I grew up in a home where passing the peas without passing a pun was basically illegal. So when someone casually says they “kicked the bucket” or “spilled the beans,” my brain does what it always does: it pictures the literal scene, and then it refuses to be quiet about it.
Below are 25 gloriously bizarre English idioms, what we mean by them, and what they’d look like if taken at face value. Consider this a guided tour of the English language’s most confusing little souvenir shop.
25 idioms, literally
- Kick the bucket
What it means: To die.
Literal meaning: You have a strong opinion about household pails and you express it with your foot.
Origin (quick bite): One theory links bucket to an older sense meaning a beam or yoke used in slaughtering. The history is disputed, which feels on-brand for a phrase this dramatic. - Bite the bullet
What it means: To face something unpleasant with courage.
Literal meaning: Dentistry meets ammunition. Chew carefully.
Origin (quick bite): Commonly tied to pre-anesthetic surgery and battlefield grit, but clear early written evidence is murky. The popular image may be stronger than the paperwork. - Spill the beans
What it means: To reveal a secret.
Literal meaning: A pantry mishap, followed by a full confession to everyone within earshot.
Origin (quick bite): Often connected to ancient voting stories involving beans, but like many origin tales, it comes with competing versions. - Break the ice
What it means: To ease tension when meeting people.
Literal meaning: You arrive at the party with a tiny hammer and go after the freezer tray.
Origin (quick bite): Likely rooted in the idea of clearing a path through literal ice so things can move again, socially speaking. - Let the cat out of the bag
What it means: To reveal something meant to be hidden.
Literal meaning: You open a bag and release a very confused cat into the room, instantly changing the vibe.
Origin (quick bite): Sometimes tied to market-fraud stories (a cat swapped for something else). The exact trail is messy, like most cat-related events. - Cost an arm and a leg
What it means: To be very expensive.
Literal meaning: The cashier asks for your card and two limbs.
Origin (quick bite): A relatively modern-sounding phrase with no single tidy origin, just a strong commitment to exaggeration. - Hit the nail on the head
What it means: To be exactly right.
Literal meaning: You successfully bonk a nail right on its tiny little forehead. Great aim, questionable ethics.
Origin (quick bite): A straightforward carpentry metaphor that somehow became emotional support for meetings. - Pull someone’s leg
What it means: To tease or joke with someone.
Literal meaning: Practical joke, now with emergency room paperwork.
Origin (quick bite): Theories vary, including old street-trick stories. Nothing like a little uncertainty to keep the prank alive. - Under the weather
What it means: Feeling unwell.
Literal meaning: You are physically located beneath a cloud. The forecast is “flu.”
Origin (quick bite): Often linked to seafaring language, where rough weather could put sailors out of action. - Raining cats and dogs
What it means: Raining very heavily.
Literal meaning: Pet owners look up and immediately reconsider ever complaining about drizzle.
Origin (quick bite): There are several theories. What’s certain is that English chose maximum chaos for “heavy rain.” - Take it with a grain of salt
What it means: Be skeptical.
Literal meaning: You receive information, then season it like fries.
Origin (quick bite): Usually traced to older writing about swallowing dubious claims more easily when “salted.” - The ball is in your court
What it means: It’s your turn to act or decide.
Literal meaning: You look down and realize, yes, there is a tennis ball in your courtroom. Objection sustained.
Origin (quick bite): Sports metaphor, clean and simple. Unlike real sports. - Burn the midnight oil
What it means: Stay up late working.
Literal meaning: You are lighting antique lamps at exactly 12:00 a.m. out of pure commitment to the aesthetic.
Origin (quick bite): A nod to pre-electric lighting, when late-night work literally meant burning oil. - Throw in the towel
What it means: Give up.
Literal meaning: Laundry day becomes a dramatic gesture of defeat.
Origin (quick bite): Borrowed from boxing, where a towel tossed into the ring signals surrender. - Don’t beat around the bush
What it means: Don’t avoid the point.
Literal meaning: Stop whacking shrubbery and just say what you came to say.
