Idioms and Figurative Language: Idioms: Non-literal expressions
Think of language like a painting. Sometimes we use words for their exact meaning, like painting a realistic portrait. But other times, we use words creatively to paint a more interesting picture. This is called figurative language. Idioms are a special type of figurative language.
What Are Idioms?
Idioms are expressions that don’t mean exactly what the words say. They have a hidden meaning that you need to learn.
- Example: “It’s raining cats and dogs!”
- Literal meaning: Cats and dogs falling from the sky. (Doesn’t make sense!)
- Figurative meaning: It’s raining very heavily.
Why Do We Use Idioms?
Idioms make language more colorful and fun. They can also help us express complex ideas in a simple way.
- Example: “She’s got her head in the clouds.”
- Literal meaning: Her head is physically in the sky.
- Figurative meaning: She’s daydreaming or not paying attention.
Let’s Practice!
Guess the Meaning: Match each idiom with its correct meaning:
- Kick the bucket (To die)
- Piece of cake (Very easy)
- Break a leg (Good luck!)
- Spill the beans (Tell a secret)
- Under the weather (Sick)
Use the Idiom: Choose an idiom from the list above and write a sentence using it.
- Example: “The math test was a piece of cake!”
Challenge!
Find three idioms that you haven’t heard before. Write down the idiom and its meaning. Then, try to use each idiom in a sentence.
Remember:
Idioms are like puzzles – they take practice to understand! Keep learning new idioms and try to use them in conversation. It will make your English sound more natural and interesting.
