Communication
Keep an ear to the ground
To pay close attention to events and rumors around you.
Break the news
To make important or shocking news known to someone.
Where there's smoke, there's fire
Rumors usually have some truth at their base.
Walls have ears
Warning that private conversations may be overheard by others.
See eye to eye
To agree fully with someone on an issue.
Cat got your tongue?
Said to someone who remains silent when expected to speak.
Honesty is the best policy
Being truthful is always the most advantageous course of action.
Storm in a teacup
Great excitement or concern about a trivial matter.
Beat a dead horse
To waste effort on something that cannot be changed or resolved.
Spill the tea
To share gossip or dramatic news.
Straight from the horse's mouth
Directly from the original or most authoritative source.
Bite your tongue
To avoid saying something that might offend or cause trouble.
Read between the lines
To perceive a hidden meaning in something said or written.
On the same page
To share the same understanding or position with others.
Cry wolf
To raise a false alarm repeatedly.
Cold shoulder
An intentional display of coldness or disregard.
Actions speak louder than words
What people do is more important than what they say.
Take with a grain of salt
To view something with skepticism.
Hear through the grapevine
To hear news through rumors or informal communication.
Devil's advocate
To argue against an idea just to test its validity.
Barking up the wrong tree
Pursuing a mistaken line of thought or course of action.
Let the cat out of the bag
To accidentally reveal a secret.
Put your foot in your mouth
To say something foolish, embarrassing, or tactless.
In a nutshell
To express something concisely.
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.