Ireland is famous for its stories, music, and magical legends—and its language is just as colorful! One of the most fun parts of Irish-influenced English is its idioms. Idioms are special phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say. Instead, they use imagination and humor to explain ideas, feelings, and everyday situations. For kids, Irish idioms feel like little stories hidden inside sentences.
Irish idioms often sound funny, friendly, and full of life. They paint clear pictures in the mind and make conversations more exciting. Kids may hear these expressions in storybooks, cartoons, movies, or when people talk in a playful way. Learning what these idioms mean helps children understand English better and enjoy the language more.
For young learners, Irish idioms are a wonderful way to build vocabulary and confidence. They show kids that English can be cheerful and expressive, not just serious. These idioms also reflect Ireland’s love for storytelling, kindness, and humor, helping children connect language with culture.
This guide is made especially for kids, with easy explanations and a friendly tone. As children explore Irish idioms, they’ll discover that learning new expressions can feel like listening to a fun story. Every idiom adds color, creativity, and joy to the English language.
🍀 Number & Lucky Irish Idioms
1. The Luck of the Irish
Meaning: Having very good luck.
She won the game without trying — the luck of the Irish!
Finding lost toys again felt lucky.
2. Third Time’s the Charm
Meaning: Something works after three tries.
He finally solved it on the third try.
Practice paid off at last!
3. Two Cents’ Worth
Meaning: Giving your opinion.
She shared her two cents’ worth in class.
Everyone listened to her idea.
4. Count Your Blessings
Meaning: Be thankful for what you have.
He counted his blessings before bedtime.
Gratitude made him smile.
5. At Sixes and Sevens
Meaning: Confused or messy.
The room was at sixes and sevens after playtime.
Nothing was in the right place.
6. A Game of Two Halves
Meaning: Things can change.
The day started badly but ended well.
Just like a game!
7. Go Halves
Meaning: Share equally.
They went halves on the snack.
Everyone was happy.
8. Ten a Penny
Meaning: Very common.
That toy is ten a penny now.
Everyone has one.
9. All in One Piece
Meaning: Safe and unharmed.
He came home all in one piece.
The trip went great.
10. One Foot in the Grave
Meaning: Feeling very tired.
After the trip, she felt exhausted.
Time for rest!
🐾 Animal Irish Idioms
1. As Mad as a Bag of Cats
Meaning: Very playful or silly.
The kids were laughing nonstop.
They were full of energy.
2. A Wild Goose Chase
Meaning: Looking for something that isn’t there.
We searched everywhere for the ball.
It was never lost!
3. Pig in Clover
Meaning: Very happy.
He was a pig in clover at the party.
So much fun!
4. Donkey’s Years
Meaning: A very long time.
I haven’t seen you in donkey’s years!
It felt forever.
5. As Quiet as a Mouse
Meaning: Very quiet.
She was silent during reading.
Not a sound.
6. Let the Cat Out of the Bag
Meaning: Reveal a secret.
He told everyone by mistake.
Oops!
7. Like Herding Cats
Meaning: Hard to organize.
Getting kids lined up was tough.
Everyone moved everywhere.
8. Dog Tired
Meaning: Very tired.
After sports day, he was exhausted.
Sleep came fast.
9. Strong as an Ox
Meaning: Very strong.
She carried the boxes easily.
Everyone was amazed.
10. Bird-Brained
Meaning: Forgetful or silly.
He forgot his bag again.
It happens!
☘️ Everyday Irish Idioms
1. What’s the Craic?
Meaning: What’s happening?
Friends greet each other this way.
It means hello!
2. Fair Play
Meaning: Well done.
Fair play for helping your friend!
Great effort.
3. Away with the Fairies
Meaning: Daydreaming.
She stared out the window.
Thinking big thoughts!
4. Give Out
Meaning: Complain or scold.
Mom gave out about the mess.
Time to clean.
5. Deadly
Meaning: Really great.
That game was deadly fun.
Best day ever!
6. Act the Maggot
Meaning: Misbehave.
He acted the maggot in class.
Time to settle down.
7. Grand
Meaning: Fine or okay.
“How are you?” “Grand!”
Feeling good.
8. In a Bad Way
Meaning: Feeling unwell or sad.
She felt upset after falling.
A hug helped.
9. Make a Hames of It
Meaning: Make a mess.
I spilled the paint everywhere.
Oops moment!
10. Up to Ninety
Meaning: Very busy or excited.
The class was full of energy.
So much happening!
🍞 Food & Fun Irish Idioms
1. Full of Beans
Meaning: Full of energy.
He jumped around all morning.
Very lively!
