Learning English Expressions or Idioms
2024-08-31
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1This week on Ask a Teacher, we consider expressions, or idioms, and offer some advice for learning them.
2An idiom is an expression formed from two or more words.
3But an idiom's meaning often cannot be understood just by knowing each of the words in it.
4Let's look at the following sentence as an example:
5We want our students to think outside the box.
6Here, the words outside the box form an idiom.
7If you only heard this one sentence, you might not be sure what it means.
8But people use idioms in connection to situations.
9For that reason, they usually say more than one sentence, and this can help you understand the idiom. For example:
10We want our students to think outside the box.
11That's why we push them to find creative ways to solve problems.
12By looking at these two sentences together, it can be easier to understand the meaning of outside the box.
13It means to think in new or creative ways.
14In addition to considering the situation to help you understand the meaning of idioms, here is some other advice:
15Digital translation tools continue to improve, but you should avoid translating the idioms directly, word-for-word, into your native language.
16When you hear a short group of words that seem very unrelated to a subject under discussion, those words will often be an idiom.
17Be sure to learn the tone, or feeling, an idiom carries with it. The best way to learn about the tone of idioms is to ask native speakers about them. Native speakers might also be able to tell you if an idiom is commonly or rarely used.
18When learning English, it will likely be easier for you to understand idioms than to use them in speaking.
19However, if you can use idioms correctly, that can help deepen your connection to native speakers.
20With thousands of idioms in English, there is a lot to learn.
21But do not throw in the towel, in other words, do not give up.
22Instead, knock yourself out, or try hard, and do your best to learn them.
23And you will feel proud as a peacock!
24You can learn all about idioms by following our Words and Their Stories program or you can download In the Loop, a guide to American English Idioms.
25For our readers and listeners, do you have a question about American English?
26Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com.
27And that's Ask a Teacher.
28I'm Andrew Smith.
1This week on Ask a Teacher, we consider expressions, or idioms, and offer some advice for learning them. 2An idiom is an expression formed from two or more words. But an idiom's meaning often cannot be understood just by knowing each of the words in it. 3Let's look at the following sentence as an example: 4We want our students to think outside the box. 5Here, the words outside the box form an idiom. If you only heard this one sentence, you might not be sure what it means. But people use idioms in connection to situations. For that reason, they usually say more than one sentence, and this can help you understand the idiom. For example: 6We want our students to think outside the box. That's why we push them to find creative ways to solve problems. 7By looking at these two sentences together, it can be easier to understand the meaning of outside the box. It means to think in new or creative ways. 8In addition to considering the situation to help you understand the meaning of idioms, here is some other advice: 9Digital translation tools continue to improve, but you should avoid translating the idioms directly, word-for-word, into your native language. 10When you hear a short group of words that seem very unrelated to a subject under discussion, those words will often be an idiom. 11Be sure to learn the tone, or feeling, an idiom carries with it. The best way to learn about the tone of idioms is to ask native speakers about them. Native speakers might also be able to tell you if an idiom is commonly or rarely used. 12When learning English, it will likely be easier for you to understand idioms than to use them in speaking. However, if you can use idioms correctly, that can help deepen your connection to native speakers. 13With thousands of idioms in English, there is a lot to learn. But do not throw in the towel, in other words, do not give up. Instead, knock yourself out, or try hard, and do your best to learn them. And you will feel proud as a peacock! 14You can learn all about idioms by following our Words and Their Stories program or you can download In the Loop, a guide to American English Idioms. 15For our readers and listeners, do you have a question about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com. 16And that's Ask a Teacher. 17I'm Andrew Smith. 18Andrew Smith wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English.