Language helps us share ideas, ask questions, and connect with others. Sometimes, people use special phrases called idioms. These don’t always mean exactly what the words say. Idioms often make speaking more interesting and fun. When we understand them, we can better follow what others are saying.
Some idioms are used when talking about speech, writing, or understanding words. These are called idioms for language. They help describe how people talk or how clear something is. In this article, we’ll learn a few of these idioms, what they mean, and how to use them.
Idioms for Language
1. Speak your mind
Meaning: Say what you really think
Sample Sentences: She always speaks her mind, even if others don’t agree. / He spoke his mind about the school lunch.
Other Way to Say: Say what you think / Tell the truth
2. Bite your tongue
Meaning: Stop yourself from saying something
Sample Sentences: I wanted to say something, but I bit my tongue. / He bit his tongue to keep from being rude.
Other Way to Say: Stay quiet / Hold back words
3. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: Tell a secret
Sample Sentences: She let the cat out of the bag about the birthday party. / He let the cat out of the bag by mistake.
Other Way to Say: Spill the secret / Tell the news early
4. Get a word in edgewise
Meaning: Try to talk when others are talking a lot
Sample Sentences: I couldn’t get a word in edgewise at dinner. / Everyone was talking so much that I couldn’t say anything.
Other Way to Say: Couldn’t speak / No room to talk
5. Actions speak louder than words
Meaning: What you do is more important than what you say
Sample Sentences: He says he’ll help, but never does. Actions speak louder than words. / She showed she cared by helping, not just talking.
Other Way to Say: Show, don’t tell / Do more, talk less
6. Talk the talk
Meaning: Say the right things
Sample Sentences: He talks the talk about kindness. / She talks the talk but doesn’t always act.
Other Way to Say: Speak well / Say nice things
7. Walk the walk
Meaning: Do what you say
Sample Sentences: He walks the walk by being honest every day. / She walks the walk and always helps others.
Other Way to Say: Act right / Follow your words
8. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: Say something exactly right
Sample Sentences: He hit the nail on the head with his answer. / She hit the nail on the head when she guessed the reason.
Other Way to Say: Exactly right / Spot on
9. Read between the lines
Meaning: Find the hidden meaning
Sample Sentences: I read between the lines and knew she was sad. / You have to read between the lines to understand.
Other Way to Say: Understand more / Look deeper
10. On the tip of my tongue
Meaning: You know the word but can’t remember it
Sample Sentences: His name is on the tip of my tongue. / I know it, but it’s just on the tip of my tongue.
Other Way to Say: Almost remembered / Can’t quite say it
11. Talk a mile a minute
Meaning: Talk very fast
Sample Sentences: She talks a mile a minute when excited. / He was talking a mile a minute about his new video game.
Other Way to Say: Talk fast / Speak quickly
12. Speak of the devil
Meaning: Talk about someone, and they appear
Sample Sentences: We were just talking about you speak of the devil! / Speak of the devil, here he comes!
Other Way to Say: There they are! / Just mentioned you
13. Cat got your tongue?
Meaning: Why aren’t you speaking?
Sample Sentences: You’re so quiet cat got your tongue? / He was silent all dinner, like the cat got his tongue.
Other Way to Say: Why so quiet? / Not talking?
14. Talk someone’s ear off
Meaning: Talk a lot to someone
Sample Sentences: She talked my ear off about her new pet. / He’ll talk your ear off about his baseball cards.
Other Way to Say: Talk nonstop / Chatter away
15. Heard it through the grapevine
Meaning: Heard gossip or news
Sample Sentences: I heard it through the grapevine that we’re having a pop quiz. / She heard through the grapevine about the school play.
Other Way to Say: Heard a rumor / Someone told me
16. Break the silence
Meaning: Start talking after a quiet time
Sample Sentences: He broke the silence with a funny joke. / I didn’t know what to say, but I broke the silence first.
Other Way to Say: Speak first / Start the talk
17. Talk back
Meaning: Reply rudely
Sample Sentences: Don’t talk back to your teacher. / He got in trouble for talking back.
Other Way to Say: Be rude / Speak badly
18. Have a way with words
Meaning: Be good at speaking or writing
Sample Sentences: She has a way with words and writes great poems. / He has a way with words when giving speeches.
Other Way to Say: Speak well / Good at writing
19. Lost for words
Meaning: Don’t know what to say
Sample Sentences: I was lost for words when I saw my gift. / She was lost for words when she won the prize.
Other Way to Say: Speechless / So surprised
20. Speak in riddles
Meaning: Talk in a confusing way
Sample Sentences: He always speaks in riddles it’s hard to know what he means. / She spoke in riddles, and we were puzzled.
Other Way to Say: Talk unclearly / Confuse people
21. Say it loud and clear
Meaning: Speak so it’s easy to understand
Sample Sentences: Say your answer loud and clear. / He told us loud and clear to sit down.
