30 Idioms Related to Technology

30 Idioms Related to Technology (with Meanings & Examples)

Hello, English learners! Welcome back 👋 Today’s lesson explores 30 idioms related to technology—expressions you’ll hear in everyday conversations, articles, workplaces, and online discussions.

Many technology idioms are relatively modern, shaped by the digital age. Expressions like surf the web or tech-savvy simply didn’t exist a few decades ago. Others, however, are older idioms that have been repurposed for modern life. For example, cutting-edge once described the sharpest tools; today, it usually refers to the latest technology.

Language, like technology, never stands still. As our devices evolve, so does the way we talk about them. These idioms are especially useful for B2 First (FCE) and C1 Advanced (CAE) learners who want to sound natural, fluent, and up to date.

Let’s plug in and get started. 🔌

Ahead of the curve

Meaning: more advanced or innovative than others.

The company’s AI software keeps it ahead of the curve.

By learning coding early, she stayed ahead of the curve.

Back to the drawing board

Meaning: to start again after failure.

The app didn’t work properly, so it was back to the drawing board.

After negative feedback, the team went back to the drawing board.

Bells and whistles

Meaning: extra features that are nice but not essential.

The phone has all the bells and whistles, but it’s expensive.

I want something simple—no bells and whistles.

Bite the bullet

Meaning: face a difficult situation bravely.

He bit the bullet and learned a new programming language.

We had to bite the bullet and upgrade the system.

Blow a fuse

Meaning: to suddenly become very angry.

The boss blew a fuse when the server crashed.

She blew a fuse after losing all her files.

Caught in the web

Meaning: trapped in a complicated situation.

He got caught in the web of online scams.

She felt caught in the web of constant notifications.

Cutting-edge

Meaning: extremely modern and advanced.

They use cutting-edge medical technology.

The lab is known for cutting-edge research.

Digital footprint

Meaning: the information you leave online.

Be careful—everything adds to your digital footprint.

Employers often check candidates’ digital footprints.

Down to the wire

Meaning: until the very last moment.

The update went live down to the wire.

It was down to the wire, but we fixed the bug.

Face time

Meaning: time spent interacting in person.

Managers still value face time with their teams.

Nothing beats face time for building trust.

Get with the programme

Meaning: adapt to new ways of doing things.

It’s time to get with the programme and go digital.

He needs to get with the programme or fall behind.

Hit the panic button

Meaning: react with sudden fear or urgency.

Don’t hit the panic button—it’s a minor glitch.

They hit the panic button when the site went offline.

In the loop

Meaning: informed and included.

Please keep me in the loop on any updates.

She likes to stay in the loop at work.

Jump on the bandwagon

Meaning: join a popular trend, often without much original thought.

As soon as artificial intelligence became fashionable, many companies jumped on the AI bandwagon.

Some businesses jumped on the bandwagon without much planning and later regretted it.

Light years ahead

Meaning: far more advanced than something else.

This new software is light years ahead of the old version, both in speed and design.

Compared to its rivals, their technology feels light years ahead.

Log off

Meaning: disconnect from a computer system or online account.

For security reasons, employees are advised to log off at the end of the day.

He rushed home and only later realised he’d forgotten to log off his work account.

Lost in cyberspace

Meaning: confused or overwhelmed online.

I went looking for one article and got lost in cyberspace.

She felt lost in cyberspace while researching.

Off the grid

Meaning: disconnected from technology.

They spent a weekend off the grid.

Living off the grid can be very refreshing.

On the same wavelength

Meaning: thinking in a similar way; sharing the same understanding.

From the first meeting, the designers and developers were clearly on the same wavelength.

We talked for five minutes and immediately felt we were on the same wavelength.

Out of steam

Meaning: lacking energy, motivation, or enthusiasm.

At first, the project moved quickly, but it soon ran out of steam.

After months of overtime and late nights, he was completely out of steam.

Plug-and-play

Meaning: easy to install and use without complex setup.

The new device is plug-and-play, so even non-technical users can get started instantly.

I love plug-and-play technology — no manuals, no frustration.

Pull the plug

Meaning: stop something completely, often suddenly.

After repeated technical failures, the company finally pulled the plug on the project.

She decided to pull the plug on social media for a month and felt much calmer as a result.

Push the envelope

Meaning: go beyond normal limits or expectations.

This startup isn’t afraid to push the envelope when it comes to innovation.

With its bold design and risky ideas, the game really pushes the envelope.

Short-circuit

Meaning: disrupt or stop something unexpectedly.

A sudden power cut short-circuited the discussion just as it was getting interesting.

One careless mistake short-circuited the entire plan.

Surf the web

Meaning: browse the internet casually, often without a clear goal.

In the evenings, I usually surf the web to relax and switch off.

She sat down to check one thing and ended up surfing the web for hours.

Tech-savvy

Meaning: skilled and confident with technology.

He’s surprisingly tech-savvy for his age and fixes most problems himself.

The position requires tech-savvy staff who can adapt quickly.

The nuts and bolts

Meaning: the basic, practical details of something.

Before we begin, let’s go through the nuts and bolts of the system.

The course focuses on the nuts and bolts rather than abstract theory.

Throw a wrench in the works

Meaning: cause unexpected problems or disruption.

The server crash threw a serious wrench in the works just before the launch.

As usual, bad timing threw a wrench in the works.

Under the hood

Meaning: hidden or technical details that are not immediately visible.

The update may look minor, but it made major improvements under the hood.

I enjoy understanding what’s happening under the hood, not just using the software.

Virtual reality

Meaning: a computer-generated, immersive digital environment.

Virtual reality is now widely used in pilot and medical training.

The museum offers virtual reality experiences that bring history to life.

Final tip

If you want idioms related to technology to stick, don’t just memorise them. Use them in short sentences, notice them in articles, and try slipping one or two into your speaking or writing. Used well, they make your English sound modern, confident, and naturally fluent.

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