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QQ.1 Understand the Idiom

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What are idioms?

Idioms are special phrases where the meaning is different from the words themselves. They are common in everyday speech and writing. Understanding idioms helps you know what people really mean.

Examples:
  • “It’s raining cats and dogs.” (It means it is raining very hard, not that animals are falling from the sky!)
  • “She spilled the beans.” (It means she told a secret, not that she dropped beans on the floor.)
Helpful hint

When you see an idiom, ask yourself: “Does this sentence make sense if I think about the words one by one?” If not, it’s probably an idiom with a special meaning.

Why do writers and speakers use idioms?

Idioms make language colorful and fun. They help people express feelings, ideas, and situations in an interesting way. Knowing idioms also helps you understand stories, conversations, and books more easily.

Example Sentences:
  • Without idioms: “He was very nervous before the test.”
  • With an idiom: “He had butterflies in his stomach before the test.”
Helpful hint

If you don’t understand an idiom, look for clues in the sentence or ask what it means. Don’t try to imagine it word for word.

Common idioms for everyday use

Here are some idioms you might hear often. Learn them so you can understand and use them in your own speaking and writing.

Idioms List:
  • break the ice — to start talking in a friendly way
  • hit the sack — to go to bed
  • under the weather — not feeling well
  • piece of cake — something that is very easy
  • costs an arm and a leg — very expensive
  • once in a blue moon — something that doesn’t happen often
Helpful hint

Practice idioms in sentences of your own. The more you use them, the more natural they will sound.

Putting idioms into your writing

Idioms can make stories and conversations more interesting. Just remember to use them in the right place so the meaning is clear for your reader or listener.

Examples:
  • “I was nervous about my first soccer game, but my coach told a funny joke to break the ice.”
  • “After studying all night, I was ready to hit the sack.”
Helpful hint

Choose idioms that match the situation. For example, use “piece of cake” when something is easy, not when you are talking about food.