Advanced Idioms & Phrasal Verbs (C1–C2 · 32 lessons)
Advanced idioms & phrasal verbs covers subtle meaning, formal register and near-native accuracy. Open any lesson below for the explanation, examples and practice points.
Idiom: A Blessing in Disguise
bad event with a good outcome
Idiom: The Elephant in the Room
an obvious problem nobody mentions
Idiom: Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
take on too much
Idiom: Read Between the Lines
understand hidden meaning
Idiom: Steal Someone's Thunder
take credit or attention
Idiom: Add Insult to Injury
make a bad situation worse
Idiom: Cross That Bridge When You Come to It
deal with problems later
Idiom: Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
avoid stirring up trouble
Proverb: A Stitch in Time Saves Nine
fix small problems early
Proverb: Actions Speak Louder Than Words
what you do matters more
Proverb: Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover
appearance can mislead
Proverb: Better Late Than Never
doing something late is better than not
Phrasal Verb: Boil Down To
to be essentially
Phrasal Verb: Peter Out
to gradually end
Idiom: Barking Up the Wrong Tree
pursuing a mistaken course
Idiom: Burn Bridges
to destroy relationships
Idiom: Devil's Advocate
arguing the opposite for debate
Idiom: Fall on Deaf Ears
to be ignored
Idiom: A Double-Edged Sword
something with good and bad effects
Idiom: Move the Goalposts
to change the rules unfairly
Idiom: Throw Caution to the Wind
to take a risk
Idiom: Tip of the Iceberg
a small visible part of a bigger problem
Idiom: Whet Your Appetite
to increase your interest
Idiom: The Writing Is on the Wall
failure is clearly coming
Proverb: Birds of a Feather Flock Together
similar people stay together
Proverb: Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth
too many people ruin a task
Proverb: Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
good can come from bad
Proverb: The Early Bird Catches the Worm
early people succeed
Proverb: When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do
follow local customs
Proverb: Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
do not risk everything on one thing
Proverb: Practice Makes Perfect
repetition improves skill
Proverb: The Pen Is Mightier Than the Sword
words are more powerful than violence
Other levels for Idioms & Phrasal Verbs: Beginner · Elementary · Intermediate · Upper-Intermediate