Idioms For Expressions: You Should Know (With Examples)

Language is more than just words — it’s about expression, emotion, and connection. One of the most colorful and engaging ways we express ourselves is through idioms. These are phrases that don’t always make sense literally but carry a deeper, commonly understood meaning.

When it comes to idioms for expressions — especially those describing facial expressions, emotions, or reactions — they add vivid imagery and cultural richness to our communication.

Whether you’re a language learner, writer, or just someone who loves playful and powerful phrases, this list of idioms related to expressions will help you better understand and use English in an authentic, expressive way. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

Definition of Home Idioms and Expressions

Idioms are phrases or expressions whose meanings cannot be understood from the literal meanings of the individual words. They carry a figurative meaning that is culturally specific.

Expressions, in this context, refer to commonly used phrases that might not be strictly idiomatic but are widely used when discussing the concept of ‘home.’ Understanding these idioms and expressions is essential for comprehending spoken and written English, especially in informal settings.

Home idioms and expressions specifically relate to dwellings, family life, comfort, and belonging. They are frequently used to describe feelings about one’s living space, relationships with family members, or the sense of security and comfort associated with being home.

These expressions often convey emotional nuances that are difficult to express literally.

Classification of Home Idioms

Home idioms can be classified based on their thematic focus:

Dwelling-related: Focuses on the physical structure or condition of a house.
Family-related: Centers on family relationships and dynamics.
Comfort-related: Emphasizes feelings of security, relaxation, and well-being.
Belonging-related: Reflects the sense of belonging and connection to a place or community.

Function of Home Idioms

The primary function of home idioms is to add depth and color to communication. They allow speakers and writers to:

Express emotions and feelings more vividly.
Convey cultural understanding and shared experiences.
Create a sense of familiarity and connection with the audience.
Add humor and interest to conversations.

Contexts for Using Home Idioms

Home idioms are commonly used in various contexts, including:

Casual conversations: Talking about one’s home, family, or personal experiences.
Literature and storytelling: Creating vivid imagery and emotional depth.
Movies and TV shows: Reflecting realistic dialogue and cultural nuances.
News and media: Reporting on housing, family issues, and social trends.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of home idioms can vary, but they often follow common patterns. Understanding these patterns can help you recognize and interpret idioms more easily.

Many idioms consist of a combination of nouns, verbs, adjectives, and prepositions. The meaning of the idiom is derived from the combination of these elements rather than their individual definitions.

Noun Phrases in Home Idioms

Many home idioms include noun phrases that refer to specific parts of a house, family members, or feelings associated with home. These noun phrases often carry symbolic meanings within the idiom.

For example, in the idiom “a roof over one’s head,” the noun phrase “roof over one’s head” symbolizes basic shelter and security.

Verb Phrases in Home Idioms

Verb phrases in home idioms often describe actions or states of being related to home life or family interactions. These verb phrases can convey emotions, relationships, or the condition of a house.

For example, in the idiom “make oneself at home,” the verb phrase “make oneself at home” means to relax and feel comfortable in someone else’s house.

Prepositional Phrases in Home Idioms

Prepositional phrases in home idioms often indicate location, direction, or relationships related to home and family. These phrases add context and nuance to the idiom’s meaning.

For example, in the idiom “feel at home,” the prepositional phrase “at home” indicates a sense of comfort and belonging in a particular place.

Examples of Idioms for Expressions

Here are some examples of home idioms and expressions, categorized by their thematic focus. Each table includes a variety of idioms with their meanings and example sentences to illustrate their usage.

