Idioms
Steven Lai English teacher
Idioms…where a bull is in a China shop and we learn to bite the bullet; where you understand the words, but the sentences don’t make sense! Alright, I’ll stop beating around the bush and cut to the chase. Idioms are sentences and phrases that say one thing but mean another. Native speakers use idioms in a natural way, but these may be tricky for language learners to grasp and use confidently. Think about the most common idiom we know - raining cats and dogs - imagine if cats and dogs were really falling from the sky! Idioms in any language are unique, making them difficult to translate or understand in their literal meaning. Our daily lives are certainly influenced and shaped by our unique cultures and as idioms reference everyday topics, it is no surprise that idioms can vary greatly from country to country. Take Australia as an example. Although people there speak English, they also have idioms unique to their culture and surroundings. He’s got a kangaroo loose in the top paddock. (Acting in a nonsensical manner). In Spanish, there is an idiom to tun the tortilla around. (To reverse events or a situation). Here the idiom references a typical Spanish food. In Italian, the idiom he is all pepper is used to describe somebody who is vibrant and full of life. In Southern Italy peppers are frequently used when cooking and give bland dishes a rich flavour and aroma. These idioms show that languages are indeed a reflection of unique culture and history.
Feeling confused? Looking at the origins of a phrase can help us! Here are some common English idioms with unexpected origins. Do some research to find out where they come from and what they mean. • Feeling under the weather • Give a cold shoulder • To let one’s hair down
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