it as a career.
It suggests they should stick to their current job instead of trying to make a living from the new activity.
Example: “Your singing is interesting, but don’t give up your day job!”
38. Elvis Has Left the Building
Meaning: This phrase indicates that an event or performance is over and that there is nothing more to see.
It originally referred to the end of an Elvis Presley concert, but it is now used more broadly to signal the conclusion of any event.
Example: “After the final speech, everyone realized that Elvis had left the building.”
39. Fat Chance / Slim Chance
Meaning: Interestingly, both phrases mean the same thing—there is very little likelihood of something happening.
“Fat chance” is often used sarcastically, while “slim chance” is more straightforward, but both imply a low probability.
Example: “Do you think she’ll forgive you? Fat chance!”
40. Thick as Thieves
Meaning: This idiom describes a close relationship between people who are loyal to each other and share secrets.
It suggests that the individuals are as closely bonded as thieves, who must trust each other implicitly.
Example: “Those two have been thick as thieves since childhood.”
41. Bite the Dust
Meaning: This phrase is often used to indicate death or defeat, typically in a somewhat humorous or dismissive way.
The imagery is of someone falling to the ground, as in battle, where they literally or metaphorically bite the dust.
Example: “Another one of our old machines has bitten the dust.”
42. Break the Ice
Meaning: This idiom describes the act of overcoming initial social awkwardness or tension in a situation, typically to make people feel more comfortable and at ease. It often refers to starting a conversation or activity that sets a friendly tone.
Example: “To break the ice at the meeting, she told a funny story about her first day at the company.”
43. Chew the Fat
Meaning: This phrase refers to engaging in a casual, friendly conversation, often for an extended period.
The imagery comes from people leisurely chewing on fat, a tough substance, while chatting.
Example: “We sat on the porch and chewed the fat for hours.”
44. Barking Up the Wrong Tree
Meaning: This idiom means to pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action or to blame the wrong person. It originates from hunting dogs barking at the base of a tree where the prey is no longer present.
Example: “If you think I’m the one who broke the vase, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
45. Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch
Meaning: This phrase advises against assuming something will happen or succeed before it does.
The imagery comes from counting chickens before they have hatched from their eggs, implying premature optimism.
Example: “She was already planning how to spend the prize money, but I told her not to count her chickens before they hatch.”
46. Hit the Nail on the Head
Meaning: This idiom describes saying or doing something exactly right or accurately. It originates from carpentry, where hitting the nail squarely on the head is the most effective way to drive it in.
Example: “You really hit the nail on the head with your analysis of the problem.”
47. Keep Your Eyes Peeled
Meaning: This phrase means to stay alert and watchful, often for something specific. “peeled” suggests keeping your eyelids wide open, ensuring nothing escapes your notice.
Example: “Keep your eyes peeled for the exit sign; it’s easy to miss.”
48. Let the Cat Out of the Bag
Meaning: This idiom means to reveal a secret or disclose information to be kept hidden.
The phrase comes from letting a concealed cat escape from a bag, thus exposing something that was supposed to be hidden.
Example: “She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.”
Final Words
Funny idioms are more than just amusing phrases; they offer a unique glimpse into the playful side of language.
From “Cold Turkey” to “Bite the Dust,” these idioms humor our conversations and enrich our understanding of English expressions.
So, what’s next? Try using these idioms in your daily chats to add a dash of wit and creativity.
And if you’re curious about more quirky phrases, don’t stop here—explore other articles on our site that discuss the world of language and fun!
