Teaching Idioms: It’s a Piece of Cake!

The English language is rich in unusual colloquial sayings and expressions.

For example, if someone tells you not to bite off more than you can chew, they are not cautioning you about the size of the morsel of food on your fork. And if something costs you an arm and a leg, it doesn’t mean you have to pay with an actual arm and a leg … thank goodness!

These sayings are called idioms and they’re a piece of cake! (See what I did there? ?)

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a saying that has a meaning that is different from its literal meaning. Idioms are fun expressions that are commonly used to describe things in a colorful way.

Here are a few more common idioms. Do your kids know what they mean?

• a penny for your thoughts
• you’re driving me up the wall
• go back to the drawing board
• the best thing since sliced bread
• a dime a dozen
• barking up the wrong tree
• when pigs fly

How Do We Teach Idioms?

Because idioms are common in English speech and literature, it’s important for children to become accustomed to hearing them. Learning and understanding idioms will help develop your child’s reading comprehension and build his vocabulary.

Let’s take a look at how we teach this important literary device in the All About Reading program.

Download an idiom activity and story from All About Reading Level 3.

AAR Level 3 introduces twelve idioms in an activity called “When Pigs Fly.” Many of these idioms are encountered in “Chasing Henry” and subsequent stories.

Download Level 3 Activity: “When Pigs Fly”
Download Level 3 Story: “Chasing Henry”

Download an idiom activity and story from All About Reading Level 4.

Children are exposed to more idioms in a Level 4 activity called “The Early Bird Catches the Worm” and in a short story called “The Elephant in the Room.”

Download Level 4 Activity: “The Early Bird Catches the Worm”
Download Level 4 Story: “The Elephant in the Room”

50 Favorite Idioms

Many idioms have to do with animals (a little birdie told me), some have to do with color (tickled pink), and still others have to do with food (apple of my eye). Here’s a great collection of common idioms you can share with your children. Hang the list on the fridge or in your classroom, or discuss them over lunch–or even over a piece of cake!

How about you? Do you have a favorite idiom? Please share in the comments below!