10 English Idioms That You Should Know (1)

An “Idiom” is a group of words with a meaning that’s different from its literal meaning. You’ll often find them in TV shows and movies because they add “color” to the conversation. They are a great way to add “color” to your own conversations when you speak English. Here are some popular idioms for you to learn:

1. Under the weather
   Meaning: to not feel well
   How do you use it?
   If someone says they’re feeling “under the weather”, don’t give them an umbrella! Instead, tell them to feel better soon.
   Example: “I am feeling under the weather today. I might be getting a cold.”
2. Break a leg
   Meaning: to wish someone good luck
   How do you use it?
   Used before a performance to wish someone “good luck” on stage. If you have a friend who will be performing onstage, next time, tell them to ‘break a leg’!
   Example: “Your first stage performance is scheduled tomorrow. Break a leg!”
3. Once in a blue moon
   Meaning: rarely or not often
   How do you use it?
   A blue moon is an actual but rare event, and it happens only every 2 to 3 years. When someone says that something happens “once in a blue moon,” it means it happens very rarely.
   Example: “I work abroad so I get to see my family back home once in a blue moon.”
4. Go down in flames
   Meaning: to end spectacularly or to a great degree
   How do you use it?
   If something ends or fails suddenly, it “goes down in flames.”
   Example: “My project went down in flames after we got all our information wrong.”
5. Beat around the bush
   Meaning: to avoid saying something important
   How do you use it?
   When you want to avoid giving a direct answer to a question, you “beat around the bush.” To “beat around the bush” means to avoid a topic or to not speak directly about it.
   Example: “Stop beating around the bush and get straight to the point.”

Reference: EnglishCentral magazine

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