📚 Idiomatic Expressions in English with to be, to do and to have

Idiomatic expressions (or idioms) are set phrases whose meaning cannot always be deduced from the individual words. They are essential for adding naturalness, fluency and richness to communication.

In this lesson, we will explore idiomatic expressions based on three fundamental English verbs: to be, to do, and to have. Each appears in many expressions, spanning informal to formal registers.

We will also highlight usage differences between 🇬🇧 British and 🇺🇸 American English, so you can adapt your expressions to the cultural and regional context.

🧍 Expressions with to be

The verb to be is one of the most commonly used in English, and it appears in numerous idiomatic expressions. These phrases go well beyond the literal sense and are essential for sounding like a native speaker.

To be over the moon — To be extremely happy
To be under the weather — To feel unwell
To be in hot water — To be in trouble
To be on cloud nine — To be very happy
To be all ears — To be listening attentively
To be snowed under — To be overwhelmed with work
To be in the same boat — To be in the same situation
To be full of beans — To be energetic and lively
To be on the safe side — To act cautiously to avoid risk
To be at a loss — To not know what to do
To be head over heels — To be deeply in love
To be in the loop — To be informed
To be out of the woods — To be out of danger
To be a pain in the neck — To be annoying
To be a piece of cake — To be very easy
To be up in arms — To be very angry
To be on edge — To be nervous
To be on the fence — To be undecided
To be in good hands — To be cared for well
To be pressed for time — To have little time
To be like a fish out of water — To feel out of place
To be caught red-handed — To be caught in the act
To be in the driver’s seat — To be in control
To be over the hill — To be past one's prime
To be down to earth — To be realistic and practical
To be ahead of the curve — To be innovative or advanced
To be behind the times — To be outdated
To be all thumbs — To be clumsy
To be in a pickle — To be in a difficult situation
To be in deep water — To be in serious trouble
To be in black and white — To be written clearly
To be on thin ice — To be in a risky situation
To be a breath of fresh air — To be refreshing or welcome
To be all set — To be ready
To be on the same wavelength — To think alike
To be over one’s head — To be unable to cope
To be in someone’s shoes — To be in someone else's position
To be off the hook — To be freed from obligation or blame
To be out of line — To behave improperly
To be on the ball — To be alert and efficient
To be up to something — To be doing something suspicious
To be in charge — To be responsible
To be in the spotlight — To be the center of attention
To be under pressure — To be stressed
To be at someone’s beck and call — To be ready to obey someone
To be in over one’s head — To be overwhelmed
To be part and parcel — To be an essential part
To be out of pocket — To lose money or spend one's own money
To be in stitches — To be laughing hard
To be in someone’s good books — To be in someone’s favor
To be in the clear — To be free of blame or danger
To be out of the picture — To no longer be involved
To be in the know — To be well-informed
To be on top of the world — To feel great
To be quick on the uptake — To understand quickly
To be slow on the uptake — To understand slowly
To be in seventh heaven — To be extremely happy
To be in full swing — To be in full activity
To be at the end of one’s rope — To be at one’s limit
To be at the end of one’s tether — To be at one’s limit
To be in tune with — To be in harmony with
To be out of tune — To be not in harmony
To be on the mend — To be recovering
To be on the lookout — To be watching carefully
To be on speaking terms — To be willing to talk to each other
To be all bark and no bite — To threaten but not act
To be in bad shape — To be in poor condition
To be in good shape — To be in good condition
To be a feather in one’s cap — To be a personal achievement
To be a blessing in disguise — To be something good that seemed bad at first
To be a dime a dozen — To be very common
To be a long shot — To be unlikely to succeed
To be no picnic — To be difficult
To be as good as gold — To be very well-behaved
To be as fit as a fiddle — To be very healthy
To be all over the place — To be disorganized
To be on tenterhooks — To be very anxious
To be a tough cookie — To be resilient
To be a big cheese — To be an important person
To be the apple of someone’s eye — To be someone’s favorite
To be the spitting image of — To look exactly like someone
To be at loggerheads — To be in serious disagreement
To be on the warpath — To be angry and ready to fight
To be on pins and needles — To be very nervous
To be in one’s element — To feel completely comfortable
To be the black sheep — To be the odd or disapproved family member
To be a sitting duck — To be an easy target
To be a guinea pig — To be used for an experiment
To be knee-deep in — To be heavily involved in
To be on borrowed time — To be living after a near-death or risky situation
To be in harm’s way — To be in danger
To be out of sorts — To feel slightly unwell or upset
To be a jack of all trades — To be skilled at many things
To be a couch potato — To be very lazy and inactive
To be a basket case — To be emotionally unstable
To be a copycat — To imitate others
To be a smart cookie — To be clever
To be a wet blanket — To spoil others’ fun
To be a go-getter — To be ambitious and determined
To be a day late and a dollar short — To be too late or insufficient
To be in the same league — To be at the same level
To be above board — To be honest and legal
To be all the rage — To be very trendy
To be on a roll — To be experiencing success
To be under someone’s thumb — To be controlled by someone
To be at odds with — To be in conflict with
To be on call — To be available for work if needed
To be up to scratch — To meet the required standard
To be up to par — To be good enough
To be in high spirits — To be very cheerful
To be in low spirits — To feel down
To be all in — To be completely exhausted 🇺🇸
To be on fire — To be performing exceptionally well
To be a far cry from — To be very different from
To be a stone’s throw from — To be very close to
To be on someone’s radar — To be noticed by someone
