Sometimes we use special phrases to talk about different kinds of people. These phrases are called idioms. Idioms don’t always mean what the words sound like. For example, if someone is called “a big cheese,” it doesn’t mean they’re food it means they’re important! Idioms help us describe people in fun and interesting ways.
In this article, you will learn 40 idioms that describe people. These phrases can help you understand what others mean and help you talk about people in new ways. They are often used in stories, shows, and everyday conversations. Learning them will make your speaking and writing more colorful and fun.
Idioms for People
1. A big cheese
Meaning: An important person
For Example: The principal is the big cheese at school. / At the party, everyone wanted to talk to the big cheese.
Alternatively: The boss / The main person
2. A go-getter
Meaning: A person who works hard and doesn’t give up
For Example: My sister is a go-getter when it comes to school projects. / He’s a go-getter on the soccer field.
Alternatively: Hard worker / Always trying
3. A night owl
Meaning: Someone who stays up late
For Example: I’m a night owl on weekends. / My brother is a night owl and plays games late at night.
Alternatively: Late sleeper / Stays up late
4. A couch potato
Meaning: A person who sits around and watches TV a lot
For Example: On Sundays, Dad turns into a couch potato. / She was a couch potato all summer break.
Alternatively: Lazy / Doesn’t move much
5. A class clown
Meaning: A person who always tries to be funny at school
For Example: Jake is the class clown who makes everyone laugh. / Our class clown got in trouble for telling jokes during math.
Alternatively: Funny kid / School joker
6. A copycat
Meaning: Someone who copies others
For Example: Don’t be a copycat and do your own work. / My little brother is such a copycat!
Alternatively: Imitator / Follower
7. A worrywart
Meaning: A person who worries a lot
For Example: Mom is a worrywart before family trips. / Don’t be a worrywart, the test will be fine.
Alternatively: Always nervous / Overthinks
8. A bookworm
Meaning: Someone who loves to read
For Example: She’s a bookworm who finishes a new book every week. / I’ve been a bookworm since second grade.
Alternatively: Loves books / Reads a lot
9. A chatterbox
Meaning: A person who talks all the time
For Example: My little sister is a chatterbox during dinner. / The teacher asked the chatterboxes to quiet down.
Alternatively: Talkative / Non-stop talker
10. A backseat driver
Meaning: Someone who tells others how to do things, even if they aren’t in charge
For Example: Dad says I’m a backseat driver when I give him directions. / My friend was a backseat driver during the game.
Alternatively: Bossy helper / Unwanted advice
11. A jack of all trades
Meaning: Someone who can do many things well
For Example: My uncle is a jack of all trades he can cook, fix things, and play guitar. / She’s a jack of all trades at school.
Alternatively: Multi-skilled / Good at lots of things
12. A know-it-all
Meaning: A person who acts like they know everything
For Example: Don’t be a know-it-all when others are talking. / He’s smart, but a bit of a know-it-all.
Alternatively: Bragger / Always right
13. A busy bee
Meaning: A person who is always working or moving
For Example: Mom is a busy bee on Saturday mornings. / She’s a busy bee with all her homework and clubs.
Alternatively: Always active / Always doing something
14. A lone wolf
Meaning: Someone who likes being alone
For Example: He’s a lone wolf who prefers reading by himself. / I’m a lone wolf during lunch sometimes.
Alternatively: Quiet person / Likes being alone
15. A cold fish
Meaning: A person who doesn’t show much emotion
For Example: He didn’t smile at all what a cold fish. / She’s nice, but a bit of a cold fish.
Alternatively: Unfriendly / Hard to read
16. A party animal
Meaning: A person who loves to have fun and celebrate
For Example: My cousin is a party animal at family events. / He’s a party animal on birthdays.
Alternatively: Life of the party / Loves fun
17. A barrel of laughs
Meaning: A very funny person
For Example: Grandpa is a barrel of laughs when he tells stories. / Our teacher is a barrel of laughs!
Alternatively: Very funny / Always joking
18. A two-faced person
Meaning: Someone who acts nice but is not honest
For Example: She’s friendly in class but rude later kind of two-faced. / No one likes a two-faced friend.
Alternatively: Fake / Not trustworthy
19. A tough cookie
Meaning: A strong person who doesn’t give up
For Example: She’s a tough cookie, even when things are hard. / After falling, he got up what a tough cookie!
Alternatively: Brave / Doesn’t quit
20. A people person
Meaning: Someone who enjoys being with others
For Example: She’s a people person who makes friends fast. / My coach is a people person and talks to everyone.
Alternatively: Friendly / Outgoing
21. A wise old owl
Meaning: A person who is smart and gives good advice
For Example: My grandma is a wise old owl. / He’s like a wise old owl with his tips.
Alternatively: Smart / Full of wisdom
22. A fair-weather friend
Meaning: Someone who is only nice when things are good
For Example: He didn’t help me when I needed him a fair-weather friend. / She only calls when she wants something.
