Idioms: What Are They, and Why Should You Learn Them?
“It’s a strange world of language in which skating on thin ice can get you into hot water.” – Franklin P. Jones
Idioms are everywhere in English! We use them without even thinking. Take the phrases “skating on thin ice” and “getting into hot water.” They seem to describe opposite situations—one cold, one hot—but they actually mean something very similar.
- “Skating on thin ice” means taking a risk or being in a delicate situation that could go wrong.
- “Getting into hot water” refers to being in trouble, often because of something you said or did.
Neither of these situations sounds ideal, but idioms like these are essential to understanding English—especially in business settings!
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a phrase with a figurative meaning that’s different from its literal meaning. In other words, the words themselves might not make sense if you take them literally, but together, they express something unique.
For example, when we say “spill the beans,” we don’t actually mean dropping beans on the floor—we mean revealing a secret. This phrase comes from ancient Greece, where votes were cast using beans. If someone knocked over the container, the results would be exposed!
Idioms are a huge part of spoken and written English, and understanding them can take your language skills to the next level.
Why Should You Learn Idioms?
Improve Your Fluency
Native speakers use idioms all the time in both casual and professional conversations. Learning idioms helps you follow discussions naturally and express yourself in a way that sounds more fluent and engaging.Understand English Culture
Many idioms have cultural or historical origins, and knowing them gives you deeper insight into how English speakers think and communicate. This is especially useful in business, where cultural awareness can strengthen relationships.Communicate with Confidence
Whether you’re in a meeting, networking, or negotiating a deal, idioms often come up in professional settings. If you don’t understand them, you might feel lost. Learning idioms helps you stay confident and actively participate in conversations.
Master Business English with 1:1 Coaching
If you want to sound more natural and confident in English, my 1:1 coaching sessions focus on real-world idioms and practical expressions that will help you understand and use them with ease.
Learning idioms might seem tricky at first, but stick with it, and soon it’ll feel like a piece of cake!
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