Idioms Starting with M

Mastering Idioms: A Comprehensive Guide to ‘M’ Idioms

ByLisa_Green

Idioms are colorful expressions that add depth and nuance to the English language. They’re a crucial part of everyday conversation and writing, offering a more vivid and engaging way to communicate.

Understanding idioms, particularly those starting with the letter ‘M’, can significantly enhance your comprehension and fluency. This guide is designed to equip you with the knowledge and practice necessary to confidently use ‘M’ idioms in various contexts, making your English sound more natural and expressive.

Whether you’re an ESL learner, a student preparing for exams, or simply someone looking to enrich your vocabulary, this article will provide valuable insights and practical exercises to master ‘M’ idioms.

Table of Contents

Definition of Idioms

An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the literal meanings of the individual words within it. Instead, it has a figurative meaning that is established by convention.

Idioms are a key component of natural language, adding color and depth to communication. They are often specific to a particular language or culture, making them challenging for language learners but also rewarding to master.

Idioms can be classified based on their structure and function. Some are simple phrases, while others are more complex sentences.

Their function varies as well, ranging from expressing emotions to describing situations in a more vivid way. Understanding the context in which an idiom is used is crucial for proper interpretation.

Without this understanding, the literal interpretation of the words can lead to confusion and miscommunication.

Structural Breakdown of Idioms

Idioms, despite their fixed meanings, can exhibit some structural variations. They often consist of a combination of nouns, verbs, adjectives, and prepositions.

The order of these words is usually fixed, and altering it can destroy the idiom’s meaning. However, some idioms allow for slight modifications to fit the grammatical context of a sentence.

For example, the verb tense might change, or a pronoun might be altered to match the subject.

The structure of an idiom contributes to its overall effect. Some idioms are concise and impactful, while others are more elaborate and descriptive.

Understanding the structural elements can help learners recognize and use idioms more effectively. It also enables them to adapt the idiom to different situations while preserving its intended meaning.

The fixed nature of idioms means that learners must memorize them, but understanding their structure can aid in recall and application.

Types and Categories of ‘M’ Idioms

Idioms starting with ‘M’ can be categorized based on their thematic content. This categorization helps in understanding their usage and remembering them more effectively.

Some common categories include:

Money-Related Idioms

These idioms involve money, finances, and economic situations. They often describe the ease or difficulty of acquiring or managing money.

Mind and Thought-Related Idioms

These idioms relate to mental processes, thoughts, and opinions. They can describe someone’s intelligence, state of mind, or decision-making process.

Metaphorical Movement Idioms

These idioms use the concept of movement to describe situations or actions metaphorically. They often involve verbs of motion like “move,” “march,” or “make.”

Miscellaneous ‘M’ Idioms

This category includes idioms that don’t fit neatly into the other categories. They cover a wide range of topics and expressions.

Examples of ‘M’ Idioms

This section provides detailed examples of idioms starting with ‘M’, categorized for easier understanding and application. Each table contains a variety of idioms with clear definitions and example sentences.

The following table presents idioms related to money, finances, and financial situations. Understanding these idioms is crucial for discussing economic topics and understanding everyday conversations about money.

Idiom Meaning Example Sentence
Make a killing To earn a lot of money quickly and easily. He made a killing in the stock market last year.
Money to burn To have a lot of money and be able to spend it freely. They seem to have money to burn, judging by their lavish lifestyle.
Mad money A small amount of money set aside for emergencies or unexpected expenses. I always keep some mad money in my wallet just in case.
Mint money To make a lot of money. That new product is minting money for the company.
Money doesn’t grow on trees Money is not easily obtained and should be valued. You can’t just buy everything you want; remember, money doesn’t grow on trees.
Money talks Money has power and influence. In this town, money talks; the more you have, the more influence you wield.
Make ends meet To have just enough money to pay for the things that you need. It’s hard to make ends meet with the rising cost of living.
More money than sense Describes someone who spends money foolishly. He bought a sports car he can’t afford; he has more money than sense.
Money is the root of all evil The desire for money can lead to bad things. Some say that money is the root of all evil, but it can also do a lot of good.
Move up the ladder To advance in your career and earn more money. She’s working hard to move up the ladder in her company.
Make a fast buck To earn money quickly, often through dishonest means. He tried to make a fast buck with a get-rich-quick scheme.
Make hay while the sun shines To take advantage of a good opportunity while it lasts. They are making hay while the sun shines with the increased demand for their product.
Movers and shakers People with a lot of power and influence. The conference was attended by the movers and shakers of the industry.
Make a dent in To reduce something, especially money, by a noticeable amount. The new car made a dent in their savings.
Meet someone halfway To compromise or make concessions in a negotiation. The company is willing to meet the union halfway to avoid a strike.
Margin of error The degree to which a statistic from a sample may differ from the actual value. The poll results have a margin of error of plus or minus 3%.
Market value The price something would fetch if sold on the open market. The market value of the house has increased significantly in recent years.
Material wealth Possessions such as money, property, and goods. He accumulated a great deal of material wealth over his lifetime.
Make good money To earn a substantial amount of money. Doctors typically make good money, but their work is demanding.
Money pit Something that requires a lot of money to maintain or improve. That old car is a money pit; it’s always needing repairs.
Money talks, bullshit walks Practical resources (money) are more effective than empty promises (bullshit). He promised a lot, but money talks, bullshit walks; let’s see if he delivers.
Month of Sundays A very long time. I haven’t seen him in a month of Sundays.
Make a mountain out of a molehill To exaggerate the importance of something minor. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill; it’s just a small mistake.
Miserable as sin Extremely unhappy. She’s been miserable as sin since she lost her job.
Midas touch The ability to turn everything into gold or be successful in everything one does. He seems to have the Midas touch; every business he starts becomes successful.
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This table focuses on idioms that describe mental states, thoughts, and cognitive processes. These idioms are useful for discussing opinions, beliefs, and mental conditions.