2. Chew the Fat
Meaning: Chat casually.
Friends chatted during lunch.
Lots of laughs.
3. In a Pickle
Meaning: In trouble.
He forgot his homework.
Uh-oh!
4. Not My Cup of Tea
Meaning: Something you don’t like.
Math isn’t my cup of tea.
I prefer art.
5. Take the Cake
Meaning: Very surprising.
That joke took the cake!
Everyone laughed.
6. Easy as Pie
Meaning: Very easy.
The puzzle was simple.
No problem!
7. Spill the Beans
Meaning: Tell a secret.
She revealed the surprise early.
Oops!
8. Bread and Butter
Meaning: Something important.
Reading is his bread and butter.
He loves it.
9. Butter Wouldn’t Melt
Meaning: Acting innocent.
She looked sweet and quiet.
But she knew!
10. Have a Bone to Pick
Meaning: Something to complain about.
He talked about sharing rules.
Problem solved.
🎒 Learning & School Irish Idioms
1. A Head Full of Air
Meaning: Not paying attention.
He stared out the window all class.
His head was full of air today.
2. Sharp as a Tack
Meaning: Very smart.
She solved the riddle quickly.
Sharp as a tack!
3. Know the Ropes
Meaning: Understand how something works.
She knows the ropes at school now.
Practice helped.
4. Back to the Books
Meaning: Return to studying.
Holidays are over — back to the books!
Time to learn.
5. A Bright Spark
Meaning: Clever and creative.
He came up with a great idea.
What a bright spark!
6. Learn by Rote
Meaning: Memorize by repeating.
She learned spelling by rote.
Practice helped her remember.
7. Go Over Your Head
Meaning: Too hard to understand.
The big words went over his head.
He asked for help.
8. Hit the Books
Meaning: Study hard.
He hit the books before the test.
Effort paid off.
9. Top of the Class
Meaning: Doing very well.
She was top of the class.
Everyone clapped.
10. Teacher’s Pet
Meaning: A student loved by the teacher.
He helped a lot in class.
Helpful kids shine.
🌦️ Weather & Nature Irish Idioms
1. Raining Cats and Dogs
Meaning: Raining very hard.
Rain poured from the sky.
Water everywhere!
2. Under the Weather
Meaning: Feeling sick.
He stayed home from school.
Not feeling great.
3. A Storm in a Teacup
Meaning: A big fuss over nothing.
They argued over a pencil.
No big deal!
4. On Cloud Nine
Meaning: Extremely happy.
She smiled all day.
Joy filled her heart.
5. Blow Hot and Cold
Meaning: Change your mind often.
He liked the game, then didn’t.
Very unsure!
6. Chase Rainbows
Meaning: Dream big.
She chased her dreams bravely.
Big hopes!
7. Calm Before the Storm
Meaning: Quiet before excitement.
The class was silent — then recess!
Zoom!
8. Come Rain or Shine
Meaning: No matter what.
She shows up come rain or shine.
So dependable.
9. Out of the Blue
Meaning: Suddenly.
The news surprised everyone.
No warning!
10. Fair Weather Friend
Meaning: Only around when things are good.
He disappeared during chores.
That’s not kind.
👨👩👧 Family & Friends Irish Idioms
1. Thick as Thieves
Meaning: Very close friends.
They do everything together.
Best pals!
2. Blood Is Thicker Than Water
Meaning: Family is important.
Family sticks together.
Always caring.
3. Like Two Peas in a Pod
Meaning: Very similar.
They dressed the same.
Twins in spirit!
4. Chip off the Old Block
Meaning: Just like a parent.
She loves art, just like Mom.
A perfect match.
5. A Helping Hand
Meaning: Help someone.
He gave a helping hand with homework.
Kindness wins.
6. Shoulder to Cry On
Meaning: Comfort someone.
She listened quietly.
Friends help.
7. All in the Same Boat
Meaning: Facing the same problem.
Everyone had homework.
Not alone!
8. Close-Knit
Meaning: Strong relationships.
The class was close-knit.
Lots of teamwork.
9. Make Peace
Meaning: Stop arguing.
They said sorry.
Friends again!
10. Stick Together
Meaning: Support each other.
The group stayed united.
Team effort.
😄 Feelings & Actions Irish Idioms
1. Over the Moon
Meaning: Super happy.
She jumped for joy.
Big smiles!
2. Down in the Dumps
Meaning: Sad.
He felt gloomy all day.
Cheering helped.
3. Get a Move On
Meaning: Hurry up.
Time to go!
Pick up the pace.
4. Lose the Run of Yourself
Meaning: Get too excited.
