Recent Posts
English idioms with books
Today we’re looking at 9 English idioms related to books. Are you an open or closed book? Have you ever been in someone’s bad books? Read on and discover the meaning of these common English idioms and explore examples of how you can use them in your English conversations.
Common English idioms with tea.
Have you ever heard of the English idiom ‘a storm in a teacup?’ Today, we're looking at some commonly used English idioms that feature a popular British beverage: tea. We’re going to start with a modern idiom ‘spilling the tea’ and finish with one of my favourites, ‘as useful as a chocolate teapot.’
Learn English idioms for talking about secrets.
Today we’re looking at English idioms for talking about secrecy and discretion. You can use these expressions to talk about keeping secrets, accidentally revealing secrets and to describe secretive behaviours. I’ve included definitions and example sentences. Scroll down for a free pdf with a short quiz to test your knowledge of these English idioms.
Learn English idioms for talking about problems
Recently we’ve been exploring the English language that we can use to speak about problems; collocations, phrasal verbs, vocabulary and so on. Today, continuing on this theme, we’re going to take a look at some of the idioms that frequently get used when talking about problems in English. As always, I’ve included definitions, plus example sentences so that you can try to introduce this idiomatic language into your conversations.
Learn English idioms with colour - meanings and examples.
Familiarising yourself with idiomatic language when learning a second language is important because it enhances communication, deepens cultural understanding, improves comprehension and adds expressiveness to language use.
Today I’ve got a selection of English idioms with colour including their meanings and example sentences.
12 English idioms for talking about family.
English, like many other languages, is rich with idiomatic expressions that beautifully (and not so beautifully) capture the nuances of family relationships. In this blog post, we delve into some popular idioms used to talk about your nearest and dearest. See if any of them are relevant or could be used to talk about your own family. Surely every family has a few skeletons in the cupboard!
English idioms for talking about sadness.
Learning English idiomatic expressions can be useful, both in understanding and expressing emotional nuances. Today we’re looking at using idioms to talk about sadness in English. Everybody feels sadness from time to time and these idioms can be used for everything from feeling a vague sense of dissatisfaction (down in the dumps) to being devastated by an event (to be knocked sideways/ to be cut up about something.) Hopefully you won’t be needing this idioms any time soon!
Learn English slang- double whammy
A ‘double whammy’ is an informal English idiomatic expression used to describe a situation where two negative things happen at the same time or in quick succession, compounding their effects. Essentially, it signifies a double dose of trouble or a particularly challenging circumstance. Let’s look at how we can use it.
Learn English idioms with heart
Do you know what it means ‘to pour your heart out to somebody?’ What about ‘to wear your heart on your sleeve?’
In the video below and blog we'll have a look at a handful of English idioms centred around the concept of the heart, exploring their definitions and providing example sentences that demonstrate the depth and versatility of these expressions.
Learn English idioms for talking about happiness
Today we’re going to explore five English idioms for talking about happiness, looking at their meanings and how they can be used in sentences.
Learning English is not just about mastering grammar and vocabulary, but it's also about understanding the nuances of expressions that English speakers use in daily conversations. Next time you’re feeling particularly happy, try one of these!
English idioms about water (with meanings and examples)
My students love learning new idioms, so today I’ve got five idioms related to water, including their meanings and example sentences.
Remember to make a note of any that you think might be useful in your life and if you’d like to book a conversation class with me to practice your spoken English then get in touch.
English idioms with cats
Lots of you will have heard of the idiom ‘It’s raining cats and dogs’ but did you know that it’s not actually used in English conversation very often these days? However, there are plenty of other feline related English idioms out there, so let’s explore some of them.
English idioms about time.
Today, we're going to look at a selection of idioms that you can use when you’re talking about time in English. These idioms provide insights into how we perceive and value time in various situations and will give you new ways to express yourself in English.
English idioms about deception.
Have you ever encountered a wolf in sheep’s clothing or had the wool pulled over your eyes? This week in some of my classes we’ve been talking about scammers, con artists, deceipt and fraud. During the lessons students have explored different language for talking about the subject and the following idioms came up in our conversations.
English idioms about failure.
Failure is an inevitable part of life, a universal experience that transcends cultures and languages. While it might not be the most pleasant topic to discuss, acknowledging and understanding failure is essential for personal growth and development. So, in this blog post, we'll delve into a set of idioms related to failure.
English idioms about knowledge.
The idiom "know the score" is a phrase that captures the idea of being well-informed about a situation or topic. When someone "knows the score," it means they understand the details and nuances involved.
English idioms about enthusiasm
Are you ready to add some zest and zeal to your English language skills? Today, we're diving into the world of English idioms that capture the essence of enthusiasm. There are example sentences included so you can see each idiom in use. Let’s get started.
English Idioms for talking about money.
Learning a new language involves more than just grammar and vocabulary. Understanding idioms and expressions is key to truly grasping the nuances of a language. Idioms are phrases that have figurative meanings, often reflecting cultural and historical references. In the realm of finance, money-related idioms play a significant role in everyday conversation. In this blog post, we will explore some common idioms related to money, so let’s get started.
English Idioms about sadness.
In this blog, we will explore English idioms about sadness, which are commonly used in everyday conversation. EFL students who learn these idioms will be better equipped to understand and participate in English conversations that include expressions of emotions.
English idiom - to spill the tea.
You’ve probably heard of the English idiom ‘spill the beans’ but have you ever ‘spilt the tea?’ The idiom ‘spill the tea’ is a colloquial expression that means to share gossip or reveal secret information. The tea or ‘T’ means the truth.