American English Idiomatic Expressions in 52 Weeks :
An Easy Way to Understand English Expressions and Improve Speaking


Free American English Online Idiom Lessons





How can English language learners increase fluency and comprehensibility in their spoken English? The ability to communicate accurately and effectively using English idioms is more important than ever in the globalized economy.

English as a Second Language (ESL) students face difficulties learning English idioms. Non-native speakers often find it very difficult to understand the full meaning of English language conversations because, in many cases, these discussions contain a large number of idioms.

Learning idioms is especially challenging because, compared to standard English vocabulary, understanding these expressions is not found by referring to a dictionary. To assist the 2nd language learner in understanding the meaning of idioms, the American English Idiomatic Expressions in 52 Weeks provides English language learners with a systematic and structured week-by-week method in which to understand and acquire American English idioms.

The classification system created was intended to be intuitive, practical and simple for ESL learners by placing idioms into functional and direct categories.

All Idiom Categories

Plan - prepare category idioms: Referring to the process involved in accomplishing an activity
all eggs in one basket all set all's fair in love and war
back to square one back yourself into a corner bag of tricks
bar none bend the rules carry through
come unglued ducks in a row easy as pie
every trick in the book gathering dust have a shot at
hold your horses cross a bridge before one comes to it cut and dried
cut corners cut out dance to a different tune
draw up Dutch treat end in itself
end up fiddle around fine-toothed comb
follow in one’s footsteps (tracks) follow suit follow through
follow up for all for love or money
for the world free hand from hand to hand
from scratch get down to get one’s feet wet
get ready get set get the feel of
get with it hand down hard and fast rule
hard pressed have half a mind have in mind
hit and miss hit the books hold out
hold out for something hold out on hold the fort
hold the line hold up hook up
hop to it hush up hush-hush
in the wind in the works ins and outs
inside out jam on the brakes just so 
just the same just what the doctor ordered keep from
keep house keep one’s eye on the ball keep track of
keep up with the news lay out lay up
line up look into look to
in keeping with make up matter of course
might as well mind one’s P`s and Q`s name of the game
off balance off guard off the cuff
off the top of one’s head on ice on purpose
part and parcel pick out pick up
pipe dream pull the rug out from under put all one’s eggs in one basket
put down put in put in for something
put on put one’s own house in order put the cart before the horse
put up at a hotel shore up red tape
rhyme or reason run through on the safe side
scratch the surface see about see the light of day
set about set back set out
set sail set up setup
shop around shot in the dark show one’s cards
sit up slap together spic and span
spoon feed spruce up square away
stack the cards stand a chance stand by
stand on ceremony start in start the ball rolling
turn out start up stitch in time saves nine (a)
straighten up take steps take the bull by the horns
throw together thrown together touch up
try on try one’s hand up front
warm up wing it work out