16.01.2019
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Idioms To Spice Up Your Life

Sometimes when taking on a new challenge such as learning a new language you have to take the bull by the horns! Let’s talk idioms today!

What are they?

Well, an idiom is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning and in most cases are used and understood by native speakers. Idioms can differ from country to country. To put it in layman’s terms: Idioms don’t mean exactly what the words say. Idioms are used figuratively as a way to express oneself.

Why do people use idioms?

I love idioms and I enjoy them, even more, when I am teaching them to my students.

Not only does it grow and enhance their vocabulary, but it also enriches and makes their vocabulary colorful and as a bonus, this greatly improves their writing skills. Idioms help them to “think outside the box” and also helps students to expand their frame of reference.

What makes idioms even more fantastic is the fact that it allows us to not only find our sense of humor but gives us the platform to express and show our sense of humor to readers or listeners. It’s almost like dressing up your vocabulary, people will enjoy listening to you as your speech will be rich and colorful! No more boring Ms. Sally! Here are a few of my favorite idioms of 2018! Some are ancient and some are modern, you gotta love a good idiom!

1. Take the bull by the horns

Now can you imagine, an angry bull leaping towards you, your task is to grab it by its horns. You struggle, you fight, the task is exhausting but you do it anyway because it must be done!
Meaning: To do something difficult in a brave and determined way.
Example: “Why don’t you take the bull by the horns and tell him to leave?”

2. Wind out of my sails (similar to “burst one’s bubble.”)

Think of it this way, you are a little sailboat on the ocean, the wind is strong and blowing you in the right direction. You are smiling, you are happy. Everything is great. Then the wind dies down, your speed slows down, what’s going on? That sad… disappointing feeling sets in. The wind is no longer in your sails and you are drifting, almost stagnant on the water.

Meaning: to make someone feel less confident or less determined to do something, usually by saying or doing something that they are not expecting.
Example: “I was all ready to tell him that the relationship was over when he greeted me with a big bunch of flowers — that took the wind out of my sails.”

3. Too many irons in the fire (similar to “biting off more than you can chew.)

Think of it this way, we live in the 21st century. We have our jobs, family, extra activities, social gatherings, our cell phones, and technological devices that keep us extremely busy and occupied. No one has time to even wash curtains or even iron their underwear. Let alone back it away! There are just too many irons on the fire!

Meaning: To have “too many irons in the fire” is to be engaged in too many activities at once.
Example: “Gomez turned down the consulting job; he felt that he already had too many irons in the fire.”

4. A blessing in disguise

I had a blessing in disguise. I was working in a horrible office job, I really hated it and made very little money. I guess it was a blessing in disguise as it lead me to Skyeng where I am now very happy and fulfilled!

Meaning: something that seems bad or unlucky at first, but results in something good happening later
Example: “Losing that job was a blessing in disguise really.”

5. That’s the last straw (the last straw, the last straw that broke the camels back)

My previous jobcontinued to underpay me for months and then made me work more hours to compensate. That was the last straw for me, needless to say, it was not long before I had quit!

Meaning: The latest problem in a series of problems, that makes a situation impossible to accept. You have now run out of patience. You’ve had enough.
Example: The last straw was when the company fired most of the managers.

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