Idioms and Sayings GRAMMAR
Content Correctly using idioms is one of the greatest signs of fluency. There are many idioms in the English language, but this lesson will introduce you to a few of the most important ones so you can start sounding like a native speaker! Learning Outcomes Learn informal conversational vocabulary Learn common idioms Use money related idioms and vocabulary www.english-maestro.mn 1
Informal Yes/No Slang Over my dead body Sign me up Nah Say the word Yeah right No way Nope Say no more There s no telling It goes without saying www.english-maestro.mn 2
1) Rip-off 2) A steal 3) Bread 4) Stacks 5) Paycheck 6) Benjamins 7) Dough 8) Finances 9) Cheese 10) Fees www.english-maestro.mn 3
Please note Idioms are expressions that have a figurative meaning that is much different from the literal meaning of the words. They are colorful language. Examples He s not all there = He s kind of dumb I wouldn t be caught dead with a cheap handbag = I would never ever have a cheap handbag She let the cat out of the bag = She shared secret, concealed information www.english-maestro.mn 4
TYPES OF IDIOMS Casual That sounds logical, but let me play devil s advocate. She deceived me and stabbed me in the back! I love that dress,but it costs an arm and a leg I can kill two birds with one stone by dropping off my brother and picking up some food. Money Mr. Goldberg is a penny pincher, he never spends! I m trying to make ends meet paying child support every month! Beggars can t be choosers, so eat your food! My husband brings home the bacon every month. Personality The new girl from Spain is quite the social butterfly. The Jamaican guy is cool as a cucumber Our boss is a tough cookie, he never smiles! You have to be direct if you want to be the top dog. My wife is as stubborn as a mule! Work It s 7:00, we should call it a day She got her first break interning at my office I wasn t here last week, could you bring me up to speed? He has his work cut out for him The new guy is a jack of all trades, he can do it all! www.english-maestro.mn 5
Speaking Finish these sentences, pay attention to the idioms! Example: He s as cool as a cucumber, nothing upsets him! 1) It costs an arm and a leg... 2) Let s call it a day... 3) Beggars can t be choosers... 4) He s the top dog around here... www.english-maestro.mn 6
Please note Sometimes to understand some idioms at first you may have to try to guess their meaning as positive, negative or neutral. Examples Lose your touch Nothing to lose No time to lose Which do you think are positive, negative or neutral? The first step in understanding idioms is understanding their tone. www.english-maestro.mn 7
Please note The trick to understanding idioms is to never take them literally. I m going to hit the hay, I m so tired Literally Figuratively I m going to hit a stack of hay because I feel tired. (?) I m going to go to sleep in my bed. Notice that the literal meaning makes zero sense and should never be understood literally. www.english-maestro.mn 8
Please note Discovering the figurative meaning of an idiom I m not going to beat around the bush, you ve lost your mind. I m dumping you! Literally Figuratively I m not going to hit around shrubbery, your brain has been misplaced, I m disposing you as waste I m going to be very direct, you are crazy, I m ending our relationship. www.english-maestro.mn 9
Speaking Guess the meaning of these idioms Example: She s head over heels for him She s really emotional about him 1) I need to hit the books 2) She gets around 3) It s not my cup of tea www.english-maestro.mn 10
Speaking Finish the following sentences using idioms Example: Gustavo s so cheap, he s the biggest penny pincher I ve ever known. 1) That Monte Cristo sandwich costs $17.. 2) He s difficult to negotiate with... www.english-maestro.mn 11
Please note Some common idioms known as euphemisms are used to say something that is usually considered too direct or blunt more mildly. He s not the sharpest tool in the shed = He s kind of dumb He s usually economic with the truth = He lies a lot She s stretching the truth = She s exaggerating www.english-maestro.mn 12
Speaking Discuss some benefits of using idioms. Example: You will start to sound like a native speaker 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) www.english-maestro.mn 13
Speaking Can you think of any euphemisms? Example: She s a few sandwiches short of a picnic. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) www.english-maestro.mn 14
Speaking Can you think of any euphemisms? My new job pays so much, she stabbed me in the back. I was a bit late to the meeting, She listens to nobody, I trusted her and she lied to me,...i m bringing home the bacon can you bring me up to speed? she s as stubborn as a mule. www.english-maestro.mn 15
Speaking What euphemisms can you think of in your language? How do they translate to English? www.english-maestro.mn 16
Writing Write a paragraph that talking about the rules of thumb in learning English www.english-maestro.mn 17
Writing Identify and correct the contradictions in the sentences Example: I feel great! I m under the weather today! ----> I feel terrible! 1) She s a social butterfly. She talks to nobody. 2) I can t make ends meet! I have too much money! 3) It s 11:00 am. Let s call it a day! www.english-maestro.mn 18
All languages have idioms and when taken literally they can make absolutely no sense. If you heard that someone is making a killing you might be worried and notify the authorities. But that s how idioms work. They are colorful expressions used to describe everyday situations and scenarios. Idioms can be simple and easy to grasp like look like a million dollars, while some may just sound absolutely crazy like going cold turkey. But if you want to sound like a native speaker as well as understand the changing times of the English language, it s a good idea to learn as many idioms as you can. www.english-maestro.mn 19
But how does one learn idioms? When using a translator, you d realize that it doesn t make sense at all. For example, in Spanish if a girl is promiscuous then she is green, which doesn t make sense at all when translated directly. So in order to learn idioms you just have to hear them, find out the meaning, try using them in phrases of your own and differentiate the literal meaning to the actual meaning. Idioms are what makes language learning so fun and once you learn to use them, they can make speaking much more enjoyable as well as learning them too! At first they re a pain in the bum but once you get your ears around them they re as easy as Sunday morning. www.english-maestro.mn 20
Speaking Based on the text, discuss your understanding of idioms. www.english-maestro.mn 21
Speaking What s your favorite idiom and why? www.english-maestro.mn 22