Express basic needs like hunger and relaxation more naturally by learning everyday English idioms.
13 topics180 words
Appetite13 words
to [have] a sweet toothphraseto be attracted to food that contains a lot of sugar
hollow legnounthe capacity or ability to consume an excessive amount of food or drink, particularly alcoholic ones
the munchiesnounan abrupt and strong desire to eat something
{sb} (can|could) eat a horsesentenceused to say that one is overwhelemed by the sense of hunger and is willing to quench it the first chance one gets
to [make] {one's} mouth waterphraseto make someone tempted to do or try something
{one's} eyes are bigger than {one's} (stomach|belly)sentenceused to describe a greedy person who takes more food than they could possibly finish
to [whet] {one's} appetitephraseto severely increase one's desire for food
to [get] stuck (in|into)phraseto not be able to move from a place or position
{sb} could murder {sth}sentenceused to tell someone that they are eating or drinking too much of something
(as|) full as a tickphraseno longer able to eat due to having a full stomach
to [melt] in {one's} mouthphrase(of food) to be really tasty and require not much chewing
make one's mouth waterphraseto feel excessive and uncontrollable hunger when seeing, smelling, or even thinking of a delicious food or drink
get stuck inphraseto start with much enthusiasm
Drinking & Smoking26 words
to [drown] {one's} sorrowsphraseto become drunk just to forget something upsetting or disturbing
(as|) drunk as a (skunk|fiddler)phraseso intoxicated with alcohol that one starts behaving like a lunatic
(as|) drunk as a lordphrasehaving consumed an excessive amount of alcohol and hence unable to think or act normally
(as|) drunk as a wheelbarrowphraseincapable of acting or thinking like a normal person would, due to having consumed an excessive amount of alcohol
to [drink] like a fishphraseto drink too much of alcoholic drinks on a regular basis
to [go] to {one's} [head]phrase(of praise, success, etc.) to make one feel too proud of oneself and degrade others
here is to {sb/sth}sentenceused before drinking in honor of a person or thing
stone sobernounsomeone who is not in any way affected by chemical substances or alcoholic drinks
to [get] a load onphraseto become extremely drunk
to [give] {sb} a buzzphraseto make someone become so drunk that they have no control over their thoughts or actions whatsoever
to [wet] {one's} whistlephraseto have a glass of something, particularly an alcoholic drink
(as|) high as a kitephraseheavily under the influence of alcoholic drinks or drugs
to [have] one too manyphraseto drink an excessive amout of alcohol and become extremely drunk
on the bottlephraseused to refer to someone who tends to drink an excessive amount of alcohol
hair of the dogphrasean alcoholic drink consumed to cure a headache that comes after excessive drinking
coffin nailnounused to refer to a cigarette, often to highlight the health risks associated with smoking
cancer sticknounused to refer to a cigarette, often due to the well-known health risks associated with smoking
lung dartnounused for referring to a cigarette, often implying the harmful effects of smoking on one's lungs
Dutch couragenounthe strength or confidence that is obtained from drinking an excessive amount of alcoholic drinks
on the wagonphraseused to refer to a priod of time in which one avoids drinking alcoholic drinks
to [hit] the bottlephraseto start drinking an excessive amount of alcohol, particularly on regular basis
one over the eightphraseused to refer to an occasion in which one drinks too much alcoholic drinks and becomes drunk
to [smoke] like a chimneyphraseto smoke a great number of cigarettes
go to one's headphrase(of alcoholic drinks) to make one extremely drunk
give somebody a buzzphraseto make someone become so drunk that they have no control over their thoughts or actions whatsoever
on the rocksphrase(of drinks, particularly alcoholic beverages) with ice cubes in the glass
Food & Hunger18 words
to [burn] {sth} to a (crisp|cinder)phraseto cause significant damage or destruction to something by subjecting it to intense heat or fire
to [eat] like a (horse|pig)phraseto eat an excessive amount of food
to [eat] {sb} out of house and homephraseto eat so much of food available in someone's house so that there is little or none left
to [feed] {one's} facephraseto eat more food than one's body needs or can handle
to [make] a pig of {oneself}phraseto eat to excess
to [put] the (old|) feedbag onphraseto start eating a meal
