Samantha is an enthusiastic American English teacher. She loves to help her students communicate better. Today, she will teach us about idioms. Idioms are special phrases that can be hard to understand. They are fun and very important in American English.
American English has many idioms. An idiom is a phrase that does not mean what the words say. For example, «it’s raining cats and dogs» (льет как из ведра) means it is raining a lot. Idioms make English colorful and lively. They help us sound more natural when we speak. Learning idioms can also help in understanding movies, songs, and conversations with friends.
One common idiom is «let the cat out of the bag» (выдать секрет). It means to reveal a secret. If you tell someone a surprise before it happens, you «let the cat out of the bag.» Sometimes, friends make plans, but one person accidentally tells the plan. This is a good situation to use this idiom. To understand it well, you can imagine a cat in a bag. Once the cat is out, it can’t go back in!
Another popular idiom is «the ball is in your court» (теперь всё зависит от тебя). This means it is your turn to make a decision or take action. If someone gives you advice, but you need to decide what to do next, you can say, «the ball is in your court.» This helps remind others that they need to act. It makes conversations more interesting and active.
It’s also important to know how to use idioms in conversations. You can use them in daily life. For example, you can start a conversation with a friend by saying, «When it rains, it pours» (беда не приходит одна). This idiom means when one bad thing happens, more bad things often follow. You can use it when discussing a difficult day. It helps you connect with your friend on a deeper level.
Sometimes, idioms come from fun stories. For example, «kick the bucket» (сыграть в ящик) means to die. This idiom is funny and uses a creative image. When one kicks a bucket, it cannot come back. Learning the story behind idioms can make them easier to remember. It can also help you impress your friends with your knowledge!
Using idioms can make speaking in English fun. They can help you sound like a native speaker. Also, they can make your conversations more friendly. When you use idioms, you show that you understand American culture. This helps build better connections with people.
Here are some more phrases to practice:
1. «Break the ice» (разрядить обстановку) — start a conversation in a social setting.
2. «Burn the midnight oil» (поздно не спать) — stay up late working or studying.
3. «Bite the bullet» (сжать зубы) — do something difficult you’ve been avoiding.
In closing, learning idioms is a great way to improve your English. They make your speech lively and engaging. By understanding idioms, you can connect better with others. Remember to practice using them in conversations. This will help you become a confident American English speaker!