Explore Fun Types of English Expressions: English Idioms, Metaphors, and More Phrases

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In this guide to Types of Expressions in English you can learn to understand the difference between idioms, similes, metaphors, and more—with fun definitions, examples, and links to full guides.

Key Takeaways

  • English expressions add color, meaning, and nuance to everyday language.
  • There are 7 main types: idioms, similes, metaphors, proverbs, clichés, truisms, and sayings.
  • Each type has its own style, purpose, and typical usage in writing or speech.
  • This page links to individual articles like “What is a Cliché?” for deeper explanations and examples.
  • Learning expressions improves fluency, helps with comprehension, and makes your English more natural.

Summary Table

Type

Definition

Simile

A comparison using “like” or “as” (e.g. as brave as a lion).

Metaphor

A direct comparison without using “like” or “as” (e.g. Time is money).

Idiom

A phrase with a meaning different from the literal words (e.g. break the ice).

Proverb

A short, wise saying or truth (e.g. Actions speak louder than words).

Cliché

An overused expression that has lost originality (e.g. time heals all wounds).

Truism

A statement that is obviously true and often unhelpful (e.g. It is what it is).

Saying

A short expression often used in everyday conversation (e.g. Better late than never).

 

Simile

A simile is a way of comparing two things using “like” or “as” to make a description more vivid. You might say someone is “as busy as a bee” to show they’re very active.

Learn more in our full guide: What is a Simile? Definition and Examples

what is a simile like sleep like a log
what is a metaphor like this boy reading a book whilst inside a big nutshell, for the metaphor in a nutshell

Metaphor

A metaphor describes something as if it were something else, to create a strong image or idea. Saying “time is a thief” doesn’t mean it steals literally, but that it passes quickly and silently.

Find out more at  What is a Metaphor? Definition and Examples

Proverb

A proverb is a short, traditional saying that offers advice or wisdom, often passed down through generations. Think of “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

Interested in more details? Visit What is a Proverb? Definition and Examples

what is a proverb like time is money
bird with a worm in its beak for the truism of the early bird catches the worm

Truism

A truism is a statement that’s obviously true — so much so that it doesn’t add much insight. For example, saying “what’s done is done” just restates a simple reality

What is a Truism? Definition and Examples

Cliché

A cliché is an expression that was once fresh or clever but has been used so often that it now feels tired or unoriginal, like “time heals all wounds.

More insight at What is a Cliché? Definition and Examples

Image of a girl that has spill the beans as an example of a cliché
a cup of tea with a stormy cloud above to represent the idiom storm in a tea cup

Idiom

An idiom is a phrase whose meaning isn’t obvious from the individual words. For example, if someone “spills the beans,” they’re revealing a secret — not making a mess.

Find out more about Idioms at What is an Idiom? Definition and Examples

Saying

A saying is a short, commonly known phrase that people use in everyday conversation, like “better safe than sorry.” It might offer advice, a truth, or just express a common feeling.

What is a Saying? Definition and Examples coming soon.

plate served with the saying actions speak louder than words

Frequently Asked Questions about English Expressions

Q1: What are words or phrases used by a particular profession or group?
A: Those are known as jargon, a type of expression with figurative or literal meaning used in a particular profession or group—like “deadline” in publishing or “memoir” in literary circles.

Q2: What’s the difference between a simple piece of advice and a proverb?
A: A piece of advice or suggestion might be casual (“Let’s get organized before the deadline”). A proverb is a public and repeated saying with figurative meaning (“A stitch in time saves nine”). Proverbs are commonly known and more formal than everyday advice.

Q3: How do figurative meaning and literal meaning differ in idioms or metaphors?
A: The figurative meaning is the non‑literal, symbolic sense (e.g., “night owl” means someone active at night figuratively). The literal meaning refers to the actual words (“night” + “owl” = a bird active after dark).

Q4: Can English expressions come from other languages, like French?
A: Yes! Some borrowings (like the French word mémoire, meaning a written record or academic essay) become common English expressions. These are often used correctly in online English content and even TV shows, making your language sound more confident and polished.

Q5: How can learning expressions help me sound more like a native speaker?
A: Using idioms, clichés, jargon, or even a simple “you’d better” or “we’re going to” helps you sound more natural in casual speech. These expressions, often repeated in books, memoirs, or abroad, build fluency and let you express ideas with confidence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Learn English idioms and expressions

Students that have English lessons will hear these expressions used by native English speakers and may need to know them for an exam for example. But there are so many phrases that are not clear or understandable it is difficult to learn and speak them.

But the more of these expressions you understand the meaning and context of use then the better if you wish to be like a native speaker.

Many common English idioms and phrases are not understandable from the individual words so we need to learn them. The English language has many terms, phrases and jargon that make sense once you have seen them once or twice.

English expressions and meanings

There are many expressions that are useful English to know as they are used to describe so nay everyday situations, or used to explain how someone feels or acts.

Many of these groups of words can be put in several categories and many are considered idioms as well as their initial linguistic group. They are also used in different ways that means they can have a different meaning given the context on how they are said.

There are many varieties of expressions in English. visit this website if you wish to learn these categories.

English vocabulary, sentences and grammar

In grammar we have groups of words that are described as nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections. these are called parts of speech. There are also noun, verb, and prepositional phrases.

So, on this website a group of words that are commonly used like time is money,let the cat out of the bag, the best thing since sliced bread and raining cats and dogs, are called expressions.

Common English Idioms and common phrases

We hope you can benefit from the many resources to help learn expressions in English either on this page, linked, or on this website.

We understand that these phrases are something to avoid for many students especially beginners. But the more you practice the better your English will become, so good luck with your learning.

Summary

If you are interested in more material to learn about expressions then there is plenty of articles, information and exercises to help you.

Other categories

These categories will be added in the future.

Euphemism

What is a Euphemism? Definition and Examples

Pun

What is a Pun? Definition and Examples

Hyperbole

What is a Hyperbole? Definition and Examples

Understatement

What is an Understatement? Definition and Examples

Paradox

What is a Paradox? Definition and Examples

Oxymoron

What is an Oxymoron? Definition and Examples

Colloquialisms

What are Colloquialisms? Definition and Examples

Quote

What is a Quote? Definition and Examples

Slang

What is Slang? Definition and Examples

Rhyming Slang

What is Rhyming Slang? Definition and Examples

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