Idiom Meaning Example Sentence
Make up your mind To decide something. You need to make up your mind about what you want to do.
Mind your own business To not interfere in someone else’s affairs. Just mind your own business and stop asking so many questions.
Miss the point To fail to understand the main idea. I think you’re missing the point of the argument.
Many moons ago A long time ago. Many moons ago, this used to be a quiet village.
Mum’s the word Keep something a secret. Mum’s the word; don’t tell anyone about the surprise party.
Mental block A temporary inability to remember something or think clearly. I have a mental block and can’t remember his name.
Method to the madness An apparent lack of order may have a purpose. There’s a method to his madness; he always gets the job done in the end.
Move the goalposts To change the rules or requirements of something, making it more difficult. They keep moving the goalposts, so it’s impossible to meet their demands.
My two cents My opinion. If you want my two cents, I think you should accept the job offer.
Make a name for yourself To become famous or respected for something. She wants to make a name for herself as a successful writer.
Make sense of To understand something. I’m trying to make sense of this complicated situation.
Mind over matter The power of the mind to control physical effects. It’s all about mind over matter; you can overcome any challenge with the right attitude.
More than meets the eye More complex or interesting than it appears. There’s more to him than meets the eye; he’s a very talented musician.
Mad as a hatter Completely insane. He’s as mad as a hatter; don’t take anything he says seriously.
Mean business To be serious and determined. He means business; he’s not going to back down easily.
Mind-blowing Extremely impressive or surprising. The special effects in the movie were mind-blowing.
Mixed feelings Having both positive and negative emotions about something. I have mixed feelings about leaving my job.
Mulling over Thinking carefully about something. I’m still mulling over the decision.
Make light of To treat something seriously as a joke. Don’t make light of the situation; it’s very serious.
Mark my words Listen carefully and remember what I’m saying. Mark my words, this is going to be a great success.
Matter of opinion Something that is subjective and open to interpretation. Whether or not the movie is good is a matter of opinion.
Miss the boat To miss an opportunity. If you don’t apply soon, you’ll miss the boat.
Make a fool of yourself To do something embarrassing or silly. I don’t want to make a fool of myself at the party.
Man of few words Someone who doesn’t talk much. He’s a man of few words, but he always gets his point across.

Metaphorical Movement Idioms

This table provides idioms that use the idea of movement to describe situations, actions, or progress. These idioms add a dynamic quality to language and are useful for describing change and development.

Idiom Meaning Example Sentence
Move heaven and earth To do everything possible to achieve something. I’ll move heaven and earth to help you succeed.
March to the beat of your own drum To behave independently and unconventionally. She always marches to the beat of her own drum, and I admire her for it.
Make headway To make progress. We’re finally making headway on the project.
Move on To start a new chapter in life after a difficult experience. It’s time to move on and forget about the past.
Make waves To cause trouble or disruption. He’s always making waves with his controversial opinions.
Move the needle To make a noticeable difference. The new marketing campaign moved the needle and increased sales.
Make strides To make significant progress. The students are making strides in their studies.
Move in the right direction To be progressing positively. The company is moving in the right direction with its new strategies.
Making a move Taking action or making a decision. He’s making a move to start his own business.
Move out of the way To stop obstructing or interfering. Please move out of the way so I can clean here.
Move forward To advance or progress. We need to move forward with the plan.
Move up To advance to a higher position or rank. She was moved up to a management position.
Make a run for it To try to escape. When the police arrived, he made a run for it.
Maneuver around To cleverly avoid or navigate through a difficult situation. She maneuvered around the tricky questions in the interview.
Make it through To survive or endure a difficult situation. They made it through the storm safely.
Move mountains To overcome seemingly impossible obstacles. With determination, you can move mountains.
Make a beeline for To go straight to something or someone. As soon as he arrived, he made a beeline for the buffet table.
Make good time To travel quickly and efficiently. We made good time on the highway.
Move at a snail’s pace To move very slowly. The project is moving at a snail’s pace.
Make tracks To leave or depart. It’s getting late; we should make tracks.
Move the goalposts To change the rules during a process to make it more difficult. They keep moving the goalposts, making it impossible to succeed.
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Miscellaneous ‘M’ Idioms

