Idioms are fun and colorful phrases that make our language more interesting, and they help us express feelings, ideas, and emotions in creative ways that bring more life to our conversations and writing. For writers, understanding and using idioms effectively can be a great way to improve writing style, enhance storytelling, and captivate readers with vivid and unique expressions that go beyond the ordinary. These expressions are not just used in day-to-day conversations but can also add layers of meaning and flair to any piece of writing, making it more engaging and enjoyable to read.
Success-related idioms for writing are especially beneficial for authors and content creators, as they inspire creativity, foster clarity, and encourage progress in the writing process. These phrases can teach valuable lessons about how to approach challenges in writing while providing fresh perspectives and colorful alternatives to common language. With idioms, writers can breathe new life into their work, add depth to their characters, and convey emotions in a way that resonates with readers, making their writing feel more dynamic and relatable. Now, let’s dive into a list of idioms that are perfect for writing and storytelling!
Idioms for Writing
1. Put pen to paper
Meaning: To begin writing something down.
In a Sentence: After weeks of planning, I finally put pen to paper and began writing my novel.
Other Ways to Say: Start writing, Begin drafting
2. Write between the lines
Meaning: To suggest or imply something without stating it directly.
In a Sentence: The author didn’t say it outright, but you could easily read between the lines and tell the character was in love.
Other Ways to Say: Hint at, Suggest indirectly
3. A picture paints a thousand words
Meaning: A single image can convey complex ideas more effectively than a large amount of words.
In a Sentence: The photo in the article speaks volumes—sometimes a picture paints a thousand words.
Other Ways to Say: An image tells a story, A single image speaks volumes
4. The pen is mightier than the sword
Meaning: Writing is more powerful than violence or physical force.
In a Sentence: She used her article to bring awareness to the issue, proving that the pen is mightier than the sword.
Other Ways to Say: Writing has more influence, Words are more powerful than actions
5. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It’s your turn to make a decision or take action.
In a Sentence: I’ve shared my feedback; now the ball is in your court to decide if you’ll incorporate the changes.
Other Ways to Say: Your turn to act, It’s up to you
6. Write in stone
Meaning: To make something permanent or unchangeable.
In a Sentence: Once the contract is signed, it will be written in stone, and we cannot change the terms.
Other Ways to Say: Make final, Set in stone
7. By the book
Meaning: To follow the rules or procedures exactly as they are stated.
In a Sentence: The editor insists that we do everything by the book to ensure the manuscript is perfect.
Other Ways to Say: Follow the rules, Adhere strictly to guidelines
8. Cross your t’s and dot your i’s
Meaning: To pay attention to small details, making sure everything is perfect.
In a Sentence: Before submitting your report, make sure to cross your t’s and dot your i’s.
Other Ways to Say: Be thorough, Double-check everything
9. A rough draft
Meaning: A preliminary version of a piece of writing.
In a Sentence: Don’t worry if your first attempt isn’t perfect—just get the ideas down on paper, and we’ll refine the rough draft later.
Other Ways to Say: First version, Initial draft
10. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To describe something exactly right or to be precise in your writing.
In a Sentence: In your review, you hit the nail on the head when you pointed out how the plot needs more conflict.
Other Ways to Say: Get it right, Be spot-on
11. A story in itself
Meaning: Something that is interesting or noteworthy enough to be considered a story.
In a Sentence: The way he described the event was so captivating that it became a story in itself.
Other Ways to Say: Intriguing on its own, A tale worth telling
12. Hit the ground running
Meaning: To start something with great enthusiasm and energy.
In a Sentence: After the meeting, the team hit the ground running and began outlining the next chapter.
Other Ways to Say: Start strong, Begin with momentum
13. Write your heart out
Meaning: To write with great passion or emotion.
In a Sentence: She wrote her heart out, pouring all her feelings into the letter to her best friend.
Other Ways to Say: Write passionately, Express deeply
14. Back to the drawing board
Meaning: To start over with a new plan after the first attempt failed.
In a Sentence: The draft didn’t meet the editor’s standards, so it was back to the drawing board for the writer.
Other Ways to Say: Start from scratch, Begin again
15. Read between the lines
Meaning: To understand a deeper meaning or hidden message in writing.
In a Sentence: If you read between the lines, you’ll see that the protagonist is questioning her motives.
Other Ways to Say: Look for the hidden meaning, Analyze closely
16. Get down to the nitty-gritty
Meaning: To focus on the most important or detailed aspects of something.
In a Sentence: Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of this chapter’s revisions.
