What are idioms?
Definition
An idiom is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning generally understood by native speakers. This meaning is different from the literal meaning of the idiom's individual elements. In other words, idioms don't mean exactly what the words say and generally defy the rules of grammar. They have, however, hidden meaning.
Examples
The meaning of these expressions is different from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which they are made. Their meaning is however used figuratively. They mean respectively:
- "to die "
- "to tell people secret information"
How can I learn idioms and phrases in English?
When it comes to learning some idioms and phrases in the English language, a simple, yet effective approach everyone can try on a daily basis is:
- Hear it - First, you need to hear or read a new expression or come into contact with it in any other way. In order to spice your vocabulary up with idioms and phrases, you first have to constantly be on the prowl for them.
- Write it - Next up is writing the new phrases or idioms down, lest you forget them. Yes, it’s a bit traditional, but some traditions are the best approach and are here to stay. If you write it down, it’s not going anywhere, which can’t be said for our forgetful memories.
- Use it - Finally, you have to use an expression in order for it to become part of your everyday vocabulary. If it remains a bunch of letters on a piece of paper, it’s of no use to anyone, least of all you. So, try using it, either in writing or when speaking to a mate, and you will remember it, don’t worry!
How do you memorize idioms and phrases easily?
Even though it would seem that some phrases and idioms are quite tricky to memorize, it doesn’t always have to be so. There are some tricks that can help you learn them quickly and easily and here are the best of them:
- Context, not just meaning - When you see an idiom or a phrase, don’t just try to remember the meaning, but rather pay attention to the context too. This helps understand the idiom better and remember it more easily.
- A diary of idioms - It sounds like too much work, we know, but in order to keep track of all your idioms you need to create a list of them, or, even better, a diary. You can even sort them by the situation in which you would use them, which makes the entire process more fun and worthwhile.
- Little by little - When it comes to idioms and phrases, never try to learn many of them at once. It just won’t work, and you’ll quickly forget them all. Learn a couple at a time, and only go on to new ones once you’re certain you’ve memorized the previous ones.
- Visualize - When learning idioms, trying to visualize their meanings and connecting those mental images to their meaning can go a long way in helping you learn them quickly.
- Clich here for a complete list of 138 pages of idioms
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