Origin (quick bite): Linked to hunting, where beating bushes flushed out game before the main event. - Up the creek without a paddle
What it means: In trouble with no easy solution.
Literal meaning: You are drifting away, gently panicking, and using your hands like sad little oars.
Origin (quick bite): Outdoor mishap imagery. Works in any century, unfortunately. - Hold your horses
What it means: Wait, slow down.
Literal meaning: You are now gripping several horses and nobody gave you a manual.
Origin (quick bite): A reminder from the horse-powered era that “slow down” can be very literal. - Wild goose chase
What it means: A pointless pursuit.
Literal meaning: You sprint after a goose who absolutely did not agree to be part of this activity.
Origin (quick bite): Popularized in English literature. Also popularized by geese, who love wasting your time. - Take the bull by the horns
What it means: Face a challenge directly.
Literal meaning: You choose the most dangerous handle available and commit to it.
Origin (quick bite): A vivid old metaphor. Also a reminder to let trained professionals handle livestock. - Put all your eggs in one basket
What it means: Risk everything on one plan.
Literal meaning: You carry one basket like it’s the stock market, and every step is suspense.
Origin (quick bite): Farm logic that turned into life advice. The hens approve. - On the fence
What it means: Undecided.
Literal meaning: You are perched awkwardly on a fence, making decisions worse, not better.
Origin (quick bite): The image does the work here. Uncomfortable, stuck, and mildly humiliating. - Throw someone under the bus
What it means: Betray someone to save yourself.
Literal meaning: A public transit incident followed by immediate regret and paperwork.
Origin (quick bite): A modern idiom built on a brutal visual. Not subtle, not meant to be. - Cut corners
What it means: Do something cheaply or poorly to save time or money.
Literal meaning: You approach a square object with scissors and start snipping like geometry is optional.
Origin (quick bite): Often tied to taking shorter routes. Metaphorically, you are shaving off quality. - Steal someone’s thunder
What it means: Take attention or credit for someone else’s moment.
Literal meaning: You sneak into the sky and swipe a booming sound effect like a cartoon villain.
Origin (quick bite): Often attributed to a theater anecdote involving John Dennis and stage thunder. Whether every detail is true or not, the phrase absolutely committed to the bit. - Go cold turkey
What it means: Quit something suddenly, especially a habit or addiction.
Literal meaning: You become a turkey with poor circulation and a strict personal policy.
Origin (quick bite): Commonly linked to withdrawal symptoms and “cold, clammy” skin. Not delicious, but memorable.
Why idioms get weird
Idioms are basically language’s hand-me-downs. They started as vivid images in specific places and times, then got passed along until nobody remembered where they came from, but everyone agreed they were useful.
They also survive because they’re fun to say. And because English, when given a choice between “It’s raining heavily” and “It’s raining cats and dogs,” will pick the option that sounds like a medieval pet shop accident.
Also, idioms are regional. An expression that sounds normal in one country can sound like absolute nonsense (or oddly formal) somewhere else.
Using idioms well
- Match the mood. “Kick the bucket” is casual and can sound insensitive. Use it carefully.
- Know your audience. If someone is learning English, idioms can be confusing. When in doubt, explain once and move on.
- Watch the region. Some idioms are more common in US English or UK English, and some land differently depending on who’s listening.
- Don’t stack them. “I’m under the weather so I’ll bite the bullet and burn the midnight oil” is how you summon a language tornado.
If you want more clean, grin-and-groan wordplay, wander through our Funny English guide and keep your pun muscles warmed up.
Quick FAQ
Are these idiom origins 100 percent certain?
Some are well documented, others are best described as “popularly believed” with competing theories. Idioms are old, spoken, and slippery. In other words, they are the perfect retirement plan for certainty.
Why do idioms confuse English learners?
Because the words don’t mean what they say. If you learn “spill” and “beans,” you still won’t predict “accidentally reveal confidential information.”
Where can I find more playful language stuff on Innocent English?
Start with Puns and Jokes if you like groaners, and Trivia if you like learning odd facts you can deploy at dinner for maximum eyebrow-raising.