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Idiomatic Expression

Idiomatic expressions are phrases that have meanings different from the literal definitions of the individual words. They are often metaphors or comparisons that make ideas more vivid and are useful for conveying feelings or emotions. Some idioms are funny or lighthearted sayings that have been around for a long time and are not meant to be taken literally. The document provides examples of common English idiomatic expressions and their meanings.

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Bravery Blind
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152 views19 pages

Idiomatic Expression

Idiomatic expressions are phrases that have meanings different from the literal definitions of the individual words. They are often metaphors or comparisons that make ideas more vivid and are useful for conveying feelings or emotions. Some idioms are funny or lighthearted sayings that have been around for a long time and are not meant to be taken literally. The document provides examples of common English idiomatic expressions and their meanings.

Uploaded by

Bravery Blind
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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IDIOMATIC

EXPRESSION
WHAT ARE IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS?

 Idiomatic expressions are used in


communication.
 Many idioms used metaphors or
comparisons to make simple ideas more
vivid.
 Are useful when trying to convey a feeling
or emotion.
 Some of them are funny and light hearted.
 An idiom is a phrase where the words together
have a meaning that is different from the
dictionary definitions of the individual words.

 Idioms are funny sayings that have been


around for a long time.

 They are not to taken literally – that means


that you shouldn’t do exactly what they say.
As white as a sheet
What does it mean?
- Someone who is very white

Example:
Her legs are as white as a sheet.
Spill the beans
What does it mean?
- to tell a secret
- reveal a secret
Example:
Melissa spilled the beans and told
our secret.
Don’t have a cow
What does it mean?
- don’t get upset or angry

Example:
 Don’t have a cow, it was a joke.
All ears

What does it mean?


- to listen to someone

Example:
Talk to me, I’m all ears.
Blind Date
To go on a date with someone you don’t know.

Example:
 My best friend will be having a blind date
tomorrow.
To have the blues
To be sad or depressed

Example:
 Sometimes I feel so blue.
A piece of cake

- Very easy
- a task that can be accomplished very easily.

Example:
 This assignment is a piece of cake.
 The term exam is a piece of cake.
Its raining cats and dogs
- Its raining very hard

Take the bull by the horns


- take the decisive action in a
difficult situation.

Cat got your tongue?


- can’t talk
Get in someone’s hair
- bother someone

Shoot off one’s mouth


- express one’s opinion loudly

Pull someone’s leg


- fool someone
- Example:
- Hey, Ali. I was invited to be a judge for the Miss America
Beauty Pageant!
- Oh, really? Come on, you’re pulling my leg!
Get off someone’s back
- stop bothering someone
Drive someone up a wall
- annoy someone greatly
- Example:
- They say I drive them up a wall with all the loud
banging.
Sell someone down the river
- betray someone
- Example:
- His so-called girlfriend sold him down the river and
claimed the reward on him.
Leave someone high and dry
- abandon someone
- Example:
- My parents left me high and dry because I’m a
homely face.

Sell someone short


- underestimate someone
- Example:
- Just because he does not say very much is no
reason to sell him short.
Feed someone a line
- deceive someone
- Example:
- Louise discovered that his boss was feeding her a line
when he passed her by and gave the promotion to someone
less capable.

Scratch someone’s back


- return the favour
- Example:
- I know you don’t like doing the housework, but if you
scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.
Wet blanket
- dull or boring person who spoils the happiness of others.

Keep under one’s hat


- keep something a secret

Dressed to kill
- wear one’s finest clothing

Dressed to the teeth


- dressed elegantly
Bite the bullet
- endure the difficult situation

Have the world by the tail


- be successful and happy

Kick up one’s heels


- celebrate

Bury the hatchet


- make peace
Come alive
- brighten up and become active
If the shoe fits, wear it
- admit the truth
A penny for your thoughts
- a way of asking what someone is thinking
Barking up the wrong tree
- looking in the wrong place.
- Accusing the wrong person
Not a spark of decency
- no manners

Not playing with a full deck


- someone who lacks intelligence

Don’t count your chickens before the eggs have hatched


- don’t make plans for something that might not
happen

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