Random Phrase Generator

This random phrase generator shows you a common English idiom or saying, what it means and how to use it. Press Next for another one, or switch to a list and browse.

Phrases and idioms 503

Work

a labor of love

Meaning
Hard work that you do because you enjoy it, not for money.

Example
Restoring the old boat was a labor of love.
Money

cost an arm and a leg

Meaning
To be very expensive.

Example
Those concert tickets cost an arm and a leg.
Money

bring home the bacon

Meaning
To earn the money that supports a family.

Example
Both parents work to bring home the bacon.
Money

save for a rainy day

Meaning
To keep money aside for a time when you might need it.

Example
I put part of my allowance in a jar to save for a rainy day.
Money

money doesn't grow on trees

Meaning
Money is limited and has to be earned, so don't waste it.

Example
No, we can't buy another video game; money doesn't grow on trees.
Money

pay through the nose

Meaning
To pay much more than something is worth.

Example
We paid through the nose for snacks at the airport.
Money

foot the bill

Meaning
To pay for something, often for other people.

Example
Our uncle footed the bill for the whole dinner.
Money

a cash cow

Meaning
Something that reliably makes a lot of money.

Example
The ice cream stand is the family's summer cash cow.
Money

break the bank

Meaning
To cost more than you can afford.

Example
A picnic in the park won't break the bank.
Money

on a shoestring

Meaning
With very little money.

Example
They traveled across the country on a shoestring.
Money

tighten your belt

Meaning
To spend less money because you have less to spend.

Example
After the car repair, we had to tighten our belts for a few months.
Money

make ends meet

Meaning
To have just enough money to pay for what you need.

Example
Working two jobs helped her make ends meet.
Money

in the red

Meaning
Owing money or spending more than you earn.

Example
The club was in the red until the bake sale.
Money

in the black

Meaning
Making money or having money left over.

Example
After a busy summer, the café was finally in the black.
Money

a penny for your thoughts

Meaning
Used to ask someone what they are thinking about.

Example
You've been quiet all evening; a penny for your thoughts?
Money

a penny saved is a penny earned

Meaning
Saving money is as valuable as earning it.

Example
I fixed my bike myself instead of paying a shop; a penny saved is a penny earned.
Money

strapped for cash

Meaning
Having very little money at the moment.

Example
I'm a bit strapped for cash until payday.
Money

money talks

Meaning
People with money have power and influence.

Example
The richer team got the best stadium; money talks.
Money

a dime a dozen

Meaning
Very common and not special.

Example
Plain gray T-shirts are a dime a dozen.
Money

the bottom line

Meaning
The most important fact, or the final amount of money gained or lost.

Example
The bottom line is that we need more volunteers.
Money

worth its weight in gold

Meaning
Extremely useful or valuable.

Example
A good umbrella is worth its weight in gold in this rainy city.
Money

a nest egg

Meaning
Money saved for the future.

Example
They've been building a nest egg for when they retire.
Money

a piece of the pie

Meaning
A share of the money or benefits.

Example
Every company wants a piece of the pie in this new market.
Money

go Dutch

Meaning
To share the cost of something, with each person paying for themselves.

Example
We went Dutch on lunch so nobody had to pay for everyone.
Money

pinch pennies

Meaning
To be very careful with money and spend as little as possible.

Example
We pinched pennies all year to afford the trip.
Money

rolling in it

Meaning
Very rich.

Example
Ever since his business took off, he's been rolling in it.
Money

born with a silver spoon in your mouth

Meaning
Born into a rich family.

Example
She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but she still works hard.
Money

live beyond your means

Meaning
To spend more money than you have.

Example
Paying for everything with credit can lead you to live beyond your means.
Money

a fool and his money are soon parted

Meaning
Careless people lose their money quickly.

Example
He paid a fortune for a "lucky" rock online; a fool and his money are soon parted.
Money

get your money's worth

Meaning
To get good value for what you paid.

Example
We stayed until closing time to get our money's worth at the fair.

What the random phrase generator does

English is full of phrases that don't mean what their words say. Spill the beans has nothing to do with cooking, and nobody actually breaks the ice at a party. Each card shows a phrase from our own bank, a plain explanation of what it means, and an example sentence that shows it in use.

We wrote every meaning and example ourselves, in simple words, so the explanation is easier to follow than the phrase.

How to use it

Pick a category with the chips if you want to narrow the bank down.
Choose how many to show. One phrase at a time, or several together.
Press Next (or the Space bar) for a new phrase.
Read the meaning and the example under each phrase.
Copy it with the copy button, or switch to list view to browse lots of phrases at once.

Ways to use random phrases

Learning English idioms

Idioms are one of the hardest parts of English, because you can't work them out from the words. Learn one a day: read the meaning, say the example out loud, then make up your own sentence.

Writing natural dialogue

Real people talk in idioms. Dropping the right saying into a character's speech makes dialogue sound natural – just don't let every line lean on one.

Classroom idiom lessons

Ask students to draw the literal meaning of a phrase – an actual cat being let out of an actual bag – and then explain what it really means. The drawings are always a hit.

Guess-the-meaning game

Read a phrase aloud and let everyone guess what it means before you read the answer. It works for family game night, a language class or a long car ride.

Act it out

Common phrases make great charades: act out the literal meaning and let the others guess the saying. Our charades generator has plenty more to act.

Story titles and prompts

Many sayings make perfect story titles. Pick one and write a short story that ends with the phrase as the last line.

Tips for better results

Learn the example, not just the meaning. Seeing a phrase in a sentence shows you when and how people really use it.
Use it within a day. Try a new idiom in conversation or in a message soon after you learn it.
Draw it. Sketching the literal meaning of an idiom is a memorable way to learn the real one.
Keep it casual. Most idioms are informal, so save them for stories, chats and speeches rather than formal essays.
Pair with sentences. The random sentence generator gives you whole sentences to practice with, from simple to silly.

Questions

What is an idiom?

An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is different from the meaning of its words. Break the ice means to help people relax and start talking, not to smash anything.

What is the difference between a phrase, an idiom and a saying?

A phrase is any small group of words. An idiom is a phrase with a figurative meaning, and a saying is a short, well-known piece of advice or wisdom, like better late than never.

Are these common phrases people really use?

Yes. The bank focuses on common phrases and idioms you are likely to hear in everyday English, each explained in plain words.

Why are idioms hard to learn?

Because their meaning is not the sum of their words. You have to learn each one as a whole, which is why seeing the meaning and an example together helps.

Can I use this to learn English idioms?

Yes. Every phrase comes with its meaning and an example sentence, which makes it a handy daily study tool for English learners.

Who wrote the meanings and examples?

We did. All meanings and example sentences are original and written for this site.

Can I see a list of idioms?

Yes. Switch to list view to browse many phrases at once, or choose how many to show on the page.

Is the random phrase generator free?

Yes, free with no sign-up. The site sets no cookies and doesn't track you.

Last updated October 2, 2026