Grammar: B1 - 💡 Effective Word Choice & Style - Basics - Lesson 5: Introduction to Basic Idioms (a piece of cake, break a leg)

💡 Lesson 5: Introduction to Basic Idioms

To improve your English fluency¹, it's important to understand that people don't always speak in a literal² way. English is full of creative phrases called idioms³. An idiom is a group of words whose meaning as a phrase is different from the meaning of the individual words.

For example, if someone says "it's raining cats and dogs," they don't mean animals are falling from the sky! It's an idiom that means "it's raining very heavily."

Common English Idioms and Their Meanings

You cannot guess the meaning of an idiom. You have to learn it as a whole phrase. Let's look at some of the most common idioms you will hear.

• a piece of cake: Something that is very easy to do.
  "I was worried about the exam, but it was a piece of cake!"
• break a leg: A way to say "good luck!" to someone, especially before they perform on a stage.
  "You have a presentation tomorrow? Break a leg!"
• hit the books: To study very hard.
  "Final exams are next week, so I really need to hit the books."
• once in a blue moon: Something that happens very rarely⁴.
  "I'm so busy, I only see my old friends once in a blue moon."
• when pigs fly: Something that will never, ever happen.
  "He said he will pay me back the money tomorrow. That'll happen when pigs fly!"
• cost an arm and a leg: To be very expensive.
  "I'd love to buy a new iPhone, but it costs an arm and a leg."

A Tip for Learning Idioms

The best way to learn idioms is to listen for them in movies and conversations. When you hear a phrase that doesn't make literal sense, it's probably an idiom! Try to learn one or two new ones each week and use them in your own speaking practice.

🧠 Practice Quiz: What Does It Mean?

Choose the best option to complete each sentence or answer the question.

1. If a test was "a piece of cake," it was _______.
   Answer: very easy
2. Your friend is about to sing a song in a competition. You should smile and say: "_______!"
   Answer: Break a leg!
3. I wanted to buy a new motorbike, but the one I liked _______. It was too expensive for me.
   Answer: cost an arm and a leg
4. I have a huge exam tomorrow, so tonight I can't go out. I have to _______.
   Answer: hit the books
5. He said he will become the King of Cambodia. That will happen _______.
   Answer: when pigs fly (meaning it's impossible).

📝 Homework: Use an Idiom

Write a sentence for each situation using an idiom from the lesson.

1. Your friend helped you fix your bicycle, and it was very easy.
   (Example answer: Thanks for your help! With you, it was a piece of cake.)
   _________________________________________
2. Your brother has a very important job interview tomorrow. What can you say to him?
   (Example answer: Good luck with the interview! Break a leg!)
   _________________________________________
3. Describe something you don't do very often, like visiting a relative who lives far away.
   (Example answer: I only visit my cousins in Pailin once in a blue moon.)
   _________________________________________

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Fluency: (Noun) - ភាពស្ទាត់ជំនាញ (phéap stuat'chŭm'néanh) - The ability to speak or write a language easily, well, and quickly. ↩
2. Literal: (Adjective) - តាមព្យញ្ជនៈ (tam pchœ̆nh'chĕă'nă) - The most usual or basic meaning of a word or phrase. ↩
3. Idiom: (Noun) - សំនួនវោហារ (sâm'nuən vo'ha) - A group of words with a meaning that is different from the meanings of the individual words. ↩
4. Rarely: (Adverb) - កម្រ (kâm'râ) - Not often. ↩
5. Affordable: (Adjective) - តម្លៃសមរម្យ (tâm'lay sâm'rôm) - Not expensive; cheap enough for people to be able to buy. ↩