Tips on Learning Idiom

1)      If you see an idiom in context i.e., in a magazine, newspaper or a book, try to understand the context and this will help you with the idiom. For example: my boss was really angry:  shouting and screaming until he tripped and fell over the table.  Everyone laughed and I couldn’t keep a straight face.

2)       Keep an ‘Idioms’ diary.  Every time you hear an idiom or read one, write it down but then make sure that you can look it up at home in a dictionary (English dictionary for learners) and to write it in a sentence otherwise you will forget the meaning.

3)       A lot of idioms can be found in songs.  If you can download the lyrics, have a look at the words and find the idioms – remember an idiom does not make sense if you translate every word but more that you see it as a whole expression.

4)      Try to see the idiom in your mind. Can you see the image? Many idioms are made of images.  Try to imagine them and this will help you remember them by seeing the pictures in your mind.

5)      Use the idioms you have learnt in everyday life.  Should you be in a certain situation then don’t be afraid to use one either in writing or in speaking.

Don’t forget: SPEAK SPEAK SPEAK, WRITE WRITE WRITE, READ READ READ!