Inglés · Chapter 22
Common Idioms and Everyday Expressions
Sound more natural in English by mastering the idioms and expressions native speakers use every day.
Why Idioms Matter
Idioms are expressions whose meaning can't be understood literally from the individual words. Mastering common idioms makes your English sound natural and helps you understand native speakers in everyday conversation.
Key insight: Native speakers use idioms constantly without thinking — understanding them is often the difference between "textbook English" and truly fluent English.
Common Idioms and Their Meanings
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|
| "Break the ice" | To start a conversation in an awkward situation |
| "Hit the books" | To study hard |
| "Piece of cake" | Something very easy |
| "Under the weather" | Feeling sick |
| "Cost an arm and a leg" | Very expensive |
| "Once in a blue moon" | Very rarely |
Example in context: "The exam was a piece of cake because I hit the books all weekend." (The exam was easy because I studied hard.)
Idioms for Workplace Conversations
- "Touch base" — to make brief contact or follow up
- "Think outside the box" — to think creatively, unconventionally
- "On the same page" — to have shared understanding
- "Back to square one" — to start over from the beginning
Chapter 22 Summary
- Idioms have figurative, not literal, meanings
- Common idioms: break the ice, piece of cake, under the weather
- Workplace idioms like "touch base" and "on the same page" are essential for professional English