English Idioms Explained

““ IDIOMS IN ENGLISH”IDIOMS IN ENGLISH”
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IdiomsIdioms
Idioms are phrases which people use inIdioms are phrases which people use in
everyday language which do not makeeveryday language which do not make
sense literally but we understand whatsense literally but we understand what
they meanthey mean
doctorparulmishra@ggnindia.drondoctorparulmishra@ggnindia.dron
acharya.infoacharya.info

AnAn idiomidiom is an expression that has a meaning apartis an expression that has a meaning apart
from the meanings of its individual words.from the meanings of its individual words.
 For example: It’s raining cats and dogs. Its literal meaning suggestsFor example: It’s raining cats and dogs. Its literal meaning suggests
that cats and dogs are falling from the sky. We interpret it to meanthat cats and dogs are falling from the sky. We interpret it to mean
that it is raining hard.that it is raining hard.
 Other Examples:Other Examples:
 To stick your neck outTo stick your neck out is to say or do something that is bold and ais to say or do something that is bold and a
bit dangerous. A similar idiom that is used for slightly morebit dangerous. A similar idiom that is used for slightly more
dangerous situations is to "go out on a limb." In both idioms, the ideadangerous situations is to "go out on a limb." In both idioms, the idea
is that you put yourself in a vulnerable position.is that you put yourself in a vulnerable position.
 To break the iceTo break the ice is to be the first one to say or do something, withis to be the first one to say or do something, with
the expectation that others will then follow. Another idiom thatthe expectation that others will then follow. Another idiom that
means something similar is "get the ball rolling."means something similar is "get the ball rolling."
 To get long in the toothTo get long in the tooth means to get old. The expression wasmeans to get old. The expression was
originally used when referring to horses since gums recede with age.originally used when referring to horses since gums recede with age.
So the longer the teeth a horse has, the older it is said to be.So the longer the teeth a horse has, the older it is said to be.
 To have a chip on one's shoulderTo have a chip on one's shoulder is usually an expression tois usually an expression to
describe a person who acts, as you say, rudely or aggressively, butdescribe a person who acts, as you say, rudely or aggressively, but
also in a manner that could be described as "aggressively defensive."also in a manner that could be described as "aggressively defensive."
The person seems always ready for a fight.The person seems always ready for a fight.

Food for thoughtFood for thought
These idioms are all about food. Can you explain what theyThese idioms are all about food. Can you explain what they
really mean?really mean?
 Taking two bits ofTaking two bits of
the cherrythe cherry
 Selling like hotSelling like hot
cakescakes
 Playing gooseberryPlaying gooseberry
 Going bananasGoing bananas

Feel like a fish out of waterFeel like a fish out of water
Be like a fish out of waterBe like a fish out of water
Meaning:
Feel uncomfortable because you are in an unfamiliar situation.
If you feel like a fish out of water, you feel awkward or uncomfortable
because you are in an unusual or unfamiliar situation.
Example:
I don't like going to the big parties they have. I always feel like a fish out of
water there.
Todd is a country boy raised in a small town in Northumberland and was like
a fish out of water when he visited bustling London.

What does this mean really?What does this mean really?

And this?And this?

Numbers upNumbers up
Lots of idioms are about numbers. See if you can fill in theLots of idioms are about numbers. See if you can fill in the
missing numbers in these says. What do they mean?missing numbers in these says. What do they mean?
 Dressed up to the ______Dressed up to the ______
 Talking ___ to the dozenTalking ___ to the dozen
 One in a ______One in a ______
 Playing ______ fiddlePlaying ______ fiddle
 In _______ heavenIn _______ heavendoctorparulmishra@ggnindia.drondoctorparulmishra@ggnindia.dron

Animal CrackersAnimal Crackers
 It’s raining ____ and dogs!It’s raining ____ and dogs!
 I’ve got a ____ in my throatI’ve got a ____ in my throat
 Those are just ______tearsThose are just ______tears
 He’s taken the lion shareHe’s taken the lion share
 I can smell a ___I can smell a ___

Let’s see, if youLet’s see, if you
understand the peculiarunderstand the peculiar
meaning of somemeaning of some
common idioms!common idioms!

So can you defineSo can you define
‘idiom’?‘idiom’?
 YES…Idioms are group of words thatYES…Idioms are group of words that
donot make sense literally but have theirdonot make sense literally but have their
specific meaning.specific meaning.
 EXAMPLE: Happy go lucky, heart sinks,EXAMPLE: Happy go lucky, heart sinks,
dead wood.dead wood.

English Idioms Explained

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