Idioms are special phrases where the words together have a different meaning than what they say separately. People use them to make their speaking and writing more colorful, fun, and interesting. In this article, you will learn fifty different idioms that are great for seventh graders to know and use.
In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms that mean common school and social situations. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for 7th Graders
1. Ace up your sleeve
Definition: A secret advantage or plan that you can use when you need it.
Used in a Sentence: Leo studied extra science notes so he would have an ace up his sleeve for the test. / Having a backup speaker was our secret ace up our sleeve for the debate.
Similar Expressions: Secret weapon / Hidden advantage
2. Add fuel to the fire
Definition: To make a bad problem or argument even worse.
Used in a Sentence: Arguing back with the teacher only adds fuel to the fire during detention. / Laughing at the silly rumor just added fuel to the fire.
Similar Expressions: Make matters worse / Pour oil on flames
3. Against the clock
Definition: Working in a great rush because time is running out.
Used in a Sentence: We raced against the clock to finish our history project before the bell rang. / The track team ran against the clock to beat the school record.
Similar Expressions: In a race against time / Rushing to beat the deadline
4. Apple of my eye
Definition: Someone who is cherished above all others.
Used in a Sentence: Maya treats her new rescue puppy like the apple of her eye. / My little sister is the apple of my eye, even when she is loud.
Similar Expressions: Most treasured person / Dearest one
5. Barking up the wrong tree
Definition: Looking in the wrong place or accusing the wrong person.
Used in a Sentence: If you think I took your red pen, you are barking up the wrong tree. / The coach thought Sam broke the rule, but he was barking up the wrong tree.
Similar Expressions: Looking in the wrong place / Making a false accusation
6. Beat around the bush
Definition: To avoid talking about what is most important.
Used in a Sentence: Stop beating around the bush and just tell me who won the election. / Dad did not beat around the bush when he canceled our weekend plans.
Similar Expressions: Avoid the point / Stall around
7. Bite the bullet
Definition: To face a difficult situation with bravery and get it over with.
Used in a Sentence: I had to bite the bullet and apologize for breaking my promise. / She decided to bite the bullet and go to the dentist alone.
Similar Expressions: Face the music / Tough it out
8. Break the ice
Definition: To make people feel more comfortable when they first meet.
Used in a Sentence: The teacher played a fun trivia game to break the ice on the first day of school. / Sharing a funny story is a great way to break the ice with new classmates.
Similar Expressions: Ease the tension / Start a conversation
9. Call it a day
Definition: To stop working on something because you are done or tired.
Used in a Sentence: We worked on the science fair model for three hours and then called it a day. / After cleaning the whole garage, Mom said we could call it a day.
Similar Expressions: Stop working / Finish up
10. Catch someone red-handed
Definition: To find someone in the act of doing something wrong.
Used in a Sentence: The teacher caught Ben red-handed trying to sneak a peek at the answer key. / We caught our dog red-handed eating treats off the counter.
Similar Expressions: Catch in the act / Caught in a trap
11. Cost an arm and a leg
Definition: To be extremely expensive.
Used in a Sentence: The brand new leather basketball shoes cost an arm and a leg. / We wanted to go to the giant waterpark, but tickets cost an arm and a leg.
Similar Expressions: Cost a fortune / Extremely pricey
12. Cry over spilled milk
Definition: To be upset about something that has already happened and cannot be fixed.
Used in a Sentence: Dropping your lunch tray is annoying, but there is no use crying over spilled milk. / He lost his favorite pencil, but he knew it was no use crying over spilled milk.
Similar Expressions: Worrying over the past / Regretting the unchangeable
13. Cut corners
Definition: To do something poorly or quickly to save time or money.
Used in a Sentence: If you cut corners on your art project, it might fall apart before grading. / The builders tried to cut corners, but the inspector caught the mistakes.
Similar Expressions: Take shortcuts / Do a halfhearted job
14. Cut to the chase
Definition: To get to the main point without wasting time.