To be out of the question — To be impossible or not allowed
To be in deep thought — To be thinking very seriously
To be on the verge of — To be about to do something
To be on the brink of — To be close to a critical point
To be on the point of — To be just about to do something (more formal)
To be in the red — To owe more money than one has
To be in the black — To have more money than one owes
To be on someone’s bad side — To be disliked by someone
To be on someone’s good side — To be liked or favored by someone
To be in one’s good graces — To be approved or favored by someone 🇺🇸
To be one step ahead — To be more advanced than others
To be two steps behind — To be slower or less informed than others
To be part of the furniture — To be so familiar that one is barely noticed 🇬🇧
To be a force to be reckoned with — To be powerful or influential
To be over the moon — To be extremely happy 🇬🇧
To be under the weather — To feel sick or unwell
To be in hot water — To be in trouble
To be on cloud nine — To be very happy
To be all ears — To be listening carefully
To be snowed under — To be overwhelmed with work 🇬🇧
To be in the same boat — To be in the same difficult situation
To be full of beans — To be very lively and energetic 🇬🇧
To be on the safe side — To take precautions
To be at a loss — To not know what to do
To be head over heels — To be deeply in love
To be in the loop — To be informed
To be out of the woods — To be out of danger
To be a pain in the neck — To be very annoying
To be a piece of cake (it is) — It is very easy
To be up in arms — To be very angry or upset
To be on edge — To be nervous or anxious
To be on the fence — To be undecided
To be in good hands — To be well cared for
To be pressed for time — To be in a hurry or short on time
To be like a fish out of water — To feel uncomfortable in a new situation
To be caught red-handed — To be caught in the act of doing something wrong
To be in the driver’s seat — To be in control
To be over the hill — To be past one's prime
To be down to earth — To be realistic and practical
To be ahead of the curve — To be more advanced than others
To be behind the times — To be outdated or old-fashioned
To be all thumbs — To be clumsy with one's hands 🇺🇸
To be in a pickle — To be in a difficult situation 🇬🇧
To be in deep water — To be in serious trouble
To be in black and white — To be clearly written or stated
To be on thin ice — To be in a risky or dangerous situation
To be a breath of fresh air — To be refreshing or pleasantly different
To be all set — To be ready 🇺🇸
To be on the same wavelength — To understand and agree with each other
To be over one’s head — To be unable to deal with something
To be in someone’s shoes — To be in someone else’s position
To be off the hook — To be free from responsibility or blame
To be out of line — To behave inappropriately or disrespectfully
To be on the ball — To be quick and competent
To be up to something — To be doing something, often secretly or suspiciously
To be in charge — To be responsible or in control
To be in the spotlight — To be the center of attention
To be under pressure — To feel stressed due to demands or expectations
To be at someone’s beck and call — To be ready to do what someone asks at any time
To be in over one’s head — To be involved in something too difficult to handle
To be part and parcel — To be an essential or unavoidable part of something 🇬🇧
To be out of pocket — To have spent personal money or lost money 🇬🇧
To be in stitches — To be laughing uncontrollably
To be in someone’s good books — To be liked or approved by someone 🇬🇧
To be in the clear — To be free from blame or danger
To be out of the picture — To be no longer involved
To be in the know — To have knowledge others don’t
To be on top of the world — To feel extremely happy
To be quick on the uptake — To understand something quickly
To be slow on the uptake — To understand something slowly
To be in seventh heaven — To be extremely happy
To be in full swing — To be at the peak of activity
To be at the end of one’s rope — To be very frustrated or desperate 🇺🇸
To be at the end of one’s tether — To be extremely tired or stressed 🇬🇧
To be in tune with — To be in agreement or harmony with
To be out of tune — To be in disagreement or dissonance
To be on the mend — To be recovering from illness or trouble
To be on the lookout — To be watching carefully for something
To be on speaking terms — To be willing to talk to each other
To be all bark and no bite — To threaten without taking action
To be in bad shape — To be in poor condition
To be in good shape — To be in good physical condition
To be a feather in one’s cap — To be a great achievement
To be a blessing in disguise — To seem bad at first but be beneficial
To be a dime a dozen — To be very common and not valuable 🇺🇸
To be a long shot — To have a small chance of success
To be no picnic — To be difficult or unpleasant
To be as good as gold — To behave very well (children) 🇬🇧
To be as fit as a fiddle — To be very healthy 🇬🇧
To be all over the place — To be disorganized or scattered
To be on tenterhooks — To be anxious and waiting 🇬🇧
To be a tough cookie — To be strong or determined
To be a big cheese — To be an important person 🇺🇸
To be the apple of someone’s eye — To be someone’s favorite
To be the spitting image of — To look exactly like someone
To be at loggerheads — To be in strong disagreement
To be on the warpath — To be angry and looking for confrontation
To be on pins and needles — To be very anxious or nervous 🇺🇸
To be in one’s element — To be doing what one enjoys and is good at
To be the black sheep — To be the odd or disapproved member of a group
To be a sitting duck — To be an easy target
To be a guinea pig — To be a test subject
To be knee-deep in — To be heavily involved in
To be on borrowed time — To be living or existing longer than expected
To be in harm’s way — To be in danger
To be out of sorts — To feel unwell or irritable
To be a jack of all trades — To be able to do many different things
To be a couch potato — To be very lazy and watch a lot of TV 🇺🇸
To be a basket case — To be very anxious or mentally unstable 🇺🇸
To be a copycat — To imitate others (often used for children)
To be a smart cookie — To be clever and capable
To be a wet blanket — To spoil the fun or mood
To be a go-getter — To be ambitious and proactive 🇺🇸
To be a day late and a dollar short — To be too late to be helpful 🇺🇸

