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Idioms bring out the true essence of the English language, as kids learn to convey something with an alternative expression. Hence, learning English Idioms in schools should be an integral part of learning the language. Learning the English idioms for students could be easier for native English speakers but others might have a ‘go the extra mile'.
Schools in Kuala Lumpur prioritise learning the English language fluently, providing the students with enhanced understanding of the language vocabulary. This blog will discuss the importance of English idioms in detail. Also, we have listed down some of the well-known English idioms for kids.
An idiom is a type of expression or phrase conveying a meaning which can't be defined by the meaning of the individual words. English idioms and phrases are used to express something in an alternative way which further intensifies the message that needs to be conveyed. For example, one can say ‘born with a silver spoon in mouth' instead of saying ‘born in a very wealthy family'.
Schools should take the initiative to teach idioms to students as it enhances the kid's learning, understanding, and communication skills in the English language. Idioms always allow a speaker or writer to describe a situation in the best possible way. It is almost impossible to avoid idiomatic expressions if someone is trying to get a better grip on the language.
And to add to it, using idioms is enjoyable and is an interesting way to express something altogether. The purpose of idioms also includes bringing out something different in expressions avoiding the use of common or direct phrases, so as to make the language more engaging.
Teaching English idioms for children becomes easier if they are categorised into groups or types. Preschools in Malaysia follow a systematic protocol to teach English to the students. The four types of idioms are: pure idioms, prepositional idioms, binomial idioms, and partial idioms.
The most important factor why students must learn idioms is that they give the student the true essence, knowledge, and understanding of the language altogether. A child learning English must know how to express a feeling or an expression in a different, alternative, or idiomatic way.
Besides, idioms enhance the thinking approach of a kid. For example, he/she can express hope by saying ‘every cloud has a silver lining.’ So, in turn, one can see that idioms play an important role in improving the writing, expressing, and communication skills of a language-learner. Also, it provides an interesting and engaging factor to the language and concise and crisp messages can be conveyed by using English idioms.
Practising the idioms that are easy to learn and memorise is a good way to use them in speech. Often, a student becomes fluent in using idioms in speech when they practise them by writing or thinking relevant sentences. Seek an opportunity to use idioms while expressing something. For example, a student can say ‘break a leg' while wishing the best for his/her friend's exams.
Once you learn or hear an idiom, you can write it down along with the meaning in your notebook of idioms in order to use it later in writing.
For instance,whnity to incorporate the idiom. For example, you can use the phrase ‘a piece of cake' to express a very easy or simple task. This is how you can en you are writing an essay, you can use the noted idiom if the requirement occurs. For practice, you can also make place for the opportuuse English idioms in writing. However, be reminded that you must not use it very often.
Students can memorise idioms and phrases by following three simple steps:
● Know the context along with the meaning of the idioms. Using the idioms without knowing the context is inconceivable.
● Maintain a diary of idioms. Note down the newly-known idioms in that notebook.
● Learn little by little as learning too many of them at once can be confusing.
Now that you know the importance of learning idioms and how it enhance kids English writing and speech, here are some best examples of idioms, along with the idioms meanings:
1) A piece of cake.
An easy or simple task.
2) A hard nut to crack.
A difficult person to deal with.
3) A picture is worth a thousand words.
Showing or illustrating something conveys a message better than words.
4) Born with a silver spoon in mouth.
A person born in a wealthy family.
5) Better late than never
It is better to do something late than not do it at all.
6) Break the ice.
To start something or become friends with somebody.
7) Bread and butter.
A person's earnings for daily expenses.
8) Break a leg.
Best wishes.
9) Chasing rainbows
Chasing something quite impossible to achieve.
10) Can judge a book by its cover.
Not to judge someone or something by their appearance.
11) Costs an arm and a leg.
When something is very expensive.
12) Cool as a cucumber.
Someone who is very calm and relaxed.
13) Draw a longbow.
To lie or exaggerate.
14) Easier said than done.
It is tougher to do something in reality than to say or think.
15) Feeling under the weather.
To feel sick.
16) Eat like a bird.
To eat very less.
17) Food for thought
To think about things that can arise from a situation.
18) Find your feet.
Being confident or being familiar with something.
19) Give it a shot.
To do something one is not familiar with.
20) Beat around the bush
Not getting to the core or actual point of something.
21) Your guess is as good as mine.
I do not know.
22) Hit the sack
Going to sleep.
23) Good things come to those who wait.
To wait or show patience to achieve something.
24) Sell the hot cakes.