Used in a Sentence: Please cut to the chase and tell us who got the lead role in the play. / The principal did not waste time and cut straight to the chase about the new dress code.
Similar Expressions: Get to the point / Skip the details
15. Dark horse
Definition: A little-known person who unexpectedly wins or succeeds.
Used in a Sentence: No one expected our class to win the spelling bee, but we were the dark horse. / The quiet student became a dark horse candidate for student council president.
Similar Expressions: Surprise winner / Unexpected competitor
16. Down to earth
Definition: Sensible, realistic, and easy to talk to.
Used in a Sentence: Even though she is the star soccer player, she remains very down to earth. / Our new principal is kind and wonderfully down to earth.
Similar Expressions: Humble and realistic / Level-headed
17. Draw the line
Definition: To set a clear limit on what is acceptable behavior.
Used in a Sentence: My parents let me stay out late, but they draw the line at midnight. / The teacher draws the line at talking while someone else is presenting.
Similar Expressions: Set a boundary / Put your foot down
18. Drop the ball
Definition: To make a careless mistake or fail to do your duty.
Used in a Sentence: I dropped the ball by forgetting to bring the poster board for our group project. / If the goalie drops the ball, the other team might score a goal.
Similar Expressions: Make a mistake / Mess up
19. Easier said than done
Definition: Something that sounds simple to do, but is actually very difficult.
Used in a Sentence: Telling yourself not to feel nervous before a big speech is easier said than done. / Cleaning my entire room in ten minutes is easier said than done.
Similar Expressions: Tough task / Harder in reality
20. Every cloud has a silver lining
Definition: Every bad or difficult situation has some good aspect to it.
Used in a Sentence: Our game got canceled by rain, but every cloud has a silver lining because we got to sleep in. / Failing the first test was tough, but every cloud has a silver lining as it helped me study better.
Similar Expressions: Look on the bright side / Good comes from bad
21. Face the music
Definition: To accept the unpleasant results of your actions.
Used in a Sentence: I broke the window with my baseball, and now I have to go face the music. / Cheating on the quiz means you must face the music with the teacher.
Similar Expressions: Accept consequences / Take responsibility
22. Fit as a fiddle
Definition: In very good health and physical shape.
Used in a Sentence: After a long summer of swimming, my grandpa is as fit as a fiddle. / Our gym teacher is always fit as a fiddle and ready to run laps.
Similar Expressions: In top shape / Very healthy
23. Get out of hand
Definition: To become completely out of control.
Used in a Sentence: The pillow fight in the dorm room quickly got out of hand. / When the crowd started shouting, the situation got out of hand.
Similar Expressions: Become uncontrollable / Spiral out of control
24. Give someone the benefit of the doubt
Definition: To believe someone is telling the truth even if you are not totally sure.
Used in a Sentence: I thought Liam took my book, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt since he apologized. / The coach gave us the benefit of the doubt when we said traffic made us late.
Similar Expressions: Trust someone / Assume innocence
25. Go the extra mile
Definition: To make a special extra effort to achieve something.
Used in a Sentence: Emma always goes the extra mile to make her classmates feel welcome. / If you want an A on this paper, you need to go the extra mile with your research.
Similar Expressions: Put in extra effort / Do more than required
26. Hang in there
Definition: To stay strong and keep going during a tough time.
Used in a Sentence: I know math homework is hard tonight, but just hang in there. / Hang in there, only two more days until the weekend.
Similar Expressions: Keep going / Stay strong
27. Hit the nail on the head
Definition: To describe or figure out a situation with exact accuracy.
Used in a Sentence: When Mia said our team lacked teamwork, she hit the nail on the head. / You hit the nail on the head when you guessed why the computer froze.
Similar Expressions: Get it exactly right / Be spot on
28. Hit the sack
Definition: To go to bed in order to sleep.
Used in a Sentence: We have an early track meet tomorrow, so I need to hit the sack early. / After studying all evening, I am ready to hit the sack.
Similar Expressions: Go to sleep / Turn in for the night
29. In the same boat
Definition: Sharing the same difficult problem or situation as someone else.
