Did you ever feel like you’re “barking up the wrong tree” when trying to learn English idioms? These quirky expressions are used constantly, yet their origins are anything but obvious.
In this article, you’ll clearly explain the history behind everyday idioms and how these phrases came to mean what they do today.
From 16th-century hunting slang to Shakespearean phrases that stuck, we’ll break down the meanings, origins, and tips to master them, especially if you’re learning another language.
Understanding the History Behind Everyday Idioms
Over the centuries, many expressions have formed from cultural events, community traditions, or even random slip-ups that caught on. The history behind everyday idioms is full of clues about how societies grew, how languages blended, and how certain jokes or trends stuck.
Many of these expressions date back hundreds of years, reflecting the time’s humor, beliefs, and historical moments.
Ancient communities used short phrases to sum up complicated ideas. For example, “grasping a nettle” existed long ago to mean handling a tricky situation directly.
Sailors, blacksmiths, and farmers each passed their slang around, and a handful of those words and phrases trickled into mainstream speech. The repetition of these expressions in stories, songs, and poems locked them into everyday language.
Popular media keeps some expressions alive. Shakespeare gave us “break the ice,” and that phrase still lives in modern conversation.
It’s also worth noting how often these phrases jump between languages. When people met travelers with interesting ways of describing everyday life, they borrowed chunks of their language.
Over time, these borrowed words were woven into the local tongue, so an idiom from one region found a new home in another. It’s a global phenomenon that’s still happening.
Examples of Everyday Idioms and Their Meanings
Below are 15 idioms you hear all the time. Each carries a small slice of history, though a bit of mystery surrounds a few. You’ll find each idiom followed by a short look at how it’s typically used and a peek at where it might have come from.
- Spill the Beans
This phrase generally means “to reveal secret information” or “to let out hidden facts.” Some sources point to ancient Greece, where votes for candidates were cast by placing beans in a jar, and spilling the jar would reveal how many votes each candidate received.
Others say it developed from accidentally tipping over something valuable, revealing what was inside for everyone to see.
- Break a Leg
This is a way of wishing someone good luck, especially in the performing arts. The phrase is said to come from older theater slang, where “break a leg” might refer to taking an actual bow, symbolized by bending (or “breaking”) the leg.
Another theory suggests that, in older theaters, stepping past the curtain line (the “leg”) meant you were officially performing and getting paid, so telling someone to “break a leg” was like saying, “Here’s to a successful show where you get paid.”
- Bite off More Than You Can Chew
This means taking on a task that’s too large or complex for your abilities. Some believe it originated in the 1800s when people chewed tobacco.
Enthusiastic tobacco chewers might bite off a big piece of the plug, only to struggle with it, which symbolized taking on more than they could handle.
- Beat Around the Bush
This phrase warns against avoiding the main topic or delaying the real point. Historians think it may be traced back to bird hunts, where people beat around bushes to drive birds into nets.
Rather than going straight to the target, hunters circled it, which led to the idea of avoiding a direct approach.
- Let the Cat Out of the Bag
The common meaning is to reveal a secret unintentionally. One theory is that con artists in old markets might swap a piglet for a cat in a bag, and if someone opened the bag, the trick was exposed.
Whether or not that scenario was common, it vividly evoked the image of a hidden item suddenly escaping and surprising everyone.
- Under the Weather
This phrase means feeling sick or off your usual form. Many historians think it emerged from the nautical days.
Passengers or sailors who felt ill might be sent below deck (literally “under”) to escape harsh weather conditions above, and that became a simple way to say they didn’t feel well.
- Raining Cats and Dogs
People use this one to mean heavy rain. Some trace it to old English times when intense storms could wash away rubbish, including stray animals caught in downpours.
Another angle suggests it’s connected to Norse myths of cats symbolizing wind and dogs symbolizing storms, but the exact origin is still up for debate.
- Barking Up the Wrong Tree
This expression implies pursuing a misguided course of action or accusing the wrong person. It might come from hunting dogs who bark at a tree where they think their prey is hiding, although the animal in question may have moved on. The dog’s instincts tell it the prey is there, but it’s just barking to no avail.
- Hit the Sack
People use this idiom to say they’re going to sleep. Its history might be linked to when mattresses were sacks stuffed with hay. Going to bed meant lying down on the sack, so “hit the sack” became an easy shorthand for turning in for the night.
- Pull Someone’s Leg
It means to joke or tease someone. One suggested origin is from street thieves in old London, who might tug someone’s leg to trip them and steal their valuables.
Another possibility is that stage comedians would “pull the leg” of fellow actors as a playful way to break concentration, turning it into an expression for joking.
- Straight from the Horse’s Mouth
This idiom means getting information from a highly reliable source. It may have come from the horse-racing world, where checking a horse’s teeth provided clues about its age and health.
Getting a tip “straight from the horse’s mouth” implied first-hand, undisputed knowledge about a race outcome.
