List of wise words

Looking for the best Confucius quotes? We’ve compiled a list of top 100 famous Confucius quotes and sayings on life, love, failure, happiness and more.

100 Famous Confucius Quotes

“The man who says he can, and the man who says he can not… Are both correct.”

“Your life is what your thoughts make it.”

“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.”

“The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.”

“The journey with a 1000 miles begins with one step.”

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

“You are what you think.”

“Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.”

“All people are the same; only their habits differ.”

“Learn advidly. Question it repeatedly. Analyze it carefully. Then put what you have learned into practice intelligently.”

“We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.”

“If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.”

“Act with kindness but do not expect gratitude.”

“Worry not that no one knows you; seek to be worth knowing.”

“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”

“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.”

“The essence of knowledge is, having it, to use it.”

“One joy dispels a hundred cares.”

“Anyone can find the switch after the lights are on.”

“When you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.”

“I slept and dreamt life is beauty, I woke and found life is duty.”

“They must often change who would remain constant in happiness and wisdom.”

“Don’t complain about the snow on your neighbor’s roof when your own doorstep is unclean.”

“A lion chased me up a tree, and I greatly enjoyed the view from the top.”

“Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.”

“The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”

“Be strict with yourself but least reproachful of others and complaint is kept afar.”

“Roads were made for journeys not destinations.”

“No matter how busy you make think you are you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.”

“Think of tomorrow, the past can’t be mended.”

“Respect yourself and others will respect you.”

“To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it.”

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”

“By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.”

“Learn as if you were not reaching your goal and as though you were scared of missing it.”

“Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.”

“He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.”

“Those who cannot forgive others break the bridge over which they themselves must pass.”

“Those who know the truth are not equal to those who love it.”

“The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.”

“The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.”

“Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.”

“Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.”

“Study the past if you would define the future.”

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

“Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.”

“Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.”

“The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.”

“If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake.”

“Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.”

“A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”

“To see the right and not to do it is cowardice.”

“Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which they submit by the boredom which they inspire.”

“He who acts with a constant view to his own advantage will be much murmured against.”

“The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.”

“To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage, or of principle.”

“When anger rises, think of the consequences.”

“To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.”

“I want you to be everything that’s you, deep at the center of your being.”

“The object of the superior man is truth.”

“When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.”

“To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.”

“If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.”

“If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?”

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”

“Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.”

“Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.”

“The superior man does not, even for the space of a single meal, act contrary to virtue. In moments of haste, he cleaves to it. In seasons of danger, he cleaves to it.”

“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”

“Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs.”

“When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.”

“If we don’t know life, how can we know death?”

“The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.”

“He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.”

“What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”

“Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?”

“You cannot open a book without learning something.”

“A gentleman would be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.”

“When a person should be spoken with, and you don’t speak with them, you lose them. When a person shouldn’t be spoken with and you speak to them, you waste your breath. The wise do not lose people, nor do they waste their breath.”

“To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.”

“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.”

“Give a bowl of rice to a man and you will feed him for a day. Teach him how to grow his own rice and you will save his life.”

“Study the past, if you would divine the future.”

“It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.”

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”

“Silence is a true friend who never betrays.”

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”

“Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.”

“Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.”

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.”

“The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.”

“He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.”

“If you don’t want to do something, don’t impose on others.”

“It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.”

“The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.”

“The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.”

“Never give a sword to a man who can’t dance.”

“We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.”

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

“When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it – this is knowledge.”

56 Inspirational Motivational Quotes About Success and Life

Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have an amazing ability to change the way we feel about life. This is why I find them so interesting and crucial on our paths to success.

So what’s their secret?

You see, the way you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible for you, determines everything that happens to you.

When you change the quality of your thinking, you change the quality of your life, sometimes instantly. Just as positive words can make someone smile or a well-timed humorous quote can make someone laugh, our thoughts react to the world in real-time.

You have complete control over only one thing in the universe — your thinking – and that’s where motivational quotes come in!

Jump to the quotes you’re looking for now:Inspirational Quotes About Life, Quotes for For Students, Motivational Quotes For Work, Success Quotes or Leadership Quotes

You can decide what you are going to think in any given situation. Your thoughts and feelings determine your actions and determine the results you get. It all starts with your thoughts – and I have found that inspirational words are a quick way to retune your thinking.

