English Idioms
IdiomsUnderstanding Idioms in the TOEFL Exam Introduction:The TOEFL exam is known for its challenging language components, one of which includes idiomatic expressions. Idioms are phrases or expressions that carry a figurative meaning different from their literal interpretation. Understanding idioms is crucial for achieving a high score on the TOEFL exam, as they frequently appear in listening, reading, and speaking sections. In this article, we will explore the importance of idioms in the TOEFL exam and provide some useful strategies for mastering them.
Conclusion: Mastering idiomatic expressions is essential for success in the TOEFL exam. By understanding the figurative meanings of idioms, you can enhance your listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills. Remember to practice regularly, expose yourself to idiomatic expressions in various contexts, and integrate them into your language proficiency. With dedication and consistent effort, you can confidently tackle idioms in the TOEFL exam and achieve your desired score. English idioms, proverbs, and expressions are essential to everyday English communication, whether it’s spoken or written. Idioms don’t always have a literal meaning, so it’s important to understand their usage and meaning in context. While learning idioms may seem like a daunting task, it can be fun, particularly when comparing English idioms to those in your own language. Learning common idioms and expressions will help you sound more like a native English speaker. It’s a good idea to start with the most frequently used idioms, which you’ll come across regularly in American movies, TV shows, or during a visit to the United States. After mastering these, you can move on to the rest. None of the idioms listed are uncommon or outdated, so you can confidently use them with native English speakers from any English-speaking country. |
English idioms
The most common English idioms
These English idioms are extremely common in everyday conversation in the United States. You will hear them in movies and TV shows and can use them to make your English sound more like that of a native speaker.
English idioms |
Common English idioms & expressionsThese English idioms are used quite regularly in the United States. You may not hear them every day, but they will be very familiar to any native English speaker. You can be confident using any of them when the context is appropriate
English idiomsLearn 20 idioms in English that will make you sound like a native English speaker. These British and American idioms (expressions) will help you build your vocabulary and speaking skills |
Familiar English idioms & proverbsThese English idioms and proverbs are familiar and easily understood by native English speakers, but they are not usually used in everyday conversation. If you haven’t mastered the more frequent idioms yet, they are a better place to start, but if you’re already familiar with those expressions, the idioms below will further spice up your English.
English idioms |
Exercise-2Complete the sentences or dialogues with idioms from the list.
English idioms
Answers:
English idioms1- Although it’s warm today, I think you should take a sweater, just to be on the safe side. (Not 3) 2- A: What do you usually do on weekends, Fred? B: As a rule, I stay at home, but next weekend I’m going to San Francisco with a friend. (Not 10) 3- I forgot my notebook for class, but I think I can do without it. (Not 6) 4- A: You’re looking a bit tired today. B: Well, I think I’m coming down with the flu. (Not 2) 5- I don’t have physics every day. I have it every other day. (Not 8) 6- Reynaldo is an excellent tour guide because he knows all the ins and outs of traveling. (Not 9) 7- Since Alberto does not like the ballet, we only go once in a blue moon. (Not 1) 8- A: The weather is absolutely perfect today. B: You can say that again! (Not 7) 9- I’m sorry I won’t be able to go to the art exhibit with you tonight, I’m feeling under the weather. (Not 5) 10- A: Did you have a hard time finding grandmother’s birthday present? B: Yes, but when I saw her expression when she opened it, I knew it was well worth the trouble. (Not 4) |
Exercise-3Complete the sentences or dialogues with idioms from the list.
English idioms
Answer:
1- A: Thank you so much for helping me get my car started. B: Think nothing of it. It was no problem at all. (Correct: 4) 2- A: Do you get pay raises where you work? B: Yes, but they are few and far between. (Correct: 10) 3- Michael felt like a fish out of water because he was the only man in a room full of women. (Correct: 7) 4- A: I’ve got a great idea for our class reunion. B: I knew you’d come up with something. (Correct: 6) 5- A: Is this story boring you? B: Not at all. I find it fascinating. (Correct: 8) 6- As a rule, Carlos is very punctual, but he was late tonight. (Correct: 1) 7- A: You’re probably too tired to play another game of racquetball, right? B: I’m not that tired, really. As a matter of fact, I’d enjoy another game. (Correct: 9) 8- How did you come up with such a strange idea? (Correct: 3) 9- A: That old paint that you have stored in your garage is a fire hazard. B: You’re right. I should get rid of it. (Correct: 5) 10- A: Has Fred gotten in touch with you lately? B: No, he hasn’t. I don’t think he has my new telephone number. (Correct: 2)
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Exercise-4Complete the sentences or dialogues with idioms from the list.
