What this list is for
This collection is meant to be the first set you learn. The idioms here are practical, memorable, and suitable for repeated review before moving deeper into the app.
Focused on common idioms that are useful early on
Each item leads to a detail page with meaning, example, and translation
A good starting point for learners building their first idiom base
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Browse idioms in this list
Open any idiom to view its meaning, example, and translation.
耳に挟む
みみにはさむ
to happen to hear something
目から鱗が落ちる
めからうろこがおちる
to have one’s eyes opened
口が重い
くちがおもい
to be reserved and not talkative
手を焼く
てをやく
to have trouble dealing with something
足が出る
あしがでる
to go over budget
鼻が高い
はながたかい
to be proud
腹を割る
はらをわる
to speak frankly and openly
肩を持つ
かたをもつ
to take someone’s side
頭が下がる
あたまがさがる
to be deeply impressed and respectful
顔が広い
かおがひろい
to have a wide network of contacts
気が置けない
きがおけない
to feel at ease with someone
舌を巻く
したをまく
to be amazed and impressed
骨が折れる
ほねがおれる
to be very demanding and exhausting
油を売る
あぶらをうる
to loaf around and waste time
水を差す
みずをさす
to spoil the mood
釘を刺す
くぎをさす
to warn someone firmly in advance
猫をかぶる
ねこをかぶる
to put on an innocent act
猿も木から落ちる
さるもきからおちる
even experts make mistakes
気が散る
きがちる
to get distracted
虫が好かない
むしがすかない
to instinctively dislike someone