This is lesson 32 from Idiom Part 3. Each idiom is followed by its definition and examples. After you learn them, you can use them in your daily conversation.
Previous English Idiom Lesson
In our previous English idiom lesson, we cover below:
English Idiom Part 3- Lesson 32- Idioms about Surprises
1- Believe it or not = Used to introduce something surprising or unexpected.
Believe it or not, he finished the marathon with a broken toe.
2- Knock me down with a feather = Used to express great surprise.
When she announced her retirement, you could have knocked me down with a feather.
3- Pulled the rug from under my feet = To suddenly take away support from someone, making them vulnerable.
When they canceled the project, it really pulled the rug from under my feet.
4- Harder than I had bargained for = More difficult than expected.
The new job turned out to be harder than I had bargained for.
5- Have something up your sleeve = To have a secret plan or idea.
I think she has something up her sleeve for the final round.
6- Take me by surprise = To do something unexpectedly.
His sudden resignation really took me by surprise.
7- Knock someone for six = To deeply shock or upset someone.
The news of his illness knocked me for six.
8- Came back to earth with a bump = To return to reality after a period of excitement or fantasy.
After winning the award, I came back to earth with a bump when I saw my inbox.
9- Out of the blue = Unexpectedly and without warning.
He called me out of the blue after five years of silence.
10- A turn-up for the books = A surprising or unexpected event.
Her promotion was a real turn-up for the books.
11- Has got another thing coming = Someone is wrong and will soon realize it.
If she thinks I’ll apologize, she has got another thing coming.
12- Couldn’t believe my eyes = To be very surprised at what one sees.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the price drop by 90%.
13- A blessing in disguise = Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good.
Losing that job was a blessing in disguise. I found something better.
14- A real eye-opener = Something surprising that teaches you something new.
Visiting the shelter was a real eye-opener about poverty in our city.
15- The shock of my life = A moment of extreme surprise or disbelief.
When I found out I had won the lottery, it was the shock of my life.
16- More to her than meets the eye = Someone or something is more complex than they appear.
She seems quiet, but there’s definitely more to her than meets the eye.
Next English Idiom Lesson
In our next English idiom lesson, we cover below:
Related Idioms
Here is the list of idioms related to this lesson.
Idiom Part 3 Outline
If you wish to explore all lessons that are covered in HiCafe Idiom Part 3, you can visit the Essential and Popular English idioms- Part 3 page.
English Fluency Resources
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