Other Ways to Say: Focus on details, Dive into specifics
17. In black and white
Meaning: Something that is clearly written and unambiguous.
In a Sentence: The instructions were so clear, they were in black and white—there was no room for confusion.
Other Ways to Say: Clearly written, Explicitly stated
18. Call the shots
Meaning: To be in control or make the decisions.
In a Sentence: As the head editor, she calls the shots on what stays in the manuscript.
Other Ways to Say: Make the decisions, Be in charge
19. Take the plunge
Meaning: To decide to do something challenging or daring.
In a Sentence: After years of writing for fun, he finally decided to take the plunge and publish his first novel.
Other Ways to Say: Make the leap, Step into the unknown
20. Write the book on something
Meaning: To be an expert in a particular subject or field.
In a Sentence: She’s written the book on graphic design, so everyone turns to her for advice.
Other Ways to Say: Be a master of, Have extensive knowledge of
21. In the limelight
Meaning: To be the center of attention.
In a Sentence: The author was in the limelight during the book launch, answering questions from the media.
Other Ways to Say: Be the focus, Be the star
22. A page-turner
Meaning: A book that is so exciting or interesting that you can’t stop reading it.
In a Sentence: The novel was such a page-turner that I read it in one sitting.
Other Ways to Say: A gripping story, A must-read
23. The pen is mightier than the sword
Meaning: Writing is a powerful tool for change and influence, often more so than violence.
In a Sentence: His article challenged the system and proved that the pen is mightier than the sword.
Other Ways to Say: Words have power, Writing drives change
24. Write something off
Meaning: To dismiss something as unimportant or not worth considering.
In a Sentence: I was so frustrated with the first draft that I almost wrote it off completely.
Other Ways to Say: Disregard, Ignore
25. Put the finishing touches on
Meaning: To add the final details to something.
In a Sentence: After hours of editing, I was finally able to put the finishing touches on my essay.
Other Ways to Say: Finalize, Complete
26. Come full circle
Meaning: To return to the original point or situation after a journey or process.
In a Sentence: The plot of the novel comes full circle when the protagonist finally meets her childhood friend.
Other Ways to Say: Return to the beginning, Complete the cycle
27. Under your pen
Meaning: Under your authorship or writing.
In a Sentence: The book is under your pen, so you’re free to make any changes you see fit.
Other Ways to Say: Written by you, Authored by you
28. An open book
Meaning: A person or situation that is easy to understand or transparent.
In a Sentence: The character in the novel was an open book—every emotion was clearly described.
Other Ways to Say: Transparent, Easy to read
29. A blank page
Meaning: A starting point, often representing a fresh opportunity to create.
In a Sentence: She stared at the blank page for hours before finally writing the first sentence of her novel.
Other Ways to Say: Fresh start, Clean slate
30. Write off the cuff
Meaning: To write spontaneously or without preparation.
In a Sentence: The author could write off the cuff during his interview, creating a fascinating story on the spot.
Other Ways to Say: Write impromptu, Compose without planning
31. Caught between a rock and a hard place
Meaning: To be faced with two difficult options.
In a Sentence: As a writer, she was caught between a rock and a hard place when she had to choose between keeping the original draft or making major edits.
Other Ways to Say: In a tough spot, In a difficult position
32. The writing is on the wall
Meaning: A sign or indication that something bad will happen soon.
In a Sentence: The declining book sales meant the writing was on the wall for the publishing company.
Other Ways to Say: A warning, A sign of things to come
33. Cut to the chase
Meaning: To get to the point, skipping unnecessary details.
In a Sentence: Stop with the small talk—cut to the chase and tell me what happened!
Other Ways to Say: Get to the point, Skip the details
34. Jump through hoops
Meaning: To go through a lot of effort or trouble to achieve something.
In a Sentence: To get her manuscript published, she had to jump through hoops with the publishers.
Other Ways to Say: Go through challenges, Face obstacles
35. A stroke of genius
Meaning: A brilliant idea or inspiration.
In a Sentence: The twist in the plot was a stroke of genius, leaving readers stunned.
Other Ways to Say: Brilliant idea, Moment of inspiration
36. A fine-tooth comb
Meaning: To examine something very carefully, looking for every detail.
In a Sentence: I went through my essay with a fine-tooth comb to make sure there were no spelling mistakes.
Other Ways to Say: Examine closely, Scrutinize carefully
37. Get your ducks in a row
Meaning: To organize or arrange things in order.
In a Sentence: Before starting the writing process, I needed to get my ducks in a row by planning each chapter.
Other Ways to Say: Get organized, Prepare in advance
38. In the spotlight
Meaning: Being the center of attention.
