Skip to main content

Common Idioms

 

When you are learning English, chances are you have heard some phrases that you did not understand. It is difficult to learn a new language, but idioms make it more difficult for many people. Idioms are phrases or expressions people use every day. However, they are sometimes difficult to understand because they do not necessarily mean what they are saying. Idioms should be understood by their figurative meaning rather than taken literally. To help you understand and communicate better, here are a few idioms to try out.

 

1.      “A fish out of water” - This means that someone is in an uncomfortable and awkward situation.

Ex. When Suzy first arrived at her college, she felt like a fish out of water.

2.      “Hit the books” - To hit the books simply means you are going to study.

Ex. Sasha had a final coming up, so she had to hit the books all weekend.

3.      “Blow off some steam” - Everyone gets stressed sometimes. To blow off steam means you want to take a break from the stress to relax and have fun.

Ex. When their project was finished, they went to the bar to blow off some steam.

4.      “Stab someone in the back” - While it does not mean to literally stab someone in the back, it is still painful. This phrase refers to someone you thought you could trust betraying you.

Ex. After 10 years of friendship, Michael stabbed his best friend in the back by lying to him.

5.      “Couch potato” - A couch potato refers to a person who spends A LOT of time sitting on the couch and watching television.

Ex. Andrew was a couch potato on his day off and rewatched an entire season of his favorite show.

6.      “Beat around the bush” - When you have to tell someone something difficult, you can either tell them directly or beat around the bush. This phrases refers to trying to stall or avoid saying something uncomfortable to someone.

Ex. The teacher asked John to stop beating around the bush and tell her why he didn’t complete his homework.

7.      “Drop the ball” - Drop the ball means to make a mistake.

Ex. We asked Marco to pick up the cake for Roxy’s surprise party, but he dropped the ball and forgot.

8.      “Hold your horses” - This means to slow down, stop, and think about what you are doing.

Ex. “Hold your horses!” their parents yelled as the children ran into the theme park.

There are some of countless idioms that you’ll see and hear. Our ESL program will help you better understand complicated idioms and how to use them. If you are thinking of enrolling in an ESL course in the Los Angeles or Orange County area, visit our website American English Language School, or email info@aels.edu today!

Labels:
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Transferring Language Schools on an F1 Student Visa: What You Need to Know

Transferring to a new language school while holding an F1 student visa can be an important step in your educational journey. Whether you’re seeking a program that better aligns with your goals, offers a higher level of instruction, or provides a more supportive environment, the process of transferring schools as an F1 student requires careful planning and adherence to specific regulations. Here’s a guide to help you navigate this transition smoothly. Why Transfer Schools? There are several reasons why an F1 student might consider transferring to a different language school: Academic Fit: You may find that the curriculum or teaching methods at your current school are not meeting your learning needs. Program Levels: The new school might offer more advanced ESL (English as a Second Language) courses or specialized programs. Location: Moving to a new city or region might necessitate finding a school closer to your new home. School Environment: You might seek a more supportive, engaging, or...
Post a Comment
Read more

F1 Transfer Grace Period

Introduction: Embarking on a new academic journey is an exciting prospect, and for international students on an F-1 visa, the transfer process plays a crucial role in this transition. In this blog post, we'll delve into the F-1 transfer process, focusing on the grace period and illustrating how it seamlessly intertwines with the transfer procedure. Understanding F-1 Visa Transfer: The F-1 visa transfer allows students to shift from one Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)-approved institution to another without compromising their visa status. Whether you're transferring between high schools, colleges, or universities, a well-planned transfer ensures a smooth continuation of your academic pursuits. The Grace Period Unveiled: One of the significant advantages of the F-1 visa transfer process is the provision of a grace period. The grace period refers to the timeframe during which students can remain legally in the United States before and after the transfer. Th...
Post a Comment
Read more

F1 Student Transfers: A Comprehensive Guide to Program Start and End Dates

 Certainly! The program start date of the new school and the program end date of the previous school are crucial elements that can significantly impact the F1 student transfer process. Let's delve into each of these dates and understand their significance: Program Start Date of the New School: The program start date of the new school is the date on which the student's academic program at the new institution officially begins. This date is stated on the new school's Form I-20, which is a crucial document for F1 students. The Form I-20 is issued by the Designated School Official (DSO) at the new school after the student's acceptance and successful SEVIS transfer. Implications for the Transfer Process: a. Coordination with the Previous School: When planning to transfer to a new school, the F1 student must ensure that the program start date at the new institution aligns with their academic intentions. This means the new program should ideally begin immediately after the pro...
Post a Comment
Read more