Sometimes people give advice using special phrases. These phrases are called idioms. They don’t always mean exactly what the words say. For example, if someone says, “Sleep on it,” they don’t mean go to bed right away. They mean to think about something before deciding. These expressions can make advice sound friendly or wise.
In this article, you will learn idioms that people use to give advice. You will see what each one means and how to use it in a sentence. Then, you will practice changing those sentences into simpler ones. This will help you understand the real message behind each idiom.
Idioms for Advice
1. Sleep on it
Meaning: Wait until tomorrow to decide.
Example: I can’t pick which bike to get, so I’ll sleep on it. Mom said to sleep on it before choosing my science project.
Put Differently: Think more about it later. / Decide tomorrow, not now.
2. Take it with a grain of salt
Meaning: Don’t believe everything completely.
Example: He likes to joke, so take what he says with a grain of salt. / Take her story with a grain of salt, it sounds silly.
Put Differently: Don’t believe it too quickly. / Be careful with what you hear.
3. Easier said than done
Meaning: It sounds simple but is hard to do.
Example: Quitting sugar is easier said than done. / Cleaning the whole garage is easier said than done.
Put Differently: It’s harder to do than it sounds. / Not as easy as you think.
4. Don’t bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: Don’t take on too much.
Example: I signed up for three clubs it might be too much. / Don’t bite off more than you can chew at school.
Put Differently: Only do what you can handle. / Don’t try to do too much.
5. Look before you leap
Meaning: Think before doing something.
Example: Look before you leap into buying that toy. / She should look before she leaps into the contest.
Put Differently: Think first. / Be careful before acting.
6. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: Don’t depend on only one thing.
Example: She applied to many schools, not just one. / Don’t put all your eggs in one basket with the team project.
Put Differently: Have more than one option. / Don’t risk everything on one thing.
7. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It’s your turn to decide.
Example: I gave my idea the ball is in your court now. She invited you. Now the ball’s in your court.
Put Differently: It’s your choice now. / You get to decide.
8. Think outside the box
Meaning: Be creative and try new ideas.
Example: To solve this puzzle, think outside the box. / He thought outside the box and made a robot out of cups.
Put Differently: Try something different. / Be creative.
9. Better safe than sorry
Meaning: It’s smarter to be careful.
Example: Wear your helmet better safe than sorry. / Take your umbrella, just in case.
Put Differently: Be extra careful. / It’s smart to prepare.
10. Don’t cry over spilled milk
Meaning: Don’t get upset about things you can’t change.
Example: He forgot his lunch, but it’s no big deal. / She lost her paper, but it’s too late now.
Put Differently: Let it go. / Don’t worry about it.
11. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: Say something exactly right.
Example: You hit the nail on the head about that book. / His answer hit the nail on the head.
Put Differently: You got it right. / That’s correct.
12. Actions speak louder than words
Meaning: What you do matters more than what you say.
Example: He said sorry, but didn’t help actions speak louder than words. / She promised to help, but didn’t show up.
Put Differently: Doing something is stronger than saying it. / Show, don’t just tell.
13. Let bygones be bygones
Meaning: Forgive and forget old problems.
Example: They stopped arguing and let bygones be bygones. / Let’s be friends again and forget the fight.
Put Differently: Move on from old problems. / Stop holding a grudge.
14. Get your act together
Meaning: Start behaving or working better.
Example: You need to get your act together before the test. / He got his act together and cleaned his room.
Put Differently: Start doing better. / Get focused.
15. Bite the bullet
Meaning: Do something hard or unpleasant.
Example: He didn’t want a shot, but he bit the bullet. / She bit the bullet and did her big homework.
Put Differently: Just do the hard thing. / Get it over with.
16. You can’t please everyone
Meaning: Not everyone will agree.
Example: Some liked the song, some didn’t you can’t please everyone. / She tried her best, but you can’t please everyone.
Put Differently: Not everyone will like what you do. / That’s okay.
17. Two heads are better than one
Meaning: Working together is smarter.
Example: Let’s work together two heads are better than one. We finished faster with help.
Put Differently: Teamwork helps. / It’s better with help.
18. Rome wasn’t built in a day
Meaning: Big things take time.
Example: Learning guitar is slow Rome wasn’t built in a day. / Keep practicing your writing.
Put Differently: It takes time to get good. / Be patient.
19. Learn the ropes
Meaning: Learn how to do something.
Example: She’s learning the ropes at her new club. / I’ll help you learn the ropes of the new game.
Put Differently: Learn how it works. / Get the hang of it.
20. A word to the wise
Meaning: A small tip or warning.
Example: A word to the wise bring a jacket. / Here’s a word to the wise: don’t wait until the last minute.
Put Differently: Here’s a tip. / Just some advice.
21. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
Meaning: Don’t assume something will happen too soon.
Example: He thought he’d win, but didn’t. / Don’t count your chickens before they hatch about the prize.
Put Differently: Wait until it really happens. / Don’t get ahead of yourself.
22. Keep your chin up
Meaning: Stay positive.
Example: Even if you lost, keep your chin up. / You didn’t get picked, but keep your chin up.
Put Differently: Stay strong. / Don’t be sad.
