Funny Idioms: List of 25 Best Funny Idioms You May Not Know

Are you tired of using the same old phrases in your everyday conversations? Do you want to spice up your English language skills with some funny idioms? Look no further! In this article, we will explore some of the most hilarious idioms that are sure to make you laugh and impress your friends.

Funny Idioms

What Are Funny Idioms?

An idiom is a phrase or expression that has a figurative meaning, which is different from its literal meaning. Idioms are common in everyday language and are used to express a specific meaning or emotion in a more creative or fun way. Funny idioms, in particular, are idioms that are humorous or amusing. They are often used to make a joke or to lighten the mood in a conversation.

There are many different funny idioms in the English language, and new ones are being created all the time. Some funny idioms are based on puns or plays on words, while others are derived from stories or situations that are amusing.

Common Funny Idioms

Here is a list of common funny idioms:

• Break a leg

This is a way of wishing someone good luck, especially before a performance or presentation. It’s funny because it’s the opposite of what you would normally want to happen!

• Cat’s pajamas

This means something or someone that is excellent or impressive. It’s funny because it’s a playful way of saying that something is the best.

• Barking up the wrong tree

This means to pursue the wrong course of action or to chase a mistaken goal. It’s funny because it refers to a hunting dog that is barking at the base of the wrong tree because it has mistaken the scent of its prey.

• Curiosity killed the cat

This means that being too curious or nosy can get you into trouble. It’s funny because it’s a play on the phrase “curiosity killed the cat,” which is usually used as a cautionary tale.

• Paint the town red

This means to go out and have a wild or lively time. It’s funny because it suggests that you are literally painting the town red with paint.

• Let the cat out of the bag

This means to reveal a secret or surprise. It’s funny because it refers to the old trick of selling a pig by putting it in a bag and pretending it’s a cat. If you let the cat out of the bag, the secret is revealed and the trick is ruined.

• Tie one on

This means to get drunk or intoxicated. It’s funny because it suggests that you are literally tying something onto yourself, like a backpack or a jacket.

List of Funny Idioms

Here is a list of commonly used funny idioms in English:

1. As Cool as a Cucumber

Very calm and composed and untroubled by stress

2. Hold your Horses

Wait a moment

3. Kick the Bucket

To die

4. Blue in the Face

Weakened or tired after trying many times

5. A Storm in a Teacup

A big fuss made about something of little importance

6. Bob’s your Uncle

It’s as simple as that

7. Head in the Clouds

Living in a fantasy

8. Dead as a Doornail

Completely dead or unusable

9. A Piece of Cake

Something very easy to do 

10. Heart in your Mouth

Extremely frightened or anxious

11. Do a Devon Loch

To fail when you are very close to winning

12. Do a Runner

To leave a place quickly in order to escape trouble or to avoid paying for something

13. Enough to Cobble Dogs with

A surplus of anything

14. Fall Off the Back of a Lorry

You acquired something that was probably stolen, or you are trying to sell something that’s stolen or illegitimate

15. Hairy at the Heel

Someone who is ill-bred, dangerous or untrustworthy

16. Cat’s Arse

To describe the facial expression adopted by a scorned woman

17. For Donkey’s Years

Very long time

18. All Talk and No Trousers

All talk but no action

19. When Pigs Fly

Whatever you are discussing will never happen

20. Cat Got Your Tongue

Something you say to someone when they will not speak

21. Have a One-Track Mind!

If someone has a one-track mind, they spend most of their time thinking about one subject

22. Chew the Fat

To chat or gossip

23. The Lights are On, but Nobody’s Home

About a stupid person

24. To have Van Gogh’s Ear for Music

To be done deaf

25. Use Your Loaf

Use your head, think smart

Popular Funny Idioms

English Language

1. “Piece of cake” – This idiom means that something is very easy to do. For example, “Don’t worry about that test, it’s a piece of cake.”
2. “Break a leg” – This is a common idiom used to wish someone good luck before a performance. It’s believed to have originated in the theater world, where it was considered bad luck to wish someone good luck. For example, “Break a leg on your big audition!”
3. “Spill the beans” – This idiom means to reveal a secret or confidential information. For example, “Don’t spill the beans about the surprise party!”
4. “Bite the bullet” – This idiom means to endure a painful or unpleasant situation with courage and determination. For example, “I know you’re nervous about the surgery, but you’ll just have to bite the bullet and go through with it.”