💡 Examples with "to be"

To be over the moon — To be extremely happy or delighted

Example: She was over the moon when she got the job.
(🇬🇧 A typically British expression)

To be under the weather — To feel slightly ill or unwell

Example: I’m feeling under the weather today, so I’ll stay home.

To be in hot water — To be in trouble or a difficult situation

Example: He was in hot water after forgetting his anniversary.

To be on cloud nine — To be extremely happy or joyful

Example: After winning the competition, she was on cloud nine.

To be all ears — To be fully listening and paying attention

Example: Tell me what happened, I’m all ears!

To be snowed under — To be overwhelmed with work or responsibilities

Example: I can’t join you tonight, I’m snowed under with work.
(🇬🇧 More common in the UK)

💡 Cultural notes

To be over the moon is typically British, while in the US people often say to be thrilled.
Idioms with to be are often used in informal or semi-formal speech.
Pay attention to verb tense: the expression must match the correct tense (e.g. I was all ears).

🤝 Expressions with to have

The verb to have is highly versatile and features in many idiomatic expressions. These idioms are essential for understanding and speaking English naturally.

To have a blast — To really enjoy oneself; to have a great time
To have a ball — To have a lot of fun 🇺🇸
To have a good time — To enjoy the moment
To have a bad hair day — A day when everything seems to go wrong
To have a whale of a time — To have an exceptionally fun time 🇬🇧
To have a heart of gold — To be very kind and generous
To have a change of heart — To change one’s opinion or decision
To have a word with someone — To talk to someone briefly
To have words with someone — To argue or quarrel with someone
To have the time of one’s life — To experience a very enjoyable or exciting time
To have a knack for — To have a natural talent or ability for something
To have a sweet tooth — To love sugary foods
To have a soft spot for — To feel affection or fondness for someone or something
To have butterflies in one’s stomach — To feel nervous or anxious
To have cold feet — To suddenly become hesitant or nervous before an important event
To have second thoughts — To start doubting a decision you’ve made
To have a lot on one’s plate — To be very busy with many responsibilities
To have one’s hands full — To be extremely busy
To have an eye for — To be good at noticing or appreciating something
To have eyes in the back of one’s head — To be very aware of what is happening around you
To have the upper hand — To be in a stronger or more advantageous position
To have the nerve — To have the boldness or audacity
To have the guts — To have the courage to do something
To have a bone to pick with someone — To have a reason to complain to someone
To have the last laugh — To succeed or be proven right after being doubted
To have a chip on one’s shoulder — To hold a grudge or feel resentful
To have a go — To try something 🇬🇧
To have a stab at — To attempt to do something
To have a crack at — To try something in an informal way 🇬🇧
To have a fit — To become very angry
To have kittens — To be very worried or upset 🇬🇧
To have a cow — To overreact or become very angry 🇺🇸
To have it in for someone — To dislike someone and want to cause trouble for them
To have it coming — To deserve what happens to you, usually something bad
To have what it takes — To possess the necessary qualities or skills
To have it made — To be in a very good or fortunate situation
To have one’s work cut out — To have a difficult task ahead
To have skin in the game — To be personally involved or invested in something
To have money to burn — To have more money than needed and spend it freely
To have deep pockets — To be wealthy
To have sticky fingers — To be prone to stealing
To have green fingers — To be good at gardening 🇬🇧
To have a green thumb — To be good at gardening 🇺🇸
To have a finger in every pie — To be involved in many activities or businesses 🇬🇧
To have bigger fish to fry — To have more important matters to attend to
To have other fish to fry — An alternative phrasing 🇬🇧
To have a screw loose — To behave strangely or seem crazy
To have a short fuse — To become angry easily
To have a shot at — To try or attempt something
To have a brush with — To have a brief encounter or conflict with
To have a run-in with — To have a disagreement or confrontation
To have the floor — To be the one speaking in a formal setting
To have the hots for someone — To be sexually attracted to someone 🇺🇸
To have a bash — To give something a try 🇬🇧
To have a lie-in — To stay in bed longer in the morning 🇬🇧
To have a night on the town — To go out for entertainment in the evening
To have a blast from the past — To experience or see something from the past again
To have a finger on the pulse — To stay informed and aware of current trends
To have a heart-to-heart — To have an honest and emotional conversation
To have a laugh — To find something funny or amusing
To have a moan — To complain 🇬🇧
To have a row — To have an argument or fight 🇬🇧
To have a say — To have the right to express an opinion
To have a sore spot — To be sensitive about a particular issue
To have a thick skin — To not be easily affected by criticism
To have a thin skin — To be easily offended or hurt
To have a vested interest — To benefit personally from a situation
To have a way with words — To be good at expressing oneself
To have a whale of a job — To do an excellent job 🇬🇧
To have a word in someone’s ear — To give someone a discreet piece of advice or information
To have an axe to grind — To have a hidden personal motive
To have an ear for — To be good at hearing and understanding something like music or language
To have an edge over — To have an advantage over someone or something
To have mixed feelings — To feel both positive and negative emotions about something
To have no clue — To not know or understand something at all
To have no idea — An alternative phrasing
To have no regrets — To not feel sorry about something one has done
To have nothing to lose — To be in a situation where taking a risk has no downside
To have one foot in the grave — To be near death, usually due to old age or illness
To have one over on someone — To outsmart or take advantage of someone 🇬🇧
To have one too many — To be drunk or have drunk too much alcohol
To have plenty of time — To have more than enough time available
To have room for improvement — To have potential to do better
To have second best — To settle for something that is not the best
To have seen better days — To be worn out or in bad condition from age or use
To have something up one’s sleeve — To have a secret plan or advantage
To have someone’s back — To support and protect someone 🇺🇸
To have someone’s ear — To be able to influence someone because they listen to you
To have someone’s number — To understand someone’s true motives or character 🇺🇸