Try keeping a few uplifting excerpts or positive proclamations on hand. If you ever notice your energy or your spirit begin to drop, simply recite an inspirational and uplifting quote to quickly boost your mood.

Inspirational Quotes About Life and Success

I’ve compiled a list of some of the best motivational quotes so you can start the year by taking control of your thoughts, thinking positively and setting new goals. I’ve also compiled a free e-book of quotes that you can get by clicking the link.

If you are looking for another way to stay motivated in life, be sure to download my free guide to staying motivated during tough times.

Here are my favorite inspirational quotes about life:

1) “The way get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney

This straight-to-business quote comes from the man who created the happiest place on earth – and a multibillion-dollar empire. Click here to tweet this inspirational quote.

2) “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.” – Winston Churchill

When it comes to success quotes by famous people, Winston Churchill’s inspirational words of wisdom always make the list. Click here to tweet this quote.

3) “Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.” – Will Rogers

Will Rogers was an American actor, cowboy, columnist and social commentator who believed in keeping forward momentum. Click here to tweet this quote.

4) “You learn more from failure than from success. Don’t let it stop you. Failure builds character.” – Unknown

When you replace ‘lose’ with ‘learn’ in your vocabulary, the thought of failure becomes less daunting and lets you focus on growth. Click here to tweet this.

Click the link button below to sign up for my daily quotes email that includes many more of my most popular inspirational quotes, delivered to your inbox daily. It will empower and motivate you to take action, create success, and enjoy life – no matter how tough it gets.

5) “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” – Inspirational Quote by Vince Lombardi

Vince Lombardi was an American football hero who’s uplifting words frequently make it onto Top 10 Inspirational Quotes lists. Click here to tweet this quote.

6) “If you are working on something that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” – Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs truly captured some of the wisdom of life in this statement. Do that which you are passionate about and your work will feel effortless.

7) “People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” – Rob Siltanen

I believe this is one of the best quotes to live by because it reminds me to think without limits and never doubt my wildest thoughts.

8) “Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.” – Og Mandino

There’s a special place in my heart for these inspirational words. They remind me of my unwavering determination to become a motivational speaker.

9) “Entrepreneurs are great at dealing with uncertainty and also very good at minimizing risk. That’s the classic entrepreneur.” – Mohnish Pabrai

This line always puts a smile on my face because it alludes to the excitement of not knowing what to expect but seeing a possible life-changing outcome.

10) “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was one of the top civil rights activists and embraced a spirit of positive thinking and sheer determination.

11) “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Wishing is not enough; we must do.” – Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

This piece of wisdom is one of my favorite quotes for students. It reminds us to apply what we learn and take action toward success, rather than waiting and hoping.

12) “Imagine your life is perfect in every respect; what would it look like?” – Brian Tracy

The exercise mentioned in this excerpt of my personal development philosophy is one of the keys to gaining clarity for what you really want in life. Start with a clear vision of your ideal life and happiness, then work backward to achieve it.

13) “We generate fears while we sit. We overcome them by action.” – Dr. Henry Link

I love this pairing of quotation and image (below). Before we act, our imaginations often run wild, but when we move forward we often find the path ahead far less daunting than the horrifying version we had created in our minds.

14) “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” – Quote by Henry Ford

Truly a quote to live by, the American captain of industry, Henry Ford, made this proclamation while reflecting on his life. He is still one of the wealthiest figures of the modern period. Ford also said, “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”

15) “Security is mostly a superstition. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” – Life Quote by Helen Keller

Helen Keller is the author of this thought-provoking quote about life. I love her adventurous spirit and all or nothing attitude!

16) “The man who has confidence in himself gains the confidence of others.” – Hasidic Proverb

In this powerful Hasidic proverb, we learn an ancient truth that still holds up in modern times. The power of self-confidence is just as strong today as it was a long time ago. You can still change the thoughts of others by changing your thoughts about yourself.

17) “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” – Motivational Quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt

F.D.R. famously alluded to the impact positive thinking can have on the world, stating that our doubts, or our self-limiting beliefs, were the only restraints on the possibilities of the future.

18) “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” – Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein authored this encouraging and uplifting quote. In just five words, he captured the essence of his intellectual philosophy and inspired others to embrace the creative process.