Dwelling-Related Idioms Examples

The following table provides examples of dwelling-related idioms, their meanings, and example sentences to illustrate their usage. These idioms often describe the condition, size, or overall atmosphere of a home.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
A roof over one’s head	Having a place to live, basic shelter	Even though he was struggling financially, he always made sure his family had a roof over their heads.
Bring the house down	To cause a great reaction of laughter or applause	The comedian’s jokes were so funny that he brought the house down.
Clean house	To get rid of unwanted or undesirable things or people	After the scandal, the company decided to clean house and replace several executives.
Get one’s house in order	To organize or improve one’s affairs	Before applying for the loan, he needed to get his house in order and improve his credit score.
Hit the roof	To become very angry	My dad hit the roof when he saw the dent in his new car.
Home is where the heart is	Your true home is wherever you feel most comfortable and loved	They moved to a new city, but they knew that home is where the heart is, so they focused on building new connections.
Like a house on fire	Very quickly and enthusiastically	They got along like a house on fire from the moment they met.
Make a house a home	To make a place feel comfortable and welcoming	She decorated the apartment with personal touches to make it a house a home.
On the house	Free, provided by the establishment	The restaurant comped our meal; the drinks were on the house because of the long wait.
Pack the house	To fill a venue with people	The band’s performance was so popular that they packed the house every night.
A home away from home	A place where you feel as comfortable as you do in your own home.	For many students, the university library becomes a home away from home during exam season.
Behind closed doors	In private or secretly.	The negotiations were conducted behind closed doors to maintain confidentiality.
Bring home the bacon	To earn a living or to be successful.	She works long hours to bring home the bacon for her family.
Drive home	To emphasize or make something clear.	The speaker used several examples to drive home the importance of education.
Eat someone out of house and home	To eat a lot of someone’s food, costing them a lot of money.	With five growing boys, she felt like they were eating her out of house and home.
Get on like a house on fire	To quickly become good friends.	They got on like a house on fire and spent the whole evening chatting.
Home truth	A true but unpleasant fact about yourself.	He had to face some home truths about his behavior when he reviewed his performance.
Home stretch	The final part of something.	We’re on the home stretch now; just a few more weeks until the project is complete.
Nothing to write home about	Not special or exciting.	The movie was entertaining, but nothing to write home about.
Safe as houses	Very safe and secure.	Investing in government bonds is generally considered safe as houses.
Settle down	To start living a stable life, often in one place.	After years of traveling, they decided to settle down and buy a house.
Slam the door in someone’s face	To reject someone or something abruptly.	She slammed the door in his face when he tried to apologize.
Through the roof	Extremely high or excessive.	The price of gasoline has gone through the roof lately.
When the cat’s away, the mice will play	People will take advantage of the absence of authority.	When the cat’s away, the mice will play; the employees were much less productive when the boss was on vacation.
Home sweet home	A phrase expressing joy at returning to one’s home.	After a long journey, it’s always good to be back home sweet home.
Make yourself at home	To feel comfortable and relaxed in someone else’s home.	“Come in, make yourself at home,” she said, welcoming her guests.
There’s no place like home	A phrase expressing the comfort and security of one’s own home.	Despite traveling the world, she always felt that there’s no place like home.

Family-Related Idioms Examples

The following table provides examples of family-related idioms, their meanings, and example sentences to illustrate their usage. These idioms often describe the quality of family bonds, the roles of family members, or common family experiences.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
Like father, like son	Sons tend to resemble their fathers in character or behavior	He’s a talented musician, like father, like son.
Run in the family	A trait or characteristic that is common among family members	A love for cooking seems to run in the family; everyone is a great chef.
Tie the knot	To get married	They decided to tie the knot after dating for five years.
Wear the trousers (in the family)	To be the dominant or controlling partner in a relationship	Everyone knows she wears the trousers in their family.
Blood is thicker than water	Family relationships are stronger than relationships with others	Despite their disagreements, they knew that blood is thicker than water and would always support each other.
Fly the nest	To leave home to live independently	All her children have flown the nest and are living in different cities.
Keep it in the family	To keep something private or within the family	We decided to keep it in the family and not involve the police.
Mother hen	Someone who is very protective and nurturing	She’s such a mother hen, always worrying about everyone.
Rule the roost	To be in charge or control things	The CEO rules the roost in the company, making all the important decisions.
Spoil the child	To give a child too much attention and affection, leading to bad behavior	They spoil the child with too many toys and treats.
Chip off the old block	Someone who is similar to their parent in character or behavior.	He’s a real chip off the old block; he’s just as stubborn as his father.
Like two peas in a pod	Very similar or close to each other.	They’re like two peas in a pod; they do everything together.
Apple of one’s eye	Someone who is cherished above all others.	His granddaughter is the apple of his eye.
Follow in someone’s footsteps	To do the same job or activity as someone else, especially a family member.	She decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a doctor.
Wear the pants in the family	To be the dominant person in a relationship.	Everyone knows she wears the pants in the family; she makes all the important decisions.
A family man	A man who is devoted to his family.	He’s a real family man; he always puts his wife and kids first.
A skeleton in the closet	A shameful secret from the past.	The politician had a skeleton in the closet that threatened to ruin his career.
Birds of a feather flock together	People who are similar tend to associate with each other.	Birds of a feather flock together; that’s why all the athletes hang out with each other.
From the same cloth	Having similar qualities or characteristics.	They’re from the same cloth; they both have a strong work ethic.
Keep up with the Joneses	To try to match the possessions and lifestyle of one’s neighbors.	They’re always trying to keep up with the Joneses; they just bought a new car to impress their neighbors.
Old habits die hard	It’s difficult to change established patterns of behavior.	He’s been smoking for years; old habits die hard.
One bad apple spoils the barrel	One negative influence can ruin a whole group.	We need to remove him from the team; one bad apple spoils the barrel.
Like talking to a brick wall	Trying to communicate with someone who doesn’t listen or respond.	Arguing with him is like talking to a brick wall; he never changes his mind.
Put down roots	To settle down and establish oneself in a place.	After traveling for years, they decided to put down roots in a small town.
Spitting image	Someone who looks exactly like another person, often a relative.	She’s the spitting image of her mother when she was younger.
Wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve	To openly show one’s feelings.	He wears his heart on his sleeve, so everyone knows when he’s upset.