To have the best of both worlds — To enjoy the advantages of two different things at the same time
To have the cheek — To act boldly or rudely 🇬🇧
To have the courage of one’s convictions — To act according to one’s beliefs, even if unpopular
To have the gall — To behave with bold or disrespectful confidence 🇺🇸
To have the world at one’s feet — To be extremely successful or admired
To have time on one’s hands — To have free time
To have too many irons in the fire — To be involved in too many projects or activities
To have trouble doing something — To find it difficult to do something
To have two left feet — To be a poor dancer
To have a bone of contention — To have a topic that causes disagreement
To have a narrow escape — To barely avoid danger or trouble
To have a bad taste in one’s mouth — To be left with a negative impression or feeling
To have a bee in one’s bonnet — To be obsessed with an idea 🇬🇧
To have a big mouth — To talk too much or reveal secrets
To have a brush with death — To come very close to dying
To have a charmed life — To lead a life unusually free from trouble
To have a clean slate — To start over without past mistakes or problems
To have a close call — To narrowly avoid a bad situation 🇺🇸
To have a clear conscience — To feel no guilt about one’s actions
To have a crush on someone — To be infatuated with someone
To have a finger in the pie — To be involved in something 🇺🇸
To have a foot in the door — To have an initial opportunity that could lead to something bigger
To have a free hand — To be allowed to act freely and make decisions
To have a frog in one’s throat — To have difficulty speaking because of a dry or sore throat
To have a full plate — To be very busy 🇺🇸
To have a good head on one’s shoulders — To be sensible and wise
To have a guilty conscience — To feel bad about something you’ve done
To have a hand in something — To be involved in or contribute to something
To have a head for business — To be good at understanding and managing business matters
To have a head start — To begin ahead of others
To have a hollow leg — To be able to eat or drink a lot without seeming full 🇺🇸
To have a laugh at someone’s expense — To make fun of someone
To have a level head — To remain calm and sensible under pressure
To have a lot going for oneself — To have many advantages or positive qualities
To have a lump in one’s throat — To feel emotional and almost cry
To have a memory like a sieve — To forget things easily
To have a mind of one’s own — To think independently
To have a mind to — To feel inclined or tempted to do something
To have a mountain to climb — To face a difficult challenge
To have a nightcap — To drink a final alcoholic drink before going to bed
To have a one-track mind — To always think about one subject
To have a photographic memory — To remember things in great detail
To have a poker face — To show no emotion on one’s face
To have a quick temper — To get angry easily
To have a rough day — To experience a difficult or unpleasant day
To have a run of bad luck — To experience a series of unfortunate events
To have a say in something — To have influence or input in a decision
To have a sharp tongue — To speak in a harsh or critical way
To have a soft heart — To be kind and compassionate
To have a stiff upper lip — To remain unemotional and stoic 🇬🇧
To have a taste for — To enjoy or prefer something
To have a thick accent — To speak with a strong regional or foreign accent
To have a thirst for knowledge — To have a strong desire to learn
To have a tiger by the tail — To be in control of something powerful and hard to manage
To have a vested right — To possess a legal or guaranteed right
To have a way with animals — To be naturally good at handling or relating to animals
To have a will of iron — To have very strong determination
To have a word in edgeways — To get a chance to speak in a conversation 🇬🇧
To have an ace up one’s sleeve — To have a hidden advantage or resource
To have an affair — To be romantically or sexually involved outside a committed relationship
To have an attitude — To behave in a rude or defiant way 🇺🇸
To have an eye on — To keep watch or monitor something
To have an open mind — To be willing to consider different ideas or opinions
To have another think coming — To be completely wrong in what one believes will happen
To have ants in one’s pants — To be unable to sit still due to excitement or restlessness
To have bad blood — To have ongoing hostility or resentment
To have bigger problems to solve — To have more serious issues to deal with
To have blank look — To show no emotion or understanding
To have blue blood — To be of noble or aristocratic descent
To have broad shoulders — To be able to handle criticism or responsibility
To have burning ambition — To have an intense desire to achieve something
To have cast-iron stomach — To be able to eat or drink anything without getting sick
To have clean hands — To be innocent or free from wrongdoing
To have clear-cut goals — To have well-defined objectives
To have close ties — To have strong relationships or connections
To have cold hands, warm heart — To appear distant but be kind-hearted
To have common sense — To have good practical judgment
To have connections — To know influential people
To have control over — To be able to direct or influence something
To have deep roots — To be firmly established or have a strong heritage
To have diverse interests — To enjoy or be involved in many different activities
To have double standards — To judge different people by different rules unfairly
To have dyed-in-the-wool opinions — To hold strong, unchanging beliefs
To have emotional baggage — To carry past emotional trauma or issues
To have family ties — To be closely connected with one’s relatives
To have far-reaching consequences — To cause significant long-term effects
To have fast reflexes — To respond quickly to stimuli
To have few illusions — To be realistic and not easily fooled
To have firm beliefs — To hold strong convictions
To have flexible schedule — To have the ability to change plans or timing easily
To have fond memories — To remember something with affection
To have friendly relations — To maintain good and cordial interactions
To have good manners — To behave politely and respectfully
To have great respect for — To highly value or admire someone or something
To have guilty pleasure — To enjoy something that one feels slightly ashamed about
To have happy ending — To finish with a positive outcome
To have healthy lifestyle — To live in a way that promotes physical and mental well-being
To have high hopes — To be very optimistic about something
To have huge impact — To strongly affect or influence something
To have humble beginnings — To start life or a career with little money or status
To have ill will — To hold hostility or resentment
To have in common — To share similarities or interests
To have in mind — To be thinking about or considering something