19) “What you lack in talent can be made up with desire, hustle and giving 110% all the time.” – Don Zimmer

Professional baseball player and coach, Don Zimmer dedicated 65 years to the sport. The wisdom he left behind implies that will power and dedication are just as important as ability. Again, alluding to the concept that success is formed in the mind before it is manifested in reality.

20) “Do what you can with all you have, wherever you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt

At number twenty, we have one of the most famous quotes about life by Teddy Roosevelt, who served as President of the United States from 1901 to 1909. A true optimist, he believed in the value of always giving it your all, no matter what you have or where you are.

21) “Develop an ‘Attitude of Gratitude’. Say thank you to everyone you meet for everything they do for you.” – Encouraging Quote by Brian Tracy

22) “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis

23) “To see what is right and not do it is a lack of courage.” – Confucius

24) “Reading is to the mind, as exercise is to the body.” – Brian Tracy

25) “Fake it until you make it! Act as if you had all the confidence you require until it becomes your reality.” – Brian Tracy

26) “The future belongs to the competent. Get good, get better, be the best!” – Success Quote by Brian Tracy

27) “For every reason it’s not possible, there are hundreds of people who have faced the same circumstances and succeeded.” – Jack Canfield

28) “Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out.” – Positive Quote by John Wooden

Related:Sales Quotes to Motivate Your Team to Sell More Effectively in 2019

29) “A room without books is like a body without a soul.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero

Download My Free E-Book of Motivational Quotes to Live By

Click the button below to get my e-book with 15 questions to ask yourself to stay motivated and many more inspirational quotes that will empower and encourage you to take action, create success, and enjoy life.

30) “I think goals should never be easy, they should force you to work, even if they are uncomfortable at the time.” – Michael Phelps

31) “One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals.” – Michelle Obama

32) “Today’s accomplishments were yesterday’s impossibilities.” – Robert H. Schuller

33) “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” – Steve Jobs

34) “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” – Zig Ziglar

35)  “A clear vision, backed by definite plans, gives you a tremendous feeling of confidence and personal power.” – Brian Tracy

36) “There are no limits to what you can accomplish, except the limits you place on your own thinking.” – Brian Tracy

Motivational Quotes for Leaders

My best quotes about business success have been inspired by the world’s best leaders. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, or manager, here are 20 leadership quotes to help motivate yourself to peak performance.

Remember that true leadership is about striving to become better in all areas of life and empowering everyone around you to become the best versions of themselves. Always focus on improving your leadership qualities as well as others around you.

20 Success Quotes for Inspirational Leaders

Here are 20 of my favorite inspirational quotes for business leaders. If you find them to be particularly motivating, please share this post with your friends.

37) “Integrity is the most valuable and respected quality of leadership. Always keep your word.”

38) “Leadership is the ability to get extraordinary achievement from ordinary people”

39) “Leaders set high standards. Refuse to tolerate mediocrity or poor performance”

40) “Clarity is the key to effective leadership. What are your goals?”

41) “The best leaders have a high Consideration Factor. They really care about their people”

42) “Leaders think and talk about the solutions. Followers think and talk about the problems.”

43) “The key responsibility of leadership is to think about the future. No one else can do it for you.”

44) “The effective leader recognizes that they are more dependent on their people than they are on them. Walk softly.”

45) “Leaders never use the word failure. They look upon setbacks as learning experiences.”

46) “Practice Golden Rule Management in everything you do. Manage others the way you would like to be managed.”

47) “Superior leaders are willing to admit a mistake and cut their losses. Be willing to admit that you’ve changed your mind. Don’t persist when the original decision turns out to be a poor one.”

48) “Leaders are anticipatory thinkers. They consider all consequences of their behaviors before they act.”

49) “The true test of leadership is how well you function in a crisis.”

50) “Leaders concentrate single-mindedly on one thing– the most important thing, and they stay at it until it’s complete.”

51) “The three ‘C’s’ of leadership are Consideration, Caring, and Courtesy. Be polite to everyone.”

52) “Respect is the key determinant of high-performance leadership. How much people respect you determines how well they perform.”

53) “Leadership is more who you are than what you do.”