English idioms
Answer:
English idioms1- There are so many interesting dishes on the menu that it’s hard for me to make up my mind which one I want. (Correct: 4) 2- A: I’m nervous about my interview. B: Take it easy. You’ll make a better impression if you’re relaxed. (Correct: 7) 3- A: Why do we need to get gas now? We have quite a bit left. B: This highway goes through some empty country, and gas stations are few and far between. (Correct: 5) 4- A: Are you moving to Baltimore for good? B: No, just for the time being. I’ll be back here in a month or two. (Correct: 10) 5- Can you give me a hand with this luggage? It’s too heavy for me to carry myself. (Correct: 2) 6- The company may lose some money now, but in the long run, this is a good investment. (Correct: 9) 7- Write down your ideas right away. If you wait to write them down, you may forget them. (Correct: 1) 8- A: You did a fine job on this research paper, especially on the bibliography. B: Thanks. I make a point of getting the bibliography exactly right. (Correct: 6) 9- A: What did Professor Spencer say when you asked him if the final exam could be postponed? B: He said that it was out of the question because there’s no time to reschedule the test. (Correct: 3) |
Exercise-5Complete the sentences or dialogues with idioms from the list. Change the verb to the correct tense when necessary.
English idioms
Answer:
English idioms1- There are so many interesting dishes on the menu that it’s hard for me to make up my mind which one I want. (Correct: 4) 2- A: I’m nervous about my interview. B: Take it easy. You’ll make a better impression if you’re relaxed. (Correct: 7) 3- A: Why do we need to get gas now? We have quite a bit left. B: This highway goes through some empty country, and gas stations are few and far between. (Correct: 5) 4- A: Are you moving to Baltimore for good? B: No, just for the time being. I’ll be back here in a month or two. (Correct: 10) 5- Can you give me a hand with this luggage? It’s too heavy for me to carry myself. (Correct: 2) 6- The company may lose some money now, but in the long run, this is a good investment. (Correct: 9) 7- Write down your ideas right away. If you wait to write them down, you may forget them. (Correct: 1) 8- A: You did a fine job on this research paper, especially on the bibliography. B: Thanks. I make a point of getting the bibliography exactly right. (Correct: 6) 9- A: What did Professor Spencer say when you asked him if the final exam could be postponed? B: He said that it was out of the question because there’s no time to reschedule the test. (Correct: 3) |
Exercise-6Complete the sentences or dialogues with idioms from the list. Change the verb to the correct tense when necessary.
English idioms
Answer:
English idioms1- They bring up their children to be honest. (Correct: 4) 2- I can count on my car. It’s very dependable and never breaks down. (Correct: 6) 3- A: Did you rent this videotape? B: No, I checked it out from the library. (Correct: 10) 4- That saleswoman calls on her clients at least once a month because she thinks personal contact is important. (Correct: 8) 5- Who looked after your cat while you were out of town? (Correct: 1) 6- It took me hours to figure out how to record programs on my VCR. (Correct: 9) 7- Ben had to drop out of the university because of financial problems. (Correct: 5) 8- A: How did you find out where Warren lives? B: I just looked up his address in the phone book. (Correct: 2) 9- Albert cares for his grandfather. (Correct: 7) 10- A: What held up your flight? B: There was a big snowstorm in Denver that delayed a lot of flights. (Correct: 3) |
Exercise-7Complete the sentences or dialogues with idioms from the list. Change the verb to the correct tense when necessary.
English idioms
Answer :
1- Marcia’s sister looks after her baby while Marcia is at work. (Correct: 7) 2- I asked my teacher to pick out the mistakes that I made in my essay so that I could correct them. (Correct: 4) 3- I ran into my old friend Leslie downtown yesterday. I hadn’t seen her for months. (Correct: 8) 4- If you’re on a crowded bus or subway car, you must watch out for pickpockets. (Correct: 1) 5- I’ll never be able to get through all these books on Professor Grey’s reading list. (Correct: 10) 6- The wind is starting to blow. You’d better hold on to your hat. (Correct: 3) 7- Lucy doesn’t care for sweets. Why don’t you get her a basket of fruit? (Correct: 2) 8- A: Do you happen to have a red notebook and an umbrella here? B: No, but why don’t you give me your phone number in case someone turns them in? (Correct: 5) 9- A: Are you coming to my party tomorrow? B: Yes, you can count on me. (Correct: 6) 10- Roberto, could you help me, please? I can’t figure out how to put my little sister’s new bicycle together. (Correct: 9) |
Exercise-8Can you complete each sentence in the list with the appropriate phrase from the second?
Answers:
1- The telephone operator put through the call from London. (Correct: L) 2- I have put by enough money for a winter holiday. (Correct: D) 3- She was dreadfully put out by his unkind remarks. (Correct: I) 4- If it rains, we shall have to put off the barbecue in the garden tonight. (Correct: F) 5- How can you put up with the noise and fumes of town life? (Correct: G) 6- George has put out his shoulder, playing Rugby. (This phrase doesn’t match any of the options provided.) 7- I must put down your address before I forget it. (Correct: E) 8- We would be happy to put you up if you would like to stay the night. (Correct: J) 9- We put his failure down to a lack of hard work. (Correct: A) 10- If cigarettes are put up, I’m not sure which phrase from the options matches it. 11- Older children are often put upon by their younger brothers and sisters. (Correct: K) 12- When he began to shiver, he decided to put on a warm jumper and heavy coat. (Correct: C) It seems there are a few phrases that do not match any of the options provided. The correct answers for those would be:6- George has put out his shoulder, playing Rugby. (No matching option) 10- If cigarettes are put up, their price will increase. (No matching option) |