S is an idiom translation. English idioms: what are they and should they be taught? How to remember English idioms

Each language has its own collection of sayings, which, when translated literally, result in a set of words without any meaning. Phraseologisms ( idioms ) - expressions that are inherent in native speakers, that is, phrases are used in a "figurative sense". Idioms in English are very often used in everyday colloquial speech. Therefore, NES has compiled for you a list of the most used expressions, with which no one can distinguish you from a native speaker!

Popular idioms in English:

1. – “The exercise that I’ve finished was a piece of cake.” - Not, it's not what you think! We are not talking about any pies and cakes. If you say something is for you a piece of cake ”, which means that you can handle it very easily. After all, what could be easier than eating a piece of fragrant just baked pie.

2. “ Cost an arm and a leg” - it could be a world from our nightmares, where for every purchase we would be required to cut off an arm or leg, as a tribute to the gods for a Louis Vuiton handbag, for example))) When something “ costs an arm and a leg ”, which means the price is very high and the product is very expensive.

3. Break a leg” - Ltd!! Another idiom about legs. You have to pass an exam, and your flatmate, friend or acquaintance tells you to “break your leg”! Where does this anger come from, because you did nothing wrong so that they wanted to break your bones. In fact, this phrase means "no fluff or feather"! Therefore, “break a leg” when you take the exam with us in native english!

4. Why keep a cat in a bag?And who put it there? Our idiom actually means to reveal a secret and a secret. Therefore, you do not need to call the animal rescue service, just open up to the person if you see fit.

5. ”When pigs fly” Have you ever seen pigs fly? Me neither. Use this idiom if you don't believe anything is going to happen, just as you don't believe little pink pigs will soar towards the hot sun.

6. ” You can’t judge a book by its cover” How many amazing books have you not read because you didn't like the cover? This idiom is associated not only with books, but for everything in general. Essentially, this means that you should not make decisions based on external factors.

7. “Bite off more than you can chew” Imagine that the waiter brings you the biggest and juiciest hamburger at your favorite restaurant. You are so hungry that you quickly grab it and take a huge bite. Unfortunately too big. And now, you're sitting like an idiot, trying to push this piece down your throat, drinking it all down with water and trying not to choke. So, this is the most literal meaning, you have taken on a task that is beyond your power.

8. “Scratch someone's back” “We all know how difficult it is to scratch your back, and we all regret that your arm is not long enough or flexible enough to reach the annoying place. This idiom means that you are not asked to scratch the back of a colleague, but simply to help in some business, for which you will definitely be thanked.

9. “ Butterflies in one's stomach” Have you ever had butterflies in your stomach? Can not be?!! Every time before a special date, when you are in love or an important meeting, you probably have a strange feeling in your stomach. This is butterflies!! That is, every time you are nervous, you can use this idiom.

10. “Add fuel to the fire” - if you hear this phrase, then you do not need to run to the nearest gas station for gasoline and look for a fire! This is exactly the case when you need to stop, because it means worsening an already bad situation.

11. “Cry over spilt milk”” - do not cry the next time your milk runs out, wash the stove and buy new milk. Similarly, in other situations, do not be upset about what has already happened.

12. Hold your tongue” - No need to grab your tongue with your fingers! This idiom is used in situations where it would be better to hold your tongue and remain silent.

13. "To be in the same boat"” Do you like to sail or dream of a yacht? Dream on)) If someone tells you " we are in the same boat "- this means that you are in the same position, that is, brothers / sisters in misfortune or happiness)))

14. Have you ever seen cats and dogs falling from the sky? And you won’t see it)) Recently, summer has pleased us not with the sun, but with heavy rains. That is, if "it's raining cats and dogs", it means that it is raining.

15. "Burn one's fingers"- can be taken both literally and figuratively. For example, you relied on someone in a situation where you needed help, and the person forgot about you, deceived, etc. It is unlikely that you will turn to him for help a second time. This means that you "burnt your fingers".

16. "To be broke"- if someone says "I'm broke", this does not mean that he broke something. This expression is related to the financial situation. who wants to be the best. Actually means "to be broke."

17. "Not my cup of tea"- no matter if you drink tea or coffee, this idiom will be equally useful for everyone. If something is "not your cup of tea" - it means you like it, or you have a hard time dealing with it, or you can't do it.

18. Once in a blue moon- something that happens very rarely. For example: “I visit my grandmother once in a blue moon. She lives in Cuba.«

19. "Let your hair down"- do not look for a mirror, everything is in order with your hair. If they say “let your hair down” to you, you need to relax and relax.