to [eat|drink] (to|) {one's} fillphraseto eat or drink to the point where one cannot keep eating or drinking anymore
to [eat] like a birdphraseto have a very little desire to eat
to [reach] {one's} nostrilsphrase(of odors or smells) to travel through the air and being detected by someone's sense of smell
to [grab] a bite (to eat|)phraseto quickly make a meal for oneself, often due to a time constraint
cast-iron stomachnounthe ability to eat a wide variety of foods without experiencing digestive problems
square mealnouna meal that is complete and satisfying
to [get] a taste for {sth}phraseto develop a liking or preference for something after experiencing or trying it, often suggesting an increased desire or enjoyment for that particular thing
cup of joephraseused to refer to a cup of coffee
to [sit] (well|right) with {sb/sth}phraseto be compatible with someone or something's stomach
burn something to a crispphrase(of food) to be burned completely, due to being cooked too much or for too long
get a taste for somethingphraseto develop a liking for a particular type of cuisine or dish after trying it
sit well with somebody or somethingphraseto be compatible with someone or something's stomach
Relieving Oneself7 words
to [spend] a pennyphraseto discharge urine from one's body
to [break] windphraseto release gas from one's bowels through one's anus
to [answer|obey] the call of naturephraseto go to a bathroom in order to satisfy one's natural urge by urinating or defecating
to [cut] the cheesephraseto emit wind from one's anus
to [take] a leakphraseto get rid of waste liquid from one's body
to [hold] {one's} waterphraseto resist the urge to pass urine
pit stopnouna short stop in the middle of a trip to refuel, eat some food, use a restroom, or just get some rest
Resting & Relaxing14 words
to [kick] {one's} feet upphraseto lie on a sofa, bed, etc. in order to become less tense or anxious
to [smell] the rosesphraseto take moment to relax and appreciate what life has to offer, particularly when one is feeling overwhelmed
second windnounthe renewal of one's energy or endurance that allows one to continue or start over a physical exertion
to [catch] {one's} breathphraseto put an stop to any activity one was doing in order to take a short break and relax a bit
to [max] and [relax]phraseto give one's best effort in work or activities, followed by taking time to rest
to [recharge] {one's} batteriesphraseto relax and take a rest in order to recover one's lost energy
to [stretch] {one's} legsphraseto go for a walk, particularly after spending a long time sitting in one spot
to [let] {oneself} gophraseto stop caring for one's physical appearance, hygiene, or mental well-being
to [let] {one's} hair downphraseto behave in a comfortable manner, without worrying about one's problems or other people's opinions
to [blow|clear] away the cobwebsphraseto refresh oneself, usually by going outside or doing some physical activities
(ready|fit) to dropphrasefully drained of strength and energy
to [breathe] a sigh of reliefphraseto feel relief or relaxation because a period of worry, stress, or anticipation has passed
catch one's breathphraseto put an stop to any activity one was doing in order to take a short break and relax a bit
let oneself gophraseto behave in a way one desires without worrying about other's opinions
Sleep15 words
to [hit] the sackphraseto rest one's mind and body, with one's eyes closed
to {not} [sleep] a winkphraseto get no sleep
to [sleep] like a (baby|log)phraseto manage to get a full sleep without anyone or anything interrupting
to [toss] and [turn]phraseto constlantly turn over to the sides due to having difficulty sleeping
to [catch|get|cop] some Z'sphraseto manage to get some sleep
forty winksnouna short, light nap or brief sleep taken to rest and regain energy
to [pound] {one's} [ear]phraseto start going to sleep
to [hit] the hayphraseto get in bed for sleeping
early birdnounsomeone who has a tendency to get up early every morning
rise and shinesentenceused to tell someone it is time to get up and get out of bed
night owlnouna person who has a tendency to sleep very late at night
out like a lightphrase(of a person) in a state of deep unconsciousness or sleep, typically due to extreme fatigue
to [sleep] like a logphraseto sleep very deeply
down for the countphrasesleeping so soundly that one cannot be easily awakened
in the land of the livingphraseused to refer to someone who is completely awake and conscious
Fun & Entertainment14 words
to [raise] the roofphraseto make a lot of noise due to loudly cheering, shouting, celebrating, playing music, etc.