54) “Entrepreneurial leadership requires the ability to move quickly when opportunity presents itself.”

55) “Leaders are innovative, entrepreneurial, and future-oriented. They focus on getting the job done.”

56) “Leaders are never satisfied; they continually strive to be better.”

Thanks for reading my favorite motivational quotes of this year. I wish you a wonderful year and hope you can look to these inspirational words whenever you need a boost so you may confidently crush any challenges or goals that you set for yourself.

Use them to stay motivated as you learn how to write a book,  become a better speaker, or set and achieve every SMART Goal on your path to success. They hold within them one of the greatest keys to success: positive energy!

You can also share your favorites on Facebook or send them to a friend who can use the encouragement.

Would you like more quotes like these? If the answer is “Yes!”click here to sign up for my 30 days of daily quotes by email.

In it, I will empower and encourage you to take action, create success, and enjoy life by using some of my favorite words of wisdom. Read one every day for 30 days or during times of negative thinking to completely change the way you see the world around you.

Be sure to take my new quiz, too, so you can find the quote that inspires you the most!

Share Your Favorite Motivational Quotes in the Comments Below

Please leave a comment with your best inspirational quotes or uplifting words of wisdom – – – I’d love to hear your top picks!

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56 Motivational Inspirational Quotes About Life & Success (2019)

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These inspirational quotes and famous words of wisdom will brighten up your day and make you feel ready to take on anything. Here's to your success!

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Brian Tracy

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Brian Tracy International

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Wisdom is a great source of power. It’s through others’ stories of failure and success that we learn the most. It’s through their experiences of things we have yet to witness that feeds us the knowledge we need to fly high, to build upon what we already know.

Related:A Word to the Un-Wise: 5 Keys to Wisdom and Wealth

There is little in life that a wise mind can’t conquer. And it’s the sage-like guidance that inspires us to make our life that much better.

Here are 19 insightful quotes from people who lived exceptional lives.

1. “Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission.” —Eleanor Roosevelt

2. “You can never plan the future by the past.” —Edmund Burke

3. “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” —Friedrich Nietzsche

4. “Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.” —Dalai Lama

5. “Lost time is never found again.” —Benjamin Franklin

6. “He that respects himself is safe from others.” —Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

7. “Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

8. “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.” —Robert Frost

9. “It is the province of knowledge to speak, and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen.” —Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

10. “Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll never get out of it alive.” —Elbert Hubbard

11. “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” —Nelson Mandela

12. “Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours.” —C. S. Lewis

13. “Singleness of purpose is one of the chief essentials for success in life, no matter what may be one’s aim.” —John D. Rockefeller

14. “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” —Mark Twain

15. “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” —Aristotle

16. “There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still.” —Franklin D. Roosevelt

17. “When a thing is done, it’s done. Don’t look back. Look forward to your next objective.” —George C. Marshall

18. “Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.” —Henry Van Dyke

19. “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” —Abraham Lincoln

Related: Seeking Advice: The Wisest Way to Hit the Next Level of Success

Lydia Sweatt

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Lydia Sweatt is the web producer for SUCCESS.com. She recently earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Arlington and is a Dallas native. She enjoys painting, a hefty taco and discovering new music.

Posted in Motivation, Uncategorized

Commonly used Idioms

Idiom: a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language

Every language has its own collection of wise sayings. They offer advice about how to live and also transmit some underlying ideas, principles and values of a given culture / society. These sayings are called "idioms" - or proverbs if they are longer. These combinations of words have (rarely complete sentences) a "figurative" meaning - they basically work with "pictures".
This list of commonly used idioms and sayings (in everyday conversational English) can help you to speak English by learning English idiomatic expressions. This is a list, which contains exactly 66 of the most commonly used idioms and their meaning.

Smart Idioms

A hot potato

Speak of an issue (mostly current) which many people are talking about and which is usually disputed

A penny for your thoughts

A way of asking what someone is thinking

Actions speak louder than words

People's intentions can be judged better by what they do than what they say.

Add insult to injury

To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an unfavorable situation.

At the drop of a hat

Meaning: without any hesitation; instantly.

Back to the drawing board

When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over.

Ball is in your court

It is up to you to make the next decision or step

Barking up the wrong tree

Looking in the wrong place. Accusing the wrong person

Be glad to see the back of

Be happy when a person leaves.

