Idioms

Are you feeling under the weather?

Are you a night owl?

Do you have a bucket list?

Those are examples of idioms.

(Idioms are one of our favorite aspects of English!)

But they can be challenging to master. They are not a piece of cake!

What is an idiom?

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, it is:

• "an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but that has a separate meaning of its own"
• "a form of a language that is spoken in a particular area and that uses some of its own words, grammar, and pronunciations"

The more sophisticated Oxford dictionary definition is:

• "a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words (e.g., rain cats and dogs, see the light)."

What are some other examples of American English idioms?

• Here is a cute animated video discussing some common idioms
• And here is another animated video on idioms from "Learn English"
• This is a video lesson that focuses on workplace idioms and slang
• Rachel's English has some helpful videos, too- with a special focus on pronunciation:
• Video relating to HORSE idioms
• More American Idioms
• Hot Weather Idioms

 

• Check out this yourdictionary list for some simple definitions of some common idioms
• And this list from ESL Mania
• And here is a short reading on the importance of learning idioms...along with another list

Where can you find the meaning of idioms that you hear?

•  If you can't find your idioms on the above lists, you can try this idiom dictionary (just enter your idiom in the search bar)
• And there is an APP for that, too!

Are you ready to practice?

• Try this one from English Media Lab
• Here are TONS OF practice quizzes with idioms, phrasal verbs, and slang (a4esl)
• English Club also has lots of practice quizzes
• Here is one more from English-test.net