Unlocking English: Essential Idioms for Fluent English (part 2): Unlocking English, #2

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: Dec 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9786158237949

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

Regret-related idioms

eat humble pie

burn one's bridges

that ship has sailed

the game is up

let the cat out of the bag

Optimism-related idioms

silver lining

hope against hope

count one's blessings

keep one's chin up

things are looking up

Pride-related idioms

strut one's stuff

too big for one's britches

rest on one's laurels

as proud as a peacock

blow one's own trumpet

Surprise-related idioms

take one's breath away

stop in one's tracks

blow one's mind

open-mouthed

knock one's socks off

Confidence-related idioms

stand tall

jump in with both feet

the world is one's oyster

hold one's head high

in the driver's seat

Jealousy-related idioms

green with envy

cast a sheep's eye

sour grapes

keep up with the Joneses

a green-eyed monster

Confusion-related idioms

lost at sea

in over one's head

at sixes and sevens

can't make heads or tails of it

out of one's depth

Excitement-related idioms

jump out of one's skin

jump for joy

thrilled to bits

on pins and needles

raring to go

Love-related idioms

head over heels (in love)

set one's heart on

tie the knot

a match made in heaven

old flame

Gratitude-related idioms

make hay while the sun shines

from the bottom of one's heart

take one's hat off to someone

it's the thought that counts

thank one's lucky stars

Time-related idioms

against the clock

in the nick of time

burn the midnight oil

time flies

at the eleventh hour

Uncertainty-related idioms

up in the air

play it by ear

a shot in the dark

(one's) guess is as good as (another's)

a roll of the dice

Success-related idioms

strike gold

hit the jackpot

the sky's the limit

on a roll

take the cake

Failure-related idioms

miss the boat

hit rock bottom

draw the short straw

go up in smoke

fall flat on one's face

Opportunity-related idioms

seize the day

strike while the iron is hot

jump at the chance

when opportunity knocks

break new ground

Decision-making idioms

on the fence

at a crossroads

the ball is in one's court

walk on eggshells

a toss-up

Idioms about deception

a wolf in sheep's clothing

smoke and mirrors

pull the wool over one's eyes

throw someone under the bus

lead someone down the garden path

Communication-related idioms

get the message (across)

read between the lines

straight from the horse's mouth

beat around the bush

clear the air

Idioms about change

a breath of fresh air

a sea change

a change of heart

cross the Rubicon

turn the tables

Idioms about friendship

fair-weather friend

friends in high places

thick as thieves

joined at the hip

cross the line

Unlocking English

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Essential Idioms for Fluent English (part 2)

Unlocking English: Essential Idioms for Fluent English (part 2)

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: 978-615-82379-4-9

Printing History:

December 2023: First Edition

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

[e-mail]

Preface

Welcome back, idiom explorers!

If you thought our first adventure was a blast, buckle up, because we're diving deeper into the magical realm of English idioms! This time, we've gathered a hundred more sayings that will make your English sparkle and shine.

Why another book, you ask? Well, idioms are the colourful strokes on the canvas of language. They bring your conversations to life and trust me, there's always more to learn! In this exciting follow-up, we will touch on idioms that let you express everything from regret to optimism, from confusion to confidence. Our journey won't stop at emotions, though. We'll also venture into idioms that define those make-or-break moments in time, the thrill of success, the pitfall of failure, and the ambiguity of decision-making. There’s something here for every feeling and scenario you could imagine!

Think of this book as your next stepping stone in the endless river of English language learning. I'll continue to be your guide, ensuring you don't just scratch the surface but truly understand the depth and diversity of idiomatic expressions. For instance, if you ever hear someone say, The ball is in your court, don't start looking for a tennis racket! It simply means it's your turn to take action in a situation. See, idioms can be fun and useful, right?

Ready to jump back in? Turn the page and let's go!

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

At the top of the first page for every idiom, you will find some important things in a dark blue 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, there is the CERF level. Based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, it shows the idiom's difficulty. On the left of this blue box, there are icons for the Cambridge Dictionary and the Free Dictionary. There, you can read even more about the idiom.

|Pronunciation & Usage||: 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.

|In-Depth Explanation||: 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.

|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 Examples||: This section provides three sentences for both the idiom and its synonym, giving you a sense of how they are used in real-life situations. These side-by-side comparisons show that idioms and their synonyms can often be used interchangeably. 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.

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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 using idioms like a pro!

- to kick the bucket - This does not mean someone is kicking a bucket. It is a way to say someone has passed away.

Proverbs/sayings

Proverbs and sayings are likewise old stories packed into short sentences. They are time-honoured lessons passed down through generations. Think of them as little pieces of advice from grandparents!

For instance, when someone says, "Don't judge a book by its cover", they are not just talking about books. They mean that we should not judge or decide about something or someone based only on how they look on the outside. It is a reminder that there is often more than meets the eye.

Proverbs and sayings are like shortcuts to wisdom. They help us understand life better and guide us in making good choices. When you hear or use them, it is like sharing knowledge that