Idioms are expressions that have a meaning different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words in the expression. Because English contains many idioms, nonnative English speakers have difficulties making logical sense of idioms and idiomatic expressions. The more you are exposed to English, however, the more idioms you will come to understand. Until then, memorizing the more common idioms may be of some help.
|
Idiom |
Definition |
|
a blessing in disguise |
a good thing you do not recognize at first |
|
a piece of cake |
easy to do |
|
better late than never |
it is better to do something late than not at all |
|
get over it |
recover from something (like a perceived insult) |
|
I have no idea |
I don’t know |
|
not a chance |
it will definitely not happen |
|
on pins and needles |
very nervous about something that is happening |
|
on top of the world |
feeling great |
|
Pulling your leg |
Making a joke by tricking another person |
|
The sky is the limit |
The possibilities are endless |
What if you come across an idiom that you do not understand? There are clues that can help you. They are called context clues. Context clues are words or phrases around the unknown word or phrase that may help you decipher its meaning.
- Definition or explanation clue. An idiom may be explained immediately after its use.
- Restatement or synonym clues. An idiom may be simplified or restated.
- Contrast or Antonym clues. An idiom may be clarified by a contrasting phrase or antonym that is near it.
Pay attention to the signal word but, which tells the reader that an opposite thought or concept is occurring.
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