IDIOMS...IDIOMS UNIT 1 WEEK 2. WHAT IS AN IDIOM? •An idiom is a phrase or expression that cannot be understood from the meaning of the individual words. HOW DO YOU FIGURE OUT WHAT

IDIOMSUNIT 1 WEEK 2

WHAT IS AN IDIOM?

• An idiom is a phrase or expression that cannot be understood from the meaning of the individual words.

HOW DO YOU FIGURE OUT WHAT AN IDIOM MEANS?

You must use clues in the sentence or in the surrounding sentences to

determine the meaning

EXAMPLE 1

At first I was unhappy that my friends forgot my birthday. But all at once I felt better when everyone jumped out and said, “SURPRISE!”

What clues help us figure out what “all at once” means?

All at once

means

suddenly

EXAMPLE 2

The team lost five games in a row and several players wanted to throw in the towel.

Based on the clues, what does the idiom, “throw in the towel” mean?

Throw in the towel

means

decide to quit

EXAMPLE 3

She became bent out of shape when all of her friends went to the movies and didn’t invite her.

What clues in the sentence help us figure out what “bent out of shape” means?

Bent out of shape

means

to be upset

EXAMPLE 4

AJ loves to try a different sport each season. He’s always saying that variety is the spice of life.

Is this a sentence about spices?

What clues are in the sentence BEFORE the one with the idiom?

Variety is the spice of life

means…

doing different things makes life interesting

EXAMPLE 5

•What do you think the idiom “the ball is in their court” means?

• Is it really about courts and balls?

•Now, use context to find the meaning…

After she did poorly on a test I tried to give her some advice about how to study but the ball is in her court.

What does this idiom mean?

What phrase could you use in place of this one?

EXAMPLE 6

After eating four tacos, I said to my

mom, “These are the best tacos you’ve ever made!” My brother

chimed in with, “You can say that again.”

Does he really want me to say it again.

What does the idiom “you can say that again” mean?

You can say that again

means that

you agree with the person

EXAMPLE 7

No matter what conversation we’re having, she keeps talking about all of the awards that she has won riding horses. She’s so full of herself.

What does this idiom mean based on the context?

“Full of yourself”

means

conceited or self-centered