He shouted loudly.
Oops!
5. Have a Good Laugh
Meaning: Enjoy yourself.
They laughed all afternoon.
Pure fun.
6. Bite Your Tongue
Meaning: Stop yourself from speaking.
She stayed quiet.
Good choice.
7. Keep Your Cool
Meaning: Stay calm.
He breathed deeply.
Crisis avoided.
8. Jump for Joy
Meaning: Be very happy.
She squealed happily.
So exciting!
9. Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve
Meaning: Show feelings openly.
He shared how he felt.
Very honest.
10. Take It in Stride
Meaning: Handle calmly.
She solved the problem calmly.
Well done.
🏃 Everyday Actions & Habits Irish Idioms
1. Get Up on the Wrong Side of the Bed
Meaning: Start the day in a bad mood.
He was grumpy all morning.
Sleepy days happen!
2. Make Yourself at Home
Meaning: Feel comfortable.
She relaxed right away.
Welcome in!
3. At the Drop of a Hat
Meaning: Very quickly.
He helped at the drop of a hat.
So kind!
4. Hit the Nail on the Head
Meaning: Be exactly right.
She guessed the answer.
Perfect choice!
5. Hold Your Horses
Meaning: Wait a moment.
Hold your horses — slow down!
Patience helps.
6. A Bit Much
Meaning: Too much.
That noise was a bit much.
Quiet please.
7. Play It by Ear
Meaning: Decide as you go.
They made plans later.
Easy going!
8. Cut It Out
Meaning: Stop doing that.
Cut it out and focus.
Time to listen.
9. Keep an Eye On
Meaning: Watch carefully.
She kept an eye on the puppy.
Safe and sound.
10. Get Stuck In
Meaning: Start eagerly.
He got stuck into homework.
Great effort!
⏰ Time & Waiting Irish Idioms
1. In the Nick of Time
Meaning: Just in time.
We caught the bus barely.
Lucky timing!
2. Time Will Tell
Meaning: We’ll know later.
Let’s wait and see.
Time will tell.
3. Take Your Time
Meaning: No hurry.
Work carefully.
No rush.
4. Around the Clock
Meaning: All the time.
They practiced around the clock.
So dedicated.
5. Wait It Out
Meaning: Be patient.
They waited out the storm.
Smart choice.
6. In No Time
Meaning: Very fast.
She finished in no time.
So quick!
7. About Time
Meaning: Finally!
About time recess started.
Yay!
8. Time Flies
Meaning: Time passes quickly.
Time flies when playing.
Fun days!
9. Early Bird
Meaning: Wake up early.
She’s an early bird.
Ready to go.
10. Better Late Than Never
Meaning: Late is better than not at all.
Homework arrived late.
Still good!
🎭 Behavior & Personality Irish Idioms
1. Full of Yourself
Meaning: Think too highly of yourself.
He bragged a little.
Stay kind!
2. Soft Touch
Meaning: Easily convinced.
She helped everyone.
Very kind-hearted.
3. Hard Nut to Crack
Meaning: Difficult to understand.
That puzzle was tricky.
Keep trying!
4. A Good Egg
Meaning: A nice person.
He always helps.
Such a good egg!
5. Thick-Skinned
Meaning: Not easily upset.
She stayed calm.
Strong feelings!
6. Thin-Skinned
Meaning: Easily hurt.
He felt sad quickly.
Be gentle.
7. Loose Cannon
Meaning: Unpredictable.
Anything might happen!
Watch carefully.
8. Straight Shooter
Meaning: Honest person.
She told the truth.
Trustworthy!
9. Big-Hearted
Meaning: Very kind.
He shared snacks.
So caring!
10. Down to Earth
Meaning: Friendly and sensible.
She was easy to talk to.
Very nice!
🧠 Thinking & Problem-Solving Irish Idioms
1. Put Your Thinking Cap On
Meaning: Think carefully.
It was puzzle time.
Time to focus!
2. Get Your Head Around
Meaning: Understand something.
Math took time.
Then it clicked!
3. Food for Thought
Meaning: Something to think about.
That idea lingered.
Interesting!
4. Shortcut
Meaning: Easier way.
He found a faster path.
Clever thinking!
5. Think Outside the Box
Meaning: Be creative.
She tried something new.
Great idea!
6. Rack Your Brains
Meaning: Think hard.
He tried to remember.
Almost there!
7. Put Two and Two Together
Meaning: Figure it out.
She solved the mystery.
Smart thinking!
8. Lightbulb Moment
Meaning: Sudden understanding.
The answer popped up.
Aha!
9. Miss the Point
Meaning: Not understand.
