For an advanced grasp of a language it is important to really immerse yourself in the culture and community of those that speak it.
By doing this, you will get to know the kinds of words and phrases that people use, which may not be in any dictionary or official guide book.
If you can pick up some of these ‘idioms’ them it will really help you to feel more comfortable and confident speaking, especially with native speakers.
To quote “An Idiom is a common word or phrase with a culturally Understood meaning but that differed form what its composite words denotations would suggest.”
Basically the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definition Of each individual word.
English idioms really define communication as a true native speaker as it shows you have grasped the full range and use of the English language.
Idioms are frequent in everyday communication. If you don’t know them or aren’t familiar with them it is impossible to understand their context.
Learning some if not all English idioms (there’s quite a few) will help you Fit in to socialise with friends, with work, with talking to strangers plus more.
The key to understanding them is don’t take them literally at face value. Learn them in contact so you can understand their true meaning-
Here are some examples:
- Hit the Sack
The literal meaning of this is to hit – to punch / slap / apply force to a sack – which is a large bag filled with things. However, hit the sack or another one for it is hit the hay , means you are heading to bed as you are so tired.
- Sit Tight
The literal meaning of this would be to sit down and squeeze yourself tightly in, however this idiom actually means to be patient , sit and wait.
- Face the Music
To take this literally it would be to sit or stand in front of a TV, music device, a band, a speaker etc. And face the music. But what this idiom means, is to face reality.
- Cut to the Chase
This doesn’t mean to cut something and then chase. This means hurry up, stop beating around the bush that’s another one, get to the point.
These are just some examples here , we teach lots more. Do remember Practice makes perfect but it is important to have lots of fun and you really can with idioms.
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