20. "Slip of the tongue"— clause. Maybe you didn't feel like calling your boyfriend/girlfriend by your ex's name, but it was "slip of the tongue".

You can learn much more from our teachers at the school on the topic “English idioms with translation”, we are waiting for you at a trial lesson) See you)

[ trial-lesson]

There are idioms in the languages ​​of the world. For the Russian language, the word "phraseologism" is more familiar.

An idiom is a combination of several words that conveys one common meaning. These words lose their meaning separately.

You can't understand the meaning if you don't know the meaning of the idiom. In addition, phraseological units give color to our statements. Therefore, they need to be memorized and used in speech.

This article will be presented with translation. And their equivalents in Russian. So.

English idioms. Weather

In Great Britain they don't talk about politics, religion, family. Especially with strangers. The only suitable topic for conversation is the weather. Therefore, many English idioms are on this topic.

Rain cats and dogs - it's raining. In Russian - it pours like a bucket.

This English idiom appeared in the 18th century. It was introduced by the British writer J. Swift. In those days, there was a weak protection of sewer pipes. They broke through even from the showers. All the contents poured out, including the corpses of domestic animals: cats and dogs.

Steal one "s thunder - steal someone's idea.

This English idiom came from theaters in the 18th century. At that time there was no sound equipment, and to create the sound of thunder, lead balls were shaken in a bowl. The playwright J. Dennis used metal in his play. The play was rejected, but the idea of ​​metal balls was stolen from Dennis.

Then he shouted a phrase that grew into an English idiom: "They" ve stolen my thunder! "- They stole my thunder.

Break the ice - break the ice. The Russian version is to melt the ice (about relationships); get close.

In the 19th century, the first icebreakers appeared. To get to their destination, they had to cope with a thick crust of ice. This is where the English idiom comes from. "Break the ice" - that is, make an effort to build relationships.

Get wind of smth - learn something ahead of time. In Russian, you can put it like this: "sniff out", find out, reconnoiter.

This phrase is a comparison with how animals receive information using their sense of smell. Our smaller brothers "sniff out" their relatives and enemies.

Take a rain check. Verbatim : receive a rain pass. In Russian, this phraseological unit means "postpone until better times"

The expression came from America in the 19th century. If a baseball game was canceled because of the rain, the fans were given "rainchecks" with which they could come to any event they wanted.

Calm before the storm - it's quiet before the storm. In Russian, the expression "calm before the storm" has settled.

Sometimes, for no reason at all, some problem will fall on your head. The person doesn't even know about it.

The meaning of the idiom is completely similar to what happens in the sea. Usually there is a calm before a strong storm.

Food

Couch potatoes. "Couch" is "sofa", "potato" is "potato". Such is the "sofa potato man", that is, a lazy person and a couch potato.

Egghead - smart ass. We call them botanists, and in the USA - eggheads.

Chew the fat - slander, Literally: chew fat.

Animals

When pigs fly - when pigs fly. Russians say this: That is, not soon.

Eager beaver. Literally - a tense beaver. In Russian - "hard worker", a business person.

Black sheep - literally, a black sheep, but in meaning - a white crow. Denotes a person who is not like the others.

Be as busy as a bee - be as busy as a bee. In Russian, work with your sleeves rolled up.

Money

A piece of a pie - "a piece of the pie", that is, a share.

Be flushed with money - scatter money.

Make ends meet - live from bread to kvass, need.

Bring home the bacon - provide, bring home a penny.

Idioms are expressions whose meaning is not equal to the meaning of their constituent words. For example: "You are pulling my leg!". The literal translation is: "You are pulling my leg!" - but the correct translation of this idiom is: " You fool my head!". This is characteristic only of this language, a stable, indivisible phrase, the meaning of which is not determined by the meaning of the words included in it taken separately. This is a figurative expression, a stable turn of speech that has a figurative meaning and is indecomposable into components. The Russian language also has its own specific idioms .

You work backwards". In English, idioms refer to different objects and definitions. There are idioms associated with the names of flowers, animals, body parts, food, etc. Knowing the meaning of idioms is very important, since native speakers often use them in everyday speech, and ignorance of even the most basic idioms can create incidents in communication with the interlocutor.The following are frequently used idioms.

• to souped up - become more cool and stylish

To hide his complexes, he souped up : he changed his appearance and began to go to the gym. - To hide his complexes, he decided to become cool and stylish: he changed his appearance and started going to the gym.

