Our globalized world has made learning English more important than ever. Strong English skills can lead to many opportunities, whether they are for travel, work, education, or just connecting with people from different cultures. Understanding and expressing deeper meanings in everyday conversation requires understanding and using idioms, but it’s not enough just to know grammar and vocabulary. Using idioms correctly can significantly improve both comprehension and communication, bringing color, culture, and nuance to language. In this post, we’ll explore 20 common English idioms about good and evil, complete with their meanings and examples, to help you understand how native speakers talk about moral character, choices, and behavior in vivid, expressive ways.
Learn English with EnglishCentral
Building your vocabulary is key to mastering a language, and learning new and generational words along with common words can make a big difference in how fluently and expressively you speak. EnglishCentral gives you the perfect tools and environment to expand your vocabulary, practice new words, and use them with confidence.
With 25-minute one-on-one lessons for all ages and levels, EnglishCentral offers personalized and effective learning. These online live sessions are led by expert English teachers who guide you step by step, helping you improve at your own pace. You can also join 40-minute group lessons, where you’ll take part in fun, interactive conversations with your teacher and classmates.
However, EnglishCentral is more than just lessons! You’ll have access to thousands of interactive videos tailored to different interests. With our Watch, Learn, Speak, and Discuss steps, you can reinforce vocabulary and plan private lessons based on your needs. Quizzes, word exercises, and our AI-powered teacher MiMi make practicing English even easier. MiMi is always available to help you navigate different scenarios, from business meetings to ordering food, so you’re prepared for real-life conversations.
After each lesson, MiMi provides personalized reports, tracking your progress and highlighting areas for improvement. This instant feedback helps you stay focused on your goals and gain the confidence to use English in everyday life.
20 English Idioms About Good and Evil
Having a deeper understanding of the importance of idioms in everyday English, let’s examine 20 idioms that are related to good and evil. Below, you will find each idiom with its meaning and a clear example sentence to demonstrate its usage in context.
The salt of the earth
Meaning: A genuinely good and honest person.
Example: She’s the salt of the earth, always helping others without expecting anything in return
A wolf in sheep’s clothing
Meaning: Someone who hides malicious intent under a kind exterior.
Example: He seemed kind, but he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Go the extra mile
Meaning: To make a special effort to do something good.
Example: He always goes the extra mile to support his friends.
The root of all evil
Meaning: Often used to describe money, or a fundamental cause of corruption.
Example: They say money is the root of all evil.
A good Samaritan
Meaning: Someone who helps others selflessly, especially strangers.
Example: A good Samaritan helped me change my flat tire.
Devil’s advocate
Meaning: Someone who argues against a position for the sake of debate or to test the argument.
Example: I’ll play devil’s advocate here and say maybe he had a point.
A do-gooder
Meaning: Someone who tries to help others or improve things, often idealistically or self-righteously.
Example: She’s a real do-gooder, always volunteering at the shelter and organizing fundraisers.
Make a deal with the devil
Meaning: To compromise one’s morals for personal gain.
Example: He made a deal with the devil when he joined that corrupt firm.
White knight
Meaning: A person who comes to the rescue; a hero.
Example: He played the white knight and bailed the company out of bankruptcy.
The lesser of two evils
Meaning: Choosing the least harmful option among bad ones.
Example: Neither choice is great, but I’ll go with the lesser of two evils.
Clean hands / Have clean hands
Meaning: To be innocent or morally blameless.
Example: She couldn’t be accused, she had clean hands in the matter.
Hell-bent
Meaning: Determined to do something, often recklessly or destructively.
Example: He was hell-bent on revenge.
Wear your heart on your sleeve
Meaning: To show emotions openly, often suggesting sincerity and goodness.
Example: He wears his heart on his sleeve and always means well.
Evil eye
Meaning: A malevolent glare believed to cause harm or bad luck.
Example: She gave me the evil eye when I got the promotion.
Heart of gold
Meaning: A very kind and generous nature.
Example: Don’t be fooled by his gruff exterior, he’s got a heart of gold.
Bad apple
Meaning: A person who negatively influences others or causes trouble in a group.
Example: One bad apple can spoil the whole team.
A breath of fresh air
Meaning: Someone or something new, different, and refreshing
Example: Her positive attitude is a breath of fresh air in the office.
Cold-blooded
Meaning: Acting without emotion or mercy, especially in a cruel or violent way.
Example: It was a cold-blooded act of betrayal.
Light at the end of the tunnel
Meaning: A sign that a difficult situation is coming to an end.
Example: After months of struggle, we finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Twisting the knife
Meaning: Making a bad situation worse on purpose, especially emotionally.
Example: She didn’t just leave him—she twisted the knife by dating his best friend.
Frequently Asked Questions About English Idioms About Good and Evil
Are idioms used in formal writing?
Casual and conversational English often uses certain idioms, while others may appear in literature or journalism. Make sure to use them wisely based on the tone and audience.
How can I remember idioms more easily?
Practice using them in your own sentences, associate them with stories or images, and expose yourself to English as it is spoken in books, TV shows, and conversations.
Do all native speakers understand idioms?
The majority of native speakers have a grasp of commonly used idioms, particularly those related to good and evil. There are some older or region-specific idioms that may not be as familiar to people.
Can idioms change over time?
Yes! During the creation of new idioms, certain idioms may fall out of use. Over time, idioms can change in meaning or popularity due to language evolution.
Would you like to put what you have learned into practice? You can access everything you need to learn English on a single platform! With 25-minute one-on-one live English lessons, 40-minute group lessons, more than 30,000 interactive videos, vocabulary learning tools, AI-supported tutor MiMi, quizzes, and interactive activities, EnglishCentral offers its users a personalized and quality education plan at an affordable price. How about registering for EnglishCentral now and starting to learn English?