Comfort-Related Idioms Examples

The following table provides examples of comfort-related idioms, their meanings, and example sentences to illustrate their usage. These idioms often describe the emotional atmosphere of a home or the sense of well-being that it provides.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
Feel at home	To feel comfortable and relaxed in a place	She made me feel at home as soon as I walked in the door.
Home away from home	A place where you feel comfortable and relaxed	The library became her home away from home during exam season.
Make oneself at home	To relax and feel comfortable in someone else’s house	“Come in, make yourself at home,” she said, welcoming her guests.
There’s no place like home	A phrase expressing the comfort and security of one’s own home	Despite traveling the world, she always felt that there’s no place like home.
Creature comforts	Things that make life more pleasant and comfortable	The hotel offered all the creature comforts, including a spa and gourmet dining.
Home sweet home	A phrase expressing joy at returning to one’s home	After a long journey, it’s always good to be back home sweet home.
Comfort zone	A situation where one feels safe and comfortable	She stepped out of her comfort zone by trying a new hobby.
Nest egg	Savings for the future	They had a nest egg set aside for their retirement.
Snug as a bug in a rug	Very comfortable and cozy	Wrapped in a warm blanket, she felt as snug as a bug in a rug.
At ease	Relaxed and comfortable	He felt at ease in the familiar surroundings of his childhood home.
Bite the bullet	To face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage.	I had to bite the bullet and tell her the truth.
Call it a day	To stop working on something.	After working for ten hours, I decided to call it a day.
Get something off your chest	To express something that has been bothering you.	I needed to get it off my chest and tell him how I felt.
In the lap of luxury	Living in very comfortable and expensive conditions.	They spent their vacation in the lap of luxury at a five-star resort.
Let your hair down	To relax and enjoy yourself.	It’s time to let your hair down and have some fun.
Piece of cake	Something that is very easy.	The exam was a piece of cake; I finished it in half the time.
Take it easy	To relax and avoid stress.	You’ve been working too hard; you need to take it easy.
Under the weather	Feeling unwell.	I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, so I’m staying home.
A couch potato	Someone who spends a lot of time sitting and watching television.	He’s become a bit of a couch potato since he retired.
A hot potato	A controversial or difficult issue.	The issue of immigration is a hot potato in the current political climate.
Every cloud has a silver lining	There is something positive in every negative situation.	Even though she lost her job, she believes that every cloud has a silver lining.
Have a whale of a time	To have a very enjoyable time.	We had a whale of a time at the party last night.
Hit the hay	To go to bed.	I’m exhausted; I’m going to hit the hay.
Once in a blue moon	Very rarely.	We only go to that restaurant once in a blue moon.
Storm in a teacup	A big fuss about something unimportant.	The argument was just a storm in a teacup; they’ll be friends again soon.
The best of both worlds	Having the advantages of two different things at the same time.	Living in the countryside but working in the city gives you the best of both worlds.