(out|) on the townphraseused to refer to the action of visiting multiple restaurants, bars, etc. in an attempt to have a good time
to [push] the boat outphraseto spend much money for parties and celebrations
to [have] the time of {one's} [life]phraseto have a lot of fun and really enjoy oneself
to [kick] up {one's} heelsphraseto experience an enjoyable time, particularly by spending time at parties
to [make] the most (out|) of {sth}phraseto enjoy or use something as much or as often as one can
(just|) for kicksphrasejust for the sake of having a good time
for the hell of itphrasefor no particular reason except for having fun
to [get] a kick out of {sth}phraseto be entertained, delighted, or excited by someone or something
[enjoy] {sth} while it [last]sentenceused to say that one should cherish every moment of something enjoyable as they might never get another chance
to [make] it rainphraseto throw one's money to a stripper in order to attract her attention or to show one's wealth or support
to [shoot] (some|) hoopsphrase(in the game of basketball) to take some shots without taking part in an actual game
in the canphrase(of a movie or video) completed and ready to be released
Elvis has left the buildingsentenceused to inform an audience that the famous person, often a performer like Elvis Presley, has finished their show and left the premises
Smile & Laughter10 words
to [laugh] {one's} [head] offphraseto laugh or scream in great length or with extreme intensity
to [laugh] (until|till) {sb} [cry]phraseto laugh so hard to the point that one's eyes become full of tears
to [laugh] like a drainphraseto laugh really loudly and in length
to [bust] a gutphraseto try one's best to do or achieve something
in stitchesadverb(of laughter) in a very intense and uncontrollable manner
belly laughnouna loud and uncontrollable laughter
to [grin] like a Cheshire catphraseto smile very widely
to [grin|smile] from ear to earphrase(of a person) to look extremely happy and satisfied
million-dollar smilephrasea very charismatic smile that someone, particularly a woman, has
bust a gutphraseto laugh really hard, particularly to the point that one's stomach hurts
Communication16 words
to [be|get|stay] in touchphraseto be in contact with someone, particularly by seeing or writing to them regularly
to [get] hold of {sb}phraseto manage to meet someone in person or contact them on a telephone, through message, etc.
to [drop] {sb} a linephraseto contact a person with a brief message, phone call, or letter
over and outinterjectionsaid in a radio communication to indicate that the conversation is over
to [cross] {one's} [path]phraseto unexpectedly encounter or meet someone or something, often with significant consequences
to [put] {sb} in touch with {sb}phraseto provide someone with the contact information of another person such as their phone number, E-mail, or address
to {not} [see|find] hide nor hair of {sb/sth}phraseto have not seen or heard about a person or thing for a considerable amount of time
to [lose] touchphraseto be no longer in contact with a friend or acquaintance
to [keep|hold] {sb/sth} at arm's (length|distance)phraseto not form a friendly relationship with a person or avoid getting involved with something
to {not} [know|recognize] {sb} from Adamphraseto fail to recognize someone as one has never met them or knows nothing about them
to [touch] base (with|)phraseto make contact with someone in order to exchange information or to consult with them
ships (that|) [pass] in the nightphrasea situation where two people or groups cross paths briefly and then continue on their separate ways without any meaningful interaction or connection
on the linephraseused for saying that someone is waiting or talking on a telephone
on holdphrasewaiting on the phone until the receiver speaks
lose touchphraseto be no longer in contact with a friend or acquaintance
out of touchphrasenot having been in contact with someone and unaware of their current situation
Socializing14 words
to [give] {sb} some skinphraseto slap one's palm against the palm of another person as a way of greeting or congratulating them
to [rub] shoulders with {sb}phraseto have the opportunity to spend time with a famous person, whether professionally or socially
to [chew] the fatphraseto enjoy a friendly talk with a person for a long period of time
to [shoot] the breezephraseto keep talking with a person about no particular subject
