From A to Z: English Idioms Based on Letters
All of the words in the English language are made from just 26 letters. But sometimes you don't need many of them to express an idea.
In the past, we've introduced idioms based on pictures and even trees. This time, we'll look at idioms based on letters plus some useful examples to show you how they're used by native English speakers. Let's begin!
Idioms Based on Letters
To a T
If something fits or suits "to a T," it fits perfectly.
That jacket fits you to a T; it looks like it was made especially for you.
Dot the i’s and cross the t’s
This idiom means checking small details to make sure everything is correct and complete.
This assignment is important, so make sure to dot the i's and cross the t's before you give it to your teacher.
A
Are all the i's dotted and t's crossed?
B
Yes, ma'am.
OG
This is a slang term you may hear in casual situations. It's short for "original gangster," but this means something different than what you probably think.
Casually, "gangster" (or "gangsta") is a term for someone who is strong or respected. "OG," therefore, refers to an important person who started something or has done it successfully for a long time.
Richard is one of the OGs; he helped to start this company 50 years ago.
Zzz
"Zzz" is an onomatopoeic word for the sound people make while sleeping lightly. You may see it above a sleeping character's head in comics, but it's also used in spoken English. When spoken, we use the expression "catch some Zs."
I'm going to catch some Zs, so please wake me up when it's time to go.
Related article: Learn These 12 Fun Ways to Say "Sleep" in English
POV
Someone's POV (short for "point of view") is their unique way of looking at a situation.
In spoken English, people often say the three full words, but "POV" is common in writing.
I want to hear everyone's POV on the situation before we search for a solution.
Ps and Qs
The idiom "mind your Ps and Qs" means to mind your manners, or to be careful of how you act.
The area manager is very strict, so mind your Ps and Qs when he's in the office.
XOXO
As we explained in the article on X, "XOXO" represents kisses and hugs in writing and text messages. The shape of "X" is similar to lips pressing together for a kiss. An "O" can represent a person's arms wrapping around someone they're hugging.
PU
When you hear these two letters together, it usually means that something smells bad! People often say it while holding their nose to block the smell. It may also be spelled as "pee-yew," as in the example below.
Pee-yew! That old fish is making the whole kitchen stink. Throw it out!
A to Z
Because A and Z are the first and last letters of the alphabet, we say "from A to Z" to express the idea of "everything."
We organized the entire meeting carefully, managing every detail from A to Z.
The American Grading System
Before we finish, let's take a quick look at how students in many American schools are scored with letters.
On assignments and at the end of a section of the school year, students will receive a letter grade that represents their progress or achievements.
From lowest to highest, the grades are F, D, C, B and A. These letters are not short for words; instead, they simply represent different levels.
| A | Excellent |
| B | Above average |
| C | Average |
| D | Below average |
| F | Poor/Failure |
Plus (+) or minus (-) symbols can be added to a grade to show that it is higher or lower than the main letter.
In regular conversations, people sometimes say "A+" to refer to something they think is excellent or perfect.
A
What did you think of the movie?
B
A+! I really recommend it.
Wrap-up
There are many, many interesting idioms in the English language, but they are all built from the same letters — and sometimes those letters are all you need!
From talking about bad smells to quiet sleep, there is a lot you can express with these simple expressions. Try one of them out in a friendly chat with an Engoo tutor!
