Idioms
Idioms
Idioms are expressions with meanings that cannot always be understood from the literal definition of the words. They often have a figurative or symbolic meaning.
Idioms
Idioms are expressions with meanings that cannot always be understood from the literal definition of the words. They often have a figurative or symbolic meaning.
Text
Text
a piece of cake
"
very easy
Idioms
Idioms are expressions with meanings that cannot always be understood from the literal definition of the words. They often have a figurative or symbolic meaning.
Text
Text
a piece of cake
"
very easy
cost an arm and a leg
"
very expensive
Idioms
Idioms are used to convey ideas creatively or indirectly. Understanding idioms is important in order to fully comprehend the meaning of a text.
Text
Text
Idioms often appear in 11+ reading passages and comprehension exercises, making it essential to recognise their meanings.
Idioms
Literal vs Figurative Meanings
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Literal Meaning: The exact, word-for-word meaning of an expression.
Example: “Break the ice” = Shattering ice physically. -
Figurative Meaning: The symbolic or implied meaning.
Example: “Break the ice” = Starting a conversation to make people feel comfortable.
Idioms
Language Dependent
Idioms differ across languages and cultures, making literal translations impossible.
Idioms
Language Dependent
Idioms differ across languages and cultures, making literal translations impossible.
Break the pots and sink the ships
For example, the Chinese saying
is based on a historical event where a Chinese general ordered his troops to destroy all cooking utensils and boats after crossing a river into the enemy's territory.
It is used to describe someone who gambles everything on winning, even if it means they have to destroy something they might need to escape.
Idioms
Language Dependent
Idioms differ across languages and cultures, making literal translations impossible.
Break the pots and sink the ships
For example, the Chinese saying
is based on a historical event where a Chinese general ordered his troops to destroy all cooking utensils and boats after crossing a river into the enemy's territory.
This saying make no sense if you do not know the historical context. You cannot translate it directly into English while preserving the figurative meaning. But you could perhaps find a matching idiom, like to burn one's bridges.
Idioms
Let's explore some common idioms
"
the elephant in the room
a problem no one talks about
"
a bird in the hand...
what you have is better than what you might get
"
hold your horses
be patient
"
let the cat out of the bag
reveal a secret
Idioms
"
like a fish out of water
a person out of place
"
raining cats and dogs
very heavy rain
"
every cloud has a silver lining
there's something good even in bad situations
"
a storm in a teacup
making a big deal out of a small issue
Idioms
We have put together a list of the most common idioms that you can download and study:
While it is normally not necessary to memorise these, having read them and seen their meaning can help you with both your Verbal Reasoning and your English Comprehension.
Idioms
From time to time you will come across an idiom that you haven't seen before. It happens to us all: everyone has to hear an idiom for the first time.
The trick is to first recognize that it is an idiom and shouldn't be taken literally. Then, you can use clues from the context to guess its meaning.
Idioms
He was slouched at the table, his shirt creased and his tie loosened as though the day had defeated him. A cigarette smoldered in the ashtray beside a half-empty coffee cup, his fingers drumming against the wooden surface. 'You’ve got to see reason,' he said, his voice tense, trying for persuasion but landing somewhere between pleading and annoyance.
I let him talk, watching the faint curl of smoke from the ashtray twist lazily upwards. Finally, I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms. 'Save your breath to cool your porridge,' I said, keeping my tone calm but firm. 'You’re chasing shadows, and no amount of talk is going to change the outcome.'
He stared at me, his mouth tightening, but he knew I was right. The argument was over. He stubbed out the cigarette and muttered something under his breath, already preparing his retreat.
Read quickly through this text.
Idioms
He was slouched at the table, his shirt creased and his tie loosened as though the day had defeated him. A cigarette smoldered in the ashtray beside a half-empty coffee cup, his fingers drumming against the wooden surface. 'You’ve got to see reason,' he said, his voice tense, trying for persuasion but landing somewhere between pleading and annoyance.
I let him talk, watching the faint curl of smoke from the ashtray twist lazily upwards. Finally, I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms. 'Save your breath to cool your porridge,' I said, keeping my tone calm but firm. 'You’re chasing shadows, and no amount of talk is going to change the outcome.'
He stared at me, his mouth tightening, but he knew I was right. The argument was over. He stubbed out the cigarette and muttered something under his breath, already preparing his retreat.
You may have noticed the idiom "save your breath to cool your porridge"
Idioms
He was slouched at the table, his shirt creased and his tie loosened as though the day had defeated him. A cigarette smoldered in the ashtray beside a half-empty coffee cup, his fingers drumming against the wooden surface. 'You’ve got to see reason,' he said, his voice tense, trying for persuasion but landing somewhere between pleading and annoyance.
I let him talk, watching the faint curl of smoke from the ashtray twist lazily upwards. Finally, I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms. 'Save your breath to cool your porridge,' I said, keeping my tone calm but firm. 'You’re chasing shadows, and no amount of talk is going to change the outcome.'