Other Way to Say: Speak clearly / Easy to hear
22. Talk in circles
Meaning: Talk without getting to the point
Sample Sentences: He talked in circles and never answered. / We kept talking in circles during our group work.
Other Way to Say: Go nowhere / Not clear
23. Speak the same language
Meaning: Understand each other easily
Sample Sentences: My friend and I speak the same language about books. / They speak the same language when it comes to games.
Other Way to Say: Get along well / Think the same
24. Keep it under your hat
Meaning: Keep it a secret
Sample Sentences: Keep it under your hat we’re planning a surprise. / He said to keep it under your hat until next week.
Other Way to Say: Don’t tell / It’s a secret
25. Say a mouthful
Meaning: Say something important or honest
Sample Sentences: You said a mouthful when you talked about teamwork. / She really said a mouthful about friendship.
Other Way to Say: Spoke the truth / Said a lot
26. Get straight to the point
Meaning: Say what you mean right away
Sample Sentences: He got straight to the point and asked for help. / Let’s get straight to the point about the project.
Other Way to Say: Be direct / Don’t waste time
27. Have the gift of gab
Meaning: Talk easily and well
Sample Sentences: My uncle has the gift of gab and loves chatting. / She has the gift of gab and always makes friends.
Other Way to Say: Good talker / Very friendly
28. Talk in code
Meaning: Use secret or hidden language
Sample Sentences: They talked in code so no one else would understand. / The message was written in code.
Other Way to Say: Secret words / Hidden message
29. Speak volumes
Meaning: Show meaning without saying much
Sample Sentences: Her smile spoke volumes. / His silence spoke volumes.
Other Way to Say: Say a lot / Show your feelings
30. Spread the word
Meaning: Tell others about something
Sample Sentences: Spread the word about the bake sale. / We spread the word about our school event.
Other Way to Say: Tell people / Share the news
31. Spill the beans
Meaning: Tell a secret
Sample Sentences: Don’t spill the beans about the surprise. / He spilled the beans too early.
Other Way to Say: Tell the secret / Give it away
32. Voice your opinion
Meaning: Say what you believe
Sample Sentences: You should voice your opinion during class. / She voiced her opinion about the rule change.
Other Way to Say: Speak up / Share your thoughts
33. Keep your voice down
Meaning: Speak quietly
Sample Sentences: Please keep your voice down in the library. / He had to keep his voice down during the test.
Other Way to Say: Speak softer / Don’t be loud
34. Crossed wires
Meaning: Misunderstood someone
Sample Sentences: We had crossed wires and went to different places. / They crossed wires about who was bringing snacks.
Other Way to Say: Misunderstood / Got mixed up
35. Say it with a smile
Meaning: Speak kindly
Sample Sentences: Say it with a smile, even if you’re upset. / He told the truth but said it with a smile.
Other Way to Say: Be kind / Use nice words
36. In plain English
Meaning: Say something in a simple way
Sample Sentences: Tell me in plain English what does this mean? / He explained it in plain English so we all got it.
Other Way to Say: Make it simple / Use easy words
37. Zip your lips
Meaning: Be quiet
Sample Sentences: Zip your lips during the test. / The teacher told us to zip our lips.
Other Way to Say: Stay quiet / Don’t talk
38. Talk sense
Meaning: Say something smart or helpful
Sample Sentences: Now you’re talking sense. / She finally talked sense about the plan.
Other Way to Say: Be smart / Make good points
39. Speak up
Meaning: Talk louder or say what you think
Sample Sentences: Speak up so we can hear you. / She spoke up about the problem.
Other Way to Say: Talk louder / Share your idea
40. Say the word
Meaning: Ask, and it will be done
Sample Sentences: Just say the word, and I’ll help you. / Say the word, and we’ll start.
Other Way to Say: Just ask / Tell me when
41. Get the message
Meaning: Understand what someone means
Sample Sentences: I got the message she was mad. / He gave me a look, and I got the message.
Other Way to Say: Understand / Got the hint
42. Put it in writing
Meaning: Write it down
Sample Sentences: Put it in writing so we remember. / The rules were put in writing for everyone.
Other Way to Say: Write it down / Put on paper
43. Talk shop
Meaning: Talk about work or a job
Sample Sentences: My parents always talk shop at dinner. / They talked shop about school projects.
Other Way to Say: Talk work / Job talk
44. Speak too soon
Meaning: Say something before knowing the full story
Sample Sentences: I said the game was easy, but I spoke too soon. / She spoke too soon about the ending.
Other Way to Say: Said it early / Wrong guess
45. Say it again
Meaning: Repeat what you said
Sample Sentences: Can you say it again? I didn’t hear. / The teacher asked me to say it again louder.
