An idiom is a familiar expression whose usual meaning is hard to work out from the individual words. If someone spills the beans about a surprise party, they reveal the secret. The situation tells you which meaning is intended.
How idioms work in sentences
- Break the ice. A quick introduction helped break the ice at the meeting. The introduction made it easier for people to talk.
- On the fence. I’m still on the fence about taking the early train. The speaker has yet to decide.
- Call it a day. We finished the last shelf and called it a day. The group stopped working for the day.
Which parts of an idiom can change?
Many idioms keep their familiar wording while the verb changes form. Spill the beans can become spilled the beans. A change such as spill the peas usually reads as a joke or a literal description. Use context to check the intended meaning. See register for how an expression fits its audience and setting.