He stared at me, his mouth tightening, but he knew I was right. The argument was over. He stubbed out the cigarette and muttered something under his breath, already preparing his retreat.
We should recognise from the context that it is not meant literally. There is no other mention of porridge - the characters do not appear to be eating and it would be an odd thing to say out of the blue.
Idioms
He was slouched at the table, his shirt creased and his tie loosened as though the day had defeated him. A cigarette smoldered in the ashtray beside a half-empty coffee cup, his fingers drumming against the wooden surface. 'You’ve got to see reason,' he said, his voice tense, trying for persuasion but landing somewhere between pleading and annoyance.
I let him talk, watching the faint curl of smoke from the ashtray twist lazily upwards. Finally, I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms. 'Save your breath to cool your porridge,' I said, keeping my tone calm but firm. 'You’re chasing shadows, and no amount of talk is going to change the outcome.'
He stared at me, his mouth tightening, but he knew I was right. The argument was over. He stubbed out the cigarette and muttered something under his breath, already preparing his retreat.
It's not a very common idiom, but we can use the context to guess at a meaning:
1. The person described is clearly complaining about something
Idioms
He was slouched at the table, his shirt creased and his tie loosened as though the day had defeated him. A cigarette smoldered in the ashtray beside a half-empty coffee cup, his fingers drumming against the wooden surface. 'You’ve got to see reason,' he said, his voice tense, trying for persuasion but landing somewhere between pleading and annoyance.
I let him talk, watching the faint curl of smoke from the ashtray twist lazily upwards. Finally, I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms. 'Save your breath to cool your porridge,' I said, keeping my tone calm but firm. 'You’re chasing shadows, and no amount of talk is going to change the outcome.'
He stared at me, his mouth tightening, but he knew I was right. The argument was over. He stubbed out the cigarette and muttered something under his breath, already preparing his retreat.
1. The person described is clearly complaining about something
2. The protagonist seems to think the complaining is futile
Idioms
He was slouched at the table, his shirt creased and his tie loosened as though the day had defeated him. A cigarette smoldered in the ashtray beside a half-empty coffee cup, his fingers drumming against the wooden surface. 'You’ve got to see reason,' he said, his voice tense, trying for persuasion but landing somewhere between pleading and annoyance.
I let him talk, watching the faint curl of smoke from the ashtray twist lazily upwards. Finally, I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms. 'Save your breath to cool your porridge,' I said, keeping my tone calm but firm. 'You’re chasing shadows, and no amount of talk is going to change the outcome.'
He stared at me, his mouth tightening, but he knew I was right. The argument was over. He stubbed out the cigarette and muttered something under his breath, already preparing his retreat.
From these clues we can guess that the meaning of the idiom must be something along the lines of don't waste your time talking because no one is going to care.
Idioms
Understand the Context
Idioms often don’t make sense if interpreted literally. Focus on the context of the sentence to uncover their figurative meaning. For example, in "don’t count your chickens before they hatch", the context will usually indicate planning or making assumptions prematurely.
Tips and hints for dealing with idioms
Idioms
Understand the Context
Idioms often don’t make sense if interpreted literally. Focus on the context of the sentence to uncover their figurative meaning. For example, in "don’t count your chickens before they hatch", the context will usually indicate planning or making assumptions prematurely.
Tips and hints for dealing with idioms
Learn Common Idioms
Some idioms are more likely to appear in 11+ exams due to their familiarity. Focus on well-known ones such as "a piece of cake" (something easy) or "the early bird catches the worm" (those who act quickly succeed). Our downloadable list of common idioms is a great way of preparing.
Idioms
Tips and hints for dealing with idioms
Learn Common Idioms
Some idioms are more likely to appear in 11+ exams due to their familiarity. Focus on well-known ones such as "a piece of cake" (something easy) or "the early bird catches the worm" (those who act quickly succeed). Our downloadable list of common idioms is a great way of preparing.
Practice Using Idioms in Sentences
Memorisation is usually not the best way of learning idioms. Practice using idioms in your own sentences to understand how they work. For example, write a story using "barking up the wrong tree" or "spill the beans".
Idioms
Tips and hints for dealing with idioms
Practice Using Idioms in Sentences
Memorisation is usually not the best way of learning idioms. Practice using idioms in your own sentences to understand how they work. For example, write a story using "barking up the wrong tree" or "spill the beans".
Look for Clues in the Exam
If you're unsure, look at surrounding words and phrases. Exams often provide hints to the idiom’s meaning, such as emotions (e.g., frustration, excitement) or results (e.g., success, failure).
Well done! You should now have a very good understanding of idioms for your 11+ English and Verbal Reasoning.
Remember: Verbal Reasoning requires both familiarity with the types of questions and a good vocabulary, so keep practicing and read widely!