• to sell like hot cakes - be in great demand, sell like hot cakes, sell quickly in large quantities

This magazine was recently published but already sell like hot cakes in many European countries. - This magazine was recently published, but it is already selling like hot cakes in many European countries.

• to spill the beans - spill the beans, give out a secret

He prepared for his eldest daughter an unusual gift and asked everyone not to spill the beans. - He prepared an unusual gift for his eldest daughter and asked everyone not to spill the beans.

• to take smth with a pinch (grain) of salt - take something critically, with distrust

Whatever my uncle told you, you should take it with a grain of salt. “Whatever my uncle tells you, you must not take his words at face value.

• to use your noodle - move your brains

At this time I will not be able to help you. You have to use your noodle yourself and solve the problem. This time I can't help you. You have to use your brains and solve the problem yourself.

• an alley cat - homeless cat

In this performance we did not recognize her, she was dressed in the costume of an alley cat . - In this performance, we did not recognize her, she was dressed in a stray cat costume.

• as poor as a church mouse - poor as a church mouse

Her clothes, sickly thinness, hungry look, all this said that she was as poor as a church mouse. - Her clothes, sickly thinness, hungry look, all this said that she was poor as a church mouse.

• a paper tiger - something that is only a seeming threat, a "paper tiger" is a harmless adversary

Outwardly they look formidable and strong, but no one is afraid of them, because everyone knows that they are paper tigers . - Outwardly, they look formidable and strong, but no one is afraid of them, because everyone knows that they are paper tigers.

• to make a mountain out of a molehill - make an elephant out of a fly

Her mother constantly makes a mountain out of a molehill, she always sees danger and deception in everything, and exaggerates the seriousness of the problems. - Her mother constantly makes an elephant out of a fly, she always sees danger and deceit in everything, and exaggerates the seriousness of the problems.

• to serve as a Guinea pig - to be a guinea pig

The unhappy woman under the curious and mocking looks of a whole crowd of people served as a guinea pig . - The unfortunate woman, under the curious and mocking glances of a whole crowd of people, felt like a guinea pig.

• to cast pearls before swine - cast pearls before pigs

I will never waste my time in casting pearls before swines to prove myself right. “I will never throw pearls in vain in front of pigs to prove my case.

• the black sheep (of the family) - outcast, black sheep, (white crow (in the family))

She was never taken seriously, because of her dreaminess, she was always the black sheep among us. - She was never taken seriously, because of her daydreaming, she was always a black sheep among us.

• to back the wrong horse - make the wrong choice, put on the wrong horse

She deliberately backed the wrong horse and abandoned her children. She consciously made the wrong choice and abandoned her children.

• a cat gets one "s tongue - swallow the tongue, lose the power of speech

Emotions overwhelmed her and a cat got her tongue when she saw her husband missing five years ago. - She was overwhelmed with emotions and she was speechless when she saw her husband missing 5 years ago.

• to have a tiger by the tail - challenge fate, tempt fate

She didn't have a tiger by the tail and expose herself even more danger and decided to return to her parents. - She did not tempt fate and put herself in even more danger and decided to return to her parents.

• to have a yellow streak - to be a coward, to be a coward

I do not advise you to hope for his help and support, he has a yellow streak . - I do not advise you to rely on his help and support, he is a coward.

• to catch someone red-handed - catch red-handed

Tom was going to steal a few packets of biscuits, but the manager of the supermarket came around and caught him red-handed . Tom was about to steal a few packs of cookies when the supermarket manager came and caught him red-handed.

• the black sheep (of the family) - outcast, the one who is not loved (black sheep in the family)

Despite all your merits and diligence, you will always be considered the black sheep in their family. - Despite all your merits and efforts, you will always be considered a black sheep in their family.

• to get/give the green light - get (give) permission

His father didn't give him the green light to manage family business on his own. - His father did not allow him to manage the family business on his own.

• as white as a sheet / ghost - white as death, turn white as a sheet

He was as white as a sheet, fear took possession of him. - He was white as a sheet, fear took possession of him.

To be honest, the more I study English, the more I realize how diverse it is. After , my eyes turned to idioms. What are idioms in English and in general do they mean?

Idioms are a kind of set expressions that are interpreted with a figurative meaning. Well, as in Russian “In the seventh heaven with happiness” or “When the cancer whistles on the mountain”. By the way, very often the meaning of the idiom is similar to English, German, and Russian. The list goes on. That is, the interweaving of meanings is observed in many peoples. Still, the world is one.

• 1. When pigs fly. Verbatim - when the pigs fly. In Russian - “When cancer on the mountain whistles”. It means almost never!

