Idioms

How important are idioms in the language learning?

An idiom is an expression that is characteristic of a particular language, but that means something different from what it says. For example, “It's raining cats and dogs!”This expression does not mean that cats and dogs are falling from the sky, but it is a metaphorical expression (word picture) that means that it is raining very heavily.

It's very important to learn idioms. If people only learn proper English, they will never fully understand the language and it will be difficult to understand fully a conversation. It's nearly impossible to have a dialogue without using some idioms, whether you realize it or not. Idioms are a part of everyday speech.

Fun Activity

Instead of having students recite the idioms one by one. They will have an interative game.

First: students have to make groups of four people.

Second: the instructor writes one idiom, with its explanation, on a index card, give 3 idioms to each group, then,

Third: students illustrate an English idiom by acting out a small performance of their creation.

The idioms are:

1. As a rule: usually, generally
2. Be on the safe side: be in a happier and more favorable place
3. By all means: definitely, certainly
4. Come down with: become sick with
5. Cross the bridge when you come to it
6. Every now and then: occassionally, not often
7. A fish out of water: a person away from his/her usual environment or activities
8. From now on: for now, for the present
9. Get the ball rolling: start an activity, make a beginning
10. Had better: should, ought to
11. In the long run: looking ahead to the distant future
12. Make the most of: get the most possible out of a situation
13. Once in a blue moon: almost never
14. Quite a few: many
15. Take it easy: relax
16. The ins and outs of: all the details
17. Under the weather: not well (but not seriously sick)
18. Would rather: prefer to