- Go Cold Turkey
This phrase suggests abruptly stopping a habit, often related to quitting addictive substances. One theory says it started after seeing how a person’s skin might get goosebumps and look pale, similar to a plucked turkey, during withdrawal.
Other explanations say it may be linked to serving leftover cold turkey (a plain, simple dish), similar to the feeling of quitting without a gradual step-down.
- Bury the Hatchet
This means settling an argument or making peace. Some attribute it to a tradition of Native American tribes that, after reaching a peace agreement, buried weapons such as hatchets in the ground to signal the end of the conflict.
- Hit the Ground Running
The common meaning is to get started on a project or job immediately and with good momentum. Some argue it began with soldiers who landed from a jump or parachute drop and needed to sprint into action immediately.
Others say it might relate to railroads, where train employees jumped on or off moving trains, hitting the ground in motion instead of slowing down.
Best Tips to Understand Everyday Idioms in Other Languages
Learning idioms in a foreign language can feel like reading secret messages. There might be literal translations that don’t make sense in your native tongue, and that’s where extra research pays off.
Try these six tips better to understand the history behind everyday idioms across different languages. They’ll give you strategies for building your idiom knowledge without hitting too many confusing obstacles.
- Use Language Learning Platforms and Apps
Apps are one of the easiest ways to get repeated exposure to idioms and expressions, primarily if they teach them in context. The right platform can make a big difference.
A great tool to try is Lingowar, a browser-based vocabulary game that builds word recognition through fast, focused practice. It’s free, requires no login, and doesn’t need downloading. You can visit the site and play.
Each challenge session is short and engaging, perfect for squeezing into a busy schedule. Lingowar adapts its difficulty based on your progress, so you’re not stuck reviewing material that’s too easy or hard.
Some standout features:
- No sign-up required
- Instant feedback and score tracking
- Topic-specific games
- Repetition with variation
Studies show that active recall and spaced repetition improve vocabulary retention by up to 80%. Platforms like Lingowar are ideal for that. Instead of passive reading, you’re actively using what you’ve learned. That builds a mental muscle that sticks.
Whether you’re a student, professional, or casual learner, integrating short vocabulary games like Lingowar into your daily routine can boost how quickly and accurately you pick up idiomatic expressions.
- Use Visual Memory Tricks
This method taps into dual coding theory, which says people remember ideas better when linked to words and images. Drawing quick doodles, using flashcards with illustrations, or picturing the phrase in your head can help you make stronger associations.
Let’s say you’re learning the French idiom “avoir le cafard” (literally: “to have the cockroach”), which means “to feel blue.” Draw a sad cockroach slouching on a couch. It sounds weird, but that’s the point, so your brain won’t forget it.
You don’t have to be an artist. Stick figures or visual metaphors work just as well. The goal is to make the expression come alive in your mind. And once it’s in there, it’s easier to recognize it in conversation or reading.
- Practice with Native Speakers
Native speakers are your best source for idioms used today, not the ones that only appear in dusty textbooks. They’ll tell you which phrases sound natural, which are dated, and which ones locals use in daily conversations.
Language exchange platforms, conversation clubs, and apps like Tandem or HelloTalk let you connect with real people. Ask them to share some common idioms, then try to use those expressions in replies. You’ll get real-time feedback and a better sense of tone and context.
Another bonus: native speakers can help explain culturally sensitive or region-specific idioms. That means you’ll avoid misusing an expression and getting confused looks—or worse, unintentionally offending someone.
- Use Idiom-Specific Dictionaries or Books
These books or online resources break down each expression with a literal translation, cultural background, and real usage examples. That extra explanation helps you go beyond just memorizing and gets you understanding.
For example, if you’re studying Japanese, look for collections of 四字熟語 (yojijukugo), which are idiomatic phrases made up of four kanji characters.
These aren’t always taught in beginner classes but are used in media and conversation. Specialized books will help explain their origins and how to use them without sounding out of place.
Some resources to check:
- Oxford Dictionary of Idioms (for English learners)
- Collins Easy Learning Idioms
- WordReference forums (community-driven discussions)
- Language-specific idiom books (many come with example sentences and quizzes)
Bookmark or highlight phrases you don’t understand and return to them after hearing them in a different context. Over time, repetition will lock them in.
- Focus on Common, Everyday Idioms First
Not all idioms are helpful. Some might sound fun, but they’re rare in honest conversations. Focus on the most common ones, like those appearing in movies, songs, business emails, or casual chats.
Start by collecting 20–30 essential idioms frequently used in real life. Practice them until they come naturally, then move on to more advanced or situational ones. This method prevents you from being overwhelmed and gives you a solid foundation to build.
Final Thoughts
Idioms show what people once considered funny, practical, or central to daily life. Understanding them connects you to past eras while sharpening your language skills today.
Learning the stories behind phrases you hear daily will strengthen your communication in fun ways. Many words are so common that no one stops questioning them, but now you have a solid starting point. Keep exploring, asking questions, and adding your chapter to the grand story of shared language.
