Category Archives: Idioms

20 Powerful English Idioms of Motivation

20 Powerful English Idioms of Motivation

20 Powerful English Idioms of Motivation

20 Powerful English Idioms of Motivation

20 Powerful English Idioms of Motivation

We all need a little extra motivation every now and again, whether it be to climb that mountain, write that first chapter of the world’s greatest novel, or simply to get out of bed on a freezing winter morning and run for the bus to work…

If YOU need motivation today, check out our handpicked list of 20 powerful English idioms of motivation, including quotations from nineteenth century novelist George Eliot and former US President Theodore Roosevelt, among others.

[Click here to learn more about how to use idioms in teaching English.]

sth = something

20 Powerful English Idioms of Motivation – Part 1

1. idiom: Give it your best shot.

literal meaning: Do the best that you can.

example:

– ‘Dad – I’m having problems with this homework. It’s too difficult.’

– ‘Just have a go, son. Give it your best shot, and I’ll have a look at it after the football.’

 

2. idiom: The sky’s the limit.

literal meaning: There is no limit to what you can achieve.

example: Once you’re a fully qualified doctor, the sky’s the limit!

 

3. idiom: There’s no such thing as impossible. Even the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!

literal meaning: Think positively.

example:

– ‘This crossword puzzle is impossible!’

– ‘Nothing’s impossible, grandpa! Even the word itself says “I’m possible”‘!

– ‘Very clever, Douglas!’

20 Powerful English Idioms of Motivation

There’s no such thing as impossible.

4. idiom: Dance like nobody’s watching.

literal meaning: Do not be self-conscious in public.

example:

– ‘I can’t give a speech in front of the whole school, mum!’

– ‘Don’t be silly, Daniel. You’ve got to dance like nobody’s watching!’

 

5. idiom: ‘Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.’ – Theodore Roosevelt

literal meaning: Don’t wait until the conditions for success are perfect.

example:

– ‘I get so overwhelmed when I think about climate change. I feel so powerless. I want to help but what can I do?’

– ‘A great man once said: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Start small and local, then build up from there.’

 

6. idiom: Take things one day at a time.

literal meaning: Focus on making today a good day, rather than being anxious about the future.

example: ‘You’re making a good recovery, Brian. It’s going to be slow progress, but just take it one day at a time, right?’

 

7. idiom: You can only do your best. You can’t do any more than that.

literal meaning: As long as you try your best, that will be good enough.

example:

– ‘I’m so nervous about this exam. What if I make a complete mess of it?’

– ‘Look, you can only do your best, Barbara. You can’t do any more than that.’

 

8. idiom: Put your best foot forward.

literal meaning: Try as hard as you possibly can to achieve a difficult task.

example:

– ‘I’m off to my job interview. Wish me luck!’

– ‘Good luck, mate! Put your best foot forward – you’ll be fine.’

 

9. idiom: Knock it out of the park!

literal meaning: Aim for a big success.

example:

– ‘Where are you off to?’

– ‘It’s the first night of the school play. I’m playing saxophone in the band.’

– ‘Great! Hope it goes really well for you. Knock it out of the park, love!’

 

10. idiom: ‘It’s never too late to be what you might’ve been.’ – George Eliot

literal meaning: Don’t give up because you feel time is running out.

example:

– ‘I can’t take another day in this boring job! Whatever happened to my dream of going to university and becoming an architect?’

– ‘You can still do it, Jennifer. As George Eliot said, “It’s never too late to be what you might’ve been.”


What is motivation – and how can I find it?


20 Powerful English Idioms of Motivation – Part 2

There’s no such thing as impossible.

You got this!

11. idiom: ‘Carpe diem.’ [Latin]: ‘Seize the day.’ – Horace [Roman poet]

literal meaning: Now is the time to try your best.

example:

– ‘It’s all or nothing! Either I complete the sale on those two houses today or I’m gonna get fired.’

– ‘Carpe diem! Seize the day.’

– ‘Thanks, Tony.’

 

12. idiom: ‘PMA: Positive Mental Attitude.’ – Napoleon Hill

literal meaning: Positive thinking is an active way of increasing your chances of success.

example: If you think you’re gonna fail – you probably will! Remember these three letters – PMA: Positive. Mental. Attitude.

 

13. idiom: It’s a marathon not a sprint.

literal meaning: Don’t rush to be a success – take your time and enjoy each stage of the process.

example:

– ‘I wish this course were over. But there are three more years to go!’

– ‘Look, just take it slowly. It’s a marathon not a sprint. Try to treasure each moment.’

 

14. idiom: Set your sights on sth.

literal meaning: Set a clear goal that you want to achieve.

example:

– ‘Are you still working a double shift? Still saving up for a car?’

– ‘Yeah. I’ve set my sights on a white MINI Cooper.’

 

15. idiom: To have [got] sth in the bag.

literal meaning: To be assured of success.

example:

– The interview went really well. The job looks perfect for me, really. But I don’t know how many other people they have seen.’

– ‘Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ve got it in the bag.’

 

16. idiom: To have the world at your feet.

literal meaning: Anything is possible for you.

example: Yeah, Jamie has just graduated with a First. He starts his new job next week. And he’s seeing a lovely lass. I reckon they’ll be getting married next year. They’re in the process of buying a house, I think. You know, it must be lovely to have the world at your feet.

 

17. idiom: To make inroads in(to) sth.

literal meaning: To make progress towards achieving your goal.

example:

– ‘There are so many leaves come down in the garden this year. It’s gonna take a while to get rid of them all.’

– ‘Looks like you’ve started making inroads into it, though, Paul.’

– ‘Yeah. I’ll get out there after lunch and have another try.’

 

18. idiom: Go for it!

literal meaning: Try to achieve your goal wholeheartedly.

example:

– ‘Hey, dad, can I borrow your guitar later? I want to learn some new chords.’

– ‘No problem. Go for it!

 

19. idiom: To bear fruit.

literal meaning: To show signs of success.

example:

– ‘I noticed that Jane’s oil paintings have really improved recently.’

– ‘Yes, all her hard work and dedication is definitely starting to bear fruit.’

 

20. idiom: ‘I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.’ – Thomas Edison

literal meaning: Failure is not the end but represents the valuable opportunity to try again.

example:

– ‘I failed mum. I went to pieces in the exam. It was awful. I’m never going to understand maths!’

– ‘Failure is just a state of mind, darling. It’s actually a good opportunity to work out what you did wrong and then have another go. Remember that quote by Thomas Edison – about inventing the lightbulb – I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”


Can you think of any more English idioms of motivation? Why not comment and leave your suggestion below.


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Moving Home – Discussion Words

Moving Home – Discussion Words

 Moving Home – Discussion Words

Work with a partner or small group. Print this page onto card, then cut out the cards and lay them face down. Mix them up, then take a card and describe the term for the others to guess. Find more ideas for using discussion words here: https://purlandtraining.com/you-are-the-course-book-lesson-plans/vocabulary/

Moving Home – Discussion Words

Direct download: https://purlandtraining.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/moving-home-discussion-words.pdf


Image:

gpointstudio: https://www.freepik.com/


This material is completely free to use, and in the public domain, so please feel free to share it widely!

If you have any feedback about these free resources, we’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment or review below or on Facebook or Twitter.