The Bible is a special book for many people. It teaches lessons, shares stories, and gives advice for life. Over time, many phrases from the Bible have become common in how we speak. These phrases are called idioms.
Idioms from the Bible are used in everyday talk, even by people who don’t read it. They help us describe ideas like kindness, patience, and honesty. In this article, you’ll learn idioms that come from the Bible and what they mean today. Let’s look at how these old sayings are still useful now.
Idioms for The Bible
1. By the skin of your teeth
Meaning: Just barely.
Samples: He passed the test by the skin of his teeth. / I made it to the bus by the skin of my teeth.
To Put it Another Way: Just in time. / Almost didn’t make it.
2. A thorn in one’s side
Meaning: Someone or something that causes trouble.
Samples: The noise was a thorn in my side while I worked. / That chore is a thorn in my side every day.
To Put it Another Way: It keeps bothering me. / A big problem.
3. Bite the dust
Meaning: To fail or be defeated.
Samples: My tower of blocks bit the dust. / Their team bit the dust in the last round.
To Put it Another Way: It didn’t last. / It lost.
4. At your wit’s end
Meaning: To feel very frustrated or confused.
Samples: I was at my wit’s end with that hard puzzle. / She’s at her wit’s end with the noise.
To Put it Another Way: I don’t know what to do. / I’m out of ideas.
5. A house divided
Meaning: A group that does not agree.
Samples: The class was a house divided over the game choice. / A house divided can’t stand long.
To Put it Another Way: They can’t work together. / Full of arguments.
6. Good Samaritan
Meaning: A kind and helpful person.
Samples: That good Samaritan helped me pick up my books. / A good Samaritan stopped to help.
To Put it Another Way: A kind stranger. / Someone helpful.
7. Salt of the earth
Meaning: A very good and honest person.
Samples: My neighbor is the salt of the earth. / He’s the salt of the earth always helping others.
To Put it Another Way: A great person. / Very kind and fair.
8. The powers that be
Meaning: The people in charge.
Samples: The powers that be said we need to clean up. / We’re waiting on the powers that be to decide.
To Put it Another Way: The leaders. / Those in control.
9. The writing on the wall
Meaning: A clear sign of something bad coming.
Samples: I saw the writing on the wall before the team lost. / The writing on the wall showed the test would be tough.
To Put it Another Way: A warning. / You could tell what was going to happen.
10. Eye for an eye
Meaning: Fair punishment or payback.
Samples: They want an eye for an eye after the prank. / Some believe in an eye for an eye.
To Put it Another Way: Get even. / Pay back what was done.
11. Turn the other cheek
Meaning: Don’t fight back; stay calm.
Samples: I turned the other cheek when he teased me. / She always turns the other cheek.
To Put it Another Way: Don’t fight. / Stay peaceful.
12. The powers that be
Meaning: Those in charge.
Samples: The powers that be decided on the rule change. / Ask the powers that be about the field trip.
To Put it Another Way: The ones who decide. / People in control.
13. A sign of the times
Meaning: Something that shows what life is like now.
Samples: All the tech in class is a sign of the times. / People texting at dinner is a sign of the times.
To Put it Another Way: It shows what today is like. / How things are now.
14. Out of the mouths of babes
Meaning: Kids say wise or true things.
Samples: Out of the mouths of babes came the best idea! / He spoke wisely out of the mouths of babes.
To Put it Another Way: Kids can be smart. / Children say good things.
15. Land of milk and honey
Meaning: A place full of good things.
Samples: They think the new city is the land of milk and honey. / This snack table is the land of milk and honey!
To Put it Another Way: A rich or great place. / Full of good stuff.
16. A doubting Thomas
Meaning: Someone who doesn’t believe easily.
Samples: Don’t be a doubting Thomas try it first! / He’s a doubting Thomas about the plan.
To Put it Another Way: A person who needs proof. / Doesn’t trust easily.
17. Forty days and forty nights
Meaning: A long time.
Samples: I waited for forty days and forty nights! / This homework feels like it takes forty days and nights.
To Put it Another Way: A long wait. / It feels endless.
18. Apple of my eye
Meaning: Someone very special.
