Idioms and Proverbs

What is Idioms and Proverbs?

Within English, which covers grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, poetry, drama and the skills for clear communication, this topic explains Idioms and Proverbs. English topics help you read closely and write with purpose, so each one here explains a skill and shows how it works in a model text.

Check that you can explain Idioms and Proverbs in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.

Understanding Idioms and Proverbs helps you read texts more closely and write with more control, which earns marks in both reading and writing papers.

Idioms and Proverbs in detail

An idiom is an expression whose meaning is not the same as the literal meaning of its words, such as "it's raining cats and dogs" (raining heavily), "break the ice" (start a conversation) or "under the weather" (feeling unwell). They are specific to a language and culture and can be hard for learners.

A proverb is a short saying that gives advice or a general truth, such as "A stitch in time saves nine" or "Actions speak louder than words". Idioms and proverbs add colour to speech and writing, but clichés can make writing seem tired, so use them with care.

How the interactive helps you understand Idioms and Proverbs

Click a card to flip it and reveal the answer, then move on to the next one.

Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Idioms and Proverbs.

Real-life uses and examples

• Plan an essay paragraph by linking the technique to the reader’s response.
• Spot Idioms and Proverbs when you read a poem, story or speech, then explain the effect it creates.
• Use Idioms and Proverbs to make your own writing more precise and vivid.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Quoting a long passage instead of picking a short, precise phrase.
• Naming a technique without explaining its effect on the reader.
• Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.