English idioms to

describe people
What are idioms?
IDIOMS ARE EXPRESSIONS WHICH HAVE A MEANING THAT IS NOT OBVIOUS
FROM THE INDIVIDUAL WORDS
•THE BEST WAY TO UNDERSTAND AN IDIOM IS TO SEE IT IN CONTEXT
•MOST IDIOMS ARE FIXED IN THEIR FORM AND CANNOT BE CHANGED OR
VARIED
•AS IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO WORK OUT WHAT AN IDIOM MEANS, YOU WILL
OFTEN NEED TO LOOK THEM UP IN DICTIONARY
WHY DO WE LEARN IDIOMS?
•TO IMPROVE OUR LEVEL OF ENGLISH
•TO UNDERSTAND NATIVE SPEAKERS
WE USE IDIOMS ...
•TO GET ATTENTION
•FOR HUMOUR
•FOR EMPHASIS
•TO ADD COLOUR
 SIMILES
Different METAPHORS
types of
BINOMIALS
Idioms
include; EUPHEMISMS
PROVERBS AND SAYINGS
A simile is an expression that uses the words like or as to describe something by
comparing it with something else
e.g They are like two peas in a pod!
= they are very similar
He is as sharp as a knife!
= he is very clever/intelligent
A metaphor is a word or phrase typically used to describe one thing but
unexpectedly used to describe something different. Metaphors make language
interesting and help create imagery
e.g He is not the sharpest tool in the shed!
=he is not very clever
A binomial is
where two words are joined by a preposition, usually "and"...
some binomials use other prepositions
e.g She is calm and collected=very calm.
We are like chalk and cheese= very different
She is very helpful, come rain or shine!
=At any time/no matter what happens
Euphemism
refers to those words or a phrase that can be used to convey
something unpleasant, sad or considered taboo. It is the art
of communicating something in a less annoying and much
lighter tone or in an indirect manner.
...used to avoid offending people or avoid saying words you
are uncomfortable with,or if you want to be polite and
diplomatic
She's big boned= she's fat
She's getting on a bit= she's old
She's vertically challenged= she's short
 Proverbs
A proverb is defined as as short saying or sentence that used to
give advice to other person
...tend to have a moral message, or a warning

e.g My brother believes nothing ventured, nothing gained= if you

don't try or take risks, you won't succeed.
Where there's a will, there is a way= If you really want to do
something, you can do it
 To get carried away
= to talk a lot without realising you are talking too
much .
When he telling a story he gets carried away. He just
goes on talking too much.

It runs in the family

= it's a characteristics of most people in that
family.
Being an artist runs in the family .
The artistic spirit runs in the family.
 As bright as a button
= very clever/ intelligent

To think on your feet

= to think quickly and impovise.
You have to think on your feet when examiner asks
you unexpected question.
A bosom friend
= a close friend
To go back a long way
=We've known each other a
long time/ we are old friends

She is a bosom friend of me we go back a long way

To know someone like the back of your hand
= to know someone very well.
I know her like the back of my hand.

To hit it off
= to get on/ get along very well with someone.
The first time I met him we hit it off straight
away.
 A man/woman after your own heart
= You think in a similar way/you admire that person's
way of thinking
She's a woman after my own heart. We think in a
similar ways.

To be second to none
= to be the best
When it comes to cooking , she is second to none
(very best at that activity )
 To be a know-it-all
= someone who thinks they know everything
(slightly negative connotation)

To be set in your ways

= to not like change
My aunt is set in her ways. She can't change