Belonging-Related Idioms Examples

The following table provides examples of belonging-related idioms, their meanings, and example sentences to illustrate their usage. These idioms often describe the feeling of being rooted in a particular location or the sense of identity that comes from being part of a community.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
Feel at home	To feel comfortable and accepted in a place	The welcoming atmosphere made her feel at home in the new city.
Put down roots	To settle down and establish oneself in a place	After years of traveling, they decided to put down roots in a small town.
Local color	The unique characteristics of a place or community	The town’s vibrant art scene added to its local color.
Part and parcel	An essential or integral part of something	Stress is part and parcel of being a student.
In one’s element	In a situation where one feels comfortable and skilled	He was in his element when he was surrounded by his friends and family.
Close to home	Personally relevant or affecting	The issue of homelessness is very close to home for many people in the community.
From the old school	Having traditional values or methods	He’s from the old school and believes in hard work and discipline.
Home turf	One’s own territory or area of expertise	The team played much better on their home turf.
In the blood	An innate or natural talent or characteristic	Music is in her blood; she comes from a family of musicians.
A fish out of water	Someone who feels uncomfortable or out of place in a particular situation.	He felt like a fish out of water at the fancy party.
Barking up the wrong tree	Accusing the wrong person or pursuing the wrong course of action.	If you think I stole your wallet, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
Beating around the bush	Avoiding the main topic.	Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think.
Bury the hatchet	To make peace and end a conflict.	It’s time to bury the hatchet and move on.
Call a spade a spade	To speak frankly and honestly.	Let’s call a spade a spade; this project is a disaster.
Cut the mustard	To succeed or meet expectations.	He couldn’t cut the mustard and was fired from his job.
Get your ducks in a row	To organize things properly.	Before we start the project, we need to get our ducks in a row.
Hit the nail on the head	To be exactly right.	You hit the nail on the head with your analysis of the problem.
Jump on the bandwagon	To join a popular trend or activity.	Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon and buying electric cars.
Keep your cards close to your chest	To keep your plans and intentions secret.	She keeps her cards close to her chest, so I don’t know what she’s planning.
Leave no stone unturned	To make every possible effort.	We will leave no stone unturned in our search for the missing child.
Miss the boat	To miss an opportunity.	If you don’t apply now, you’ll miss the boat.
On the same page	Having the same understanding or agreement.	We need to make sure we’re all on the same page before we start the project.
Play your cards right	To act wisely to achieve a desired outcome.	If you play your cards right, you could get a promotion.
See eye to eye	To agree with someone.	We don’t always see eye to eye, but we respect each other’s opinions.
Steal someone’s thunder	To take credit for someone else’s achievement.	He stole her thunder by announcing the news before she could.

Usage Rules for Home Idioms

Using home idioms correctly requires understanding their specific meanings and contexts. Here are some general rules to follow:

Understand the meaning: Make sure you know the exact meaning of the idiom before using it.
Consider the context: Use idioms that are appropriate for the situation and audience.
Use them naturally: Incorporate idioms smoothly into your speech or writing.
Avoid overuse: Using too many idioms can make your language sound unnatural.

Exceptions and Special Cases

Some idioms have variations or exceptions to the general rules. Be aware of these nuances to avoid using idioms incorrectly.

Regional variations: Some idioms may have different meanings or usage in different regions.
Formal vs. informal: Some idioms are more appropriate for informal settings than formal ones.
Literal interpretations: Be careful not to interpret idioms literally, as this can lead to misunderstandings.

Common Mistakes with Home Idioms

Many English learners make common mistakes when using home idioms. Being aware of these errors can help you avoid them.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
I feel like a house.	I feel at home.	“Feel like a house” is a literal translation that doesn’t convey the intended meaning of comfort and belonging.
He is wearing the skirt in the family.	He wears the trousers in the family.	“Wearing the skirt” is not a standard idiom; the correct idiom is “wearing the trousers,” which means being the dominant partner.
They are the apples of my eyes.	They are the apple of my eye.	“Apple of my eye” is singular when referring to a group that one cherishes.
She hit the ceiling when she heard the news.	She hit the roof when she heard the news.	The correct idiom is “hit the roof”, not “hit the ceiling”, to express anger.
The exam was a slice of cake.	The exam was a piece of cake.	The correct idiom is “piece of cake”, not “slice of cake”, to express that something is easy.

Practice Exercises

Test your knowledge of home idioms with these practice exercises. Choose the correct idiom to complete each sentence.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct idiom from the list to complete each sentence.

Question	Answer Choices	Correct Answer
1. After a long trip, it’s good to be back _____.	a) home sweet home, b) home bitter home, c) sweet home	a) home sweet home
2. He _____ when he found out about the surprise party.	a) hit the floor, b) hit the roof, c) hit the wall	b) hit the roof
3. The negotiations were conducted _____.	a) behind open doors, b) behind closed doors, c) in the hallway	b) behind closed doors
4. She works hard to _____ for her family.	a) bring home the salad, b) bring home the bacon, c) bring home the bread	b) bring home the bacon
5. They _____ and became best friends instantly.	a) got on like a house, b) got on like a house on fire, c) got along like a house	b) got on like a house on fire
6. He had to face some _____ about his own behavior.	a) home truths, b) street truths, c) office truths	a) home truths
7. We’re on the _____ now; just a few more steps to go.	a) home run, b) home stretch, c) final road	b) home stretch
8. The movie was good, but _____.	a)	a) nothing to write home about, b) something to call home about, c) something to email home about	a) nothing to write home about

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Choose the best idiom to complete each sentence.

