IDIOMS

Today we will be learning about idioms, but what are these?

Idioms can be understood as a group of words which have a meaning that cannot be understood just through the individual words. That is, idioms are what we know as refráns or frases feitas, something cultural that each society creates and knows beyond the literal meaning of the words. Because of this, it is interesting to get to know some typical English idioms, so that students can deepen their knowledge of the English language and culture.

In this video, there are some examples of different idioms that can be used in daily context. First watch the video and then read the meaning of the idioms below:

Hit the sack: To go to bed in order to sleep.

Break a leg: To wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.

Call it a day: To stop what you are doing because you do not want to do any more or think you have done enough.

Under the weather: To feel ill.

Spill the beans: To tell people secret information.

See eye to eye: To agree with someone, a mutual agreement.

A piece of cake: Something that is very easy to do.

The last straw: The latest problem in a series that makes a situation impossible to accept or continue.

Cost (someone) an arm and a leg: To be very expensive.

When pigs fly: To tell someone that something will most probably never happen.

Now we will do some practice to see if we understand the concept!

Idioms Exercise: Complete the sentences with each of the idioms in the video.

- I passed the exam with a 10, although I didn't study too much. It was ____________________!

- I heard that you are doing that school play next week. ____________________!

- They had such a big argument! I believe that his attitude was ____________________ for her.

- We don't really like hanging out with John because he can't be trusted: he always ____________________.

- She bought a new computer because her old one broke the other day, but she's quite sad because this one ____________________.

- They will buy a new car ____________________; they are too fond of their old, reliable van.

- My sister went to bed a short while ago; she said that she was feeling a bit ____________________.

- Tomorrow is the final Geography exam and I need to rest, so I'm going to ____________________.

- However, Hannah gave up on studying that Geography exam, so I saw her leave the library and ____________________.

- My sister and I don't really get along very well, we are always fighting and arguing. My sister does not ____________________ with me about many different topics.

Have you finished? Now, as a final task, why don't you search on the Internet for more idioms and put them here in the comments with their meaning and a example in context so that the rest of the people can read about them? There are many different idioms that you can find in literature, cinema, series, songs and even in videogames! This way, all your peers can take a look at them!