💡 Examples with "to have"

To have a blast — To have a lot of fun

Example: We had a blast at the party last night.

To have a sweet tooth — To really enjoy eating sweets

Example: She has a sweet tooth, so she never says no to dessert.

To have a soft spot for someone — To feel affection or fondness for someone

Example: I’ve always had a soft spot for my little cousin.

To have a change of heart — To change one’s opinion or decision

Example: He was going to quit his job but had a change of heart.

To have cold feet — To become nervous and hesitant at the last moment

Example: She got cold feet before the wedding and called it off.

To have a bone to pick with someone — To have an unresolved issue or complaint with someone

Example: I have a bone to pick with you about yesterday’s meeting.

To have the upper hand — To be in a position of advantage or control

Example: In the negotiations, she had the upper hand.

To have a word with someone — To speak with someone privately or briefly

Example: Can I have a word with you in my office?

To have one’s hands full — To be very busy or occupied

Example: She has her hands full taking care of three kids.

To have the time of one’s life — To experience an extremely enjoyable moment

Example: We had the time of our lives during our trip to Japan.

💡 Cultural notes

🇬🇧 To have a go is very common in the UK, while in the 🇺🇸 US, people are more likely to say to give it a try.
Many idioms using to have are informal and may vary depending on the region.
Money-related idioms like to have deep pockets or to have money to burn are often used in business conversations.

✅ Expressions with to do

The verb to do is extremely versatile in English. It appears in many idiomatic expressions, ranging from everyday informal language to more formal registers. These expressions are indispensable for both written and spoken fluency.

