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Breaking Down Idioms: Make Sense of Figurative Language

While watching a movie or a TV show, you may have encountered phrases or sentences like ‘change of pace’, ‘play it by ear‘, and ‘let you off the hook‘. You might understand their meaning since it’s simple, but what about ‘raining cats and dogs’?

Well, it means that it is raining very heavily. Similar to these, there are many phrases in English that have a quirky meaning if translated word by word. However, when you check within the broader context of the language, they have entirely different meanings. 

These are called idioms and fluent English speakers use them frequently in everyday conversations. The point is, if you don’t understand them, it’s like having walked into a conversation in a foreign language.

In this article, you’ll learn: why idioms matter in everyday language and, most importantly, how to understand them.

What are Idioms?

Idioms are phrases or expressions that carry a figurative meaning and cannot be understood by literal interpretation of the individual words. The figurative meaning of idioms is tied to a particular language and culture. For example, if someone says, ‘Bite the bullet’ they don’t mean you have to eat the bullet. It means forcing yourself to do the task even though you don’t like it because it was difficult or unpleasant. 

Idioms can be like a secret code within a language that adds flavor, personality, and depth to a more engaging and expressive conversation.

Why Idioms Matter in Everyday Language?

If you want to express yourself more creatively, with a touch of humor and convey a deeper meaning, you have to use idioms in daily conversations. It is similar for a cook when he adds spices, salt, and other ingredients to make the food tastier.

Here are my reasons why we should use idioms in daily conversations:

1. Make your speech more engaging

We may borrow other’s wisdom in quotes, but using idioms guarantees a more natural, engaging, and interesting conversation in our life. Creatively incorporating idioms will help us connect on a much deeper level compared to the usual words. Let me explain it with a simple example:

Raj: Ugh, this assignment is driving me crazy, I feel like I’m banging my head against a wall trying to figure it out.
Gita: Seriously? I know the feeling.
Raj: Maybe we should work together and see if we can crack the code. Two brains are better than one, right?
Gita: Definitely! Let’s brainstorm to figure it out.

Idioms in these examples are banging my head against a wall, put our heads together and crack the code.

  • Banging my head against a wall means you are frustrated and stuck, and your efforts are futile. 
  • Put our heads together means to collaborate for a common goal.
  • Crack the code means to solve a difficult problem.  

2. Clear Communication

Idioms act as secret codes within a community, allowing you to convey complex ideas with just a few words. For instance, rather than saying, “He is feeling very angry,” you can say, “He’s seeing red,” which everyone understands means he’s furious.

They also make communication more efficient. Instead of explaining nervousness before a big event as ‘I feel a lot of anxiety‘, you can simply say, ‘I have butterflies in my stomach‘.

Furthermore, idioms add color and personality to your language, making conversations more engaging. So next time you want to express yourself, try using an idiom, you might be surprised at how easily people understand you.

3. Confident and Persuasive 

Using idioms can make you sound more confident and persuasive. They show that you have a good grasp of the language and can express yourself clearly and engagingly by adding a touch of humor and personality to your conversations. They can make you seem more friendly and approachable. 

4. Stand out 

Using idioms will easily enhance your communication skills allowing you to stand out from the crowd. By implementing idioms into your conversation, you can make your statements more memorable grabbing your audience’s attention. This is going to help you connect with your audience on a much deeper level. 

But be cautious and not to use idioms inappropriately, if you don’t know their meaning. There might be a deeper meaning you are not aware of.

20 daily idioms that you need to know

IdiomMeaningExample
A piece of cakeEasy to doThe exam was a piece of cake.
Bite the bulletTo face a difficult situation bravelyI bit the bullet and told my boss I was quitting.
Break a legGood luckBreak a leg for your performance.
Cost an arm and a legVery expensiveThat car cost me an arm and a leg.
Cross your fingersTo hope for good luckI’m crossing my fingers that it doesn’t rain tomorrow.
Easy does itBe careful and don’t rushEasy does it, you don’t want to break the vase.
Hit the sackGo to bedI’m hitting the sack, I’m exhausted.
Keep your chin upStay positive and hopefulKeep your chin up, things will get better.
Let the cat out of the bagReveal a secretShe let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
Once in a blue moonRarelyI only see my grandparents once in a blue moon.
Raining cats and dogsRaining heavilyIt’s raining cats and dogs outside.
See eye to eyeAgree with someoneWe don’t see eye to eye on politics.
Spill the beansReveal a secretDon’t spill the beans about the surprise party!
Take a rain checkDecline an invitation, but hope to do it laterI’ll have to take a rain check, I’m not feeling well.
Under the weatherFeeling unwellI’m feeling a bit under the weather today.
Up for grabsAvailable to anyone who wants itThe job is up for grabs, so apply now.
When pigs flyNeverI’ll finish my homework when pigs fly.
You can say that againI agree completelyThat was a delicious meal! You can say that again.
Your guess is as good as mineI don’t knowI have no idea where my keys are, your guess is as good as mine.
Zero toleranceNo allowance for misbehaviorThis school has zero tolerance for bullying.

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