Other Way to Say: Repeat / Tell again
46. Off the record
Meaning: Something not meant to be shared
Sample Sentences: Off the record, the trip might be canceled. / She told me off the record.
Other Way to Say: Not official / Just between us
47. Word travels fast
Meaning: News spreads quickly
Sample Sentences: Word travels fast in our school. / I heard it already word travels fast.
Other Way to Say: Everyone finds out / News spreads
48. Say your piece
Meaning: Share your thoughts
Sample Sentences: Go ahead and say your piece. / She said her piece and sat down.
Other Way to Say: Speak your mind / Tell your view
49. Tongue-tied
Meaning: Can’t speak because you’re shy or nervous
Sample Sentences: I got tongue-tied on stage. / He was tongue-tied when the teacher asked him a question.
Other Way to Say: Too shy to talk / Stuck for words
50. Talk behind someone’s back
Meaning: Say bad things about someone when they’re not there
Sample Sentences: Don’t talk behind his back. / She felt hurt because they talked behind her back.
Other Way to Say: Gossip / Say mean things
51. Say it like it is
Meaning: Be honest
Sample Sentences: He says it like it is, even if it’s hard. / She always says it like it is.
Other Way to Say: Be real / Tell the truth
52. Call someone out
Meaning: Point out when someone does something wrong
Sample Sentences: He called me out for not cleaning up. / She called him out for being mean.
Other Way to Say: Point it out / Say what they did
53. A slip of the tongue
Meaning: Say something by mistake
Sample Sentences: I didn’t mean to say that it was a slip of the tongue. / Her joke was a slip of the tongue.
Other Way to Say: Spoke by mistake / Accident
54. Say the magic word
Meaning: Use polite words like “please”
Sample Sentences: Say the magic word if you want candy. / He said the magic word and got a cookie.
Other Way to Say: Say “please” / Be polite
55. Talk it over
Meaning: Discuss something before deciding
Sample Sentences: Let’s talk it over before we pick. / We talked it over and chose the red one.
Other Way to Say: Discuss / Chat about it
Multiple Choice Quiz: Idioms for Language
1. What does “bite your tongue” mean?
A. Talk really fast
B. Stop yourself from saying something
C. Eat something spicy
2. What does it mean if something is “in a nutshell”?
A. Hidden in a shell
B. Said in a long way
C. Said in a short and simple way
3. If someone says “I’m at a loss for words,” what do they mean?
A. They forgot how to read
B. They don’t know what to say
C. They want to write a book
4. What does “talk someone’s ear off” mean?
A. Talk a lot to someone
B. Whisper softly
C. Yell loudly
5. If you “read between the lines,” what are you doing?
A. Skipping words
B. Guessing what’s not said
C. Reading out loud
6. What does “get something off your chest” mean?
A. Tell the truth about something bothering you
B. Take off your shirt
C. Get rid of a cold
7. If you “talk in circles,” what are you doing?
A. Walking in a circle while talking
B. Repeating the same point without giving a clear answer
C. Talking in math class
8. What does “speak your mind” mean?
A. Say what you think
B. Speak like a robot
C. Say a poem from memory
9. What does “heard it through the grapevine” mean?
A. Listened to a song
B. Found out by reading the news
C. Found out something through other people talking
10. If someone is “tongue-tied,” what does that mean?
A. Their tongue is tied in a knot
B. They can’t speak clearly because they’re nervous
C. They are chewing gum
11. What does “say the magic word” usually mean?
A. Say a spell like a wizard
B. Say “please” or “thank you”
C. Sing a song loudly
12. What does it mean to “spill the beans”?
A. Drop a can of beans
B. Ruin dinner
C. Share a secret
Answer Key
- B. Stop yourself from saying something
- C. Said in a short and simple way
- B. They don’t know what to say
- A. Talk a lot to someone
- B. Guessing what’s not said
- A. Tell the truth about something bothering you
- B. Repeating the same point without giving a clear answer
- A. Say what you think
- C. Found out something through other people talking
- B. They can’t speak clearly because they’re nervous
- B. Say ‘please’ or ‘thank you’
- C. Share a secret
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Love Idiom Master!
You really know your idioms! Great job understanding language in a fun way. - 8–11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding love Idioms.
You’re doing great. Just a few more to review. - 4–7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there!
Keep practicing. These phrases will make more sense with time. - 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore the world of love Idioms together.
That’s okay! Idioms can be tricky. Now you know what to focus on.
Conclusion
Understanding idioms about language helps us speak and listen better. These expressions can make conversations clearer, more fun, or more honest. By learning what they mean, we also learn how people think and feel when they talk.
Now that you’ve read through the examples and tried the quiz, you can start noticing these idioms in books, shows, or even when your friends talk. The more you practice, the more natural they will feel.