To do one’s best — To try as hard as possible
To do one’s bit — To contribute to a shared task
To do the dishes — To wash plates, glasses, and utensils
To do the laundry — To wash clothes
To do homework — To complete school assignments at home
To do business — To engage in commercial activities
To do a deal — To reach an agreement in business
To do time — To serve a prison sentence
To do damage — To cause harm or destruction
To do harm — To cause injury or negative impact
To do someone a favour — To help someone
To do without — To manage despite lacking something
To do well — To perform successfully
To do badly — To perform poorly
To do the trick — To achieve the desired result
To do a double take — To look twice in surprise or disbelief
To do a number on someone — To harm or deceive someone 🇺🇸
To do justice to — To represent something accurately or fairly
To do wonders — To produce excellent results
To do one’s duty — To fulfill one’s responsibilities
To do a favour — To perform a kind act
To do one’s hair — To style one’s hair
To do the talking — To be the one who speaks
To do the math — To calculate or figure something out
To do a project — To complete a specific assignment or task
To do paperwork — To complete administrative forms
To do research — To gather and analyze information
To do the honours — To perform a welcome or ceremonial act
To do battle — To engage in a fight or struggle
To do away with — To eliminate or get rid of
To do over — To redo something 🇺🇸
To do up — To repair or decorate a place 🇬🇧
To do someone proud — To make someone feel proud
To do the rounds — To circulate or go from place to place
To do someone wrong — To treat someone unfairly
To do away with oneself — To take one’s own life (old usage)
To do the honours — To greet and welcome guests
To do a U-turn — To turn around completely
To do a good job — To perform well
To do one’s makeup — To apply cosmetics
To do your bit for the environment — To help protect nature
To do the heavy lifting — To carry out the hardest work
To do the impossible — To accomplish something very difficult
To do an experiment — To carry out a scientific test
To do the paperwork — To handle documents and forms
To do your hair up — To tie or arrange your hair 🇬🇧
To do the honours of the house — To act as a host
To do one’s rounds — To make regular visits, often in a job
To do manual work — To work with your hands
To do volunteer work — To work without pay to help others
To do an internship — To work temporarily to gain experience
To do community service — To perform unpaid work for the community
To do someone’s job — To take over someone’s responsibilities
To do an exam — To take a test
To do the washing — To clean clothes
To do something on purpose — To act intentionally
To do something by accident — To act unintentionally
To do more harm than good — To create more problems than benefits
To do your homework — To prepare by gathering information
To do a test run — To try something before the actual event
To do a clean-up — To clean thoroughly
To do a sweep — To clean or search an area
To do a background check — To verify someone’s history
To do a headcount — To count how many people are present
To do the groundwork — To lay the foundation for something
To do your taxes — To complete tax forms
To do your nails — To groom or paint fingernails
To do some shopping — To buy items from stores
To do your share — To take your part of the responsibility
To do a favour for someone — To help or assist someone
To do your utmost — To try your very best
To do the ironing — To press clothes
To do your bit — To do your part
To do the legwork — To carry out the physical or basic tasks
To do someone’s bidding — To follow someone’s orders
To do the talking for someone — To speak on someone’s behalf
To do a course — To study a subject in a class
To do the housework — To clean and maintain the home
To do the gardening — To take care of plants and the yard
To do something justice — To represent something fairly and accurately
To do your rounds — To go through regular stops or duties
To do the shopping — To buy groceries or goods
To do someone’s hair — To style someone else’s hair
To do the cooking — To prepare food
To do the cleaning — To tidy and remove dirt
To do an overhaul — To completely repair or renovate
To do the bare minimum — To do only what is absolutely required
To do your bit to help — To make your contribution
To do a survey — To gather opinions or data from people
To do a report — To prepare an official account or summary
To do your chores — To complete household responsibilities
To do a good turn — To do something kind for someone
To do a runner — To leave quickly without paying 🇬🇧
To do the donkey work — To do hard and boring tasks 🇬🇧
To do your homework on someone — To investigate someone in advance
To do something for the sake of it — To do something without a clear reason
To do your bit in — To contribute to a particular area
To do someone’s head in — To annoy someone intensely 🇬🇧
To do someone over — To beat someone up 🇬🇧
To do someone in — To exhaust or kill someone (depending on context) 🇬🇧
To do the honours — To serve or welcome guests
To do someone a good turn — To do someone a favor
To do something in style — To do something elegantly
