Unlocking English. Essential Idioms for Fluent English (part 1): Unlocking English, #1

By BGDS

Get to know English idioms with our friendly guide, perfect for beginners and intermediate learners. This book helps you understand common English phrases quickly and have fun along the way. With straightforward examples and short stories, each idiom is easy to grasp, making your English sound natural. You'll learn to use idioms the way native speakers do, which can make talking and writing in English much more interesting. Start exploring the world of idioms and boost your English skills today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BGDS
• Release date: Nov 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9786158237925

BGDS

Hi, I am George, a Hungarian IT engineer with a passion for the English language. I started writing English books many years ago when I relocated to the vibrant city of Kuala Lumpur. Living in that big city entire of different languages and cultures made me curious about English idioms. All my books and videos are the result of my learning journey. I have a strong IT background, so my technical precision helped me make these books accurate and easy to understand. I have made sure that the idioms in the books are simple and fun to learn, especially for those who are new to English. These books are more than just about idioms; they're about enjoying and discovering the beauty of the English language through my own experiences. Since I'm not a native English speaker, there might be some mistakes in these books. But remember, making mistakes is part of learning, and together, we'll improve and explore the English language in a fun way!

Book preview

Table of Contents

Preface

How to Use This Book

Idioms, Proverbs, Phrasal Verbs, Phrases and Collocations

Happines-related idioms

on cloud nine

over the moon

on top of the world

grin like a Cheshire cat

walk on air

Sadness-related idioms

down in the dumps

cry over spilled milk

with a heavy heart

feel blue

(put) in the doldrums

Anger-related idioms

make one's blood boil

hit the roof

blow one's top

have/throw a fit

drive someone up the wall

Calmness-related idioms

cool, calm, and collected

keep a level head

smooth sailing

keep one's cool

smooth operator

Fear-related idioms

that sinking feeling

send shivers down one's spine

one's blood ran cold

shake in one's boots

scared stiff

Courage-related idioms

have the guts

bite the bullet

keep a stiff upper lip

go against the grain

take the bull by the horns

Empathy-related idioms

walk a mile in someone's shoes

lend an ear

have a heart of gold

a shoulder to cry on

wear one's heart on one's sleeve

Insensitivity-related idioms

thick-skinned

cold fish

high-handed

like a bull in a china shop

as hard/tough as nails

Curiosity-related idioms

curiosity killed the cat

have a nose for something

like a kid in a candy store

scratch the surface

open a can of worms

Boredom-related idioms

leave one cold

twiddle one's thumbs

same old same old

stir-crazy

watch paint dry

beginning-related idioms

Get the ball rolling!

get off the ground

hit the ground running

turn over a new leaf

a newbie

ending-related idioms

call it a day

bite the dust

all good things must come to an end

go out with a bang

throw in the towel

danger-related idioms

hang by a thread

on thin ice

risk (one's) life and limb

a close shave

run the risk of doing something

safety-related idioms

keep one's nose clean

the coast is clear

better safe than sorry

look before you leap

safe and sound

idioms about ease

a piece of cake

a walk in the park

easy peasy

as easy as pie

all downhill from here

idioms about difficulty

a pain in the neck

easier said than done

a tall order

in deep water

a mountain to climb

idioms about agreeing

on the same page

see eye to eye (with someone)

great minds think alike

like two peas in a pod

sing from the same hymn sheet

idioms about disagreeing

agree to disagree

at odds (with someone/something)

a bone of contention

read someone the riot act

fight like cats and dogs

idioms about good things

the bee's knees

top of the line

the best thing since sliced bread

second to none

top-notch

idioms about bad things

not one's cup of tea

damp squib

second-rate

past one's prime

on (one's or something's) last legs

Unlocking English

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Essential Idioms for Fluent English (part 1)

Unlocking English: Essential Idioms for Fluent English (part 1)

by BGDS

Copyright © 2023 by BGDS All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Author: BGDS

Cover design and interior layout: BGDS

Published: BGDS

ISBN: 978-615-82379-2-5

Printing History:

November 2023: First Edition

For permissions requests, please contact BGDS at the following address:

[e-mail]

Dear son!

This book is a special gift, crafted just for you, inspired by our shared fascination with idioms. Your love for learning languages, your eagerness, and your curiosity never stop surprising me. Whether English, Malay, or Chinese, you embrace each language with a joy that makes me proud.

You will find a treasure trove of idioms on these pages that will entertain and help you learn more about the English language. It's an adventure waiting to unfold, full of phrases I know will make you laugh or think. You may even start weaving these idioms into your daily conversations, adding that special spice that makes language magical. This book can be a friend, a guide, and a source of endless fun as you continue on this exciting journey of learning a new language.

Keep exploring, my clever boy. You are doing wonderfully, and I am so very proud of you.

With all my love,

BGDS

Preface

Welcome to an exciting adventure into the world of English idioms!

This book is like a treasure hunt, where we will explore special idioms in English. It is designed to be your guide, whether you are new to English or have been learning for a while. And do not worry, we have made sure to use language that is just right for beginners and intermediate learners.

Why learn idioms? They are like a special spice in English. They make your speaking and writing more colourful and interesting. They help you sound more like a native speaker and give you a glimpse into the culture and thinking of English-speaking people.

In this book, we will look at different idioms about feelings, life, and people's ideas. There is no problem if they seem strange at first! I will give you examples and stories to help you understand.

