ENGLISH
Idiomatic Expression:
MODULE
SUBMITTED BY:
HENJIE M. GAWIRAN
BSED ENGLISH MAJOR
SUBMITTED TO:
RAYMOND VILLANUEVA JUAN
Visiting lecturer, JRMSU
Introductory Message
This Self-learning module is prepared so that you, our dear learners, can continue your
studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions, exercises, and
discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.
Each self-learning module is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you
step-by step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.
Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each self-learning
module. This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you
need to ask your facilitator or your teachers assistance for better understanding of the
lesson.
Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part of this
self-learning module. Use a separate of paper in answering the exercises and tests.
And read the instructions carefully before performing each task.
What I Need to Know
This module is designed and written in consideration of you, learners, and your
level of knowledge as well as your capacity to learn and apply the skills in English. It is
made to train your mind on appreciating visual images based on real-life situations and
to gain knowledge on understanding idiomatic expressions. To further your ideas and
imagination in relation to the topic, this module offers various activities that are
contextualized and simplified to meet up your level of language and reading skills.
After going through this module, you are expected to develop the most sentential
leaning competencies.
a. Define idiomatic expression.
c. Construct example of idiomatic expression in sentence: and
b. Share thoughts and opinion by using idioms through dialogue.
What I Know
Direction: Complete this idiomatic expression with a word, use the image to help you.
1. Be ___ on the wall.
2. Bigger ____ to fry.
3. ____ it a day.
4. Play it by ___.
5. We'll cross that _________ when we come to it.
6. ____ up.
7. On _____ ____.
8. Time flies where you're having ___.
9. All ____.
10. ____ some the benefits of the doubt.
What's Is In
Direction: Read the story inside the box and identify what unfamiliar words that used
and underline the phrases that has a deeper meaning. And after reading answer the
following question
UNION IS STRENGTH
An old man had three sons. Unfortunately, they were always quarrelling among
themselves. His efforts to reform them to live in peace proved futile. This makes the
old man extremely sad; he did not know how to set them right. At last, when he was
on the deathbed, he hit upon a plan. He sent for a bundle of sticks and called his
son together. He asked the youngest to try to break the bundle, he came up took
up the bundle of faggots, and exerted his utmost, but failed to comply with the
wishes of his father.
He gave the attempts as futile. The second don did not do far better. Thus, the
oldest one was, of course, the strongest, and was proud of his strength, stepped
forward. He set the bundle against his knees and did his level best. Not to speak of
breaking the bundle, he could not even bend it, he threw away the bundle, took his
seat and hung his head in shame. Now, my son, said the father to his youngest
son, untie the bundle and try to break each stick separately he at once cut the
string and found that it was not at all an uphill task.
He broke each stick quite easily. Now, you see, said the father, “when the sticks
were tied together, they were too strong to be broken by anyone of you.
But when they fell apart, they could be broken easily. So, my sons, if you hold
together like a bundle of sticks, not to speak of doing you some harm, nobody will
be able to touch a hair of your head. But if you are divided like sticks separately,
your enemies will find it no difficult task to harm you and every one of you will come
to grief.
Remain united my sons, no one dare to harm you. The sons promised to act upon
it. The advice had its effect. They gave up their old ways of life and began to live
life in unity and peace. The old man breathed his last soon after this.
1. What is the old man want to address to his sons?
2. How does the old man present his plan and what strategies and materials he used to
get the attention of his sons?
3. Does the old man succeeded his plan to their sons?
4. What did you observe from reading the story?
5. What lesson have you learned from reading the story?
What's New
Direction. Match the idiom to each meaning. Write only the letter before its number.
Column A Column B
__1. The ball is in your court A. Study
__2. Hit the hay B. Stop following me
__3. In high spirit C. Crazy, insane
__4. Good for nothing D. Good luck
__5. Get the sack E. Useless
__6. All eyes and ear F. To be fired
__7. Break a leg G. Go to bed
__8. Get of my tail H. Very happy
__9. Round the bend I. A decision is up to you
__10. Hit the book J. Attentive
What Is It
What is an idiomatic expression or idiom? An idiom is a group of words (often a
phrase or an expression) that have a particular meaning, and this meaning can be
difficult to work out simply from the individual words. In other words, an idiom is a single
unit of language. It is possible to work out or guess the meaning of some idioms, but
translating word for word for other idioms is even more confusing!
An idiom is a phrase or saying that is commonly used in everyday English to
express certain ideas or opinions. Understanding English idioms is important because
they require a deeper familiarity of the English language to comprehend what someone
means when they use them in conversation. Idioms may seem complicated at first, but
they can actually be a lot of fun to learn. If youre interested in building your English
skills, read on to find out why idioms are so important to your English language learning.
When are idioms used? Idioms are used by a writer to make their work seem
more creative and casual and help show mastery of a particular language.
Idioms Give You a New Way to Express Yourself in the English Language.
The meaning of an idiom generally depends on the specific context in which it is
used. When someone in America tells you to break a leg , for example, they aren t
saying that in a literal sense, but instead are wishing you good luck, usually before a
performance. Similarly, if someone asks you to think outside the box , they mean that
you should use a different approach than what you might normally do.
