What is an Idiom?

• English
• 9th Grade

What is an Idiom?

Stop!

Before we begin, let's take a quick poll.

Who knows what an idiom is or has heard of idioms before?

Use zoom reactions and use the          for yes or the        for no

What is your favorite saying or phrase?

Go! 

Let's Begin With a Definition

Your textbook defines idioms as "...informal expressions in which the literal meanings of the words do not add up to the actual meaning" (108).

What Does This Mean?

Idioms are figures of speech! This means that:

• We don't take idioms literally
• Their meanings depend on what someone is trying to express
• It is informal and relaxed language (conversational)

Why Do We Use Idioms?

We use idioms to

• emphasize or exaggerate a thought or feeling
• show we "fit in" with a certain group of people
• have casual and informal  conversations

What Do Idioms Look Like?

How to Identify Idioms

Often, idioms are only familiar if we've heard and used them before. But, we can always use context!

Idiom: "snug as a bug in a rug"

In context: Her blanket was so fluffy that she was as snug as a bug in a rug.

Based on the context in the previous sentence, what does "snug as a bug in a rug" mean?

Idioms are NOT Universal

Idioms are different for everyone! Idioms we use can be based on

• how old we are 
• what languages we speak
• where we live 
• who we hang out  with 

Idioms Around the World 

Idioms in Spanish 

0

Idioms in Armenian

Idioms in Tagalog 

Idioms in Gen Z

Let's Practice 

You will be given 4 idioms. Based on the context, pick which definition you think best defines the idiom.

It was raining cats and dogs outside, so I wore my rain boots and packed an umbrella. "Raining cats and dogs" means:

1. It was barely raining
2. It was raining heavily
3. Dogs and cats were actually falling from the sky
4. None of the above

I was feeling under the weather when I woke up with a stuffy nose and cough. "Under the weather" mean:

1. I felt good
2. I was sitting under a rain cloud
3. I felt sick
4. None of the above

I was on the fence about whether or not I should adopt a puppy this year. "On the fence" means

1. unconfident in a decision
2. confident in a decision
3. sitting on top of a fence
4. None of the above

Jim and Jane had over 200 guests at their wedding when they tied the knot. "Tied the knot" means:

1. Tied knots with rope
2. Tied their shoes
3. Got married
4. None of the above

Can you think of an idiom to share with the class? Think about idioms in other languages you speak, idioms you use with your friends, or that you hear around the house. Please include what your idiom means with your answer.

Check-In (Anonymous)

At this point, how do you feel about idioms compared to the beginning of the lesson? Use the zoom chat to indicate where you are.

• Type a 1 if you don't quite get idioms just yet
• Type a 2 if you're somewhere in the middle and need a little more practice
• Type a 3 if you feel confident that you understand idioms

Let's Consider

Think about the question "What does it mean to be American?"

• How does language play a role in American voices and culture?
• What role might idioms play in assimilation?
• Consider these questions as we read the poem "Immigrant Picnic" 
• Look for idioms, how they are being used, and what they contribute to the meaning of the poem!