All About English Info

Idioms are fixed expressions with meanings that are usually not clear or obvious. The individual words often give you no help in deciding the meaning. The expression to feel under the weather, which means to feel unwell is a typical idiom. The words do not tell us what it means, but the context usually helps.

A Tips for dealing with idioms

Think of idioms as being just like single words, always record the whole phrase in your notebook, along with information on grammar and collocation.

example : This bottle-opener has seen better days { it is rather old and broken down. usually of-
things, always perfect tense form}

Idioms are usually rather informal and include an element of personal comment on the situation. They are sometimes humorous or ironoc. As with any informal " commenting " single word, be careful how you use them. Never use them just to sound 'fluent' or 'good' at English. In formal situation with a person you do not know , don't say " How do you do, Mr. Andy. Do take the weight off your feet" instead say " Do sit down" or 'have a seat'.

Idioms can be grouped in a variety of ways. Use which every way you find most useful to help you remember them. Here are some possible types of grouping.

Grammatical
get the wrong end of the stick ( misunderstand)
pull a fast one { trick/deceive somebody }
poke your nose in (to) { interfere }
be over the moon { extremely happy/ elated }
fell down in the dumps { depressed / low }
be in the red { have a negative blank balance }

By morning
e.g. Idioms describing people's character intellect.

He's as draft as a brush ( very stupid/silly)
He takes the biscuit (is the extreme / the worth of all )
You're a pain in the neck ( a nuisance/ difficult person)

By Verb or other Key word.
e.g. Idioms with make

I don't see why you have to make a meal out of everything. ( I exaggerate the importance of-
everything.
I think we should make a move. It's gone ten o'clock. ( go/leave ).
Most politicians are on the make. I don't trust any of them. ( wanting money/ power for
oneself ).

B Grammar of Idioms
It is important when using idioms to know just how flexible their grammar is. Some are more fixed then others. For instance, barking up the wrong tree ( be mistaken ) is always used in continuous, not simple form. e.g. I think you're barking up the wrong tree.
A good dictionary may help but it is best to observe the grammar in real examples.

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