to [break] the icephraseto make two or more strangers get comfortable with each other and engage in a conversation
hello strangerinterjectionused for greeting a person whom one has not seen for a significant period of time
small talknounbrief and polite conversation about random subjects, often in a social setting
penny for your thoughtsphraseused as a question when one wants to know what another person has in mind at the moment
(speak|talk) of the devilsentencesaid when one is in the middle of a conversation about a particular person and that person suddenly shows up
not be a strangersentenceused to ask a departing person to keep visiting or communicating with one
to [overstay|outstay] {one's} welcomephrase(particularly of a guest) to stay in someone's house longer than is considered appropriate, often to the point where one is not welcomed anymore
to [wash] {one's} hands of {sb}phraseto compeletly end one's relationship with someone
to [keep] to {oneself}phraseto choose not to communicate or interact with other people
a sight for sore eyesphrasesomeone or something that when seen makes one very pleased
Experiment & Exploration6 words
to [live] out of a suitcasephraseto briefly live in one or several places, without ever unpacking one's luggage, often due to not having a permanent place to live or stay in
itchy feetnouna strong urge to travel or leave somewhere
the call of the wildphrasethe instinctive desire to return to a more primitive, untamed way of life, often associated with the wilderness or natural world
to [hit] the roadphraseto leave a location, usually to embark on a journey or trip
to [test] the watersphraseto examine the chances of something's success before trying it
on the roadphrasein an active state of travel by car, bus, or other form of transportation
Habit & Routine11 words
to [pass] {one's} lipsphrase(of food or drink) to be consumed by someone
to [have] {one's} nose in a bookphraseto be fully concentrated on the book one is reading, particularly with a lot of interest or enthusiasm
business as usualphraseused to refer to a situation in which everything is progressing in a way it should without anything unusual or unexpected happening
(by|from) force of habitphraseused to refer to the act of doing something without thinking about it because one has been doing it for a long time and it has become a habit
up to {one's} (old|) tricksphraseused to refer to a person who is engaging in the same dishonest behavior as they previously demonstrated
creature of habitphraseused to refer to someone who always does the same things in the exact same way they did before
gym ratnouna person who spends a lot of time working out or exercising at the gym
another day, another dollarphraseused when describing one's mundane life, in which nothing new or exciting happens
cat's lickphrasea hasty attempt at cleaning or tidying something that does not effectively solve the problem
pass one's lipsphrase(of food or drink) to be consumed by someone
pass one's lipsphrase(of a particular word or topic) to be said by someone
Leisure & Fun16 words
to [paint] the town (red|)phraseto go out and drink alcohol, dance, or do whatever one pleases
to [ring] out the old (year|)phraseto celebrate the end of the year and prepare for a new year
to [tickle] the ivoriesphraseto play the piano, typically in a skillful or enjoyable manner
to [hit] the airwavesphrase(of music, shows, etc.) begin broadcasting, typically through radio or television
trick or treatsentencesaid by children during Halloween to request candy or other treats from the homeowner
to [wet] the baby's headphraseto celebrate the birth of a baby, particularly by having an alcoholic drink
to [take] the floorphraseto step up to deliver a convincing speech
swishing partynounan event in which people, often women, can swap items of clothing or accessories with their friends or acquaintances
to [have] a blastphraseto have a really good time or enjoy oneself tremendously in a specific activity or event
to [bust] a movephraseto dance, particularly in a nice way
to [tear] up the dance floorphraseto dance energetically or enthusiastically
to [have] a ballphraseto enjoy oneself to a great extent
a whale of timephrasean extremely enjoyable or thrilling time
ring out the old (year)phraseto celebrate the end of the year and prepare for a new year
take the floorphraseto go out onto a dance floor and start dancing
bust a movephraseto dance, particularly in a nice way
Learn all 180 words in this list with spaced repetition
Socializing14 words