Examples of Idioms
Starting with the Letter "E"
This page is full of examples of idioms that start with the letter "e" (the main word starts with an "e") but if you want to see other idioms click here to go to the main idioms page.
You probably already know that an idiom is a group of words whose meaning is different from the individual words if you looked them up separately in the dictionary. That's why it helps to see examples of idioms. It's also a great idea to try to practice creating sample sentences yourself. You can do that in the comments section and I will correct your example if needed.
Examples of idioms starting with letter "E"
EACH
to each one's own: each person has his or her own opinion and/or way of doing something.
- Example: I don't understand how people can still smoke cigarettes—well, to each their own.
EAR(S)
grin (smile) from ear to ear: to make a huge smile.
- Example: He's smiling from ear to ear because he just bought a new car.
have an ear for something: to be good at hearing and repeating sounds in speech or in music.
- Example: Your accent in French is so good—you really have an ear for languages.
have someone's ear: to have access to speak to someone and express one's opinion.
- Example: Don't worry, I've got the ear of the director so I'll make sure he knows what happened.
in one ear and out the other: when a person hears something and doesn't remember it.
- Example: I have to repeat everything to my kids several times; everything I say goes in one ear and out the other.
keep an ear out (for someone/something): to actively try to hear something.
- Example: I'm looking for a new job so please keep an ear out for any positions that may become available.
play it by ear: to handle a situation as it happens without making a plan in advance.
- Example: I don't know exactly what I'm going to do this weekend; I'm going to play it by ear.
turn a deaf ear (to something): to not listen to what someone is saying.
- Example: When my manager started talking about the holiday party, everyone turned a deaf ear.
get an earful: to have to listen to someone talk a long time about something.
- Example: When I politely said hello and asked my neighbor how she was doing I didn't expect to get an earful.
all ears: ready and eager to listen to what someone is saying.
- Example: When my teacher said there was an easy way to pass the test I was all ears.
not believe one's ears: to be very surprised about something you hear.
- Example: When the doctor said I was four month's pregnant, I couldn't believe my ears.
fall on deaf ears: when something someone says is completely ignored.
- Example: My work performance has been great, but I'm still worried my request for a raise will fall on deaf ears.
EARLY
early on: a short time after something has started.
- Example: Early on in the day I had a terrible headache but now I'm feeling fine.
it's early days (yet): it's too soon to decide about something or make a judgment.
- Example: I think the chemotherapy has killed the cancer but it's early days yet.
wet behind the ears: young, immature or not experienced.
- Example: I will ask the new intern to try to write the report but she's wet behind the ears so I don't know if she can do it.
music to someone's ears: information that someone is glad to hear.
- Example: My son's decision to move home was music to my ears.
EASE
at ease: feeling relaxed and comfortable.
- Example: The little girl felt very at ease with her new playmates at school.
ill at ease: feeling anxious and uncomfortable.
- Example: I felt very ill at ease waiting for the results of my final exams.
EASY
easy as pie: very easy
- Example: Learning is easy as pie. Don't you think?
EAT
eat someone alive: to make someone feel pain, guilt or suffer.
- Example: Lying to my wife about our finances really ate me alive, so I finally told her I've been using the credit cards.
eat away at something: to make something a little smaller and smaller over time.
- Example: Every cigarette your smoking is slowly eating away at your health.
eat something up: to really like or enjoy something.
- Example: My best friend has a really fake laugh and I hate it but all the guys eat it up.
eat crow: to admit in front of other people that you were wrong about something.
- Example: Jane had to eat crow when the actual results of the ad campaign were announced.
eat like a horse: to frequently eat a large amount of food.
- Example: My daughter is super skinny but you'd never believe she eats like a horse.
eat like a pig: to eat with poor manners (e.g., chew with one's mouth open, make loud noises with one's lips, put a lot of food at one time in one's mouth).
- Example: My boyfriend eats like a pig so I'm afraid to take him to my parent's for dinner.
eat someone out of house and home: to eat a lot of food when you're at someone's home.
