Down to earth
Practical and sensible; when describing a person, also friendly and unpretentious.
She’s rich but very down to earth.
THE IDIOM COLLECTION
Go beyond the literal words. Learn what everyday expressions mean—and how to use them.
THE EXPRESSION COLLECTION
Practical and sensible; when describing a person, also friendly and unpretentious.
She’s rich but very down to earth.
Sudden loss of confidence about something important.
He got cold feet just before the wedding.
A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
You’ll do great in the play—break a leg!
Fully listening and giving someone your full attention.
Tell me what happened—I’m all ears.
To stop talking or keep something a secret.
Zip your lip about the surprise party—it’s a secret!
I don’t know either.
When it comes to predicting the weather, your guess is as good as mine.
The exact location of something.
On the treasure map, X marks the spot where the gold is buried.
Past events that are forgiven or no longer considered important.
We had our disagreements, but that’s water under the bridge now.
To express anger or frustration.
She vented her spleen about the poor service at the restaurant.
Very close to you or plainly visible, often without being noticed; also used for an event happening nearby without your noticing.
The keys were right under your nose the whole time.
PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
Use what you have learned in a short daily activity or a language game.