Question	Answer Choices	Correct Answer
1. After years of traveling, they decided to _____ in a quiet town.	a) spread their wings, b) put down roots, c) climb the ladder	b) put down roots
2. She is the _____ of her father; they share the same sense of humor.	a) apple of his eye, b) spitting image, c) chip off the old block	c) chip off the old block
3. He felt like _____ at the formal dinner party.	a) a fish in water, b) a fish out of water, c) a bird in a cage	b) a fish out of water
4. They are so close; they are like _____.	a) two cats in a bag, b) two birds on a wire, c) two peas in a pod	c) two peas in a pod
5. The issue of climate change is a political _____.	a) hot potato, b) sweet potato, c) small potato	a) hot potato
6. She always _____ because she shows her feelings openly.	a) wears her heart on her sleeve, b) hides her heart in a box, c) keeps her heart in her pocket	a) wears her heart on her sleeve
7. He had to _____ and admit that he was wrong.	a) eat his hat, b) eat his words, c) eat his shoes	b) eat his words
8. They decided to _____ and end their long-standing feud.	a) bury the treasure, b) bury the hatchet, c) bury the lead	b) bury the hatchet

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, exploring the origins and cultural significance of home idioms can provide a deeper understanding of their usage and impact.

Historical Origins of Home Idioms

Many home idioms have historical roots that reflect past cultural practices and beliefs. Understanding these origins can provide insight into the idioms’ meanings.

“A roof over one’s head”: This idiom reflects the basic human need for shelter and security.
“Home is where the heart is”: This idiom emphasizes the emotional connection to a place or community.

Cultural Significance of Home Idioms

Home idioms often carry cultural significance, reflecting shared values and experiences within a community. These idioms can provide insight into a culture’s attitudes toward family, comfort, and belonging.

Collectivist cultures: May emphasize family-related idioms that reflect the importance of family bonds and obligations.
Individualistic cultures: May emphasize comfort-related idioms that reflect the importance of personal space and relaxation.

Evolution of Idiom Meanings

The meanings of idioms can evolve over time, reflecting changes in cultural norms and language usage. Tracking these changes can provide a deeper understanding of how language adapts and evolves.

New idioms: New home idioms may emerge to reflect contemporary issues and experiences.
Shifting meanings: Existing idioms may take on new meanings or connotations based on cultural shifts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important to learn home idioms?

Learning home idioms enhances your understanding of English, allowing you to comprehend native speakers more effectively and express yourself more vividly. They add color and depth to your language, making your communication more engaging and nuanced.

How can I improve my understanding of home idioms?

To improve your understanding of home idioms, immerse yourself in English language content, such as books, movies, TV shows, and podcasts. Pay attention to how native speakers use idioms in context and practice using them in your own speech and writing.

Are home idioms the same in all English-speaking countries?

No, home idioms can vary between different English-speaking countries. Some idioms may be more common in certain regions or have slightly different meanings.

It’s essential to be aware of these regional variations to avoid misunderstandings.

How can I avoid making mistakes when using home idioms?

To avoid making mistakes, always double-check the meaning and usage of an idiom before using it. Pay attention to the context and audience, and avoid using idioms that you are not completely familiar with.

Practice using idioms in controlled settings, such as language exchange sessions, to get feedback from native speakers.

Where can I find more resources for learning home idioms?

There are many online resources for learning home idioms, including dictionaries, language learning websites, and online forums. Additionally, you can find idioms in English language textbooks, literature, and media.

Consider using flashcards or other study aids to help you memorize and practice idioms.

Conclusion

Mastering home idioms and expressions is a valuable step in achieving fluency in English. By understanding their definitions, structural breakdowns, usage rules, and common mistakes, you can confidently incorporate these phrases into your vocabulary.

Practice using these idioms in various contexts to enhance your communication skills and connect with native speakers on a deeper level. Continue exploring and learning new idioms to further enrich your understanding of the English language and culture.

Embrace the challenge and enjoy the journey of mastering home idioms!