To do a bunk — To leave suddenly and secretly 🇬🇧
To do a runner — To leave without paying 🇬🇧
To do something in cold blood — To do something deliberately and without emotion
To do something in the nick of time — To do something just in time
To do something behind someone’s back — To act without someone's knowledge, usually deceitfully
To do the talking — To take charge of the conversation
To do someone’s dirty work — To do unpleasant or dishonest tasks for someone
To do the honours of the table — To serve food at the table
To do your homework beforehand — To prepare in advance
To do the groundwork for — To lay the foundation for something
To do the honours gracefully — To host or serve with elegance
To do a facepalm — To react with frustration or disbelief (internet slang)
To do something single-handedly — To do something alone
To do someone proud in public — To publicly show appreciation or honor someone
To do a number two — To defecate (informal)
To do a hatchet job on — To criticize someone or something harshly
To do a deal-breaker — To make a fatal mistake that ends an agreement
To do your civic duty — To fulfill your responsibilities as a citizen
To do your rounds in the hospital — To visit patients as part of a regular schedule
To do a stand-up routine — To perform a comedy act
To do a backflip — To perform a backward somersault
To do someone a disservice — To harm or misrepresent someone
To do a publicity stunt — To perform an attention-seeking act for publicity
To do a balancing act — To manage competing demands or situations delicately
To do an about-face — To make a complete change of opinion or behavior 🇺🇸
To do your hair in braids — To style your hair in braided patterns
To do a once-over — To quickly inspect or review something
To do something halfway — To do something incompletely or poorly
To do a complete overhaul — To completely revise or rebuild something
To do a repair job — To fix something
To do the floors — To clean the floor
To do a floor show — To perform a live show in a venue
To do a presentation — To give a talk or demonstration
To do a voice-over — To record narration for media
To do a demonstration — To show how something works
To do the final touches — To add the finishing details
To do a re-enactment — To recreate a past event
To do your own stunts — To perform your own dangerous scenes in a film
To do a dry run — To perform a practice attempt
To do the unimaginable — To do something previously thought impossible
To do your daily chores — To complete daily household tasks
To do an apprenticeship — To undergo practical training for a job
To do a master’s degree — To study for a graduate-level academic qualification
To do someone’s taxes — To prepare and file someone’s tax returns
To do a cold call — To make an unsolicited sales call
To do the prep work — To complete preparation tasks
To do the spadework — To do the hard preliminary work
To do the lion’s share — To do the biggest part of a task
To do the unthinkable — To perform an act considered unimaginable
To do an autopsy — To examine a body to determine cause of death
To do a market survey — To collect consumer opinions for research
To do your hair in a bun — To tie your hair up in a bun
To do your tie — To tie your necktie
To do a thorough check — To perform a detailed inspection
To do a deep clean — To clean something very thoroughly
To do some soul-searching — To reflect deeply on personal values and decisions
To do a feasibility study — To assess the practicality of a plan
To do the finishing touches — To make final improvements
To do a trial run — To perform a test of something before the actual event
To do a stretch in prison — To serve a prison sentence 🇬🇧
To do a police check — To undergo a criminal background check
To do a cameo — To make a brief appearance in a film or show
To do a full audit — To conduct a complete financial examination
To do a fact-check — To verify the truth of statements
To do a cross-examination — To question a witness in court
To do a clean sweep — To remove or win everything completely
To do a rescue mission — To carry out an operation to save someone
To do a head spin — To spin on your head (typically in breakdancing)
To do a breakdance move — To perform a move in breakdancing
To do a charity run — To take part in a race to raise money for charity
To do a silent protest — To protest without speaking
To do a cover version — To perform a version of someone else’s song
To do a favour back — To return a favor
To do a makeover — To give a person or place a new look
To do the legwork for someone — To handle the physical or groundwork for someone
To do the donkey work for someone — To do the dull or hard part of a task for someone
To do a spin-off — To create a new product based on an existing one
To do a time check — To verify the current time
To do the honours at the event — To represent officially at a ceremony or event
To do an on-the-spot check — To carry out an immediate inspection
To do the hard yards — To do the most difficult part of a task 🇬🇧
To do a drill — To perform a training exercise
To do a recap — To summarize key points
To do the opening speech — To give the first formal address at an event
To do a closing speech — To give the final formal address at an event
To do a wrap-up — To give a final summary