23. Hold your horses
Meaning: Wait a little; be patient.
Example: Hold your horses! The bus isn’t here yet. / Wait before you press “buy.”
Put Differently: Slow down. / Be patient.
24. Don’t judge a book by its cover
Meaning: Don’t decide based on looks.
Example: He looked shy, but was really funny. / That plain game was super fun.
Put Differently: Looks can trick you. / Try before judging.
25. Make the best of it
Meaning: Try to stay positive, even if things go wrong.
Example: It rained, but we made the best of it. She smiled even with a small role.
Put Differently: Look on the bright side. / Be okay with what you have.
26. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill
Meaning: Don’t make a small thing into a big deal.
Example: It’s just a little mistake don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. / She forgot her pencil, not the test.
Put Differently: Don’t overreact. / It’s not a big problem.
27. Keep it under your hat
Meaning: Keep it secret.
Example: This is a surprise party keep it under your hat. / He asked me to keep it under my hat.
Put Differently: Don’t tell anyone. / Keep it quiet.
28. Know which way the wind is blowing
Meaning: Understand what’s happening before acting.
Example: Wait and see before you talk. / Know which way the wind is blowing before picking sides.
Put Differently: Check the situation first. / See what’s going on.
29. It takes two to tango
Meaning: Both people share the blame or action.
Example: They both argued it takes two to tango. / You can’t blame just one.
Put Differently: Both people are part of it. / It’s not one person’s fault.
30. Don’t burn bridges
Meaning: Don’t end things badly.
Example: Leave nicely don’t burn bridges. / Be kind even if you’re quitting.
Put Differently: Stay on good terms. / Don’t ruin relationships.
31. Keep your eyes peeled
Meaning: Watch carefully.
Example: Keep your eyes peeled for the exit. / Keep your eyes peeled for that lost shoe.
Put Differently: Look closely. / Be alert.
32. Learn from your mistakes
Meaning: Use past errors to do better.
Example: She studied harder after her bad grade. / I’ll learn from my mistake next time.
Put Differently: Try not to repeat the same error. / Get better from your past.
33. Let the dust settle
Meaning: Wait for things to calm down.
Example: Let the dust settle after the fight. / Let the dust settle before asking again.
Put Differently: Wait until things are calmer. / Give it time.
34. Don’t rock the boat
Meaning: Don’t cause trouble.
Example: Just follow the plan don’t rock the boat. / She kept quiet not to rock the boat.
Put Differently: Don’t mess things up. / Don’t cause a problem.
35. Follow your gut
Meaning: Trust your own feelings or instincts.
Example: I followed my gut and picked that answer. / She followed her gut and it was right.
Put Differently: Trust yourself. / Go with your feelings.
36. Know the ropes
Meaning: Understand how things work.
Example: Now that I know the ropes, the game is easier. /
She knows the ropes of the new app.
Put Differently: I’ve figured it out. / I know what to do now.
37. Don’t run before you can walk
Meaning: Take your time; don’t rush.
Example: Start with easy tasks don’t run before you can walk.
/ He wants to lead but doesn’t know the rules.
Put Differently: Go step by step. / Learn slowly.
38. Put your thinking cap on
Meaning: Think hard about something.
Example: Put your thinking cap on and solve this riddle. / You’ll need your thinking cap for this puzzle.
Put Differently: Get ready to think. / Use your brain.
39. Keep your cool
Meaning: Stay calm.
Example: He kept his cool during the fire drill. / She didn’t yell she kept her cool.
Put Differently: Stay calm. / Don’t panic.
40. Don’t be a copycat
Meaning: Be original; don’t copy others.
Example: She wrote her own story not a copycat. / Don’t be a copycat during the test.
Put Differently: Do your own work. / Don’t copy.
‘’Rewrite the Sentence’’ activity: Idioms for Advice
Below are 10 sentences. They all give advice or talk about choices, but they don’t use idioms. Read each one and rewrite it using one of the idioms you’ve learned. Try to make it sound natural and keep the meaning the same.
Sentences to Rewrite
- You should wait until tomorrow before deciding.
- Don’t try to do everything at once.
- Try to think of something new and creative.
- Don’t get upset about a little mistake.
- It’s better to be careful than to get hurt.
- You need to stay calm during hard times.
- Let’s forgive each other and stop fighting.
- Don’t just talk-show what you mean.
- Be patient and slow down a little.
- Trust your feelings if you don’t know what to do.
Answer Key
- You should sleep on it before deciding.
- Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
- Think outside the box for a creative idea.
- Don’t cry over spilled milk.
- Better safe than sorry.
- Keep your cool during hard times.
- Let’s let bygones be bygones.
- Actions speak louder than words.
- Hold your horses and be patient.
- Follow your gut if you’re unsure.
Conclusion
Idioms for advice help us speak in fun and clear ways. These phrases give tips without sounding too serious. They’re used by teachers, parents, and even friends. When you learn them, you’ll understand advice better and sound more natural when giving your own.
Practice using these idioms in real life. They’ll help you talk about choices, mistakes, and plans in a smart and simple way. Little by little, they’ll become easy to remember and use.
