Add in Some Fun! Teaching Idioms
Teaching idioms can be a fun way to incorporate something useful and native into your ESL lesson. You could have an idiom segment each week where you teach a new idiom, or teach several at a time. Here’s my go-to list for some great idioms if you want to give students a break from the serious pressure of studying and add a little interest to your lesson!
Verb Idioms:
Twist my arm
= Force someone to do something
“I really didn’t want to shopping with my girlfriend, but she twisted my arm.”
= Study
Hit the books
= Study
“I can’t come to dinner. I have to hit the books.”
Stab me in the back
= Betrayed me
After he told that lie about me, we stopped being friends. I can’t believe he stabbed me in the back!”
Lost your touch
= Lost your skill at doing something
You used to always win at ping-pong! I guess you’ve lost your touch.”
Face the music
= To face reality, accept bad news
“You know you didn’t study hard for the exam, so you’re just going to have to face the music when the grades come.”
Rings a bell
= Sounds familiar
“Do you know Steve?” “The name rings a bell, but I’m not sure . . . . Was he tall and blond?”
Cut to the chase
= Speak directly
“We don’t have much time, so I’m going to cut to the chase. Do you think we need to hire a new assistant?”
Up in the air
= Everything is undecided
“Things are up in the air right now. I don’t know if I can come home during the holiday.”
On the ball
= You are working hard to finish your work or finish it early
“You’ve already finished your homework for next week? Wow, you’re really on the ball.”
Food Idioms:
Cold turkey
= To quit immediately instead of gradually
“She quit smoking cold turkey.”
Piece of cake
= Something is easy
“I thought the exam would be hard, but it was actually a piece of cake!”
Eat like a bird
= Eat a little
“Don’t order too much food. I always eat like a bird.”
Eat like a horse
= Eat a lot
“Whenever my brother comes home, my mom needs to buy a lot of food. He eats like a horse!”
Butter up
= To be nice to someone to get something from them
“Everyone is trying to butter up the new boss.”
Food for thought
= Something to think about, but you’re not ready to make a decision
“I always thought I wanted to be a doctor, but my parents think I would be a really good businessman. Maybe I could do business; it’s food for thought, at least.”
Packed liked sardines
= Very crowded
“At rush hour, the subway is packed like sardines.”
Sweet tooth
= You like to eat sweet things
“I want to lose weight, but since I have a sweet tooth, it’s so difficult to not eat chocolate!”
Encourage students to practice with these idioms and try them out! Of course, remind them not to overuse idioms, but slip them into your lessons after teaching them and see how many students catch them.