Idioms are particularly useful because they give you a new, creative way to express
yourself. Rather than saying Youre correct, you could say You hit the nail on the
head, which is a more complex and interesting expression. Idioms can also be quite
humorous to use, which allows you to express yourself in a more genuine way,
including showing off your personality and sense of humor.
Understanding Idioms Can Boost Your Conversational English Skills
You may encounter idioms most often in spoken or written conversation. Idioms can
help improve your conversational skills because it shows native speakers that you
understand the cultural meaning and context behind the idiom youre using. This can
help you feel more comfortable and confident with your conversational abilities the more
you practice it during your English language learning courses.
Should students learn English idioms?
Whilst idioms are challenging for English learners, learning chunks of language
improves vocabulary and helps to develop English language skills from a basic level to
intermediate and advanced. They might be difficult to remember and produce, but they
can nevertheless greatly improve understanding in reading and listening.
What is the best way to learn English idioms?
Idioms have a particular meaning and we recommend learning them in context
and with an example. Here is another idiom in a sentence: She brings a great deal of
experience to the table . Perhaps you can guess that bring something to the table
means "to contribute something of value (to a company)."
This has been used to describe a person in a business context, and it could be
used in speaking or writing at work. However, there are other idioms that are only used
in speaking or in magazines that are more informal.
To sum up:
1) Idioms help us say many things with just a few words.
2) They help us enrich our language, they are nicer to listen to and make the
conversation less monotonous and funnier.
3) Idioms are often used by native speakers, so if you want to sound like one, you
should start using them.
4) Idioms help us be more confident with our target language and thus be As cool as
cucumber”.
Examples:
What's More
Activity 1: Multiple choice
Direction: Read the following question and write your answer before each number.
__1. We talked over the matter for an hour but without any result.
A. Discussed B. Fought about C. Survey D. Assessed
__2. He was murdered in cold blood.
A. Thoughtlessly B. Colly C. Deliberately D. Unfeelingly
__3. I have bone to pick.
A. Desire B. am angry C. Selfish movie D. Selfless movie
__4. To move heaven and earth.
A. To cause an earthquake B. To try everything possible C. To pray to all God's
D. To travel in a rocket
__5. Walkout on someone.
A. Leave a partner and end the relationship. B. Doing something with no purpose.
C. Enjoying something thoroughly D. In state of great fear or anxiety.
__6. Your guess is as good as mine.
A. Not knowing the answer B. Yellow-bellied C. Year in, year out D. Coward
Activity 2: Analyze the picture what idiom shows in each picture and find your answer
inside the box. Write your answer on the space provided before each number.
Chain to the computer I can't keep my head above water
Rolling out the red carpet Hes in a rat race I had to race against time
1.___________________ 2.____________________ 3______________________
4.__ ________
______ ___ ____
5_______________________
Activity 3: Read and analyze the phrases bellow and underline the idiomatic
expression, and encircle the meaning of the idiom.
1. Break a leg! A theatrical expression that is used to wish someone good luck.
2. Dont beat around the bush. Get to the point of what you want to say.
3. Dont approach something indirectly. Every cloud has a silver lining.
4. Similar to a blessing in disguise. Whenever something bad seems to happen, there is
usually a positive side.
5. He drives me up the wall. No car is involved here. It means that someone annoys or
exasperates you.
6. He kicked the bucket. A euphemistic or slang term meaning to die.
7. Ill cross that bridge when I come to it. No bridge to see. But it means to worry or take
action about something when the time comes and not before.
8. Its no use crying over spilled milk. There is no point in having regret for something
that has happened and cannot be changed.
9. Its raining cats and dogs. The idiom originated in the 17th century. It means to be
raining very heavily.
10. It was a piece of cake. When something is completed or accomplished with ease. It
was very easy.
Activity 4:
Direction: Read and analyze the story. And answer the following question.
KINDNESS NEVER GOES UNREWARDED
It was an extremely cold day. A lion felt his body shiver with cold in his den. He
thought that it would be delighted to go out and lie in the sun. He came out and did so.
The warmth that crept into his body soon sent him to sleep. A mouse living closed by
came out of the hole and thoughtlessly climbed over the lion and began to run up and
down on his body. The lion woke up, when he saw a despicable creature a mouse
playing pranks with him, the king of beats, was beside himself with rage.
He caught it in his paw and was going to crush it to death. The mouse begged
the lion for mercy saying, Please do not kill me. Let me free. If I live, I may repay you
for your kindness by helping you in time of your need. The lion laughed, and let the
mouse go.
After some days hunter came into the forest, and he set his net. The same lion
was prowling in search of food, being unaware of the trap laid, he was caught in it. He
tried to get himself free. The more he tried, the more he got entangled. He began to
fume and fret, but it did him no good. He roared, and the mouse by chance heard his
roar. It peeped out of the hole to see what was happening.
When it saw the lion struggling to get free of the net, it ran to his help and began to
gnaw the ropes of the net with its small, sharp teeth. It did not take him long to do so.