Annie sniffed. ‘The day pigs fly. That will be the day.'-When cancer whistles. That's when it'll happen,” Ann snorted.

• 2.Piece of cake. Literally, a piece of cake. In fact, this translates as a trifling matter, simpler than simple, simpler than a steamed turnip

No problem, piece of cake! - Easy! Not even a question.

• 3. Cost an arm and leg. Literally - " cost an arm and a leg". As if it is very expensive.

Are you crazy? It costs an arm and leg! You're crazy? It costs a fortune!

• 4 . Let the cat out the bag . Literally - " Let the cat out of the bag. Well .. Is it to give out all the secrets or tell an important secret!

I'm hurt. You've let the cat out of the bag about our relationship.

I'm in pain. You gave away all the secrets of our relationship.

• 5 . Bite off more than one can chew. Literally - " bite off more than you can chew".

It's not up to you and not up to your teeth. Don't bite off more than you can chew. - Chop the tree by yourself.

I sometimes want to disagree with this idiom. After all, human possibilities are endless. Although at some point you have to cut down a tree on your own.

• 6. Speak of the devil. Literally - "talk about the devil." In Russian - “Remember g..o and here it is. Or more cultural - " Light in sight".

• 7. To have Van Gog's ear for music. Literally - “ Have a Van Gogh ear for music.” It means to have poor hearing.

Poor boy. He has got Van Gog's ear for music.

Poor boy. He has no musical ear at all. .

• 8 . Drink like a lord. Or drink like a fish .

A phrasal expression that means to get drunk until you're blue in the face.

Dude, you`d better stop. You drink like a fish today! Brother, you better stop, you're drinking like a shoemaker today!

• 9.useyourloaf . Literally - "Use Your Baton". Use your head. Guess how to do it. Use your loaf. Guess how to do it. Think with your head!

• 10. Fingers licking good."Real jam".

Is it tasty? Yes, very tasty! Fingers licking good. It's tasty? Yes very! Real jam!

• 11. To put a sock in it. Literally - "Put your sock in there". Actually - Just shut your mouth. Keep your mouth shut.

Please, no more words! Put a sock in it. Say no more, hold your tongue!

• 12. Lights are on, but nobody's home. Literally - "The lights are on but no one's home". Actually. Ale Garage. We speak when a person is here, but in prostration.

Look at him. What's happened? Lights are on but nobody`s home. Look at him. What happened? In general, he does not understand anything, does not react.

• 13.to be head over heels in love . Verbatim- "upside down in love". Be madly in love!

I can't speak with her now. She`s head over heels with love. I can't talk to her right now. She is head over heels in love!

• 14. wolf in sheep's clothing. Literally - " Wolf in sheep's clothing". Still waters run deep. He's not who he claims to be.

I don't trust him. I think he`s wolf in a sheep`s clothing. I don't trust him. I think he is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

• 15. As comfortable as an old shoe. Literally - " As comfortable as an old boot". Very cozy

My old house may seem small to you, but I think it's cozy. It's as comfortable as an old shoe.

My old house may seem small to you, but I think it's very cozy.

Best idiomatic expressions from A to Z

If English is not your native language, then you probably quite often met with strange phrases that confuse you.

These are phraseological units called idioms. Idioms are an integral part of the communication of English-speaking people and are sometimes used even more often than phraseological units in Russian.

What are phraseological units?

Phraseologisms. Stable combinations that you can’t translate just like that. Bright emotional cunning expressions. Due to the unusualness, these phrases are easy to remember.

The main mistake of beginners in learning a language is an attempt to translate an idiom literally, as a result of which it often turns out to be just nonsense. Idioms cannot be translated literally, it is also worth considering that some idiomatic phrases violate grammatical rules and are archaic.

It is impossible not to notice that idioms exist not only in English, but in all other languages ​​and often inherit from each other the meaning of the expression.

A frequent example of the use of phraseological units makes it difficult to use the English language, but makes it more beautiful and livelier.

The study of idioms is mandatory for those who wish to read literature or watch films in the original language.

Why study idioms?

First of all, the study of idioms will greatly enrich your speech, which is important for live communication, as idioms can often be found in cinema and literature, which gives a passive plus to watching movies and reading books and comics in the original language.

If you are still engaged in learning English seriously and for a long time, then you are unlikely to be able to bypass the study of idioms, which is why we have collected the most interesting, most used idiomatic expressions on our website!

If you are still not fluent in idioms, then this web page is for you!

List to study:

Let's run through all the idioms sorted alphabetically: