35 Idioms for Speaking: Boost Your English Now!

Hey there, language lovers! Have you ever found yourself searching for just the right words, only to feel like your vocabulary is playing hide-and-seek? Or perhaps you've heard a native speaker use a phrase that left you scratching your head, wondering, "What on earth does that mean?" Well, you're in for a treat! Today, we're diving into the wonderful world of idioms – those quirky, colorful phrases that add so much flavor and flair to our conversations.

Idioms are like secret codes that native speakers use all the time. They don't mean what they literally say, which can be a bit tricky, but once you crack the code, you'll unlock a whole new level of understanding and expression. Imagine being able to sprinkle your speech with these vibrant expressions, making your English sound more natural, sophisticated, and, dare we say, utterly brilliant!

In this guide, we've curated a fantastic list of 35 idioms specifically related to speaking. Whether you're trying to describe someone who talks a lot, someone who is very quiet, or someone who speaks their mind, we've got you covered. So, grab a cup of your favorite beverage, get comfy, and let's embark on this exciting linguistic adventure together!

35 Idioms for Speaking: Unlock Your Inner Wordsmith!

Ready to supercharge your speaking skills? Let's explore these amazing idioms that will make your conversations sparkle!

Idioms for Talking a Lot (or Too Much!)

Sometimes, people just can't stop talking! Here are some fun ways to describe those chatty individuals.

1. To talk a blue streak: Imagine talking so fast and so much that you leave a streak behind you! This means to talk very quickly, continuously, and at great length.

   • Example: "My aunt can talk a blue streak; she went on for an hour about her vacation!"

2. To talk someone's ear off: When someone talks so much, it feels like they've literally worn out your ear! This means to bore someone by talking excessively.

   • Example: "I ran into my old neighbor, and he talked my ear off about his new car."

3. To run off at the mouth: This vivid idiom suggests that someone's mouth is running independently, without much thought or control. It means to talk excessively or indiscreetly.

   • Example: "He tends to run off at the mouth when he's nervous, sometimes saying things he shouldn't."

4. To have the gift of the gab: If you have this "gift," you're naturally good at talking, often persuasively or charmingly.

   • Example: "That salesperson really has the gift of the gab; he could sell ice to an Eskimo!"

5. To chew the fat: This one sounds a bit strange, right? It means to chat casually and at length, often about unimportant things.

   • Example: "We spent hours just chewing the fat over coffee."

6. To waffle (on): When someone waffles, they talk or write at length without saying anything important or useful. It's like a waffle – lots of surface area, but not much substance!

   • Example: "The politician just waffled on for twenty minutes without answering the question directly."

7. To ramble on: Similar to waffling, this means to talk or write at length in a confused or inconsequential way.

   • Example: "He tends to ramble on when he's tired, losing his train of thought."

8. To talk a mile a minute: Just like it sounds, this means to talk very, very quickly.

   • Example: "When she gets excited, she talks a mile a minute, and it's hard to keep up!"

Idioms for Being Quiet or Not Speaking

Sometimes, silence truly is golden. Here's how to describe those moments of quiet.

9. To hold your tongue: This means to refrain from speaking, even when you want to say something. It's like physically holding your tongue back!

   • Example: "I wanted to tell him off, but I decided to hold my tongue."

10. To bite your tongue: Similar to holding your tongue, this means to make a conscious effort not to say something that you want to say, often because it would be inappropriate or cause trouble.

    • Example: "I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from correcting her."

11. To keep mum: "Mum" here means silent. So, this means to remain silent or keep quiet about something.

    • Example: "The police asked him to keep mum about the details of the investigation."

12. To be tongue-tied: Ever felt like your tongue was literally tied in knots? This means to be unable to speak clearly or articulately, often due to shyness, embarrassment, or surprise.

    • Example: "When I met my favorite author, I was completely tongue-tied."

13. To lose your voice: While it can mean literally losing your ability to speak due to illness, idiomatically it means to lose your ability or confidence to express yourself.

    • Example: "After the scandal, the community felt they had lost their voice."

14. To clam up: Imagine a clam closing tightly! This means to suddenly stop talking or refuse to talk, often due to fear or anger.

    • Example: "When the police asked him questions, he just clammed up."

15. To button your lip: This is a playful way to tell someone to stop talking or to keep a secret. It's like buttoning up your mouth!

    • Example: "Button your lip, or you'll spoil the surprise!"

Idioms for Speaking Directly or Honestly

Sometimes, you just need to say it like it is!

16. To speak your mind: This means to say what you really think, even if it's unpopular or might offend someone. It's about being direct and honest.
    • Example: "She's not afraid to speak her mind, even in front of her boss."

17. To tell it like it is: Similar to speaking your mind, this means to describe a situation honestly and directly, without sugarcoating anything.

    • Example: "He's a straight shooter; he always tells it like it is."

18. To call a spade a spade: This means to speak plainly and directly, even if it's blunt or unpleasant. It's about not mincing words.

    • Example: "Let's call a spade a spade; the project was a complete failure."

19. To get to the point: This means to stop talking around the issue and start discussing the main topic directly.

    • Example: "Please, just get to the point; I don't have all day."

20. To mince your words: If you don't mince your words, you speak directly. So, to mince your words means to speak indirectly or euphemistically, often to be polite or avoid offending someone.

    • Example: "She didn't mince her words when she told him his work was unacceptable." (Meaning she was very direct).

21. To lay your cards on the table: This idiom comes from card games and means to reveal your intentions, plans, or resources openly and honestly.

    • Example: "Before we make a decision, let's all lay our cards on the table."