International

1. “It’s all Greek to me” – This idiom means that something is completely unintelligible or incomprehensible. It’s believed to have originated from Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar. For example, “I tried to read that scientific article, but it’s all Greek to me.”
2. “To have a frog in your throat” – This idiom means to have a hoarse or croaky voice. It’s believed to have originated from the belief that a frog living in your throat caused the condition. For example, “I can’t sing tonight, I have a frog in my throat.”
3. “To have a cat in the throat” – This idiom means to have difficulty speaking due to a sore throat or a cough. It’s similar to the “frog in your throat” idiom but is more commonly used in some countries. For example, “I’m sorry, I can’t speak right now, I have a cat in my throat.”
4. “To have a potato in the throat” – This idiom means to have difficulty speaking due to nervousness or shyness. It’s believed to have originated from the idea that a potato stuck in your throat would make it difficult to speak. For example, “I was so nervous during my presentation, I felt like I had a potato in my throat.”

Using Funny Idioms

In Everyday Conversation

Using funny idioms in everyday conversation can make us sound more interesting and engaging. Here are some tips to help you use them effectively:

• Use idioms that are appropriate for the situation. For example, if you are talking to someone who is feeling down, you might say, “Cheer up, buttercup!” to lift their spirits.
• Use idioms that you are familiar with. Don’t try to use an idiom that you don’t fully understand, as it might not make sense in the context of the conversation.
• Use idioms sparingly. Using too many idioms can make you sound unnatural and might confuse the listener.

In Writing

Using funny idioms in writing can make your work more interesting and entertaining. Here are some tips to help you use them effectively:

• Use idioms that are appropriate for the tone of your writing. For example, if you are writing a humorous piece, you might use idioms like “off the wall” or “out of left field.”
• Use idioms that are relevant to the topic you are writing about. For example, if you are writing about food, you might use idioms like “spill the beans” or “piece of cake.”
• Use idioms in moderation. Using too many idioms can make your writing difficult to understand and might distract from the main point.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some hilarious idioms in English?

English is full of hilarious idioms that can make you laugh out loud. Some of the funniest idioms include “the cat’s out of the bag”, “raining cats and dogs”, “kick the bucket”, and “hold your horses”. These idioms are not only funny but also commonly used in everyday conversations.

Can you share some of the funniest idiomatic expressions you know?

Sure, we can share some of the funniest idiomatic expressions we know. Here are a few of them:

• “It’s raining cats and dogs” – meaning it’s pouring heavily.
• “Bite the bullet” – meaning to endure a painful or difficult situation.
• “Break a leg” – meaning good luck.
• “A piece of cake” – meaning something is easy to do.
• “To be a chicken” – meaning to be a coward.

What are some short and funny phrases that are commonly used?

There are many short and funny phrases that are commonly used in English. Some of them include “easy-peasy”, “piece of cake”, “no sweat”, “cool beans”, and “hang tight”. These phrases are easy to remember and can make your conversations more interesting.

What is the idiom for having a good time?

The idiom for having a good time is “paint the town red”. This means to go out and have a great time, usually involving partying and drinking.

What are some interesting and unique idioms that you have come across?

English idioms are full of interesting and unique expressions. Some of the most interesting ones include “to have a frog in your throat” (meaning to have a hoarse voice), “to let the cat out of the bag” (meaning to reveal a secret), and “to have a bee in your bonnet” (meaning to be obsessed with an idea). These idioms not only make conversations more interesting but also help to convey meaning in a colorful and memorable way.

Last Updated on November 8, 2023