- Example: I have to go to the supermarket again because my grandchildren are eating me out of house and home.
eat one's words: to admit being wrong about something.
- Example: I was sure that my girlfriend was going to say yes but sadly, I'm eating my words.
EDGE
(keep someone) on/at the edge of their seat: to remain interested and excited about something because they don't know what's going to happen.
- Example: I was at the edge of my seat for the entire five sets of the Australian open's finals last night.
lose one's edge: to no longer have the skills or ability to be as successful as before.
- Example: He used to be the best golfer but after he got married he lost his edge.
on edge: nervous, worried or agitated.
- Example: He's on edge because his daughter was supposed to be at home two hours ago.
on the cutting edge (of something): something that is the first of a new technology, etc.
- Example: Apple's products are always on the cutting edge, then everyone tries to copy them.
live on the edge: 1) to be very poor; 2) to be in a difficult and uncertain situation that could be dangerous.
- Example: Since he lost his job he's been living on the edge and has decided to move back to his parents'.
take the edge off: to minimize the effect of something that's uncomfortable or unpleasant.
- Example: Happy hour is for people who want to take the edge off a stressful week of work.
EGGS
put all one's eggs in one basket: to risk everything you have in a situation (e.g., money, reputation, chances) by putting everything into that one idea or plan.
- Example: My son put all his eggs in one basket by only applying to Harvard University, but luckily he was accepted.
walking on eggshells: being very careful not to anger or upset someone.
- Example: Whenever my mother-in-law visits I'm walking on eggshells in my own home.
ELEMENT
in one's element: comfortable doing something one likes and is good at.
- Example: Susie hates talking to strangers at parties but when she gets on the dance floor she's in her element.
EMPTY
running on empty: having little energy and will to do something. (Like a car that has an almost empty gas tank.)
- Example: By the end of the two week camping trip everyone was running on empty.
END
at the end of the day: finally, at the end of something.
- Example: At the end of the day we missed our flight because there was a long line at airport security.
at one's wit's end: so completely frustrated and upset that you're unsure what to do.
- Example: I've tried to do my math homework for more than three hours and now I'm at my wit's end.
end of / end of story (spoken in informal English): there is no more discussion about an issue.
- Example: Go upstairs now and clean up your room, end of story.
end up: to reach a final place or situation.
- Example: I never thought I'd end up divorced with four kids at age 33.
get the short end of the stick: to get the inferior or less favorable result of a situation compared to someone else.
- Example: I definitely got the short end of the stick after my divorce.
go off the deep end: to be so upset that one cannot control one's emotions and actions.
- Example: When dad finds out you bent his golf club he's going to go off the deep end.
in the end: finally, the final result.
- Example: In the end, we stayed home and watched TV instead of going to the party.
ever/never hear the end (of it): to have to listen to someone talk about something annoying for a long period of time.
- Example: If I don't remember to put down the toilet seat, my wife never lets me hear the end of it.
(to) no end: a lot, very much.
- Example: I love my dogs no end.
no end in sight: it seems impossible for a situation to change or stop.
- Example: I've been cleaning the garage for two days with no end in sight.
not the end of the world: not the worst possible thing or situation.
- Example: If you don't get into business school it won't be the end of the world.
on end: continuously for a period of time (e.g., hours, days, weeks, years).
- Example: When you're deployed in the military you can be away from your family for months on end.
on the receiving end: getting the undesired or unpleasant effects of something.
- Example: When I worked for John I was on the receiving end of his cruel criticism too many times.
end of the road: the final part of something.
- Example: In truth, our marriage actually reached the end of the road during our honeymoon—but we didn't divorce until 10 months later.
to the bitter end: to continue doing something (that's often unpleasant) until you reach the very end.
- Example: The book was so boring but I kept reading to the bitter end.
More examples of idioms starting with the letter "E" will be added in the future so check back again soon or sign-up for my free newsletter so you can know when there are new updates.
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