Idioms for Speaking Indirectly or Evasively

Not everyone is a straight shooter! Here are idioms for those who beat around the bush.

22. To beat around the bush: This very common idiom means to avoid talking about the main point, often because it's uncomfortable or difficult.
    • Example: "Stop beating around the bush and just tell me what happened!"

23. To talk in circles: When you talk in circles, you repeat yourself or go back to the same point without making progress or reaching a conclusion.

    • Example: "We've been talking in circles for an hour; let's try to find a solution."

24. To hem and haw: This means to hesitate or be indecisive, especially when speaking, often by using sounds like "um" or "ah."

    • Example: "When I asked him about the missing money, he started to hem and haw."

25. To waffle (on): (Yes, it's back!) As mentioned earlier, this also fits here as it implies talking without substance, often to avoid a direct answer.

Idioms for Speaking with Authority or Influence

When your words carry weight, you're using these!

26. To carry weight: When someone's words or opinions carry weight, they are influential and respected.

    • Example: "His advice always carries weight with the team."

27. To have a say: This means to have the right or opportunity to express your opinion or influence a decision.

    • Example: "Everyone on the committee should have a say in the final decision."

28. To hold forth: This means to speak at length, often confidently or dogmatically, about a particular subject.

    • Example: "The professor held forth on the history of ancient civilizations for over an hour."

29. To pontificate: Similar to "hold forth," this means to express your opinions in a pompous or dogmatic way.
    • Example: "He loves to pontificate on politics, even though he knows very little."

Idioms for Difficult or Unwise Speaking

Sometimes, what we say causes trouble!

30. To put your foot in your mouth: Oh dear! This means to accidentally say something foolish, embarrassing, or inappropriate.

    • Example: "I really put my foot in my mouth when I asked her if she was pregnant – she wasn't!"

31. To speak out of turn: This means to say something that you shouldn't have, or to say something at an inappropriate time.

    • Example: "I'm sorry if I spoke out of turn, but I felt it needed to be said."

32. To let the cat out of the bag: This fun idiom means to accidentally reveal a secret.

    • Example: "We were planning a surprise party, but my brother let the cat out of the bag."

33. To spill the beans: Very similar to "let the cat out of the bag," this also means to reveal a secret, often accidentally or impulsively.

    • Example: "Come on, spill the beans! What's the big news?"

34. To talk shop: This means to talk about your work or business, especially outside of working hours.

    • Example: "Let's try not to talk shop during dinner tonight."

35. To have a slip of the tongue: This is when you accidentally say something different from what you intended, often because you're nervous or distracted.
    • Example: "It was just a slip of the tongue; I didn't mean to say that."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What exactly is an idiom?

An idiom is a phrase or expression where the meaning isn't obvious from the individual words. It's a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words. Think of them as special phrases that have a hidden meaning that you just have to learn!

Why are idioms important for English learners?

Idioms are super important because they are used all the time by native English speakers in everyday conversations, movies, TV shows, books, and even news articles. Understanding them helps you comprehend what others are saying and reading more accurately. Plus, using them makes your English sound much more natural, fluent, and sophisticated, helping you connect better with native speakers.

How can I learn and remember so many idioms?

Great question! Here are some tips:

• Context is King: Always try to learn idioms in context (e.g., from sentences, stories, or real-life conversations). This helps you understand when and how to use them.
• Visualize: Many idioms have vivid imagery. Try to picture the literal meaning (e.g., "biting your tongue") to help you remember the figurative meaning.
• Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you use them, the more natural they'll feel. Try incorporating one or two new idioms into your conversations each week.
• Flashcards or Apps: Use flashcards (digital or physical) to test yourself. Many language learning apps also have idiom exercises.
• Group by Theme: Like we did in this article, grouping idioms by theme (e.g., "talking a lot") can make them easier to learn and recall.
• Don't Be Afraid to Make Mistakes: Everyone makes mistakes when learning a new language. The important thing is to try!

Are idioms formal or informal?

Most idioms are informal and are used in casual conversations. However, some can be used in more formal settings, especially if they are commonly understood and enhance communication. For example, "to get to the point" is quite common and can be used in many professional settings. It's always good to be aware of the context and audience.

Can I use these idioms in writing as well as speaking?

Absolutely! Many of these idioms are perfectly suitable for both spoken and written English. Using them in your writing can make your prose more engaging, vivid, and native-like. Just remember to consider your audience and the formality of your writing. For instance, a casual email might welcome more idioms than a formal academic paper.

Key Takeaways

Wow, what a journey through the world of "speaking" idioms! Here's a quick recap of the golden nuggets we've uncovered:

• Idioms are essential for fluency: They are the secret sauce that makes your English sound natural and authentic.
• Context is crucial: Always learn idioms within sentences to grasp their true meaning and appropriate usage.
• Practice makes perfect: Don't be shy! Try incorporating these idioms into your daily conversations to solidify your understanding.
• Variety is the spice of life: We explored idioms for every kind of speaker – from the chatty "talks a blue streak" type to the quiet "keeps mum" person, and everyone in between!
• Be adventurous but mindful: Experiment with new idioms, but always consider your audience and the context to ensure your message lands perfectly.

So, there you have it! A treasure trove of 35 idioms to help you express yourself more vividly and understand English conversations more deeply. The next time you're speaking, remember these fantastic phrases. You'll not only impress others but also enjoy the rich tapestry of the English language even more.

Now, go forth and speak with confidence, knowing you have a whole new arsenal of words at your fingertips! Which idiom are you most excited to try out? Let us know in the comments below!