The lion was now free. He thanked his little friend for the help rendered.
1. Identify the unfamiliar words used in the story.
2. What is the rat did with the lion?
3. What is the lion did to the rat?
4. What is the rat asking to the lion?
5. When the lion search for food in the forest what he uncounted and experienced in the
forest?
6. Who can help lion to escape from the trap?
7. What lesson did you get from reading the story?
8. As a learner what lesson would you apply to your life?
What I Have Learned
Direction: Read and analyze the 3 story inside the box, identify the idiomatic
expression used in the story and write your answer inside the blank box.
The world is in the midst of a pandemic. A potentially deadly virus has spread
throughout the world, disrupting lives in many different ways. Many activities had been
banned to safeguard peoples health. But one day there came a period where cases
had been falling, to the extent that certain restrictions could gradually be lifted.
Story 1. Story 2. Story 3
Character 1. sees its warm Character 1. is out and about, Character 1: Look outside, its
and sunny. Whats more, its walking down the street. Soon they raining cats and dogs.
on a day on which theyre see
allowed to go swimming Character 2 walks over to the
again. Character 2 jumping for joy on a window, confused.
trampoline in their garden.
Character 2: Hi there, off Character 2: Raining cats and
somewhere good? Character 1: Alright there, you look dogs? I dont see any cats and
overjoyed. Whats up? dogs falling from
Character 1: Yes, Im off for a
swim. The restrictions have Character 2: Havent you heard? the sky.
been lifted to allow us to go Theyre going to start easing the
lockdown soon. All I see is its raining heavily. It
swimming again. sounds rather noisy too,
Character 2: Well, be careful Character 1: Really? I knew cases of especially the raindrops clattering
you dont get into hot water the virus had been falling, but I on the roof. And of course, cats
or youll get into trouble. never thought enough to ease and dogs are much heavier than
lockdown. raindrops,
Character 1: How? Wheres
the trouble in hot water? Character 2: Apparently, according Character 1: Correct. So, the next
to a news report, the current strain time its raining heavily, have a
Character 2: Trouble with hot of the virus is judged to be not as listen to all the noise it makes.
water? The trouble with hot deadly. And imagine how much noise
water is, if you get falling cats and dogs would make
Character 1: And its no surprise on impact.
into hot water, you could get youre jumping so high. It looks like
burned. you're jumping over the moon. Character 2: Thanks, that makes
it clearer to me.
Character 2: Wheres the moon, I
cant see it.
Character 1: I can. I can see it
emerging from the clouds clearing
close to the horizon and behind
you.
What I Can Do
Direction: Analyze the picture bellow and write the idiomatic expression base on your
understanding, give example and meaning by filling the blank.
IMAGE IDIOM EXAMPLE MEANING
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Assessment
Direction: Read the phrase below and encircle the letter of the best answer that show
the idiom that match to each meaning.
1. This ______ is a phrase that combines a verb and a preposition to create a verb with
a distinct meaning.
A. Idiom B. Figurative Language C. Metaphor D. A and B
2. My sister is not feeling well.
A. Under the weather B. She is okay C. She is sick D. She is happy
3. To wish someone good luck
A. Break a leg B. Good luck C. Idiom D. Simile
4. The ball is in your court
A. A decision is up to you B. The plan is in your hands C. Decision
making D. All of the above
5. You can say that again
A. That is true B. That is false C. A and B D. Honesty
Additional Activity
Direction: Construct at least (5) you own idiom, give the meaning and example.
Example:
Idiom: Time flies when youre having fun
Meaning: when youre having a good time, you don't notice how quickly the time is
passing
Example: "Recess is over already? Said Ben. " I guest time flies when you re having
fun!"
1.
2.
3.
4.
5
Reference
Short idiom stories Stephen McHugh This post was last updated on August 19, 2022
Category: Education - Language Development
• https://www.englishradar.com/english-vocabulary/learn-english-idioms/
http://portallas.com Christopher D. Morgan
www.eslcafe.com/idioms www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/americanidioms/index.html
www.manythings.org/voa/words.
Free idiom pictures and meanings may be downloaded from Teachers Pay Teachers.
Answer key
What I Know Whats New
What's is In
1. I 8. B
1. fly 8. Fun Base answers from the
learners 2. G 9. C
2. Fish 9. Ears
3.H 10. A
3. Call 10. Give
4. E
4. Ear
5. F
5. Bridge
6. J
6. Beef
7. D
7. Cloud nine
What's Activity 2. Activity 3.
More
1. Rolling out the red Activity 4.
Activity 1. carpet
Base from the answer of the leaners
1. A 2. Chain to the computer
What I Have Lean
2. D 3. I can't keep my head
above water 1. Hot water
3. A
4. Hes in a rat race 2. Over the moon
4. B
5. I had to race against time 3. Raining cats and dogs
5. A
Assessment
6. A
Additional Activity
What I can Do 1. A
Base from the answer of the
Base from answer of the 2. A. learners
learners
3. A
4. A
5. A