For instance, if someone says, Break a leg!, they do not really want you to break your leg. It is a way to say, Good luck! Do your best!

We know that idioms can be tricky, especially if you are just starting to learn English. That is why we have simplified our language and structure in this book. Our goal is to make this journey enjoyable and easy to understand without losing the fun and magic of English.

And guess what? This is just the beginning! We have plans for more idiom books in the future, so you can continue to explore and enjoy English with us.

So, are you ready to start this exciting journey into English idioms? Let us go and discover the fun and magic of English together!

How to Use This Book

Welcome to Unlocking English: Essential Idioms for Fluent English! We are so happy you chose this book to help you learn. It is designed to be your ultimate guide to understanding and using English idioms that can often confound language learners and even native speakers alike. But before you delve into the heart of this rich and colourful aspect of the English language, let's familiarize you with how to get the most out of this book.

Structure of the Book

The book is divided into 20 units, each containing five idioms, meaning you will be introduced to 100 idioms by the time you turn the last page. Each idiom spans two pages, ensuring you get an in-depth understanding of its usage, meaning, and context.

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Understanding the Layout

Header: At the top of the first page for every idiom, you will find some important things in a rounded box. The idiom is written in bold letters, and right under it, in small letters, you will see what it means in simple words. Next to that, on the right of the idiom, there is the CERF level. Based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, it shows the idiom's difficulty.

Pronunciation: This first section delves into pronunciation variations between UK and US English. I used a very popular English pronunciation generator on easypronunciation.com to generate IPA signs. This will help you sound natural whether speaking to someone in London or Los Angeles. Additionally, this section notes whether the idiom is more commonly used in the UK, the US, or both.

More Info: This section contains links to the Cambridge Dictionary and The Free Dictionary. By clicking on these, you can discover more information about the idiom.

In-Depth Explanation & usage: This section is the most important part of the page. It will help you truly understand the idiom's meaning and usage. The first part breaks down the idiom's meaning in a way that is easy to grasp.

To visualize this concept better, you will also see an image that captures the essence of the idiom. It shows the literal meaning of the idiom. For example, if the idiom is bite the bullet the picture might show someone actually biting a bullet. Sometimes, showing the literal meaning is hard. Like for the idiom send shivers down one's spine, finding a picture to show its exact meaning is not easy.

The second part gives a practical scenario where the idiom might be used in real life. It is like seeing the idiom in action! This way, you do not just learn what the idiom means. You learn how to use it effectively in daily conversations.

This approach ensures that you not only understand what each idiom means but also how and when to use it, enriching your English language skills in a fun and engaging way.

Practical Examples: This section provides three sentences for both the idiom, giving you a sense of how they are used in real-life situations. This will not only deepen your understanding of each phrase but also give you more options for expressing yourself in English.

Real-life Conversation: Think of this section as a mini-drama that places the idiom into an everyday dialogue between two people. The dialogue is crafted to simulate situations in which you are likely to find yourself, whether it is a casual conversation with a friend, a discussion at work, or an exchange during travel. By showing the idiom in action, this section aims to put all the puzzle pieces together, helping you visualize and understand how the idiom naturally fits into spoken English.

Synonym & its Meaning: Here, we introduce you to another phrase or saying that has a similar meaning to the idiom you have just learned. This gives you more ways to express the same feeling or situation, making your English more versatile. Learning synonyms along with idioms will broaden your vocabulary and give you greater confidence in both spoken and written English.

This way, readers will know that each idiom comes with a friend — a synonym or similar phrase — that they can use interchangeably, enhancing their understanding and use of English idioms.

Practical Synonym Examples: This section provides three sentences for both the synonym of the idiom. These side-by-side comparisons show that idioms and their synonyms can often be used interchangeably.

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Why No Origin Stories and Exercises?

You may notice that this book does not cover the origins of idioms or feature practice exercises. The reason for this is simple. The origins of many idioms are often debated and may vary depending on the source. As for exercises, given that this is an electronic book, we believe interactive online resources can better serve that purpose.

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So, buckle up for an exciting journey into the world of English idioms. Whether you are a language learner or a native speaker looking to broaden your linguistic horizons, this book aims to make mastering idioms as engaging and straightforward as possible. Happy reading!

Idioms, Proverbs, Phrasal Verbs, Phrases and Collocations

In this section, I aim to help you better understand the unique aspects of the English language by discussing the differences between idiomatic expressions, proverbs/sayings, phrasal verbs, phrases, and collocations. As you dive deeper into the world of English, you will encounter various expressions, each with its characteristics and functions. When you learn the differences between them, you can use English better. This will make your English learning more fun and help you speak and write well.

Idiomatic expressions

Idioms are like puzzles in the English language. They are groups of words that, when put together, have a different meaning than what you might think if you just looked at each word on its own. It is like a secret code that native English speakers use to express their feelings, ideas, or experiences.

For example, if someone says, "It is raining cats and dogs", they do not mean that animals are falling from the sky! They mean it is raining very heavily. Funny, right?

Idioms make conversations colourful and lively. They paint pictures with words. When you hear someone has "cold feet", we do not mean their feet are really cold. We mean they are nervous or scared about something.

Learning idioms can be fun. Diving into the world of idioms is an adventure. The more you explore, the more treasures you will discover. Embracing idioms can make you feel more connected to the English language and help you sound more like a native speaker.

Remember, idioms are everywhere in English. From movies and songs to books and daily conversations, they are everywhere. So, keep your ears open, and soon you will be