To sell out something quickly.
25) Run around the circles
Trying something that will not fetch a worthy result.
26) On cloud nine
Being extremely happy.
27) Left out in the cold.
To be ignored.
28) Boil the ocean
Taking up an impossible project.
29) Eat like a horse.
Eating too much.
30) A bird in hand is better than two in the bush
An opportunity in hand at present is better than chasing better yet uncertain prospects in the future.
31) Chip off the old block
Someone with similar actions or behaviour to his parents.
32) Every cloud has a silver lining.
All bad things will lead to good things eventually.
33) Having an ace up the sleeve.
Having an advantage for future purposes.
34) Down for the count.
To quit or give up.
35) Give it a whirl
To give something a try.
36) Fish out of water.
Being out of one's comfort zone.
37) Go the extra mile.
To put in some extra effort.
38) Step up your game.
To start doing something better.
39) Has bigger fish to fry.
Having more important work to do.
Idioms are an important part of the English language. Using idioms while writing and in a speech in English shows one's fluency in the language. Idioms and proverbs convey a specific message or meaning that brings out the true essence of the rich language. Using an alternative expression without the use of common words showcases the hold on the vocabulary of a person in the language.
In this blog, we have covered why idioms are a crucial part of learning the English language and why they must be taught to kids. We have also provided a list of some common idioms as well as some hard idioms that one must know. After all, kids learning English should express ‘an impossible task or project' by saying ‘boil the ocean.
Some of the idioms are used very commonly. Some daily use idioms are ‘cool as a cucumber', ‘icing on the cake', ‘hold your horses', ‘Break a leg', etc.
Some examples of kid-friendly idioms are ‘call it a day', ‘as easy as ABC', ‘down to the wire', ‘fill in the blanks', etc.
Some idioms can be a bit tough to memorise and use in common English for kids. However, the difficulty level varies. Some examples are ‘shoot one-half in the foot', ‘ace up one's sleeve', ‘kill the goose that lays the golden eggs', ‘back to the drawing board', etc.
● When pigs fly.
● Piece of cake.
● Cool as a cucumber.
● The icing on the cake.
● To cost an arm and a leg.
● Heads in the clouds.
● Hold your horses.
● Walk in the park.
● Break a leg.
● Two peas in a pod.
The best tip to learn idioms for 11 to 13 year old kids is to learn one idiom at a time. Teachers can follow ‘idiom of the day' featured on various English Grammar related websites and try to use them while teaching. This will help the kids to memorise and comprehend the new idiom.
Kids can start learning idioms from the age of 6. The learning of new idioms can go up to the age of 16 or beyond.
Here are some best idioms perfect to learn for the 5th graders:
● A fly on the wall.
● Night owl.
● All bark and no bite.
● To think on your feet.
● To spill the beans.
● To cry over spilled milk, etc.
Kids love to learn funny idioms. Some of them are, ‘cold turkey', ‘the elephant in the room', ‘hold your horses', ‘Have your ducks in a row', ‘turn turtle', 'a hot potato', and many others.
Educational idioms contain phrases on education, schools, classes, learning, etc. Some of them are ‘know by heart and learn by rote', ‘copycat’, ‘to pass with flying colours', ‘bookworm’, ‘learn something by heart', etc.
Top ten great features of Kuala Lumpur International Schools
Top ten great features of Kuala Lumpur International Schools
Gross Family Income RM 120K to RM 250K
Malaysia is a country filled with diverse cultures, delectable foods and an accomplished education system.
Malaysia is a country filled with diverse cultures, delectable foods and an accomplished education system.
There are plenty of scholarships available for children.
There are plenty of scholarships available for children.
Are you thinking of sending your toddler to a kindergarten school?
Are you thinking of sending your toddler to a kindergarten school?
If your child is an athlete in an international school, you would be a proud parent.
If your child is an athlete in an international school, you would be a proud parent.
Quoting Swami Vivekanand, ‘Education is the manifestation of perfection, already existing in a man’- since birth every child has certain qualities within him/her and with right education and nurturing
Quoting Swami Vivekanand, ‘Education is the manifestation of perfection, already existing in a man’- since birth every child has certain qualities within him/her and with right education and nurturing
Ms Ranjana, a highly accomplished French teacher, joined the GIIS East Coast Campus after moving from Australia. She has been teaching French, English and EAL for more than 20 years and graduated from Monash University, Australia. As a polyglot, she shares her passion for languages with her students. She helps them understand how our experiences influence our communication.