Study Guide
At the end of this unit you will be able to:
- identify idiomatic expressions
An idiom is an expression that has a meaning apart from the meanings of its individual words.
An idiom or idiomatic expression refers to a construction or expression in one language that cannot be matched or directly translated word-for-word in another language.
For instance, the English expression, "She has a bee in her bonnet," meaning "she is obsessed," cannot be literally translated into another language word for word. It's a non-literal idiomatic expression, akin to "She is green with envy."
Example: A piece of cake is an expression that doesn't really have anything to do with eating, but rather refers to how easy some task might be.
Example: It’s raining cats and dogs. Its literal meaning suggests that cats and dogs are falling from the sky. We interpret it to mean that it is raining hard.
Unlike proverbs and similes, idioms have no fixed form and come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. American English abounds with colorful idioms. New ones are added each day. An idiom usually originates with a specific group - television, sailors, housewives, teachers, poets, or politicians - then spreads to more general use by others.
They make great projects for art. Here's an example:
In the next minute write down as many idioms as you can.
In the next minute write down the meaning of the idioms you created.
Get into groups of four. Share idioms and meanings for ~ 1 minute. Have the group choose the best (most creative) idiom and read it to the class.
Draw posters illustrating your favorite idiom and share it with the class.
Do this worksheet - Idioms:
Worksheet on Idioms
Name:_______________________________________
Directions: Write the meanings of these frequently used idioms:
1. catch a cold _________________________
2. see eye to eye________________________
3. under the weather_____________________
4. stuffed to the gills_____________________
5. out of the frying pan and into the fire________
6. slow boat to China_____________________
7. nose to the grindstone___________________
8. on pins and needles_____________________
9. fly off the handle_______________________
10. toot your own horn_____________________
11. pie in the sky__________________________
12. head in the sand________________________
13. lay down the law_______________________
14. born yesterday__________________________
15. feel like a million________________________
16. just what the doctor ordered________________
17. hold your horses_________________________
18. cat has your tongue_______________________
19. going bananas___________________________
20. bury the hatchet__________________________