Used in a Sentence: We all forgot to study for the quiz, so we are all in the same boat. / Don’t worry about missing the bus because the rest of us are in the same boat.
Similar Expressions: Facing the same situation / Sharing the struggle
30. Jump on the bandwagon
Definition: To join a popular trend or activity because everyone else is doing it.
Used in a Sentence: Once our school team started winning, everyone jumped on the bandwagon. / I didn’t like that song at first, but I finally jumped on the bandwagon.
Similar Expressions: Follow the crowd / Join the trend
31. Keep your chin up
Definition: To remain cheerful and brave during difficult times.
Used in a Sentence: Keep your chin up, you will do much better on the next spelling test. / Even though we lost the game, the coach told us to keep our chin up.
Similar Expressions: Stay positive / Remain hopeful
32. Kill two birds with one stone
Definition: To accomplish two different goals with a single action.
Used in a Sentence: I listened to my history audiobook while walking the dog to kill two birds with one stone. / Studying vocabulary on the bus ride helps me kill two birds with one stone.
Similar Expressions: Accomplish a double task / Do two things at once
33. Let the cat out of the bag
Definition: To accidentally reveal a secret.
Used in a Sentence: Noah let the cat out of the bag about the surprise birthday party for our teacher. / Try not to let the cat out of the bag before the art show awards are announced.
Similar Expressions: Spill the secret / Give away the surprise
34. Make a mountain out of a molehill
Definition: To make a big fuss over a very small or unimportant problem.
Used in a Sentence: Losing one gym sock is annoying, but you are making a mountain out of a molehill. / Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill just because you got a B instead of an A.
Similar Expressions: Overreact / Blow things out of proportion
35. Miss the boat
Definition: To miss out on an opportunity because you acted too slowly.
Used in a Sentence: If you don’t sign up for the field trip today, you will miss the boat. / I waited too long to buy concert tickets and completely missed the boat.
Similar Expressions: Miss an opportunity / Be too late
36. Once in a blue moon
Definition: Something that happens very rarely.
Used in a Sentence: Our strict teacher gives us free time to chat only once in a blue moon. / It snows in our town once in a blue moon.
Similar Expressions: Very rarely / Seldom
37. Out of the blue
Definition: Happening completely unexpectedly without warning.
Used in a Sentence: A heavy rainstorm started out of the blue during our outdoor lunch. / My friend called me out of the blue to ask about homework.
Similar Expressions: Unexpectedly / Out of nowhere
38. Piece of cake
Definition: A task or test that is extremely easy to do.
Used in a Sentence: The spelling quiz was a piece of cake because I studied all night. / Cleaning up my desk is a piece of cake.
Similar Expressions: Very easy / Simple task
39. Pull someone’s leg
Definition: To tease someone by telling them something untrue as a joke.
Used in a Sentence: Are you really wearing your shoes on the wrong feet, or are you pulling my leg? / Dad said a green alien landed in the yard, but he was just pulling my leg.
Similar Expressions: Tease someone / Joke around
40. Put your best foot forward
Definition: To try as hard as you can and present your best self.
Used in a Sentence: Make sure to put your best foot forward during your first interview for the school paper. / Put your best foot forward when meeting your new teammates.
Similar Expressions: Do your absolute best / Make a great impression
41. Raining cats and dogs
Definition: Raining very heavily outside.
Used in a Sentence: We had to cancel soccer practice because it was raining cats and dogs. / Look outside, it is raining cats and dogs right now.
Similar Expressions: Pouring rain / Heavy downpour
42. Rule of thumb
Definition: A helpful general rule or guide based on experience.
Used in a Sentence: A good rule of thumb is to study for a test at least two days in advance. / As a rule of thumb, always check your backpack before leaving school.
Similar Expressions: General guideline / Standard rule
43. See eye to eye
Definition: To agree fully with someone on a topic.
Used in a Sentence: My best friend and I don’t always see eye to eye on which movie to watch. / The student council and the principal saw eye to eye on the new recess rules.
