About
NZ Idioms is a guide to New Zealand idioms, slang and everyday expressions.
It is for newcomers to New Zealand, people learning English, and anyone puzzled by unfamiliar expressions—including parents keeping up with their children.
Bill Radford was learning Mandarin from Chinese university students and realised that, although they were top English students in China, the many idioms used in New Zealand made everyday English difficult to understand. He assembled a list of common idioms to help them.
Each entry provides a meaning, usage notes, an example sentence, and a warning label where appropriate.
Language, especially casual language, is complex. Expressions can have different meanings in different situations. Some are informal, dated, offensive or unsuitable for certain company. They are included to help people understand them. The dictionary will probably never be complete as language and its speakers continue to change.
This is a growing dictionary being tested and improved. It launched with 2,791 entries and this version contains . Missing idioms will be added as they are found.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is an idiom?
In this app, we use “idiom” as a general term for idioms, slang, colloquialisms, abbreviations and acronyms, quotes, prefixes and suffixes, and youth terms.
2. How do I search for an idiom I heard?
Enter one or more words from what you heard, in any order, then tap SEARCH. Tap OPEN beside an idiom to read its entry.
Tap BACK TO RESULTS to return to your place in the list.
3. What if I cannot find an expression?
Try fewer or different words from the expression. If no idiom contains all your words, the app shows partial matches when available. If none of your words match, it says there are no matching idioms.
Choose Send feedback to suggest a missing expression, explain what you think it means, and give an example of its use.
4. What do the warning labels mean?
Orange MILD or MILD / SENSITIVE labels and red UNSAFE labels flag language that may be impolite, offensive or socially unacceptable. Read the usage notes and consider the audience and situation.
The absence of a warning does not guarantee that everyone will find an expression acceptable. Labels do not block entries, and the app does not provide a child-protection setting.
5. Can I hear an entry or speak my search?
Tap Read aloud in an entry to hear its title, meaning, usage notes and example. The app uses an available on-board English voice. Tap Stop reading to stop it.
To dictate a search, tap inside the search box to open your phone’s keyboard. Tap the keyboard’s microphone, if available, and speak your search words. Check the text, then tap SEARCH. You do not need to tap the microphone icon inside the app.
Dictation is provided by your phone; its availability and internet use depend on your device and settings. Offline voice input has not been confirmed. You can always type your search.
6. Does it work without internet?
Connect to Wi-Fi and choose Save for offline use. Wait until it says Saved for offline use. The saved app includes the dictionary, entry details and this About/FAQ.
Typed search and on-board read-aloud have worked offline on tested phones.
Does it use mobile data?
Once saved, the app works offline. When connected, your browser may use some data for background checks. Use Wi-Fi for installation and updates if you want to avoid using your mobile-data allowance.
7. How do I get updates?
Connect to Wi-Fi, open the app and tap Get current version. Keep the app open until the download finishes. This saves the latest app and dictionary on your phone for offline use.
If the download fails, your previously saved version remains available.
Using more than one device? Save and update the app separately on each device. Updating your laptop does not update your phone.
8. How do I report an error or suggest an improvement?
Choose Send feedback, select a topic and describe your suggestion or problem. Your name and email are optional; include your email if you would like a reply. Sending requires an internet connection. Offline, save a draft and return to the form to send it when connected.
Corrections and additions will be made to the master dictionary as they are received. Choose Get current version to keep your app and dictionary up to date.
9. Does the app collect information about me?
Searching the dictionary and reading entries take place on your device. The app does not send your search words or dictionary choices to Bill and has no advertising or app analytics. Saving for offline use stores the app and dictionary on your device.
The app is publicly accessible using its link; you do not need Bill to approve your email address. The website’s hosting services may process connection information under their own privacy policies. Their data collection and retention have not yet been fully reviewed.
If you use your phone keyboard’s voice dictation, your phone’s settings and provider policies apply. The app does not record your voice or send voice recordings to Bill.
Feedback drafts are saved only in this browser on this device. When you choose SEND FEEDBACK, the form sends your message, app version and any optional details you entered through FormSubmit to nz.idioms.contact@gmail.com. FormSubmit retains submissions for 30 days; delivered emails remain in the app feedback inbox until deleted. See FormSubmit’s privacy policy.
10. May I share the app or reuse its contents?
Bill intends this service to remain free for anyone who finds it useful, especially people learning English.
Anyone with the app link can use it. You are welcome to pass the link on to others without asking Bill. Open it in Safari on iPhone or Chrome on Android, then choose Install on iPhone or Install on Android to add an icon and save the dictionary. Choose Share with a friend to show a large QR code for someone nearby to scan. You can also use it directly in your browser.
Permission to share the link does not automatically grant permission to copy, adapt or redistribute the dictionary or app structure. Contact Bill if you would like to reuse the material.
11. Using this app — care and responsibility
NZ Idioms is provided free as a general guide to language. Care is taken in preparing its contents, but errors and omissions may occur. We cannot guarantee that every meaning, example or usage label is accurate, complete or suitable for every situation.
Language depends on context, tone and audience. Including an expression does not endorse its use, and the absence of a warning does not guarantee that everyone will find it acceptable. Please use your own judgement.
To the extent permitted by law, the app’s creator, contributors and administrators accept no liability for loss or damage arising from its use or reliance on its contents. Continued availability, updates and error-free operation are not guaranteed. Nothing in this notice excludes rights or responsibilities that cannot lawfully be excluded.