Idioms

📘 Idioms 

Idioms are expressions or phrases whose meanings are different from the literal meanings of the individual words. They add color, style, and naturalness to language. Knowing idioms is key to sounding like a native speaker and understanding conversations, movies, or books.

🔤 What is an Idiom?

An idiom is a group of words that has a figurative meaning, which cannot be understood just by knowing the meanings of the words separately.

✅ Example: “It’s raining cats and dogs.”
Literal meaning: Cats and dogs falling from the sky (which doesn’t make sense).
Actual meaning: It’s raining very heavily.

📚 Why Learn Idioms?

✅ Makes your English sound more natural and fluent.
✅ Helps you understand native speakers better.
✅ Improves your writing and speaking with creative expressions.
✅ Important for exams and interviews where understanding idiomatic language is tested.

🗂 15 Common Idioms & Their Meanings

✅ Break the ice – to start a conversation in a social setting.

“The host told a funny story to break the ice.”

✅ Hit the nail on the head – to be exactly right.

“Your analysis hit the nail on the head.”

✅ A piece of cake – something very easy.

“The exam was a piece of cake.”

✅ Let the cat out of the bag – to reveal a secret.

“He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.”

✅ Once in a blue moon – very rarely.

“They visit their grandparents once in a blue moon.”

✅ Burn the midnight oil – to work late into the night.

“She burned the midnight oil to finish the project.”

✅ Under the weather – feeling sick.

“I won’t come today; I’m feeling under the weather.”

✅ Spill the beans – to disclose secret information.

“Don’t spill the beans about our plan.”

✅ Cost an arm and a leg – very expensive.

“That car cost him an arm and a leg.”

✅ Bite the bullet – to face something difficult with courage.

“He decided to bite the bullet and accept the challenge.”

✅ The ball is in your court – it’s your turn to take action.

“I’ve done my part; now the ball is in your court.”

✅ Go the extra mile – to do more than what is expected.

“She always goes the extra mile for her clients.”

✅ Cry over spilt milk – to be upset about something that can’t be changed.

“There’s no use crying over spilt milk.”

✅ Pull someone’s leg – to joke or tease someone.

“Don’t be serious, he’s just pulling your leg.”

✅ Beat around the bush – to avoid talking directly about something.

“Stop beating around the bush and answer the question.”

📝 Tips to Learn Idioms

✅ Read books, watch movies, and listen to conversations to see idioms in context.
✅ Keep a notebook of idioms with example sentences.
✅ Practice using idioms in your writing and speaking.
✅ Learn a few idioms each week to gradually expand your knowledge.

🚫 Common Mistakes with Idioms

❌ Using idioms literally (e.g., thinking “kick the bucket” means actually kicking a bucket).
❌ Mixing idioms or using them in the wrong context.
❌ Translating idioms directly from your native language, which can lead to confusion.

🧠 5 MCQs on Idioms

1. What does “Break the ice” mean?

A) To freeze something
B) To start a conversation
C) To break something
D) To swim in cold water
✅ Answer: B) To start a conversation

2. “Piece of cake” means:

A) A dessert
B) Something very easy
C) A difficult task
D) A small problem
✅ Answer: B) Something very easy

3. What is the meaning of “Under the weather”?

A) Outside in the rain
B) Feeling sick
C) Feeling happy
D) Traveling abroad
✅ Answer: B) Feeling sick

4. If something “costs an arm and a leg,” it is:

A) Cheap
B) Very expensive
C) Free
D) Damaged
✅ Answer: B) Very expensive

5. “Beat around the bush” means:

A) Walk in a garden
B) Talk directly
C) Avoid talking directly
D) Trim the plants
✅ Answer: C) Avoid talking directly

📝 Conclusion

Learning idioms helps you communicate more naturally, understand native speakers, and enrich your vocabulary. Practice them regularly to use them confidently in conversations, writing, and professional communication.


एक टिप्पणी भेजें

0 टिप्पणियाँ