Beat around the bush

Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue.

Best of both worlds

Meaning: All the advantages.

Best thing since sliced bread

A good invention or innovation. A good idea or plan.

Bite off more than you can chew

To take on a task that is way to big.

Blessing in disguise

Something good that isn't recognized at first.

Burn the midnight oil

To work late into the night, alluding to the time before electric lighting.

Can't judge a book by its cover

Cannot judge something primarily on appearance.

Caught between two stools

When someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives.

Costs an arm and a leg

This idiom is used when something is very expensive.

Cross that bridge when you come to it

Deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary, not before.

Cry over spilt milk

When you complain about a loss from the past.

Curiosity killed the cat

Being Inquisitive can lead you into an unpleasant situation.

Cut corners

When something is done badly to save money.

Cut the mustard [possibly derived from "cut the muster"]

To succeed; to come up to expectations; adequate enough to compete or participate

Devil's Advocate

To present a counter argument

Don't count your chickens before the eggs have hatched

This idiom is used to express "Don't make plans for something that might not happen".

Don't give up the day job

You are not very good at something. You could definitely not do it professionally.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket

Do not put all your resources in one possibility.

Drastic times call for drastic measures

When you are extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions.

Elvis has left the building

The show has come to an end. It's all over.

Every cloud has a silver lining

Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days.

Far cry from

Very different from.

Feel a bit under the weather

Meaning: Feeling slightly ill.

Give the benefit of the doubt

Believe someone's statement, without proof.

Hear it on the grapevine

This idiom means 'to hear rumors' about something or someone.

Hit the nail on the head

Do or say something exactly right

Hit the sack / sheets / hay

To go to bed.

In the heat of the moment

Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment.

It takes two to tango

Actions or communications need more than one person

Jump on the bandwagon

Join a popular trend or activity.

Keep something at bay

Keep something away.

Kill two birds with one stone

This idiom means, to accomplish two different things at the same time.

Last straw

The final problem in a series of problems.

Let sleeping dogs lie

Meaning - do not disturb a situation as it is - since it would result in trouble or complications.

Let the cat out of the bag

To share information that was previously concealed

Make a long story short

Come to the point - leave out details

Method to my madness

An assertion that, despite one's approach seeming random, there actually is structure to it.

Miss the boat

This idiom is used to say that someone missed his or her chance

Not a spark of decency

Meaning: No manners

Not playing with a full deck

Someone who lacks intelligence.

Off one's rocker

Crazy, demented, out of one's mind, in a confused or befuddled state of mind, senile.

On the ball

When someone understands the situation well.

Once in a blue moon

Meaning: Happens very rarely.

Picture paints a thousand words

A visual presentation is far more descriptive than words.

Piece of cake

A job, task or other activity that is easy or simple.

Put wool over other people's eyes

This means to deceive someone into thinking well of them.

See eye to eye

This idiom is used to say that two (or more people) agree on something.

Sit on the fence

This is used when someone does not want to choose or make a decision.

Speak of the devil!

This expression is used when the person you have just been talking about arrives.

Steal someone's thunder

To take the credit for something someone else did.

Take with a grain of salt

This means not to take what someone says too seriously.

Taste of your own medicine

Means that something happens to you, or is done to you, that you have done to someone else

To hear something straight from the horse's mouth

To hear something from the authoritative source.

Whole nine yards

Everything. All of it.

Wouldn't be caught dead

Would never like to do something

Your guess is as good as mine

To have no idea, do not know the answer to a question

Although it is difficult to draw a clear line, "an 'idiom' can not be defined as a synonym for aphorism. It is more than that. To be an idiom, a word or phrase must be distinctive to a specific language and have a meaning that is not obvious from the common meaning of the words employed. For example: "raining cats and dogs", "hangover", "jonesing" [drug withdrawal symptoms]. "You're pulling my leg" is an English idiom for "teasing", while "You're winding my clock" is an English translation of a German idiom that means the same thing. Note that in both cases, the meaning is transferred by the culture, not the words themselves." [Author:Robert Hard]

Download

Download these English idioms as a PDF Commonly used Idioms (approximately 600 KB).