Idioms

An idiom is something we say that we don't literally mean.

Is an idiom a lie?
 

No. An idiom is more like a code.  You say one thing, but you mean another.

  Are you sure an idiom is not a lie?

YES!  I'm sure.  Let ME explain.
An idiom is something we say that would usually really be strange if
we meant exactly what we said.  An idiom means something totally
different from what we actually say.  The weird thing is that everyone
else knows what you mean too.  Well, everyone else who speaks the
same language that you speak understands what you mean.

  OH!  Let me tell this part!
Every country has its own idioms.
So, if you're from that country, then you will
understand the idioms.  BUT, if you are from
another country and trying to learn that country's language,
you are going to be very mixed up when you hear its idioms.


 

United States' Idioms

Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
He's talking out of both sides of his mouth.
She's wearing her heart on her sleeve.


Stop driving me up a wall!

Hit the road, Jack!
It's raining cats and dogs!
She has a frog in her throat.
You woke up on the wrong side of the bed.
I'm as hungry as a horse.
There is a fork in the road.
You're as slow as molasses.
He's just a fish out of water.
You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
This is straight from the horse's mouth.
She is green with envy.
Too many cooks spoil the soup.
You have too many irons in the fire.
She is just wasting her breath.
No, that's not his cup of tea.
You sure put your foot in your mouth.
You make a better door than a window.
It's a piece of cake.
Hold your horses!
On the other hand . . . 
That dog won't hunt.


He's under the weather.

 
Well, I don't know what all of
those idioms really mean.  Am I really supposed to?
 

  Well, eventually.  The thing to do is to ask
an adult what idioms mean.  Just for fun, you should guess first though.

Think:
What could you do with an idiom?
Here are some ideas.

  • Draw a picture of what your idiom literally means.  For example, the literal picture for "It's a piece of cake" would be a picture of a piece of cake.
  • Ask five different people what they think the idiom means.  Write down their answers.  Decide which of the answers (if any) is right.  How will you decide?  Why? 
  • Draw a picture of what your idiom really means.
  • Write a paragraph explaining what your idiom really means.
  • Think about how you would feel if you were trying to learn English and kept hearing these strange idioms.  What would you think?  Would a dictionary help you?  Why or why not?
  • Share your work with Mrs. Edwards, especially if you want it on our web page.
  • Interview someone from another country.  Ask them to share some of their country's idioms with you.  Do we have any that are similar?
 
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