He misunderstood the joke.
Oops!
10. Make Sense
Meaning: Be clear.
Now it makes sense.
All good!
🎉 Fun, Play & Games Irish Idioms
1. Have the Time of Your Life
Meaning: Have lots of fun.
She laughed all day at the party.
Best day ever!
2. All Fun and Games
Meaning: Something that seems easy or fun.
It was all fun and games at first.
Then things got serious.
3. Join in the Fun
Meaning: Take part.
He joined in the fun at recess.
Smiles everywhere!
4. Take a Turn
Meaning: Do something one at a time.
Everyone took a turn playing.
Fair and fun.
5. Get the Hang of It
Meaning: Learn how to do something.
She practiced drawing.
Now she’s got the hang of it!
6. Call It a Day
Meaning: Stop for now.
They finished homework.
Time to relax.
7. Push Your Luck
Meaning: Try too much.
He asked again.
Careful now!
8. Let Loose
Meaning: Relax and have fun.
They let loose at the party.
Lots of laughter.
9. Break the Ice
Meaning: Make people comfortable.
A joke broke the ice.
Everyone smiled.
10. Have a Blast
Meaning: Enjoy a lot.
The trip was amazing.
They had a blast!
🛠️ Work, Effort & Responsibility Irish Idioms
1. Pull Your Finger Out
Meaning: Hurry up and try harder.
He finished faster.
Well done!
2. Lend a Hand
Meaning: Help someone.
She lent a hand cleaning up.
Teamwork helps.
3. Do Your Bit
Meaning: Do your part.
Everyone did their bit.
Success!
4. Carry the Load
Meaning: Take responsibility.
He carried the load on the project.
Strong teamwork.
5. Get On With It
Meaning: Start working.
Time to begin.
Let’s go!
6. Earn Your Keep
Meaning: Help in exchange for staying.
He helped around the house.
Fair deal.
7. Take Pride In
Meaning: Feel proud.
She took pride in her work.
Nice job!
8. Knuckle Down
Meaning: Work seriously.
He knuckled down to study.
Focus time.
9. Do the Right Thing
Meaning: Make a good choice.
He told the truth.
Bravery counts.
10. Carry On
Meaning: Continue.
She carried on bravely.
Don’t stop!
😮 Surprises & Reactions Irish Idioms
1. Knock Your Socks Off
Meaning: Amazed.
The show was amazing.
Wow!
2. Jaw on the Floor
Meaning: Very surprised.
Their mouths opened wide.
So shocking!
3. Out of the Ordinary
Meaning: Unusual.
Today felt different.
Interesting!
4. Take You by Surprise
Meaning: Happen suddenly.
The party surprised her.
Big smiles!
5. Catch You Off Guard
Meaning: When not ready.
The question caught him off guard.
Think fast!
6. Blow Your Mind
Meaning: Extremely surprising.
The trick amazed everyone.
So cool!
7. Didn’t See That Coming
Meaning: Unexpected.
Nobody guessed that ending.
Caught off guard!
8. Spring a Surprise
Meaning: Give a surprise.
They sprung a party.
Yay!
9. Shock to the System
Meaning: Big change.
Early mornings felt different.
Hard at first.
10. Eyes Wide Open
Meaning: Fully aware.
She listened closely.
Ready for anything.
🌈 Positivity & Confidence Irish Idioms
1. Best Foot Forward
Meaning: Try your best.
He tried hard.
Good start!
2. On Top of the World
Meaning: Very happy.
She felt amazing.
Big smiles!
3. Hold Your Head High
Meaning: Be proud.
He didn’t give up.
Stay confident.
4. Believe in Yourself
Meaning: Trust your abilities.
She kept going.
Strength inside!
5. Bounce Back
Meaning: Recover quickly.
He made a mistake.
Then improved!
6. Chin Up
Meaning: Stay positive.
Things will improve.
Keep smiling.
7. Go for It
Meaning: Try boldly.
She raised her hand.
Brave move!
8. Stand Tall
Meaning: Be confident.
He believed in himself.
Well done!
9. Think Big
Meaning: Aim high.
She dreamed big.
Big goals!
10. Feel Proud
Meaning: Be happy with yourself.
He finished the project.
So proud!
🎯 Conclusion
Irish idioms bring warmth, humor, and imagination to everyday English. They help kids express ideas in a fun and friendly way while making language learning enjoyable. These expressions turn simple sentences into lively conversations.
By learning Irish idioms, kids grow more confident and curious about language and culture. They discover that words can tell stories and make people smile. So keep learning, keep exploring, and let Irish idioms add a touch of fun and magic to your English journey!
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