Idioms & phrases: English Language Notes for REET

REET – English Language

Topic: Idioms & Phrases

Goal:
Understand what idioms and phrases are, why they matter in English, and how to use them correctly in speaking and writing.

1. Simple Explanation

Term	What it means	Example
Idiom	A group of words whose meaning is not deducible from the individual words.	“Kick the bucket” = die
Phrase	A grammatical unit that does not contain a subject‑verb pair. It can be a noun phrase, verb phrase, prepositional phrase, etc.	“in the middle of the night”
Fixed Expression	Another word for idiom; the words are almost always used in the same order.	“let the cat out of the bag”

Key idea: Idioms are fixed and untranslatable literally; phrases may or may not be idiomatic.

2. Key Points

#	Point	Why it matters
1. Types of Idiomatic Units	- Idioms (e.g., “spill the beans”) - Phrasal Verbs (e.g., “give up”) - Proverbs (e.g., “a stitch in time saves nine”) - Collocations (common word pairings)	Knowing the type helps you grasp how they behave in sentences.
2. Fixed vs. Flexible Order	Idioms are usually fixed: “under the weather” not “the weather under”.	Mis‑ordering breaks the idiom.
3. Literal vs. Figurative Meaning	Idioms are figurative: “break the ice” – to start a conversation, not to smash ice.	Literal reading can lead to confusion.
4. Contextual Cues	Use surrounding words to confirm you’re in an idiomatic context.	“She is feeling under the weather” → sick.
5. Common Idiom Themes	Food, travel, business, emotions, nature, technology, etc.	Helps memorisation by grouping.
6. Cultural Nuance	Some idioms are unique to British, American, or Indian English.	Use “cheese” idioms carefully in an Indian exam.
7. Usage Tips	- Use idioms sparingly in formal writing. - Always check the meaning in a dictionary. - Practice in sentences.	Improves fluency and reduces errors.

3. Worked Example

Paragraph with Idioms

“When the meeting started, I was feeling a bit under the weather. My colleague, who usually spills the beans about everything, decided to keep his cards close to his chest. At the end, we finally killed two birds with one stone by finishing the report and booking the conference room.”

Step‑by‑Step Breakdown

Idiom	Literal Words	Figurative Meaning	Usage Note
under the weather	literally below weather	feeling ill	Common in spoken English.
spills the beans	literally pours beans	reveals secrets	Use when someone discloses something they shouldn't.
keep his cards close to his chest	literally holds cards near chest	keeps information hidden	Idiom for secrecy.
kill two birds with one stone	literally kill birds with stone	achieve two goals with one action	Very common; avoid literal interpretation.

Re‑written using literal meanings (for clarity)

“When the meeting started, I was feeling a bit sick. My colleague, who usually reveals everything, decided to keep his information hidden. At the end, we finally achieved two goals with one action by finishing the report and booking the conference room.”

4. Quick Revision Summary

Item	Take‑away
Definition	Idiom – fixed figurative expression; Phrase – any grammatical unit without subject‑verb pair.
Common Types	Idioms, phrasal verbs, proverbs, collocations.
Fixed Order	Most idioms are inflexible; changing word order breaks them.
Literal vs. Figurative	Always think figuratively; check a dictionary if unsure.
Context Helps	Surrounding words indicate idiomatic usage.
Common Themes	Food, travel, emotions, business, nature, technology.
Cultural Awareness	Some idioms are region‑specific.
Usage	Use sparingly in formal writing; practice in sentences.
Quick Test	Replace the idiom “hit the books” with its figurative meaning. (Answer: study hard)

Mini‑Quiz (Optional)

#	Idiom	Meaning
1	“beat around the bush”
2	“cost an arm and a leg”
3	“back to the drawing board”

Answer key: 1) Avoid the main topic; 2) Very expensive; 3) Start again.

Tip for REET:
When encountering a phrase that feels “odd” or “un