30 English Idioms Every Learner Should Know. Bring color and culture to your classroom with this fun, free poster on everyday English idioms. Free Classroom Poster
30 English Idioms Every Learner Should Know
30 English Idioms Every Learner Should Know
English idioms can be puzzling for ESL, EAL, and EFL learners. They rarely mean what the individual words suggest, and many of them have cultural or historical roots. However, understanding and using idioms can significantly enhance a student’s fluency and ability to engage in natural conversation. This free ESL classroom poster introduces learners to 30 must-know idioms, making it easier for them to interpret and use figurative language in real life.
Why This Poster Is a Must-Have:
- Introduces authentic, natural expressions used in everyday English
- Makes lessons engaging and culturally rich
- Provides memorable visuals and definitions for easy learning
What’s on the Poster:
- 30 popular idioms with simple definitions
- Fun and clear illustrations to aid comprehension
- Everyday example sentences to show idioms in context
Sample Idioms Included:
- Break the ice – To start a conversation in a social setting
Example: He told a joke to break the ice at the meeting. - Spill the beans – To reveal a secret
Example: Sarah accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party. - Under the weather – Feeling sick
Example: I’m staying home today; I’m a bit under the weather. - Let the cat out of the bag – To disclose something that was supposed to be a secret
Example: John let the cat out of the bag about our engagement. - Once in a blue moon – Something that happens very rarely
Example: We see them only once in a blue moon. - Bite the bullet – To face something unpleasant with courage
Example: I hate going to the dentist, but I had to bite the bullet. - Hit the sack – To go to bed
Example: I’m exhausted. Time to hit the sack. - The ball is in your court – It’s your decision or responsibility
Example: I’ve done all I can. Now the ball is in your court. - Cost an arm and a leg – Very expensive
Example: That designer bag cost an arm and a leg. - Piece of cake – Something very easy to do
Example: That exam was a piece of cake.
…plus 20 more idioms commonly used in spoken and written English!
Classroom Activities to Reinforce Idioms:
- Act It Out: Students pick an idiom and act it out for the class to guess.
- Idiom Match-Up: Match idioms with their meanings or use them in correct contexts.
- Idiom Story Time: Have students use 3 idioms in a short story and share it with the class.
- Daily Idiom Wall: Focus on one idiom a day and encourage students to use it in conversations.
Teaching Tip:
Idioms are more than expressions—they’re cultural touchpoints. Discuss their origins when possible and have learners share equivalent idioms from their own languages to create cross-cultural understanding.
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