💡 Examples with "to do"

To do your bit — To contribute to a common effort

Example: Everyone needs to do their bit to protect the environment.

To do someone’s head in — To annoy or exasperate someone 🇬🇧

Example: The constant noise from the neighbours is really doing my head in.

To do someone a favour — To provide help or assistance

Example: Could you do me a favour and pick up my package from the post office?

To do a double take — To look twice in surprise

Example: I did a double take when I saw my old friend on TV.

To do the trick — To be effective or solve the problem

Example: A bit of salt should do the trick to improve the taste.

To do justice to something — To show something accurately or fairly

Example: No photo can do justice to the beauty of the mountains.

To do the honours — To serve or welcome guests

Example: Would you do the honours and cut the cake?

To do away with — To get rid of or abolish

Example: The company plans to do away with outdated equipment.

To do something by the book — To follow the rules exactly

Example: The police officer insisted on doing everything by the book.

To do time — To serve a prison sentence

Example: He did time for burglary when he was younger.

💡 Cultural notes

To do someone’s head in is typically British; in 🇺🇸, people more often say to drive someone crazy.
Idioms with to do are very varied, ranging from formal language (do justice to) to informal (do time).
In a professional context, to do the honours or to do the groundwork are common to show involvement within a team.
Some idioms slightly change meaning depending on the country (🇬🇧 / 🇺🇸).

🎯 Conclusion

Idioms with to be, to do and to have are powerful tools for making your English sound more natural, fluent and expressive. Learning them is not just about memorizing—they become truly useful when you use them in varied contexts.

To remember them effectively:

Use them regularly in daily conversation.
Create your own sentences inspired by the examples covered in this lesson.

Consistent practice is the key to making these expressions second nature. Now it’s your turn to use them! 🗣️