This table includes ‘M’ idioms that don’t fit into the previous categories. These idioms cover a range of topics and expressions, adding variety to your vocabulary.

Idiom Meaning Example Sentence
Make a difference To have a positive impact. Volunteering can make a difference in someone’s life.
Make the best of it To try to be positive in a difficult situation. We don’t have much, but we make the best of it.
Middle of nowhere A remote and isolated place. They live in the middle of nowhere.
Meet your match To encounter someone who is equally skilled or strong. He finally met his match in the chess tournament.
Make a point of To make a special effort to do something. I make a point of exercising every day.
Make do To manage with what is available. We had to make do with the limited resources.
Man’s best friend A dog. A dog is often referred to as man’s best friend.
Mix business with pleasure To combine work and leisure activities. We mixed business with pleasure on our trip to Europe.
Make or break To either ensure success or cause failure. This deal could make or break the company.
Make believe To pretend. Let’s make believe we’re pirates on a treasure hunt.
Make good To compensate for a loss or damage. He promised to make good on his debt.
Make it up to you To compensate for something you’ve done wrong. I’m sorry I missed your birthday; I’ll make it up to you.
Make the grade To meet the required standard. He worked hard and finally made the grade.
Maiden voyage The first journey of a ship or aircraft. The ship is preparing for its maiden voyage.
Make a fuss To complain or cause a disturbance. Don’t make a fuss; it’s not a big deal.
Much obliged Thank you very much. “Thanks for your help.” “Much obliged.”
Make a scene To cause a public disturbance. Please don’t make a scene in the restaurant.
Make a splash To attract a lot of attention. The new product made a splash in the market.
Make do with what you have To manage with the limited resources available. We had to make do with what we had during the camping trip.
Make an example of someone To punish someone severely as a warning to others. The boss made an example of him for being late.
Make a stand To take a firm position in opposition to something. We need to make a stand against injustice.

Usage Rules for ‘M’ Idioms

Using idioms correctly requires understanding their specific meanings and the contexts in which they are appropriate. Here are some general rules to follow:

  • Context is Key: Always consider the context of the conversation or writing. Idioms are often informal and may not be suitable for formal settings.
  • Memorization: Idioms have fixed meanings, so memorization is essential. However, understanding the underlying metaphor can aid in recall.
  • Grammatical Flexibility: While the core of an idiom is fixed, verbs can be conjugated to fit the tense of the sentence. Pronouns can also be adjusted to match the subject.
  • Cultural Sensitivity: Be aware that idioms are often culture-specific. An idiom that is common in one culture may be confusing or offensive in another.
  • Don’t Overuse: Using too many idioms can make your language sound unnatural. Use them sparingly to add color and emphasis.

It is also important to note that some idioms have variations. While these variations might be acceptable, it’s best to stick to the standard form unless you are confident that the variation is widely recognized and understood.

Common Mistakes with ‘M’ Idioms

One of the most common mistakes is interpreting idioms literally. Because idioms have a figurative meaning, a literal interpretation will often lead to confusion.

Another common error is using the wrong words or altering the word order within the idiom. This can change the meaning or make the idiom nonsensical.

Here are some examples of common mistakes and how to correct them:

Incorrect Correct Explanation
He made a destroy in the stock market. He made a killing in the stock market. “Killing” is the correct word in this idiom, not “destroy.”
Mind your own job. Mind your own business. The correct idiom uses “business,” not “job.”
I missed the point of the boat. I missed the boat. The idiom is “miss the boat,” not “miss the point of the boat.”
Move heaven and earth and sky. Move heaven and earth. The idiom is simply “move heaven and earth,” without adding “and sky.”
Make a big difference in the world. Make a difference. The idiom is “make a difference,” the addition of “in the world” is redundant.
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Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of ‘M’ idioms with these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct idiom from the list provided.

