Understanding Idioms

You can use idioms to help students get a better understanding of nuances in the English language.

By rachel@lessonplanet.com

Let’s cut to the chase, English is complex. Not only are there thousands of grammar, punctuation, and spelling rules, there are silent letters too! Why isn’t farm spelled “pharm” like pharmacy? Or, when do I say “you and I” or “you and me?” And, to top it all off, there are hundreds of American idioms used all over the country.

What is an Idiom?

Idioms are phrases, or manners of speaking, used by native speakers of a language. Some have been used for ever, and others are being adapted rapidly due to easily accessible social networking. Some idioms can be pretty obvious in their actual meaning, but others, however, can be rather confusing, especially for English Language Learners.

Why does a “baker’s dozen” include thirteen items, not twelve? Why would the kid “bite the dust” when all he did was lose the game? And how can I “bend over backwards” for my friends, if I’m not that flexible?

Idioms = Phrases ? Symbols

Print out a list of idioms, or allow students to search the Internet to find an idiom they would like to use for their assignment. Make sure they check with a teacher for appropriateness and to avoid having two of the same idioms per student. Or, you can assign students their own idiom by having them chose from a jar.

Give students time to think privately and discuss with their peers what they think their idiom means. Or, if you have the means, allow students to research their idiom online. Make sure students have a clear understanding of their idiom before moving on.

Once students have chosen their idiom, and understand what they mean, pass out a piece of paper, any size, to each student. Then, have students follow these instructions:

Divide the paper vertically into three parts, by folding it into thirds or drawing lines with a ruler. Directly on top of the first fold, or line, draw an equal sign (=).
On the second fold, or line, draw an unequal sign (?).
Then, clearly write down the idiom in the far left, or first box.
In the middle box, illustrate a picture of what the idiom means in the English language, not literally.
Beneath this picture, in the middle box, write a sentence, using the idiom properly.
In the last, far right box, after the unequal sign, draw a literal picture of the idiom.
Beneath the picture in the far right box, write a sentence describing the literal picture.

A Sample Idiom

For example, if a student is evaluating the phrase “down in the dumps,” they might draw a kid that seems unhappy in the middle box. Below the drawing, they can write: “Jordan is down in the dumps because his friend forgot his birthday.” In the third box, they can illustrate a kid inside a dumpster can and write “Jordan is in the dumps, looking for his lost retainer.”

Fun examples of idioms for students:

Feel like a million dollars
Something’s fishy
Kick the bucket
Knock someone’s socks off
Spill the beans
Play it by ear
Jump the gun
Get in someone's hair
Bend over backwards
Scratch someone’s back
Horse around

More ideas can be found at the following websites:

Related Lessons and Worksheets

Animal Idioms

This activity is a multiple choice test. Students read idioms and choose the correct meaning. Students can gain a better understanding of idioms using this activity.

Idioms

In this worksheet students practice matching idioms with their meanings. This is a good way to practice this skill and the worksheet could be used as a homework assignment.

Railroad Idioms Art Lesson Plan

Students discuss idioms relating to the railroad. This lesson could be used to help students learn vocabulary about any topic.