Idiomatic Expressions

Intermediate and upper-level learners may also need help learning idiomatic expressions. Idiomatic expressions are phrases that are commonly used but have no literal meaning. "It's raining cats and dogs" is an example of an idiomatic expression. Most native English speakers know that it refers to a heavy rain; it does not mean that cats and dogs are falling from the sky.

Other examples of idiomatic expressions include:

To be a wet blanket: to be a dull person who makes it difficult for others to be happy

To be out on a limb: to be put in a risky situation

What two idiomatic expressions can you find in the first paragraph which could be problematic for your learner to understand?







Additional information regarding how to teach idiomatic expressions is in the second portion of the manual.