Idioms

Idioms… Means something different from what it says

Common phrases or terms whose meanings are not

literal, but figurative and only known through

their common uses. Most idioms are appropriate only in specific

contexts

Example: The idiom “shape up or ship out,” which

is like saying improve your behavior or leave if

you’re not going to. might be said by an employer

or supervisor to an employee.

Literal meaning is the actual definition of the

words

Figurative meanings change or exaggerate the

actual meaning of words and phrases.

Also called ‘figures of speech.’

Literal & Figurative Meaning

For each idiom slide…1.Find out what the “actual” figurative meaning of the idiom is

2.Write a figurative definition of the idiom

3.Draw one picture showing the literal meaning and another picture showing the figurative meaning

For example…“It’s raining cats and dogs!”

Literal

Figurative

“A broken heart”

“Knock on wood”

“Hit the hay”

“let the cat out of the bag!”

“You’ve opened up a can of worms!”

“Stop bugging me!”

“Apple of my eye”

“Backseat driver”

“A friend you can count on”

“I’m on cloud nine”

“A piece of cake”

“pushing the envelope”

“A skeleton in the closet”