Alternatively: Not a true friend / Only around for fun
23. A tough nut to crack
Meaning: A person who is hard to understand or deal with
For Example: My teacher is a tough nut to crack. / He doesn’t smile much, kind of a tough nut.
Alternatively: Mysterious / Not easy to figure out
24. A man of his word / woman of her word
Meaning: Someone who keeps promises
For Example: She said she’d help and did she’s a woman of her word. / Dad is a man of his word.
Alternatively: Honest / Keeps promises
25. A big mouth
Meaning: Someone who talks too much or shares secrets
For Example: Don’t tell her she’s a big mouth! / He has a big mouth and told my secret.
Alternatively: Can’t keep quiet / Talks too much
26. A bad apple
Meaning: A person who causes trouble in a group
For Example: One bad apple ruined the class game. / He’s the bad apple who started the fight.
Alternatively: Troublemaker / Rule-breaker
27. A daydreamer
Meaning: Someone who thinks a lot instead of paying attention
For Example: I’m a daydreamer in math class. / She’s always staring out the window like a daydreamer.
Alternatively: Head in the clouds / Not focused
28. A happy camper
Meaning: A person who is cheerful and satisfied
For Example: I was a happy camper when I got my favorite snack. / She was a happy camper after recess.
Alternatively: Smiling / Glad
29. A mover and shaker
Meaning: A person who gets things done and makes changes
For Example: He’s a mover and shaker in the student council. / My aunt is a mover and shaker at her job.
Alternatively: Leader / Gets things done
30. A penny pincher
Meaning: Someone who doesn’t like to spend money
For Example: He’s a penny pincher and always saves his allowance. / Mom says I’m a penny pincher with my birthday cash.
Alternatively: Saver / Doesn’t spend much
31. A drama queen
Meaning: Someone who overreacts or acts too emotional
For Example: She cried over a small thing what a drama queen! / Don’t be a drama queen, it’s just a game.
Alternatively: Overreacts / Makes a big deal
32. An old soul
Meaning: A young person who seems wise or calm
For Example: He’s quiet and thoughtful an old soul. / My little sister is an old soul who acts like an adult.
Alternatively: Wise for their age / Calm
33. A brainiac
Meaning: Someone who is very smart
For Example: He’s a brainiac in math class. / My friend is a brainiac who loves science.
Alternatively: Super smart / Genius
34. A worrywart
Meaning: A person who worries all the time
For Example: She’s a worrywart about her grades. / My dad’s a worrywart during storms.
Alternatively: Always worried / Nervous
35. A second banana
Meaning: A helper, not the main person
For Example: I was second banana in the school play. / He doesn’t mind being second banana.
Alternatively: Sidekick / Assistant
36. A social butterfly
Meaning: A person who talks and makes friends with everyone
For Example: She’s a social butterfly at every party. / He’s a social butterfly at lunch.
Alternatively: Outgoing / Talkative
37. A smooth talker
Meaning: Someone who speaks in a charming way to get what they want
For Example: That smooth talker got the last cookie! / He’s a smooth talker with teachers.
Alternatively: Charmer / Sweet-talker
38. A wet blanket
Meaning: A person who ruins the fun
For Example: Don’t be a wet blanket we’re having fun! / He was a wet blanket at the party.
Alternatively: Party pooper / Spoils the mood
39. A fast talker
Meaning: A person who speaks quickly and tries to convince others
For Example: The salesman was a fast talker. / My cousin is a fast talker when asking for candy.
Alternatively: Persuasive / Quick speaker
40. A kid at heart
Meaning: An adult who enjoys things kids do
For Example: My dad is a kid at heart he still loves cartoons. / She’s a kid at heart and plays video games.
Alternatively: Young in spirit / Fun-loving adult
True/False Quiz: Idioms for People
Read each sentence. Decide if it is True or False based on what you learned about idioms for people.
- A couch potato is someone who exercises all the time and loves outdoor sports.
True / False - A chatterbox is a person who talks a lot.
True / False - If someone is a copycat, it means they are very original and never copy others.
True / False - A bookworm is someone who enjoys reading books.
True / False - A drama queen is someone who stays calm in every situation.
True / False - A person enjoys being around others and making friends.
True / False - A wet blanket is someone who brings fun and energy to every party.
True / False - A jack of all trades can do many different tasks well.
True / False - A worrywart is someone who doesn’t care about anything.
True / False - A social butterfly is a person who likes to talk and makes friends easily.
True / False
Answer Key
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
Scoring Guide
- 10 Correct Answers: Idioms Master!
- 7–9 Correct Answers: You really get Idioms nice work!
- 4–6 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Idioms together!
Conclusion
Idioms for people are fun and useful. They help us describe what someone is like without using long explanations. Whether it’s calling a talkative friend a chatterbox or someone quiet a lone wolf, these phrases make language more interesting.
Keep practicing these idioms and listen for them in stories, shows, and real conversations. The more you use them, the easier they’ll become. And remember, idioms make your talking and writing more colorful and fun to read.