Samples: My little sister is the apple of my eye. / He’s the apple of his grandma’s eye.
To Put it Another Way: Someone you really love. / Very dear.
19. Feet of clay
Meaning: A hidden weakness.
Samples: Even heroes have feet of clay. / He seemed perfect, but he had feet of clay.
To Put it Another Way: A small flaw. / Not perfect.
20. Labor of love
Meaning: Hard work done with care.
Samples: That painting was a labor of love. / Cleaning the yard was a labor of love for Grandpa.
To Put it Another Way: Work done with heart. / Done because you care.
21. Manna from heaven
Meaning: A surprise gift.
Samples: That snack was manna from heaven! / The rain was like manna from heaven for the plants.
To Put it Another Way: A great surprise. / A helpful gift.
22. The straight and narrow
Meaning: The right path or behavior.
Samples: She walks the straight and narrow. / He’s trying to stay on the straight and narrow.
To Put it Another Way: Doing the right thing. / Following good rules.
23. Scapegoat
Meaning: Someone blamed unfairly.
Samples: He was the scapegoat for the mess. / Don’t make her the scapegoat.
To Put it Another Way: Blamed unfairly. / Got in trouble for others.
24. Wash your hands of it
Meaning: To stop being involved.
Samples: I washed my hands of the whole thing. / She washed her hands of the plan.
To Put it Another Way: I’m done with it. / Not helping anymore.
25. Wolf in sheep’s clothing
Meaning: Someone who looks nice but isn’t.
Samples: He seemed kind but was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. / Watch out he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
To Put it Another Way: Looks good but isn’t. / Not what they seem.
26. Let there be light
Meaning: Time to begin or fix something.
Samples: Let there be light turn on the lamp! / He said, “Let there be light!” and started the show.
To Put it Another Way: Time to start. / Begin now.
27. Fall from grace
Meaning: To lose respect or honor.
Samples: He fell from grace after lying. / She was popular, then fell from grace.
To Put it Another Way: Lost respect. / Not admired anymore.
28. Cast the first stone
Meaning: Judge someone while ignoring your own mistakes.
Samples: Don’t cast the first stone if you’ve made mistakes too. / She cast the first stone at her friend.
To Put it Another Way: Blame someone unfairly. / Judge without looking at yourself.
29. Go the extra mile
Meaning: Do more than expected.
Samples: He went the extra mile helping me study. / She always goes the extra mile for her team.
To Put it Another Way: Do more than asked. / Try harder.
30. Fight the good fight
Meaning: Stand up for what is right.
Samples: Keep going you’re fighting the good fight. / They fought the good fight for what they believed in.
To Put it Another Way: Keep doing right. / Stand up for good.
Find the Topics: Idioms for The Bible
Reading Passage: “The Class Debate”
Mr. Jensen’s fifth-grade class had a big debate about screen time. The room felt like a house divided, with strong opinions on both sides. As the discussion went on, Jamie, usually shy, stood up and said, “I think we all need to turn the other cheek when someone disagrees with us.”
Mia nodded, adding, “We should go the extra mile to understand other people’s views.” Mr. Jensen smiled and said, “You’re both showing wisdom out of the mouths of babes.”
Later, when the bell rang, the class felt more peaceful. “Sometimes,” said Jayden, “you have to fight the good fight for what you believe in, but still be kind.” As they packed up, Ella whispered, “I saw the writing on the wall that the debate was going to be intense!”
Sophie laughed. “I was almost at my wits’ end trying to pick a side.” Everyone agreed it was a day they wouldn’t forget.
Your Task:
Can you find and underline or list all 8 idioms used in the story?
Answer Key
- A house divided
- Turn the other cheek
- Go the extra mile
- Out of the mouths of babes
- Fight the good fight
- The writing on the wall
- At my wits’ end
- Pick a side
Conclusion
Bible idioms are used in everyday conversations, even if people don’t always know where they come from. Phrases like “go the extra mile” or “a house divided” help us explain deep ideas in simple ways. These expressions carry wisdom that still matters today.
Learning these idioms helps you speak and write more clearly and meaningfully. They remind us of kindness, fairness, and standing up for what’s right.
