About this app

Oxford Dictionary of Idioms takes a fresh look at the idiomatic phrases and sayings that make English the rich and intriguing language that it is.

 • Contains over 6,000 idioms from all over the English-speaking world
 • Hundreds of illustrative quotations, both modern and historical, offer readers a clear idea of how the phrases can be used
 • Extra features offer fascinating additional information for many entries
 • Easy to navigate, including many cross-references, making it ideal for quick reference.
 • Most useful alternative words given first, with word closest in meaning to entry word given in bold
 • Draws on the latest findings of Oxford's language monitoring - the largest dictionary research programme in the world
 • Detailed background on every idiom
 • NEW! Lookup words in any other Android app with the Tap to Translate feature, and do it in style with any of the four colorful new themes.

Did you know that 'flavour of the month' originated in a marketing campaign in American ice-cream parlours in the 1940s, when a particular flavour would be specially promoted for a month at a time? And did you know that 'off the cuff' refers to the rather messy practice of writing impromptu notes on one's shirt cuff before speaking in public?
These and many more idioms are explained and put into context in the Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms completed with a range of recently established idioms such as 'the elephant in the corner', 'go figure', 'like a rat up a drainpipe', 'sex on legs', 'step up to the plate', 'too posh to push', 'a walk in the park', 'win ugly'.

Also includes advanced search and language tools that have become the staple of quality language apps from MobiSystems, Inc.

SEARCH TOOLS - effortlessly find words thanks to a clear, functional, and easy-to-use interface.

Intelligent search integrates several tools to match or suggest what you are looking for:
 • Search autocomplete helps find words quickly by displaying predictions as you type
 • Keyword lookup allows you to search within compound words and phrases
 • An automatic ‘Fuzzy filter’ to correct word spelling, as well as ‘Wild card’ ('*' or '?') to replace a letter or entire parts of a word
 • Camera search looks up words in the camera viewfinder and displays results
 • Use our ; Voice search when you don't know how an entry is spelled.
 • Share word definitions via installed apps on your device
 • NEW! Tap to Translate entries in other apps
 • Swipe-to-delete functionality in the Recent and Favorites menus.

LEARNING TOOLS - engaging features that help you further enhance your vocabulary.

 • ‘Favorites’ feature to create custom folders with lists of words from the extensive library
 • ‘Recent’ list to easily review looked-up words
 • ‘Word of the day’ section to expand your vocabulary daily
 • Home screen widget provides random words at a glance
 • Split screen support for Android 7 allowing you to use it together with other apps

***This is a fully functional 30-day trial version***

Get MORE by purchasing the full version:

 • Permanently unlock the complete features list
 • Offline mode - look up words without an internet connection
 • Premium Support – Get expedited support for any app-related issues.
 • Ad-free

New features

In our ongoing efforts to improve user experience, we've focused on refining app performance and resolving issues to ensure a more seamless and reliable experience through the world of words.

App Permissions

Allows applications to open network sockets.
Allows applications to access information about Wi-Fi networks.
Allows applications to access information about networks.
Allows an app to create windows using the type TYPE_APPLICATION_OVERLAY, shown on top of all other apps.
Required to be able to access the camera device.
Allows an application to receive the ACTION_BOOT_COMPLETED that is broadcast after the system finishes booting.
Allows using PowerManager WakeLocks to keep processor from sleeping or screen from dimming.