Idioms Related to House & Home

Idioms Related to House & Home

Hello, dear English learners! Today, we are stepping across the threshold into one of the most familiar places in the world — the home. No matter where we live, the idea of “home” carries warmth, comfort, and a sense of belonging. It’s no surprise, then, that English is full of colourful idioms built around houses, rooms, and everyday domestic life. Idioms Related to House & Home

Learning idioms does far more than fill your notebook with new expressions. They help you sound natural, fluent, and wonderfully expressive — just like the English you hear from native speakers every day. Idioms add colour, humour, and emotion to your language, turning simple sentences into something lively and memorable. And when you start to understand them, you gain insight not only into the words themselves but into the way people think and communicate.

For Cambridge B2 First and C1 Advanced learners, this is especially valuable. A well-placed idiom can lift your writing or speaking to a higher level, showing confidence, control, and a real feel for the language. And truth be told, idioms are enjoyable to learn. They remind us that English is alive, shaped by culture, stories, and everyday life.

So, make yourself at home, settle comfortably, and let’s explore some wonderful idioms related to house and home.

Feel at home

Meaning: To feel comfortable and relaxed.

She immediately felt at home in her new office because everyone was friendly.

Hit home

Meaning: When something becomes clearly understood or has a strong emotional impact.

His words really hit home when he said I needed to slow down and take care of myself.

A home from home

Meaning: A place where you feel as comfortable as in your own home.

That little guesthouse by the sea has become our home from home.

Bring home the bacon

Meaning: To earn money to support a family.

She works long hours to bring home the bacon.

Everything but the kitchen sink

Meaning: To take or include almost everything.

The Smiths packed everything but the kitchen sink for their weekend trip.

Build castles in the air

Meaning: To make unrealistic plans or dreams.

Instead of building castles in the air, he decided to start saving for his future.

Get on like a house on fire

Meaning: To have a very friendly and enthusiastic relationship.

The new colleagues got on like a house on fire from day one.

A roof over your head

Meaning: A place to live.

Even though the flat is small, I’m grateful to have a roof over my head.

Bring the house down

Meaning: To receive a lot of applause or make the audience laugh loudly.

Her performance was so brilliant that she brought the house down.

Go through the roof

Meaning: (1) To become extremely angry; (2) To increase suddenly (prices).

Mum went through the roof when she saw the mess in the kitchen.

Get your own house in order

Meaning: To solve your own problems before criticising others.

You should get your own house in order before advising me.

Hit the ceiling

Meaning: To suddenly become very angry.

He hit the ceiling when he discovered someone had scratched his new car.

Move heaven and earth

Meaning: To do everything possible to achieve something.

They moved heaven and earth to finish the renovation before Christmas.

Lead someone up the garden path

Meaning: To deceive or trick someone.

He led investors up the garden path with false promises.

Sweep something under the carpet

Meaning: To hide or ignore a problem.

The school tried to sweep the incident under the carpet.

Home truths

Meaning: Honest, often unpleasant facts about someone.

She told him a few home truths about his behaviour.

Come home to someone

Meaning: When the importance or meaning of something becomes clear.

It finally came home to her that she needed to change her lifestyle.

Make yourself at home

Meaning: Feel relaxed and behave as if you were in your own house.

Come in, take a seat, and make yourself at home.

On the house

Meaning: Free of charge, usually provided by a restaurant or business.

The drinks were on the house to celebrate the café’s anniversary.

House of cards

Meaning: A plan, organisation, or situation likely to fail.

His business turned out to be a house of cards and collapsed quickly.

Idioms are more than decorative language — they are cultural tools. They help you unlock a deeper, more authentic layer of English. When you use idioms confidently, you show that you understand subtleties, attitudes, and emotions behind the words. This is exactly what examiners and native speakers notice.

By learning idioms related to house and home, you are also learning to speak about everyday life with warmth and personality. These expressions appear naturally in conversations, films, books, and even Cambridge exam tasks. They give your English that polished, fluent quality that textbooks alone can’t provide.

So, keep adding idioms to your “linguistic home.” Build slowly, brick by brick, and soon you’ll have a solid structure that makes your English sound natural, expressive, and wonderfully alive.

If you really want to learn English but don’t know how to do it and where to start, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book an online English lesson with one of our certified and experienced English teachers and take a test and consultation! Tap the banner to learn more!