You should learn English Idioms because... they're a piece of cake (idiom; it's easy)!
That's right, they aren't difficult to learn, and more importantly, you can use them to convey more complex ideas and sentiments (n. a view, opinion or feelings) with fewer words. Not to mention, using idioms is a fantastic and fun way to help you sound more natural when you speak English!
So, what are English Idioms?
Basically, an idiomatic expression is a phrase that is not literal (adj. doesn't represent the exact meaning of the individual words in the phrase). They are figurative in nature, which means they represent something else. This may sound confusing but it really isn't because idioms are everywhere and quite easy to pick up if you pay attention!
So, are you wondering how many English idioms exist? At least 25,000.
Don't panic! Start with learning some of the more common ones and you'll be good to go (idiom; prepared or ready to do something).
Here's a list of seven common idioms to get you started!
7 Common English Idioms
#1 RAIN CATS AND DOGS
When it's raining cats and dogs outside, it means that it is raining hard and heavy.
Use this idiom to talk about heavy rain (not snow or wind, only rain).
I was planning to exercise outside but it started raining cats and dogs! There was water everywhere!
#2 CALL IT A DAY
If you are ready to stop working on something, you can "call it a day."
Use this idiom to say that you're ready to stop working and to go home and relax.
We've been working on this project for several hours now, let's call it a day! Good job everyone! See you tomorrow!
#3 SEE EYE TO EYE
Do you know someone who you always agree with or someone who you often share the same opinions with? This is someone you "see eye to eye with".
If you see eye to eye with someone it means you often agree with them or you get along really well.
I had a really difficult meeting today at work, my colleauges and I didn't see eye to eye on a very important point about the budget.
#4 PLAY IT BY EAR
Do you prefer to be more spontaneous (adj. something that happens without planning, or something that happens on impulse) in your planning? Do you like to make plans as you go along? Then you like to "play things by ear."
When you play something by ear it means you make plans as you go along, or according to the situation instead of following a strict schedule.
Use this idiom to express that you want to be flexible when making a schedule, or setting a time for something.
Listen, I've got a busy schedule this weekend, and I would like to meet you but can we play it by ear? Maybe we can meet between 5-7 pm? Thanks!
#5 FEEL UNDER THE WEATHER
Are you feeling sick, or ill?
Then you can say that you are "feeling a bit under the weather" which means that you don't feel so good, maybe you have a cold or the flu.
I won't be going to work today because I'm feeling a bit under the weather. I think I have the flu!
#6 BEING BROKE
Have you spent all of your money? Don't have enough to go out tonight!? Sounds like "you're broke!"
If you're broke, then it means you don't have any money, or that you can't afford to buy something.
I can't go on vacation this summer because I'm so broke!
#7 NOT ROCKET SCIENCE
Would you like to learn some English idioms? Well, learning them isn't complicated, in other words, it's not rocket science!
When you want to say that something isn't complicated or difficult, you can say that "it isn't rocket science." This phrase is always used in the negative (i.e. we don't say, "that's rocket science" when trying to say that something IS difficult.)
You need to boil eggs; it's not rocket science! Just put them in water and wait for them to boil!
While this list isn't exhaustive (adj. including everything or all aspects of something), it should be enough to raise your awareness of how idioms can be used.....and how you can use them to sound more natural when you speak!
Stay tuned for another post highlighting common English idioms!
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