10 English Idioms Using Fruit (with Meanings & Examples)
Idioms are one of the quickest ways to make your English sound more natural, confident, and expressive. Native speakers use them constantly — in conversation, films, articles, and even informal writing. While grammar builds structure, idioms bring language to life. Fruit idioms are especially memorable. They are colourful, slightly playful, and often used to talk about people, behaviour, success, disappointment, and emotions. In this lesson, you’ll learn ten common English idioms that use fruit, complete with clear meanings and natural example sentences.
Apple of my eye
Meaning: Someone who is extremely loved and cherished. This idiom is often used when talking about children, partners, or very close family members.
- Her youngest daughter is the apple of her eye.
- He’s been the apple of his grandmother’s eye since the day he was born.
Apples and oranges
Meaning: Two things that are completely different and cannot be fairly compared.
- Comparing online learning with traditional classrooms is like comparing apples and oranges.
- You can’t judge those two novels side by side — it’s apples and oranges.
Apple of discord
Meaning: Something small that causes disagreement or conflict and may lead to a bigger problem later.
This idiom is more common in written or formal English.
- The inheritance became the apple of discord between the siblings.
- That single comment turned into an apple of discord within the team.
Bad apple
Meaning: A dishonest or unpleasant person who negatively influences others.
- One bad apple can ruin the atmosphere in an otherwise friendly workplace.
- He was dismissed because management felt he was a bad apple.
Bowl of cherries
Meaning: A situation that is easy, pleasant, or enjoyable — often used ironically to mean the opposite.
- Looking after three toddlers all day isn’t exactly a bowl of cherries.
- Life hasn’t been a bowl of cherries for her since she lost her job.
Go bananas
Meaning: To become very angry, excited, or emotional. This is a very informal idiom, common in spoken English.
- The crowd went bananas when the band appeared on stage.
- My dad went bananas when he saw the repair bill.
Lemon
Meaning: Something, especially a machine or product, that doesn’t work properly or is defective.
- The laptop I bought turned out to be a lemon.
- That second-hand car was a complete lemon.
Not give a fig
Meaning: To not care at all about something. This idiom sounds informal and slightly old-fashioned, but it is still understood.
- He doesn’t give a fig what people think of his lifestyle.
- She quit the job and didn’t give a fig about the consequences.
Peach
Meaning: A kind, helpful, or delightful person.
- Thanks for helping me move — you’re a real peach.
- She’s been an absolute peach during this difficult time.
Sour grapes
Meaning: A negative attitude towards something because you can’t have it.
- He claims he didn’t want the promotion anyway, but it sounds like sour grapes.
- Calling the trip overrated is just sour grapes — she couldn’t afford to go.
Final thoughts
Fruit idioms add colour and personality to your English, but they should be used naturally and in the right context. Most of these expressions are perfect for speaking, informal writing, and storytelling, while a few (like the apple of discord) also work well in more formal texts.
Try choosing two or three idioms and using them in your own sentences this week. That’s how they stop being vocabulary items and start becoming part of your real English.
Feeling hungry for more? You might also enjoy learning idioms using vegetables — English is full of them.
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