Similar Expressions: Agree completely / Share the same view
44. Shoot for the stars
Definition: To aim for ambitious goals and great success.
Used in a Sentence: If you want to be a professional writer, you should shoot for the stars. / The teacher told us to shoot for the stars on our science fair projects.
Similar Expressions: Aim high / Pursue big dreams
45. Speak of the devil
Definition: Said when the person you are talking about suddenly shows up.
Used in a Sentence: We were just talking about Leo, and speak of the devil, here he comes. / Speak of the devil, Mom just walked in with the snacks we wanted.
Similar Expressions: Look who arrived / Right on cue
46. Spill the beans
Definition: To tell a secret to someone who is not supposed to know.
Used in a Sentence: Don’t spill the beans about the class graduation gift. / Liam spilled the beans about where we were going for the field trip.
Similar Expressions: Reveal a secret / Let it slip
47. Steal someone’s thunder
Definition: To take attention or praise away from someone else.
Used in a Sentence: I told a funny joke right after Sarah, but I didn’t mean to steal her thunder. / Please don’t announce your news today because you will steal his thunder.
Similar Expressions: Take the spotlight / Upstage someone
48. Take it with a grain of salt
Definition: To not completely believe something because it might not be true.
Used in a Sentence: He heard a wild rumor about the school schedule, so he took it with a grain of salt. / Take online movie reviews with a grain of salt.
Similar Expressions: Be skeptical / Doubt slightly
49. Under the weather
Definition: Feeling slightly sick or unwell.
Used in a Sentence: I stayed home from school today because I felt a little under the weather. / Sarah looked pale and said she was feeling under the weather.
Similar Expressions: Feeling sick / Unwell
50. When pigs fly
Definition: Something that will never, ever happen.
Used in a Sentence: I will clean my messy room when pigs fly. / My brother will share his candy with me when pigs fly.
Similar Expressions: Never / Impossible event
Exercise to Practice
- Leo studied extra science notes so he would have an ace up his sleeve for the test.
- Dropping your lunch tray is annoying, but you should cry over spilled milk all afternoon.
- We raced against the clock to finish our history project before the bell rang.
- If you think I took your red pen, you are barking up the wrong tree.
- The spelling quiz was a piece of cake because I forgot to study entirely.
- The teacher played a fun trivia game to break the ice on the first day of school.
- Dad did not beat around the bush when he canceled our weekend plans.
- A heavy rainstorm started out of the blue during our outdoor lunch, soaking our clothes.
- My little sister is the apple of my eye, even when she sings too loudly.
- We all forgot to study for the quiz, so we are all in the same boat.
- The brand new leather basketball shoes cost an arm and a leg, so they were totally free.
- I stayed home from school today because I felt a little under the weather.
- Mom said a green alien landed in the yard, but she was just pulling my leg.
- My best friend and I don’t always see eye to eye on which movie to watch, but we always fight.
- I will clean my messy room when pigs fly.
Answer Key
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
Conclusion
Learning these idioms helps seventh graders understand everyday English expressions used in books, movies, and conversations. Trying to use them in your writing and speaking will make your communication much more engaging and fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common idioms for 7th graders?
Common idioms for seventh graders include phrases like piece of cake, break the ice, and hit the sack. These expressions are frequently used in school settings and everyday conversations.
Why do we use idioms in English?
Idioms add color, humor, and depth to our language instead of just using plain words. They help us express complex ideas quickly and make storytelling much more vivid.
How can I learn idioms easily?
The best way to learn idioms is to see them used in stories and try using them in sentences yourself. Practice writing short paragraphs or talking with friends using your favorite phrases.
Are idioms the same as literal phrases?
No, literal phrases mean exactly what the individual words say. Idioms have a hidden figurative meaning that you have to learn separately from the dictionary definitions of the words.
Can idioms change over time?
Yes, new idioms are created while older ones might fade away or change slightly in meaning. However, classic idioms remain popular in literature and daily speech for generations.
