IDIOM -1

Idiomatic Expressions and How they Affect our Understanding of the English Language

Around five years ago, I had a student who wasn’t that fluent in English yet. She was very nice and friendly, but one day we had a misunderstanding, which fortunately, was resolved right away. What was the cause of the misunderstanding? She was telling me a story which seemed unbelievable to me, and so I told her “Get out!” (which of course means I don’t believe her) She thought I wanted her to get out of the room though. She asked me why she had to get out. It was then that I realized that she didn’t understand what I meant and I explained it to her. So, in order to avoid such problems, it would really help if we familiarize ourselves with at least the most common English idiomatic expressions. Here are some of them:

Act your age—means one should behave in a more mature manner
Ex. You’re already thirty years old and you still rely on your parents to pay for your bills? When will you ever act your age?

All ears--to listen attentively
Ex. I was all ears when Diana told me her problem.

Answer back—to answer defiantly
Ex. My mother was very upset when my brother answered her back while she was scolding him.

Bag of bones—emanciated
Ex. He hasn’t eaten for three days in a row, that’s why he’s already a bag of bones.

Bank on-to depend on
Ex. Although my father is the breadwinner in the family, he is banking on my mother for emotional support.

Beat around the bush—to avoid the main topic of discussion
Ex. It’s too tiring to talk to him, because he beats around the bush too much.

Beat it—to go away, to scram
Ex. I won’t love nor like you whatever you do, so beat it!

Bed of roses—the good life, easy and luxurious life
Ex. After three years of marriage, she realized that marriage is not a bed of roses.

Behind you—providing support
Ex. Do not worry so much , because I’m right behind you.

Black sheep-someone who brings disgrace to a family or group
Ex. He always gives his parents problems unlike his siblings. He’s indeed the black sheep in their family.

Big shot—a very important person
Ex. He’s a big shot now, so I don’t think he’d want to become friends with us anymore.

(more idioms in the next blogs…if you know other useful English idioms, kindly share them using the comments feature..thanks!^^)