Idiom List: make up your mind, mind your own business, miss the point, money to burn, make ends meet, move heaven and earth, make a killing, mad as a hatter, my two cents, make a difference

Question Answer
1. You need to _________ about what you want to study in college. 1. make up your mind
2. Just _________ and stop asking so many personal questions. 2. mind your own business
3. I think you’re _________ of the argument; the issue is not about money. 3. missing the point
4. They seem to have _________, judging by their luxurious lifestyle. 4. money to burn
5. It’s hard to _________ with the rising cost of living. 5. make ends meet
6. I’ll _________ to help you achieve your goals. 6. move heaven and earth
7. He _________ in the stock market last year. 7. made a killing
8. He’s as _________; don’t believe anything he says. 8. mad as a hatter
9. If you want _________, I think you should decline the offer. 9. my two cents
10. Volunteering can _________ in the lives of underprivileged children. 10. make a difference

Exercise 2: Choose the correct idiom to complete each sentence.

Question Options Answer
1. He is a _________, always helping others. a) man of few words b) man of the hour c) man with a mission c) man with a mission
2. The project is _________, but we are making progress. a) moving at a snail’s pace b) making a splash c) making headway a) moving at a snail’s pace
3. They had to _________ with the limited supplies they had on the camping trip. a) make a fuss b) make do c) make good b) make do
4. The new product _________ in the market. a) made a splash b) made a scene c) made a killing a) made a splash
5. She _________ and got promoted to a higher position. a) moved on b) moved up c) moved out b) moved up
6. They _________ by offering a compromise. a) met their match b) met someone halfway c) met their maker b) met someone halfway
7. He’s _________, so avoid him if you can. a) miserable as sin b) minting money c) making headway a) miserable as sin
8. She _________ in the interview by answering all the questions skillfully. a) maneuvered around b) moved mountains c) made a run for it a) maneuvered around
9. We should _________ before it gets too late. a) make tracks b) make waves c) make a fuss a) make tracks
10. He has a _________, always succeeding in everything he does. a) mental block b) midas touch c) mixed feelings b) midas touch

Exercise 3: Rewrite the following sentences using the idioms provided.

Idioms:Make a beeline for, make a mountain out of a molehill, make good time, more than meets the eye, mum’s the word

Original Sentence Rewritten Sentence
As soon as he entered the party, he went straight to the food table. As soon as he entered the party, he made a beeline for the food table.
You’re exaggerating the importance of a small problem. You’re making a mountain out of a molehill.
We traveled quickly and efficiently on the highway. We made good time on the highway.
There is more to this situation than is immediately apparent. There’s more than meets the eye to this situation.
Keep this a secret; don’t tell anyone. Mum’s the word; don’t tell anyone.

Advanced Topics in Idiom Usage

For advanced learners, understanding the nuances of idiom usage is crucial. This includes recognizing when idioms are appropriate, how to adapt them slightly for different contexts, and how to interpret idioms that are less common or more obscure.

One advanced technique is to play with idioms creatively. This involves subtly altering an idiom to create a humorous or ironic effect.

However, this requires a deep understanding of the idiom and a strong command of the language. Another advanced skill is recognizing and using idioms in different registers.

Some idioms are highly informal and should only be used in casual conversation, while others are more versatile and can be used in a wider range of settings.

Finally, advanced learners should be aware of the historical and cultural context of idioms. Many idioms have origins in specific historical events or cultural practices.

Understanding these origins can provide a deeper appreciation of the idiom and its meaning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about idioms starting with ‘M’.

  1. What is the best way to learn idioms?
    The best way to learn idioms is through exposure and practice. Read widely, listen to native speakers, and try to use idioms in your own speaking and writing. Flashcards and online resources can also be helpful for memorization.
  2. Are idioms the same in all English-speaking countries?
    No, idioms can vary between different English-speaking countries. An idiom that is common in the United States may be unfamiliar in the United Kingdom, and vice versa.
  3. Can I change the words in an idiom?
    In general, no. Idioms have fixed meanings, and changing the words can alter or destroy the idiom’s meaning. However, some idioms allow for slight grammatical variations, such as changing the verb tense.
  4. How can I tell if a phrase is an idiom?
    If the meaning of a phrase cannot be understood from the literal meanings of the individual words, it is likely an idiom. Also, idioms often have a figurative or metaphorical quality.
  5. Is it okay to use idioms in formal writing?
    In general, idioms are more appropriate for informal speaking and writing. In formal settings, it is usually best to use more direct and literal language. However, some idioms are more versatile and can be used in a wider range of settings.

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