Idioms in literature and poetry bring vivid, culturally rich expressions that resonate across language and time. As figurative phrases, they enhance storytelling by layering literal meanings with metaphorical significance, bridging language or culture and adding depth to character dialogues and themes.
English idioms, particularly those in classic literature and poetry, have long influenced idiomatic translation and speech in everyday contexts. I share 30 famous idioms examples in literature, their historical origins, and how they shape idiomatic writing for literature and poetry. Each example reveals the cultural nuances and timeless appeal of these expressions, illustrating their role in both literary works and in daily speech.
- Bite the dust
- To wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve
- A wolf in sheep’s clothing
- Crocodile tears
- To be in a pickle
- Break the ice
- Green-eyed monster
- The world’s my oyster
- In the twinkling of an eye
- Wear many hats
- Grasp at straws
- To bury the hatchet
- Turn a blind eye
- To live in a fool’s paradise
- Apple of his eye
- A man of few words
- Cast the first stone
- The writing on the wall
- Burn the candle at both ends
- Thorn in one’s side
- To kill two birds with one stone
- Et tu, Brute?
- Once in a blue moon
- A heavy heart
- To take with a grain of salt
- Achilles’ heel
- Swan song
- To pull the wool over someone’s eyes
- Cry wolf
- To wash one’s hands of
What is the idiom in literature?
In literature, an idiom is a phrase or expression where the meaning differs from its literal words. These figurative phrases often use metaphorical language, conveying meanings unique to specific cultures or historical contexts. For instance, “break the ice” means to ease tension in a social setting, not physically breaking ice.
Research highlights idioms as essential linguistic tools. A study from the Journal of Pragmatics (2017) noted that idioms help enrich narrative and dialogue, creating relatable, vivid imagery for readers.
What are the 30 famous Examples of idioms in literature?
Here are the 30 famous idioms examples from literature:
Bite the dust – The Iliad by Homer
Meaning: To die or be defeated.
Example: “He saw warriors bite the dust as the battle raged on.”

To wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve – Othello by William Shakespeare
Meaning: To openly show emotions.
Example: “Cassio wore his heart on his sleeve, which proved dangerous.”
A wolf in sheep’s clothing – Matthew 7:15 (Bible)
Meaning: A deceitful person hiding behind a harmless appearance.
Example: “The character was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, gaining trust only to betray.”
Crocodile tears – Othello by William Shakespeare
Meaning: Insincere expressions of sadness.
Example: “Her crocodile tears did not fool the sharp-eyed observer.”
To be in a pickle – The Tempest by William Shakespeare
Meaning: To be in a difficult situation.
Example: “Trinculo found himself in a pickle as the plot thickened.”
Break the ice – The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare
Meaning: To initiate conversation in a tense situation.
Example: “They struggled to break the ice at the formal event.”
Green-eyed monster – Othello by William Shakespeare
Meaning: Jealousy.
Example: “The green-eyed monster consumed Othello, leading to tragedy.”
The world’s my oyster – The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare
Meaning: Unlimited potential or opportunities.
Example: “With newfound wealth, he believed the world was his oyster.”
In the twinkling of an eye – 1 Corinthians 15:52 (Bible)
Meaning: Something happening instantly.
Example: “In the twinkling of an eye, the peace turned to chaos.”
Wear many hats – The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Meaning: To have multiple roles or responsibilities.
Example: “In the palace, the king wore many hats, managing various duties.”
Grasp at straws – Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
Meaning: To make a desperate attempt.
Example: “Sancho Panza grasped at straws to please Don Quixote.”
To bury the hatchet – The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Meaning: To end a conflict.
Example: “They agreed to bury the hatchet after years of rivalry.”
Turn a blind eye – Horatio Nelson (attributed in biographies)
Meaning: To ignore something intentionally.
Example: “He turned a blind eye to the wrongdoings in his ranks.”
To live in a fool’s paradise – Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Meaning: To be happy in a false sense of security.
Example: “Romeo lived in a fool’s paradise, unaware of lurking dangers.”
Apple of his eye – Psalm 17:8 (Bible)
Meaning: A cherished or loved person.
Example: “She was the apple of his eye, treasured above all else.”
A man of few words – King Henry V by William Shakespeare
Meaning: Someone who speaks rarely but meaningfully.
Example: “King Henry was a man of few words, yet commanded respect.”
Cast the first stone – John 8:7 (Bible)
Meaning: To be the first to criticize or accuse.
Example: “They were quick to cast the first stone, despite their own flaws.”
The writing on the wall – Book of Daniel 5:5 (Bible)
Meaning: A clear sign of impending trouble.
Example: “The writing on the wall was evident as the king’s downfall neared.”
Burn the candle at both ends – Edna St. Vincent Millay, “First Fig”
Meaning: To overwork oneself.
Example: “He burned the candle at both ends, leading to exhaustion.”
Thorn in one’s side – 2 Corinthians 12:7 (Bible)
Meaning: A persistent source of irritation.
Example: “The rebel was a thorn in the leader’s side.”
To kill two birds with one stone – Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
Meaning: To achieve two things at once.
Example: “He killed two birds with one stone by solving both problems.”
Et tu, Brute? – Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
Meaning: An expression of betrayal by a trusted person.
Example: “He felt an ‘Et tu, Brute?’ moment when his friend turned on him.”
Once in a blue moon – The Rape of the Lock by Alexander Pope
Meaning: Something rare.
Example: “The comet appeared once in a blue moon.”
A heavy heart – Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare
Meaning: To feel sadness or sorrow.
Example: “She departed with a heavy heart, leaving her home.”

To take with a grain of salt – Pliny the Elder
Meaning: To approach with skepticism.
Example: “He took the politician’s promises with a grain of salt.”
Achilles’ heel – The Iliad by Homer
Meaning: A vulnerability or weakness.
Example: “His ambition proved to be his Achilles’ heel.”
Swan song – Phaedo by Plato
Meaning: A final performance or gesture.
Example: “The artist’s last concert was his swan song.”
To pull the wool over someone’s eyes – Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
Meaning: To deceive someone.
Example: “They pulled the wool over his eyes, hiding the truth.”
Cry wolf – Aesop’s Fables
Meaning: To give false alarms.
Example: “After crying wolf so many times, no one believed him.
To wash one’s hands of – Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Meaning: To end involvement or responsibility.
Example: Lady Macbeth tried to wash her hands of guilt, but it haunted her.
How we can do idiomatic writing For Literature?
We can do idiomatic writing for literature by blending English idioms naturally into narrative and dialogue. This approach deepens character expression, aligning with language or culture. Using familiar idioms examples, especially those present in literature and in daily speech, enhances relatability while preserving authentic voice.
In idiomatic translation, maintaining original idioms is vital to convey intended meaning. Writers should choose idioms that support themes without confusing readers, ensuring cultural relevance and accessibility.
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