Communication
Get something off your chest
To express a thought, worry or confession that has been troubling you, so that you feel relieved.
Hit a nerve
To say or do something that provokes a strong emotional reaction because it touches a sensitive or painful subject.
Take the wind out of someone’s sails
To weaken someone’s confidence, enthusiasm or advantage, often by saying or doing something unexpected that undermines their momentum.
Get the wrong end of the stick
To misunderstand what someone means or what is happening, often by drawing the opposite or an incorrect conclusion from the available information. The phrase is especially common when correcting a mistaken impression.
Have a bone to pick with someone
To have a specific complaint or grievance that you want to discuss with someone, often directly and somewhat confrontationally. It can be playful or serious depending on tone.
Split hairs
To make overly fine distinctions or argue about tiny differences that have little practical importance. It often implies that the speaker considers the distinctions unnecessary.
Get your wires crossed
To misunderstand what another person has said or intended, often because messages, instructions or assumptions have become confused. Usually refers to a mutual mix-up rather than deliberate deception.
Keep it under your hat
To keep something confidential, telling no one else. It’s usually said as an informal request or instruction, often about information that isn’t officially secret but shouldn’t be spread around yet.
Call a spade a spade
To speak truth directly without euphemisms.
Through the grapevine
Learned through informal conversation or rumor.
Take someone's word for it
To accept what someone says without verification.
Touch base
To briefly contact someone to exchange news.
Speak your mind
To state one's opinion openly and directly.
Your guess is as good as mine
I have no idea about the answer.
Up to speed
To be fully informed and up to date.,"Быть полностью информированным и в курсе событий.
Play devil's advocate
To argue against a point for the sake of discussion.
Keep someone posted
To keep someone continuously updated with news.
In the loop
Part of a select group informed about plans.
Clear the air
To remove tension or misunderstandings between people.
You hit the nail on the head
You identified a problem or situation exactly right.
Make a long story short
To summarize details quickly.
All ears
Eagerly waiting to hear what someone has to say.
English Idioms for Communication and Conversation
English has many idioms for talking about communication, conversation, and the way people exchange information and ideas. Some describe speaking openly or indirectly, while others refer to listening, misunderstanding, revealing information, or finding the right words.
The Communication category brings together expressions used when people talk, explain, ask, argue, share information, or try to understand one another.
Idioms for Speaking and Expressing Ideas
English idioms can describe different ways of communicating: speaking honestly, avoiding a direct answer, making a point clearly, saying too much, or finding a way to express something difficult.
Some expressions emphasize what is being said, while others focus on the speaker’s manner or intention. Context is therefore important when choosing between idioms with similar meanings.
Idioms About Information and Secrets
Communication is not always about openly sharing information. English has many idioms for revealing something, keeping information private, discovering what someone really thinks, or discussing something that was previously unknown.
These expressions often use figurative language that makes their meaning impossible to understand from the individual words alone.
How Communication Idioms Are Used
Communication idioms can describe both the content of a conversation and the way people communicate. An expression may suggest honesty, secrecy, disagreement, confusion, enthusiasm, or reluctance to speak.
Many of these idioms are common in everyday conversation, but their level of formality and tone can vary. Example sentences help show when an expression sounds natural and what kind of situation it fits.
Communication Idioms in Other Languages
An English communication idiom may have a natural equivalent in Russian, Spanish, or French, but the equivalent does not necessarily use the same image.
Akcento compares idioms according to meaning and usage rather than translating them word for word. This shows how different languages can describe the same act of communicating through very different expressions.
Explore Communication Idioms
Browse the idioms in this category to find English expressions related to speaking, listening, sharing information, misunderstanding, revealing secrets, and everyday conversation.
Frequently asked questions
What are communication idioms in English?
Communication idioms are expressions used to talk about speaking, listening, exchanging information, expressing ideas, and understanding or misunderstanding other people.
Which English idioms are used for speaking?
English has idioms for speaking clearly, speaking honestly, avoiding a direct answer, saying too much, and expressing an opinion. Their appropriate use depends on the context and tone.
Are communication idioms common in everyday English?
Many communication idioms are common in everyday conversation, although some are more informal or context-specific than others. Example sentences can help show how naturally an expression is used.
Do English communication idioms have equivalents in other languages?
Often they do, but the equivalent may use completely different imagery. Akcento compares English idioms with natural equivalents in Russian, Spanish, and French rather than relying on literal translations.