1Idioms
An idiom is a group of words with a meaning that is different from the meanings of the separate words. Do not take it literally.
ExampleThe test was a walk in the park.
(The test was easy.)
2Common idioms 1
- a piece of cake: very easy
- under the weather: not well
- spill the beans: tell a secret
- once in a blue moon: very rarely
- over the moon: very happy
- raining cats and dogs: raining hard
3Common idioms 2
- hit the nail on the head: be exactly right
- break the ice: help people relax
- cost an arm and a leg: be very expensive
- pull someone’s leg: tease
- in hot water: in trouble
4Proverbs
A proverb is a short, wise saying that gives advice or shares a truth. It is often a whole sentence.
ExampleHonesty is the best policy.
5Common proverbs
- Look before you leap: think before you act
- Many hands make light work: sharing a job makes it easier
- Don’t count your chickens before they hatch: do not be sure too soon
- Actions speak louder than words: what you do matters most
- A stitch in time saves nine: fix small problems early
6Working out the meaning
- Read the whole sentence for clues.
- Ask if the words make sense literally.
- Replace the idiom with plain words to test your answer.
Key words
- idiom
- a phrase with a non-literal meaning
- proverb
- a wise saying that gives advice
- literal
- the exact meaning of the words
- figurative
- not literal; the words paint a picture
- context
- the words around a word or phrase