In a Sentence: After the book release, the author was in the spotlight, answering questions from fans.
Other Ways to Say: Center of attention, In the public eye
39. Write the wrongs
Meaning: To correct mistakes or injustices.
In a Sentence: The protagonist struggled to write the wrongs of her past throughout the entire story.
Other Ways to Say: Correct mistakes, Right the wrongs
40. Cut and dry
Meaning: Something that is clear and simple, without complications.
In a Sentence: The decision to reject the manuscript was cut and dry—it didn’t meet the editor’s standards.
Other Ways to Say: Clear-cut, Straightforward
41. Flesh out
Meaning: To add more details or expand on something.
In a Sentence: The writer had to flesh out the character’s backstory to make her more relatable.
Other Ways to Say: Add detail, Expand on
42. A thorn in your side
Meaning: A persistent problem or annoyance.
In a Sentence: The constant interruptions during writing sessions became a thorn in his side.
Other Ways to Say: A bother, A nuisance
43. A little bird told me
Meaning: A way of saying that you heard something from a secret or unknown source.
In a Sentence: A little bird told me that the book launch is going to be a huge event!
Other Ways to Say: I heard from someone, Word on the street
44. Read the writing on the wall
Meaning: To notice signs that something is going wrong or will soon end.
In a Sentence: After reading the negative reviews, the author could read the writing on the wall—his book wasn’t going to be a hit.
Other Ways to Say: See the signs, Notice the warning
45. Set the pen on paper
Meaning: To start writing or make something official.
In a Sentence: He finally set the pen on paper, signing the deal to publish his first book.
Other Ways to Say: Write it down, Sign the document
46. Throw in the towel
Meaning: To quit or give up.
In a Sentence: After several failed drafts, I was about to throw in the towel, but then I tried one more time.
Other Ways to Say: Give up, Surrender
47. Give someone the green light
Meaning: To give permission or approval to proceed.
In a Sentence: After reviewing the outline, the editor gave her the green light to start writing the book.
Other Ways to Say: Approve, Give permission
48. A word of mouth
Meaning: Information passed by people speaking, rather than by written means.
In a Sentence: The book became a bestseller through word of mouth after readers shared it with friends.
Other Ways to Say: Oral communication, Word spreading
49. Ruffle feathers
Meaning: To upset or offend someone.
In a Sentence: His controversial opinion in the article ruffled a few feathers in the comments section.
Other Ways to Say: Upset, Stir things up
50. A shot in the dark
Meaning: A guess made with little to no information.
In a Sentence: Writing the first draft was like taking a shot in the dark, but it worked out in the end.
Other Ways to Say: A wild guess, A leap of faith
51. Get the ball rolling
Meaning: To start something.
In a Sentence: We need to get the ball rolling on this project before the deadline.
Other Ways to Say: Begin, Start
52. Let the words flow
Meaning: To write easily without thinking too much.
In a Sentence: After a long break, it was hard to let the words flow, but once I started, the words just came naturally.
Other Ways to Say: Write effortlessly, Let creativity take over
53. Write your own story
Meaning: To create your own destiny or path.
In a Sentence: She didn’t let anyone define her future; she chose to write her own story.
Other Ways to Say: Control your destiny, Shape your future
Practical Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the correct idiom from the list of 53 idioms for writing:
- After hours of writing, I was finally able to put the finishing ________ on my article.
- The character in the novel was a true ________, with a detailed backstory that made readers feel deeply connected.
- He wanted to publish his book for years, but he finally decided to ________ and get started.
- The plot was so complex that it felt like reading a ________—I couldn’t put it down!
- The manuscript was almost ready to submit, but I had to ________ some of the details before it was perfect.
- The editor insisted we go ________ and follow the guidelines to make sure everything was in order.
- After spending weeks on the project, I felt like I was caught between a ________ and a hard place when deciding to finish it or make more changes.
- The protagonist had to ________ and face his fears, even though he was terrified.
- You can’t just sit around; you need to ________ and start working on that new chapter.
- He’s written so many articles about cooking; he’s practically written the ________ on the subject!
Answers:
- touches
- open book
- take the plunge
- page-turner
- flesh out
- by the book
- rock
- bite the bullet
- hit the ground running
- book
Conclusion
Idioms are a great way to bring creativity and color to your writing. Whether you’re writing a novel, crafting an article, or jotting down a simple note, these idiomatic expressions can make your writing more engaging and help convey your message in a vivid, unique way. Try incorporating some of these idioms in your next writing project and see how they elevate your words.